Taking a holistic approach to cancer - part 2

Show notes

Dr Sophie and Fiona discuss:

• Spontaneous tumour regressions • The role of the immune system • The work of Dr. Joe Dispenza • Off licence meds • Early cancer detection tests • Gut health in relation to cancer • Autophagy and theories on cancer as a metabolic disease • The role of glucose • Dental health • Environmental chemicals / heavy metals • Obesity - insulin resistance - inflammation • The role of alcohol / exercise / diet

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Dr Sophie and Fiona mention a few studies – all the links are here (press ‘episode website’ for the full list):

This ep mentions the stories of:

Ole Nielsen Schou, a Danish pharmaceutical production manager (when his abdominal cancer tumour was removed, they found lots of white blood cells, the lead weapon in the body's immune system).

Sharon Belvin from North Carolina.

Joseph Rick from LA.

GlaxoSmithkline is in final-stage tests of a vaccine to prevent lung cancer from coming back after surgery. In an early trial it slashed the probability of cancer recurrence by 27%.

More recently, there was a peer reviewed publication showing that meditation can block the COVID virus from entering cells. It examined how blood plasma can limit viral infection in cultured lung cells.

Read more here https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666354623000893#abs0015

Another interesting discovery is that meditation can elevate a protein called SERPINA5.

Read more here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666354623000893#abs0015

Fiona mentioned the work of Jane McClelland and her book ‘How to starve cancer’ - Jane has an active Facebook group.

Meds discussed include herceptin, ivermectin, resveratrol, merformin, herceptin, LDN, and melatonin. Never take meds without a doctor's advice.

Erbitux discussed re colon cancer – designed to disrupt the growth of cancer. Might perform a second role which is flagging the immune system to actually kill cancer.

Ivermectin - used to treat parasitic infections. It’s been linked to treatment for various cancers as well as COVID 19 – but we have no firm data (there’s also concern about whether it causes infertility in men).

Resveratrol (found in grape skins) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cardio-protective effects – potentially has anti-cancer properties by activating or deactivating molecular pathways. But no hard data - much more research is needed.

Metformin, this is a medication that helps the insulin you produce work better. It's for people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes. A series of epidemiological studies have suggested that metformin may prevent cancer – on the Cancer Research UK site, it mentions a study on metformin and breast cancer. We don’t have the results yet.

Interesting article here https://sperlingprostatecenter.com/biohacking-with-metformin/

Re MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). Some research suggests MSM may help slow the spread of certain cancers and even promote cancer cell death. One study showed MSM inhibited (HER2) in breast cancer cells. Another study suggests MSM may improve the way chemotherapy drugs affect cancer cells and may itself induce endometrial cancer cell death. But no firm data.

MSM supplements might also decrease the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin firmness and elasticity. This was a small 2022 study in the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. We think this is due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

There are also products called PC-HOPE, PC-CARE and PC-PLUS - all very similar products and research on PC-HOPE and PC-SPES showed they might be active against prostate cancer cells and PC-HOPE might kill pancreatic cancer cells or help people with pancreatic cancer to live longer. But no firm data.

True Check Intelli mentioned - available at Dr Sophie's Kent clinic.

Alzheimers and Dr Dale Bredesen’s work mentioned.

There is data that probiotics (in particular a strain called Escherichia coli) could amplify cancer immunotherapies such as CAR T therapy – which is a treatment for certain blood cancers. There’s an interesting study on this published in Science – here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add7034? BUT this study has been on mice and it’s not yet known how this experimental combination might work in humans.

There’s emerging data on fructose receptors in cancer tissue.

Dr Mindy Peltz mentioned.

Autophagy has been associated with cancer because studies show that fasting reduces insulin growth factor (IGF-1) levels, a marker for increased cancer risk - but there’s no clear-cut data. For instance, some studies have shown that autophagy may prevent tumours from forming in the early stages of cancer. As just one example, pre-clinical findings from a pancreas research team in the US indicates that fasting could play a role in preventing liver and prostate cancer. But other research has shown that autophagy may encourage tumor growth by helping cancer cells function more efficiently. Also, most studies about the relationship between autophagy and disease haven’t been performed on humans.

It is true that autophagy is essential for healthy cells. It’s also true that problems with autophagy are associated with some diseases. But there’s not enough research to support inducing autophagy as a wellness strategy.

Studies involving animals suggest that autophagy begins somewhere between 24 to 48 hours of fasting. Some researchers believe it takes longer but we don’t have enough research on the ideal timing to trigger human autophagy.

One study concluded that intermittent fasting consistently showed powerful anti-cancer effects when used in combination with conventional treatments. The fasting appeared to amplify the effects of chemo, radiotherapy and TKI cancer therapy. But as a standalone approach, this study says that fasting would probably show limited efficacy against established tumours. In fact, the researchers said it rarely matched the benefits they saw in this combined approach. That said, some people have used fasting as a stand-alone therapy with powerful results – including spontaneous remission from cancer.

Here’s one study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6938162/

Maggie Jones story is here https://drmindypelz.com/ep184/

Dr Mark Hyman mentioned.

Dr. Thomas Seyfried – his work is on the metabolic theory of cancer plus the role of oxidative stress, mitochondrial health, and the role of glucose in the development and progression of cancer. His theory says cancer cells need glucose and glutamine to fuel their growth and therefore why we need to deprive cancer cells of glucose. He endorses using a ketogenic diet - whereas someone like Dr Mindy Peltz endorses using intermittent fasting (which has the benefit of not needing to cut any food groups). They both get to the same end result but using different approaches.

Chemicals discussed including pesticides, phthalates, bisphenol A, flame retardants, and heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic.

Exposure to asbestos increases risk of lung cancer.

Dr Sophie mentions the benefits of a plant-based diet especially foods with sulforaphane. This is a chemical that’s made when chewing cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and broccoli sprouts. A chemical in these vegetables called glucoraphanin mixes with an enzyme in humans called myrosinase, which produces sulforaphane.

Alcohol is linked to certain cancers, particularly breast cancer. Even small amounts.

Many people also believe that daily exercise, both cardio and resistance training, is imperative for cancer prevention. There’s emerging data here.

The role of sleep and reducing stress levels is interesting – data emerging too.

Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is creating targeted therapies to treat cancer in every patient individually.

Some scientists are making strides in cancer treatment by focusing on metabolic pathways – in particular with work on the enzyme SHMT with aggressive cancers.

Dr. Dean Ornish endorses a whole-foods, plant-based diet.

The content in this podcast is for general information purposes only and is not meant to serve as medical advice or to replace or substitute advice given by, or consultation with, your doctor or any other healthcare professional. Please contact your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about your health. Dr Sophie Shotter, her company and any employees or representatives are not liable for any claims arising out of or in connection with this podcast.