Emotional Care in Fighting Cancer

Oasis of Hope is a Tijuana-based hospital that combines conventional methods with alternative cancer treatments spanning modalities such as pancreatic enzymes, ozone therapy, and megadoses of IV vitamin C. Speaking with the nonprofit CANCERactive, director Dr. Francisco Contreras described a thorough protocol employed with all Oasis of Hope patients, who come from around the world and are often battling stage four cancers.

At the outset, medical history and lab results are carefully reviewed, with a focus on seeing if anything was missed by past physicians. At this point, lab work is undertaken once again, for comparison. One unique aspect of stays at the hospital is that they are often positioned as part of a broader two-year program, with patients receiving education throughout their stay that enables them to continue the program on their own, and with continuing consultative support, upon returning home.

Practical emphases at Oasis include the use of B-17, “nature’s chemotherapy,” and ozonation programs that utilize equipment similar to a dialysis machine in suffusing the blood system with ozone. Beyond these practical physical regimens, Dr. Contreras spends equal time attending to aspects of well-being that are emotional in nature. As he puts it, laughter “stimulates the immune system better than any drug.”

Emphasizing social activities such as sing-alongs and supportive conversation, Dr. Contreras takes impetus from US medical studies that have found that argumentative people often survive longer. Boiled down into a life-affirming credo, he clearly states this as “people who are more determined, beat it.” With patient stays typically lasting three weeks, foundational principles exercised throughout are those of “Do no harm” and “Treat the patient as yourself.” 

The Metronomic Approach to Cytotoxic Therapy for Cancer

Located in Tijuana and with offices in Southern California, Oasis of Hope provides a range of cancer treatment pathways under the Contreras Alternative Cancer Treatment (C-ACT) collective protocol. Oasis of Hope employs multiple therapeutic approaches, including cytotoxic treatment, which may or may not include very mild oral chemotherapy.

The effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy often is hampered by hypoxia, or poor oxygenation of tumors, and decreased activity in specific signaling pathways, which enables cancer cells to survive. An innovative approach involves the use of metronomic chemotherapy, or low doses of chemotherapy applied daily. This causes a continuous death of cancerous endothelial cells, which attempt to expand by forming new blood vessels. Metronomic chemotherapy slows down the angiogenic process significantly.

The metronomic approach has also been shown clinically to kill regulatory T (T-reg) cells. A type of immune cell, T-reg cells can congregate in tumors and suppress the beneficial activity of other immune cells that are able to fight tumors. When the T-reg cell population diminishes, T-cytotoxic cells and natural killer immune cells are better able to do their work of attacking the tumor.

Oasis of Hope Hospital on Diet, Exercise, and Cancer Treatment

Oasis of Hope Hospital offers counseling on diet and exercise through all of its integrative cancer treatment. As researchers continues to study the issue, it becomes clear that both what we eat and how we live play a key role in the development and treatment of many types of cancer. Oasis of Hope Hospital offers some practical tips on the types of food and activities that will help your body fight off cancer by slowing or reversing its development.

Emphasize Fruits and Vegetables

Almost all cancer researchers agree that a relatively low-fat diet that is predominantly based on fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains and fiber, is good for preventing cancer. In particular, you should eat dark green, leafy vegetables; whole grains like brown rice and oats; and beans and legumes. Avoid processed foods, those with added sugars, and high-fat items. For the fats that you do consume, emphasize unsaturated, omega-3 fats such as olive oil and fish oil.

 

Maintain Healthy Calcium and Folic Acid Intake

Calcium plays an important role in mitigating bowel cancer and several other types of cancer, as well as preventing against osteoporosis and other bone conditions. For this reason, many cancer diets emphasize dairy products, but you can also get a good supply of calcium from many vegetables, especially broccoli and kale. Similarly, folic acid remains an important nutrient in combating cancer. Some of the best sources are spinach, egg yolks, peas, asparagus, and lentils.

Engage in Moderate Exercise at Least Every Other Day

Research suggests that the amount of exercise necessary to have an effect on cancer is three to five sessions per week, using up approximately three to four METs per session. A MET is a unit representing the energy used by your body at rest through burning calories and intake of oxygen. A brisk one-hour walk, or a light weight-lifting routine equals about three METs.

In simpler terms, this amount of exercise is roughly equivalent to a normal workout routine. If you are not accustomed to this level of exercise or are debilitated by your cancer, you will need to start with more gentle activities and gradually work your way up.