Prolific author and cancer survivor Carl O. Helvie was diagnosed with lung cancer 43 years ago and given six months to live. Rather than follow the traditional path of chemotherapy and surgery, he chose to use all-natural interventions. He is believed to be the world’s longest lung-cancer survivor after refusing chemotherapy.
The 85-year-old’s experience with the disease and his alternative journey prompted him to write Reducing Your Cancer Risk: A Holistic Approach.
I had a chance to interview him to learn more about his story.
My Cancer Journey
In July, 1974 I had a dream that told me to go for a chest x-ray. I pay attention to dreams because believe this is one way God speaks with us if we listen. After the doctor consented to x-rays and the results were returned he called me and said there was a spot that had not been there previously and he wanted a biop[sy which I consented to. The biopsy was positive for lung cancer and the doctor told me I had six months to live and he was prescribing chemotherapy and surgery. I told him I do not make snap decisions and was going home, think about it, pray, and make a rational decision. Based upon my previous experience with cancer patients as a registered nurse and my prayers I decided against traditional care and used all an natural holistic protocol. Through a friend I found a doctor who prescribed physical things to do and I added mental/spiritual interventions.
The doctor reconfirmed the diagnoses and prescribed laetrile 2,000 mg daily (that was illegal) and told me where to purchase it. Laetrile has cyanide in that is activated by the enzymes in cancer cells but does not have those enzymes in normal so it kills cancer cells but does not affect normal cells. Pancreatic enzymes were required to soften the cancer cells so the laetrile could enter and zinc was required as a carrier of the laetrile to the cancer cells. High dose vitamin A was prescribed in very high doses for a short time followed by 50,000 IU for a year and as the reader may know the daily recommended dose is 5,000 IU. Hi dose vitamin E was also prescribed to reduce the toxicity of the vitamin A. Both are fat soluble vitamins so excess is stored in the body. Research about 5 years ago conformed what my doctor had told me and that is that vitamin A converts precancerous cells to normal cells. Other vitamins and supplements were recommended. In addition, a vegan diet of 75 % raw fruit and vegetables with some additional cooked ones and more limited nuts and grains was prescribed. Peanuts that are high in protein were not allowed but a supplemental protein was prescribed. This again was very progressive and doctors who I have interviewed on my radio show recently in cardiology, cancer, multiple sclerosis and other areas of diseases are recommending a vegan diet because of its effect on specific diseases.
As a nurse with an interest in holistic health, I added mental/spiritual interventions such as prayer, meditation, affirmations, visualization, optimism, faith, gratitude and others. At the time there was almost no research in this area of health but they were recommended by Edgar Cayce in his readings and I had volunteered at their camp in western Virginia in summers and found these practices useful. In addition, my background in public health was holistically oriented so this approach seemed natural.
I followed progress every six months with my primary doctor who thought we were in a wait and see mode because I had not shared what I was doing with him because of his conservative background. After two years he said the spot was gone. At that time, another physician friend who I had worked with at Duke University asked to see the biopsy, lab and other reports because of his concern. After reviewing everything he confirmed that it had definitely been cancer and was now gone. That was 41 years ago and I never had a recurrence which I attribute to the holistic protocol.
Why is it Important to Use a Holistic Approach.?
Although there is no research to support mental/spiritual interventions killing cancer cells there is now research to show the supplemental role they play. Reduce blood pressure, heart and breathing rates, improve memory. Increase DHEA, a hormone that reduces aging and decreases cortisol, the stress hormone, by 23%, increases happiness and self esteem, improves immune functioning. Improves tolerance to aches and pains, reduces stress, improves quality of life and others. Specifically. Cancer patients with a sense of purpose have an increased life spam, and those who are spiritual have less pain and a higher quality of life,. Patients who meditate have a 31% lower stress symptoms, and 67% less mood disturbances, and music can lower patients anxiety, pain, heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure. Visualization can improve immune functioning.
Why did you decide to write the book?
I originally wrote the content for a section on my cancer website that included content on prevention, diagnosing, selected interventions, and reducing side effects. I decided I should make it available to more people than were viewing the website. MY goals became: 1) to help people learn ways to prevent cancer that is now 1 of every 2 people in their lifetime, 2) to make people aware of the cancer foundation and its content, and 3) to make some money for the cancer foundation (all funds received from the book go to the foundation).
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Helvie, C (2017) Reducing Your Cancer Risk: A holistic approach. .
To learn more, please visit www.holisticcancerfoundation.com
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