Personal Prescription extract
In a recent Personal Prescription for a woman with oesophageal cancer in the UK, Chris Woollams was asked 'What caused my oesophageal cancer, and is there anything I can do to counteract the cause or causes?"
Q: "I’m a 56-year-old woman and I have developed a grade 3 oesophageal cancer in the lower part of the oesophagus (an ’Adenocarcinoma’). I went to my oncologist with my friend, and when I asked him what might have caused it, he said, ’Bad luck’. I seem to be getting worse by the day." Can you tell me what might have caused this cancer and what, if anything, I could do about it please?
A: Oesophageal cancer is rapidly growing in the UK population and is very dangerous. It is usually more prevalent in older men. At the upper end of the oesophagus there is some evidence that alcohol and smoking, especially if combined, can increase the risk. Some people seem to think that drinking alcohol late/last thing at night might have some causal effect - it’s possible but tenuous.
People who develop oesophageal cancer lower down often have had acid reflux at some point in their lives, and some experts believe the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is the cause. Epidemiology research suggests actually it may be the opposite. Historically we co-existed with this bacterium and its decline in the Western world has coincided with increased rates of oesophageal cancer. People who have acid reflux may develop Barratt's oesophagus and then there is a higher risk of cancer.
However, other bacteria and viruses may well be implicated. There is research that Campylobacter are found in greater numbers in people with acid reflux; people with the cancer tend to be low in folic acid and B-12, both produced by gut bacteria. There's research that people diagnosed with the cancer have higher levels of E coli, and HPV. You can have this checked out.
However, the real danger comes the other way - not upwards but downwards. There is clear research from NYU Langone that two bacteria found in gum disease are found in patients with oesophageal cancer. And a bacterium that entralises toxins from smokers is in lowered levels in the disease.
You might go to the Dentist and have a check up. You might also put yourself through a 'purge' to get rid of all the unwanted 'bad guys'. Bacteria can be killed off by artemisinin (sweet wormwood); viruses by pau d'arco and olive leaf extract; yeasts can be tackled by using oregano oil or caprylic acid. If you think you could have a parasite like excess of H. pylori, you can kill it off with my Para Free Plus.; you could alternatively use Goldenseal and bismuth (in Gastrobismol) to kill helicobacter pylori, and your doctor also has a three-drug combination that can do the job.
We are slightly alarmed that you record on your form that you have been taking Diclofenac Sodium (which is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug) for almost ten years. It is used to relieve pain and inflammation in a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis, gout, fractures, tendonitis and frozen shoulder. It is also used to relieve pain and inflammation following dental, orthopedic (bone) and other minor surgery. However, it should not be taken for any prolonged periods and its side effects include indigestion, ulceration and bleeding of the stomach or intestine, inflammation of the liver, decreased kidney function and more. Although we do not normally comment on orthodox medicine, we do feel it is important that you query this with your doctor.
You are also technically obese and also on blood pressure drugs. Being overweight and having higher blood pressure are also linked to the cancer. I think you should check out your diet and exercise levels.
Go to: Oesophageal cancer - symptoms, causes and treatment alternatives
Go to: See what Personal Prescription patients say about Chris Woollams