If either AMAS or AMID results are positive, additional testing is often performed to determine the specific type and location of the cancer. Technically this is not necessary when using alternative therapy that heals the whole body systemically, but all tests should be confirmed in some way.

Common specific cancer blood tests include AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) for certain liver cancers, CA (carcinoma) 27-29 for breast cancers, CA 125 for ovarian cancer, CEA (carcinoembrionic antigen) for colon cancer, and PSA (prostate specific antigen) in conjunction with FREE PSA for prostate cancer.

Note that some of these other tests may produce as many as 80% false positives when used alone, so it can be very important to combine them with the accuracy of AMAS or AMID.

C1. MULTI-HORMONE panels may be important even if the cancer is not considered to be hormone-related. More detailed follow-up tests can be used for individual hormones that appear out of balance.

 C2. ADRENAL testing can be challenging. On the one hand, adrenal action must be sufficient both to turn off excessive sensitivities and allergies and to turn on the immune response as well. But even the slightest excess can have the opposite effect of suppressing the immune response.

Many cases seem to be sub-clinical and difficult to catch with the usual conventional testing procedures. The usual ACTH stimulation test is subject to much misinterpretation according to doctors who use it. If adrenals are suspected of being a critical part of the problem, there is a more comprehensive test that includes DHEA and IgA.

It is called the Adrenal Stress Index. It helps to evaluate which stage of the classic Selye Stress Syndrome the patient may be in, and helps explain contradictory measurements of adrenal activity, as it changes from under-activity to over-stimulation to exhaustion.

A laboratory that performs this test is: Diagnos-Techs, Inc. Their address is P.O. Box 58948, Seattle, Washington 98138-1948, and telephone is 425-251-0596.

 C3. THYROID tests are important, since it may be difficult to mount a strong immune defense without adequate thyroid. One rule of thumb used by some physicians is that T3 thyroid activity should be brought into the top half of the normal range during cancer therapy. The usual TSH test may not present an accurate picture if the hypothalamus,or pituitary are dysfunctional, or if the body is having trouble converting stored T4 to active T3. In such cases, the T3 RIA test shows the bottom line.

This can also include tests for parasites such as Heliobacter pylori, Giardia, Candida, etc, which can be disruptive for the immune system. Some labs seem to be incompetent at detecting parasites in stool and routinely return negative results. So look for labs that specialize in this.

A Heidleberg test for stomach hydrochloric acid, and a Chymex test for pancreas digestive enzymes may be needed to explain inadequate digestion.

D. DETOXIFICATION TESTS

D1. DETOXIFICATION FUNCTION tests are so important to cancer therapy that they are listed separately here. They include liver (Phase I and Phase II detoxification pathways), and kidneys which may be put under strain eliminating a lifetime of toxins plus killed cancer cells. Bowel, skin and lungs are also major organs of detoxification and may require attention.

D2. TOXIN/POLLUTION tests determine which toxins may be at excessive levels and have to be removed. Most toxins interfere with the immune system, and some can cause cancer.

Alternative physicians may routinely start with hair analysis to measure heavy metals, and blood tests for pesticides, since these problems are so common in cancer patients.

Follow-up tests such as twenty-four-hour urine collection with chelating agent challenges, or blood cell analysis, may be called for in certain situations. Much depends on each patient's background.

Occupational exposure is often well documented and can be obtained from the library or from OSHA, etc. This will be discussed further under PATIENTS' PROTOCOL STEP 6, DETOXIFICATION.

E1. Here are some basic concepts of where to get started in immune testing. The first test most of us received was the CBC (Complete Blood Count), which includes the White-Blood Cell Differential test. This identifies the major components of the immune system and tells which are sufficient in quantity, and which may need stimulation.

The AMID test mentioned above includes a WBC differential.

Normal values may not be good enough to defeat cancer. One rule of thumb among some alternative physicians is that when the "Large Monos" (which are indicative of T-cell activity) are 30% above the normal range, the immune system is probably strong enough to destroy the cancer.

Sometimes more detailed analysis may be required for immunotherapy. Which kind of T-cells need help? Are the Natural Killer Cells really active? Is lymphocyte mitogen stimulation adequate? Etc.  Detailed immune system analysis, including the new "tetramer" tests which can be 10 times more accurate, will be discussed later under PATIENTS' PROTOCOL STEP 7, IMMUNE ENHANCEMENT.

  E2. ALLERGIES AND FOOD SENSITIVITIES could be interfering with the immune system's response to cancer. These tests include both classic IgE (Interglobulin E) tests for quick response allergies, and the more controversial IgG (InterglobulinG) tests for delayed reaction sensitivities. Elisa-type blood tests are the most convenient, since they test many common allergens from one blood sample. Then there are the classic skin scratch tests which are often criticized over accuracy. Perhaps the most accurate, and time-consuming, method is food elimination and challenges. They can be done at home or in a laboratory, but must be double blind to be scientifically accurate.

All these tests have their strengths and weaknesses, including false positives. Major problems should be confirmed by different tests before going overboard therapeutically. Often the best therapy is simply to avoid a suspected food or other allergen.

If a patient has many allergies or sensitivities, it suggests problems in the patient's sensitivity threshold. A few of the possibilities to test for include low T-cell suppressor activity, sub-clinical adrenal deficiency, dysfunctional fatty acid synthesis, or underlying dietary deficiencies. It is important to solve these problems so the immune system is not diverted from fighting the cancer.

F. NUTRITIONAL STATUS TESTS

F1. NUTRITIONAL STATUS tests help to detect deficiencies and imbalances that need to be corrected. Tests usually include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, etc.

F2. ANTIOXIDANT PANELS. The more helpful tests compare the individual patient's anti-oxidant levels to their own pro-oxidants (such as iron or cholesterol) as well as to normal values. The Pantox Anti-Oxidant Profile is one such test. (Laboratory phone 888-726-8698 or web site, pantox.com, for more information.) Note that for purposes of therapy, doctors may want patients to go to much higher levels of antioxidants than these tests consider normal.

G1. Dental examinations are important to fix cavities and rule out deeper infections, which can have a devastating effect on the immune system, and may even generate their own carcinogens.

G2. Mercury contamination from amalgam fillings can also depress the immune system. But they should not necessarily be removed at this time, unless tests confirm mercury poisoning is significant and the immune system does not respond otherwise. The amalgam-removal process itself can seriously depress the immune system temporarily. If the removal cannot be avoided, and there are several fillings to deal with, look for an amalgam-removal expert with modern vacuum equipment to control the dangerous fumes and dust.

H. ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING

ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS

The patient's environment at work and at home may be a factor in promoting cancer or in depressing the immune system. But don't let our industrial age make you crazy. Keep this in perspective - exposure usually has to be frequent and/or of long duration to have much effect.

H1. WORKPLACE EXPOSURES are generally well documented and can help to determine what tests would be appropriate for each patient. Information can be obtained from the library or from the federal government's OSHA.

H2. AT HOME, kitchen air pollution from cooking and baking can generate the same type of carcinogens found in second-hand smoke from cigarettes. Air fresheners may only make things worse- actual fresh air is the needed solution.

H3. RADON gas is a possible threat from drinking water and the land. Home test kits are available at many hardware stores.

H4. EMF (Electro Magnetic Field) pollution is another problem, both at home and at work. EMF's usually do not seem to be a major factor in causing cancer, except possibly childhood leukemia or skin cancer. However they can depress the immune system. Since problems can often be avoided with a little know-how, we will try to provide guide lines that may forstall the need for expensive testing. The following information was compiled by volunteers, but remember, we are recovered patients, not engineers.

In the past scientists used to dismiss what they called "background radiation" that pulsates from the sun. Today there is growing appreciation that this may be the metronome or clock that controls the beat of every living cell on earth. Unfortunately ordinary alternating house current is close enough to this frequency that it may interfere with the ways our cells work.

Again, we must keep this in perspective. The good EMF's from the sun penetrate buildings and can constantly correct the rhythms of our cells. The bad EMF's from man-made ac electricity dissipate with the square of the distance, meaning that they fall off rapidly just by getting further away from the source. Safe distances typically range from around 2 feet from blenders to 8 feet for some refrigerators.

Also the duration of exposure is an important factor. For example, hair dryers or power can-openers typically put out amazing EMF fields, but if the exposure is brief, it can be insignificant.

Practically speaking, EMF'S may not be a major threat unless the patient is feeble or the immune system is unresponsive or the cancer is gaining. The most common threat to cancer patients might be immune suppression from staying too close to electrical appliances. So the simple solution is not to do that.

However if there is both close and prolonged exposure, EMF's appear to cause serious problems.

• Children who grow up near a transformer or strong house current may develop leukemia. See the table on power lines below.

Although electrical utility companies are understandably loath to admit to any adverse biological effects, they will usually tell you what distances are considered safe from major appliances, power lines and transformers. Sometimes the utility company will come out and measure the home exposure.

Information is also available from the government EPA (Publication DOE/EE-0040) and various consumer books. While not specific for an individual case, their guidelines may indicate when testing is warranted.

The yellow pages may have testing services listed under environmental testing. If you are an engineering type, the cost of a good meter may be in the same ballpark as the service. But you must know what you are doing to get correct answers.

Don't settle for verbal assurances that levels are "safe." Russian military authorities assert 10 milligauss is safe for healthy young soldiers for a limited time. But the level of long-term EMF exposure currently considered safe by consumer protection groups is 2 milligauss, so look for actual test numbers under this amount.

Meanwhile, here are some rough rules of thumb for power lines. If the patient is closer than the estimated safe distances in the table below, it may be more reason to consider testing.