2. NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS. A professionally balanced vitamin-mineral formula can be an ideal place to start, since any missing nutrient can sabotage the body's ability to fight cancer. A good one-a-day formula was usually appropriate, but ask your doctor before going to a 4-6 a day formula, which provides the major minerals too. As just mentioned, calcium may be contraindicated in certain cancers, such as prostate, or beneficial in others, such as colon cancer.

Most of us promptly began extra vitamin C after we heard the diagnosis. The great 2-time Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling and his colleague Ewan Cameron, M.D. conducted extensive trials in Scotland (Vitamin C was politically incorrect at that time, so the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society refused to fund the studies). The results were outstanding.

The trials demonstrated that 10 grams of vitamin C per day slowed the spread of cancer an average of about 300 days for "terminal" patients compared to controls (They lived that much longer). Vitamin C apparently stopped and even reversed cancer for a few. They continued to live well beyond the end of the studies. Besides supporting the immune system and detoxification, vitamin C blocks the spread at least two more ways. It inhibits the enzyme hyaluronidase, which tumors use to invade adjoining tissue, and it strengthens the collagen in healthy tissue, making it harder to penetrate.

We usually started at about 1 gram taken orally at mealtimes, and gradually increased to just below bowel-tolerance (when diarrhea or excess gas develops). Patients who had oxalic kidney stones were sometimes advised against using extra vitamin C, and carefully monitored if they did.

Apparently depending upon the size of the cancer that the vitamin C had to control, some of us needed as much as 40 grams per day. Others with concomitant viral infections, needed 100 grams for a few days, according to the protocol of Dr. Cathcart. Such high doses of vitamin C should be attempted only in a medical setting, along with professional testing before hand and careful monitoring.

In laboratory tests, Vitamin A has shown the remarkable ability to turn cancer cells back into normal, healthy cells. Most of us added preformed vitamin A, e.g. from a fish source, not just beta-carotene. Some patients could not convert beta-carotene to vitamin A. Preformed vitamin A can accumulate and become toxic in large amounts, if take incorrectly. Authorities say it's best not to exceed 10,000 units per day until under medical supervision. Amounts above 5000 units can be harmful to a possible fetus and should not be used if there is any chance of conception. Knowledgeable doctors can prescribe much more potent forms of vitamin A that by pass the liver to avoid toxicity.

3. IMMUNE SUPPORT. Vitamins C and A are particularly important, as is the mineral zinc. Cancer patients typically take 15 - 45 milligrams of zinc per day. They also make sure they are getting 2 mg. of copper to balance the zinc.

First choice for immune herbs is usually a standardized extract of Echinacea of guaranteed strength. Echinacea looses its effect on the body after about 20 days of continuous use, so there must be a rest period or a change to an alternative such as Astragulus or beta-glucans. There will be details about even more powerful methods that should be used under a doctor's supervision in PROTOCOL Step 7, on enhancing immunity.

4. LIVER SUPPORT. The liver is the central laboratory for manufacturing the body's anti-cancer chemistry and also for detoxifying the body of carcinogens. Health food "lipo formulas" support the liver with certain critical nutrients, including choline, inositol and methionine, often along with vitamin B6.

The first herbal remedy of choice is usually a standardized extract of milk thistle of guaranteed strength. Scientific tests show that it protects the liver, while increasing regeneration of liver cells.

Additional support for detoxification and blood purification is often added in the form of the famous Essiac and Hoxey teas. To maintain maximum effect, they can be alternated periodically.

5. ANTIOXIDANT SUPPORT. Antioxidants are now famous for squelching free radicals that can cause more cellular and genetic damage. Fresh fruits and vegetables can provide a high level of antioxidants. However most patients also added supplements of vegetable carotenoids, citrus bioflavinoids and anthocyanidins just to be sure. Experts say these supplements MUST be derived from foods, and warn not to use synthetically manufactured versions that have caused problems in government trials.

Even processed tomato juice (preferably certified organic) is an excellent source of Lycopene, a key antioxidant with demonstrated anti cancer qualities.

Well-known Vitamin E is usually increased to 400 iu - 800 iu. Scientists now say that it must be balanced with other tocopherols that are part of natural vitamin E - including a large amount of gamma tocopherol.

Green tea has proven to be an effective antioxidant beneficial against cancers, either as the beverage, or as reduced-caffeine supplements.

Co-enzyme Q 10 is an especially powerful antioxidant that has reversed cancer all by itself at extremely high doses of 180 - 300 milligrams in a few, small clinical trials. Normal doses usually range from 50 - 150 milligrams. It needs lecithin or meals containing a little oil for best absorption. Doses over 150 mg. should be done only under the advice of a knowledgeable doctor, as excess anti-oxidants can become pro-oxidants.

6. OTHER OVER-THE-COUNTER SUPPLEMENTS that patients take especially for metastasis include MCP (Modified Citrus Pectin). In animal tests a 1% strength has inhibited metastases approximately 80%. It is currently in government trials, which may help refine the human dosage. MCP inhibits cancer cell adhesion to healthy cells, preventing wandering cancer cells from "taking root" before the immune system can dispose of them.

Proteolytic enzymes, when taken on an empty stomach two hours after meals or 30 minutes before, circulate in the blood and reportedly help digest debris and cancer cells caught by immune complexes. This helps to clear the blood so immune cells can to find more circulating cancer cells to destroy. Whatever the mode of effectiveness turns out to be, enzymes are highly rated by actual cancer clinics.

Cartilage, both bovine and shark, have demonstrated some ability to inhibit new blood vessels from reaching tumors. That's called anti-angiogenesis.

A common health food product NAC (n-acetylcysteine) has been shown to inhibit invasive activity of endothelial cells, also blocking angiogenesis of new blood supplies to tumors. And it increases one of the body's chief antioxidants - glutathione.

NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like aspirin prevent formation of the "bad" prostaglandins or eicosanoids associated with cancer promotion. This keeps them from forming new blood vessels to the tumor. Unfortunately aspirin also blocks the "good" ones too. New COX-2 inhibitors claim to block only the "bad" but they are new with new side effects. So watch for clinical research.

 7. LAETRILE/AMYGDALIN. Internationally, this may be the most widely used medication to prevent metastasis. It is not very effective against large tumors except possibly in large, intravenous volumes. However laboratory studies show that it is about 70 - 80 % effective against tiny new cancers. It can restore appetite for some, and it is surprisingly effective against pain, especially the pain of bone cancer, for some patients. Because of its effectiveness, the federal courts have insisted that it remain legal in America. At last report, it can be ordered from Nevada and Mexico in quantities for personal use.

8. CANCER-SPECIFIC INHIBITORS. Some inhibitors work specifically for certain types of cancer. For example, bisphosphonates may be used against bone metastasis. They have side effects that must be evaluated by a doctor familiar with its use.

Another example is a long list of inhibitors for hormone-related cancers. Soy products are recommended but still unproven according to some. Their value seems to be about the same as replacing meat with anything else. It may just be the elimination of meat that makes most of the difference. Vitamin E and Selenium are being used for prostate cancer, as is lycopene. Calcium D-Glucarate helps the liver to inhibit hormone cancers.

Conventional medicine has long used hormone blockade as an effective treatment to inhibit hormone-related cancers. The problem is that, if continued too long, it is possible to develop a new population of unnatural cells that are even more difficult to control. One solution in alternative therapy is to use the hormone blockade only briefly, and discontinue it in 60 - 90 days, as soon as the other treatments take hold and enable the body to start reversing the cancer.

9. LIGHT EXERCISE. A non-tiring form of regular activity seems to be necessary to circulate all these good things through out the body where they may be needed. This is especially true for circulating the immune cells through the lymph system as mentioned on the preceding web page under the problem of tight clothes. In addition, exercise is the natural antidote to stress, since it uses up those very same chemicals. Doctors recommend that daily exercise be cut to 50% of normal levels in order to save energy for healing. Walking is the most popular activity, and next come the gentle exercise programs of Tai Chi, Yoga, or Qigong. More details will be covered under New Lifestyle, PATIENTS' PROTOCOL Step 5.

10. SLEEP AND MEDITATION. This is the only time the immune system is running at full strength. Whenever we are active, the body economy starts borrowing energy from long-term systems like repair, healing and immunity. By getting a full night's rest and then adding 2 - 3 meditations a day, we increase healing and immunity tremendously. Daytime meditations or naps can give us an around -the-clock immune system. More details will be covered under New Lifestyle, PATIENTS' PROTOCOL Step 5.

11. REGULAR SOCIAL SUPPORT. We are social animals and we need to keep up our social contacts to be healthy. Many of us were dismayed at how many friends and relatives disappeared once they heard about our cancer diagnosis. Never the less, seek out some for your team who will at least ask you how you are doing, and really let you tell them. Maybe they can help in other ways such as driving to the doctor or fixing a meal, or relieving another member of your team a few hours a week.

 We all knew that support groups were very, very helpful to us. But even we were surprised by the hard scientific studies that showed they can have just as much influence on survival time as the treatments! Support can double your chances, so don't miss this bet.

Hopefully you can find a cancer support group that is open minded about both conventional and alternative therapy. Otherwise you could try a vegetarian support group, a church support group, etc., just so you really get a chance to share problems and solutions with others. It takes about 3 visits to get comfortable and decide if you are compatible. There will be more on this under PATIENTS' PROTOCOL Step 5, New Lifestyle.

The step to first suppress metastasis is often overlooked, so it may be necessary for patients to specifically ask about what they can do, each time they go to a new doctor for a second opinion. The answer, or lack thereof, may be helpful in selecting which doctors you want on your winning team.

Each step of the PATIENTS' PROTOCOL will include more treatments we have used that are appropriate to that particular function. Also you may be able to find more metastasis inhibitors by selecting our Home Page Index in the box below, and looking at the REFERENCES page in Section A. Or by searching the web sites listed in section E.

End of final Part 2, START INHIBITING METASTASIS,

of PATIENTS' PROTOCOL STEP3, SUPPRESS METASTASIS.

If you have comments and suggestions about suppressing metastasis, etc, please email them to us at Webmaster@PatientsNCI.org

PATIENTS NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE