Anyone treat triple negative BC with alternatives?

Options
Tethys41
Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
I am an ovarian cancer survivor, who is BRCA1 positive. I understand that this mutation makes me more susceptible to triple negative breast cancer. I have taken a very integrative approach to the ovarian cancer, with excellent results. I am investigating my options regarding my breast cancer risk, including prophylactic mastectomy. My naturopath tells me that triple negative breast cancer responds very well to alternative therapies. Has anyone used alternative treatment to address this form of breast cancer? How would your rate your results? Thank you in advance for your response.

Comments

  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #2
    Options
    If...
    If Triple negative breast cancer responds so very well to " alternative therapies" please let those of us who have it know what they are so we can inform our oncologists...! Because they must be totally in the dark! And having a prophylactic mastectomy won't prevent it...but your choice...it's impossible to remove all breast tissue...and you are aware it doesn't necessarily start in the breast, but is still triple negative...did you have conventional treatment for your ovarian cancer or alternative therapy...? Bet I know the answer to that...

    If alternative therapy worked 'very well" for triple negative, I guess most of us wouldn't have it....all I can say is...beware of the snake oil salesman...And if I were to have relied on " alternative therapy for my triple negative bc..I'd most likely be dead....
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #3
    Options
    MAJW said:

    If...
    If Triple negative breast cancer responds so very well to " alternative therapies" please let those of us who have it know what they are so we can inform our oncologists...! Because they must be totally in the dark! And having a prophylactic mastectomy won't prevent it...but your choice...it's impossible to remove all breast tissue...and you are aware it doesn't necessarily start in the breast, but is still triple negative...did you have conventional treatment for your ovarian cancer or alternative therapy...? Bet I know the answer to that...

    If alternative therapy worked 'very well" for triple negative, I guess most of us wouldn't have it....all I can say is...beware of the snake oil salesman...And if I were to have relied on " alternative therapy for my triple negative bc..I'd most likely be dead....

    MAJW
    I'm sure not looking to irritate anyone, just looking for information.
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #4
    Options
    I don't want to minimize
    I don't want to minimize what you're going through, because any kind of cancer battle is nasty.

    I do want to understand...you are looking for alternative treatments for a cancer you don't yet have? I do think there are things you can do to make your "terrain" less agreeable to cancer. Those are often the same things that make us healthier overall...exercise, manage stress, eat a well balanced diet, stay at an appropriate weight for your body type, don't smoke, alcohol in moderation, etc.

    I get the BRCA1 positive fear...you feel more susceptible to breast cancer because of it. But it is also no guarantee the you WILL get breast cancer. And why specifically triple negative? Where did that research come from?

    A good way to 'test' your naturopath's knowledge would be to ask him/her to explain triple negative and what it means. If he/she gets it right, I would be more likely to listen to what they have to say. If he/she gets it wrong, I would run far and fast.

    I would also be careful with any vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements that you might take. We are all so different...two individuals with the same kind of cancer might respond with vast differences to the same medication/treatment. So who's to say that because treatment X worked, that it will work for you or me too.

    As to the mastectomy...I would think long and hard on that one. As was already said, when a surgeon removes your breast they do not take all of the breast tissue. There are many here who have had multiple surgeries because implants sometimes slip or to correct lumps and bumps...it's a lot to go through because you "might" get breast cancer. You might also want to google images of mastectomies...

    Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be right for you. Best wishes.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
    Options
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    I don't want to minimize
    I don't want to minimize what you're going through, because any kind of cancer battle is nasty.

    I do want to understand...you are looking for alternative treatments for a cancer you don't yet have? I do think there are things you can do to make your "terrain" less agreeable to cancer. Those are often the same things that make us healthier overall...exercise, manage stress, eat a well balanced diet, stay at an appropriate weight for your body type, don't smoke, alcohol in moderation, etc.

    I get the BRCA1 positive fear...you feel more susceptible to breast cancer because of it. But it is also no guarantee the you WILL get breast cancer. And why specifically triple negative? Where did that research come from?

    A good way to 'test' your naturopath's knowledge would be to ask him/her to explain triple negative and what it means. If he/she gets it right, I would be more likely to listen to what they have to say. If he/she gets it wrong, I would run far and fast.

    I would also be careful with any vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements that you might take. We are all so different...two individuals with the same kind of cancer might respond with vast differences to the same medication/treatment. So who's to say that because treatment X worked, that it will work for you or me too.

    As to the mastectomy...I would think long and hard on that one. As was already said, when a surgeon removes your breast they do not take all of the breast tissue. There are many here who have had multiple surgeries because implants sometimes slip or to correct lumps and bumps...it's a lot to go through because you "might" get breast cancer. You might also want to google images of mastectomies...

    Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be right for you. Best wishes.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    Asking the homeopath to
    Asking the homeopath to explain to you what TN is is a good idea BUT only if you already know. If you aren't already armed with the knowledge, then they could give any spiel and sound like it was fact when not.

    Susan
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #6
    Options
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    I don't want to minimize
    I don't want to minimize what you're going through, because any kind of cancer battle is nasty.

    I do want to understand...you are looking for alternative treatments for a cancer you don't yet have? I do think there are things you can do to make your "terrain" less agreeable to cancer. Those are often the same things that make us healthier overall...exercise, manage stress, eat a well balanced diet, stay at an appropriate weight for your body type, don't smoke, alcohol in moderation, etc.

    I get the BRCA1 positive fear...you feel more susceptible to breast cancer because of it. But it is also no guarantee the you WILL get breast cancer. And why specifically triple negative? Where did that research come from?

    A good way to 'test' your naturopath's knowledge would be to ask him/her to explain triple negative and what it means. If he/she gets it right, I would be more likely to listen to what they have to say. If he/she gets it wrong, I would run far and fast.

    I would also be careful with any vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements that you might take. We are all so different...two individuals with the same kind of cancer might respond with vast differences to the same medication/treatment. So who's to say that because treatment X worked, that it will work for you or me too.

    As to the mastectomy...I would think long and hard on that one. As was already said, when a surgeon removes your breast they do not take all of the breast tissue. There are many here who have had multiple surgeries because implants sometimes slip or to correct lumps and bumps...it's a lot to go through because you "might" get breast cancer. You might also want to google images of mastectomies...

    Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be right for you. Best wishes.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    Thanks
    Thank you Linda and Susan for your input. I suppose I should better explain my position. I have complete faith in my naturopath. I've been around the block with her with regard to the ovarian cancer. She, herself, is a stage IV ovarian cancer survivor, for 20 years and counting, and refused any conventional treatment. She has me following a very comprehensive lifestyle plan to keep me in remission Theoretically, it should keep me free of brest cancer, despite my mutation, but I started reseraching my prognosis if, somehow, I was to develop it. I think my nervouness is related to the fact that my mother died of breast cancer, and I am now at the age she was when first diagnosed. My naturopath is not at all advocating a prophylactic double mastectomy, my medical oncologist is.

    I thought, if there was anyone here who had gone the alternative route, I could learn something from them.
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #7
    Options
    Tethys41 said:

    Thanks
    Thank you Linda and Susan for your input. I suppose I should better explain my position. I have complete faith in my naturopath. I've been around the block with her with regard to the ovarian cancer. She, herself, is a stage IV ovarian cancer survivor, for 20 years and counting, and refused any conventional treatment. She has me following a very comprehensive lifestyle plan to keep me in remission Theoretically, it should keep me free of brest cancer, despite my mutation, but I started reseraching my prognosis if, somehow, I was to develop it. I think my nervouness is related to the fact that my mother died of breast cancer, and I am now at the age she was when first diagnosed. My naturopath is not at all advocating a prophylactic double mastectomy, my medical oncologist is.

    I thought, if there was anyone here who had gone the alternative route, I could learn something from them.

    I think if you would go to
    I think if you would go to breastcancer.org discussion boards and look for the forum called Complimentary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment, you will find women and men who think more along those lines. I think there is another forum that is similar to that one on there,too.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #8
    Options
    Tethys41 said:

    Thanks
    Thank you Linda and Susan for your input. I suppose I should better explain my position. I have complete faith in my naturopath. I've been around the block with her with regard to the ovarian cancer. She, herself, is a stage IV ovarian cancer survivor, for 20 years and counting, and refused any conventional treatment. She has me following a very comprehensive lifestyle plan to keep me in remission Theoretically, it should keep me free of brest cancer, despite my mutation, but I started reseraching my prognosis if, somehow, I was to develop it. I think my nervouness is related to the fact that my mother died of breast cancer, and I am now at the age she was when first diagnosed. My naturopath is not at all advocating a prophylactic double mastectomy, my medical oncologist is.

    I thought, if there was anyone here who had gone the alternative route, I could learn something from them.

    Science &BCRA testing
    Hi Tethy41,
    I hope you have had a discussing with genetic counselor who did explain to the Science behind Genetic testing. I am sorry that you are having these genes. Based on statistical data people with these genes have genetic predisposition to both ovarian and breast cancers. For females the numbers are very high 56-87% for breast cancer (versus general population 8%) and for ovarian 27-44% (versus general population 1 %). As a result of this statistical data, the standards of care have been developed for patients with BRCA mutation prophylactic surgeries. Whether or not surgery will be enough for prevention please ask this question your genetic counselor. You need to have a discussion with geneticist to answer your questions making sure you understand completely your options

    Also please ask your naturopath whether or not she keeps her ovaries. Most likely she did the surgery and is not keeping her ovaries for 20 years after diagnosis. Surgery is a conventional treatment too.

    I disagree with Nancy, I believe as many other people that foR BRACA mutation prophylactic surgeries will reduce risk of having first and second primary cancers.
    You can put on hold prophylactic mastectomy, follow your naturopath system for prevention, however in my opinion you should have MRI every 6 months and never miss your annual mammogram,any suspicious lump should be checked immediately, including biopsy.
    I wish you the best and hope you will never have any cancers again
    New Flower
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #9
    Options
    Tethys41 said:

    Thanks
    Thank you Linda and Susan for your input. I suppose I should better explain my position. I have complete faith in my naturopath. I've been around the block with her with regard to the ovarian cancer. She, herself, is a stage IV ovarian cancer survivor, for 20 years and counting, and refused any conventional treatment. She has me following a very comprehensive lifestyle plan to keep me in remission Theoretically, it should keep me free of brest cancer, despite my mutation, but I started reseraching my prognosis if, somehow, I was to develop it. I think my nervouness is related to the fact that my mother died of breast cancer, and I am now at the age she was when first diagnosed. My naturopath is not at all advocating a prophylactic double mastectomy, my medical oncologist is.

    I thought, if there was anyone here who had gone the alternative route, I could learn something from them.

    Alternative and Complementary Medicine
    Hi,

    A group called Inspire does have people who are very interested in alternative and complementary medicine. I think you might find answers you seek.

    http://www.inspire.com/groups/advanced-breast-cancer/new/active/


    and then there is: http://nccam.nih.gov/about/ataglance/


    Best wishes,

    Doris
  • rosamargarita
    rosamargarita Member Posts: 9
    #10
    Options
    Alternative for breast cancer

    Hello,

    I saw your post and thought you would be interested in looking at my blog.  In 2012 my best friend was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.  After seeing radiation and hormone therapy not working, we were lucky to discover an alternative treatment that sent her into remission.  As a result, I started collecting information, news, and stories about it so others could research it.  [content removed by CSN moderators]

    Rosa

Discussion Boards