Cancer Prevention and Support
Diana S. Bokhari
CANCER- A six letter word that has become synonymous with fear, and imminent death. The pharmaceutical industry alone has capitalized on countless drugs and research programs that not only serve to increase their profits, but to further instill fear and apprehension in the general public. But what if, we were to make a conscious choice for ourselves to focus on prevention, rather than treatment of cancer? What if we were to look deeper into our society’s lifestyle and eating habits that contribute to the cause of this killer disease? Could we reverse the process where not only would we be healthier ourselves, but our planet would be less polluted, farm animals would be better treated and less pumped with growth hormones and antibiotics, and laboratories would cease torturing animals in experiments that don’t seem to be bringing anyone closer to a cure? What if…?
Our beloved pets are no less susceptible to cancer than we are; in fact, there seem to be more cases among them now than ever. Because their bodies are generally smaller than ours, cancer cells may actually spread more quickly than they do in humans, and because they cannot speak to us, they cannot tell us that they are not feeling well ahead of time, therefore, diagnosis can often take place in later stages.
It is our responsibility to help prevent the onset of cancer in our pets. As in humans, the number one thing that will determine their health is nutrition. As I am sure you may have already read in numerous books and articles, most processed commercial pet foods are not only shy of optimum nutrition, but may in fact contain chemical additives, colors and preservatives that can cause cancer. As I tell my clients on a daily basis, even if you are feeding your dog a human-grade dry food, as good as the ingredients may be it is still extremely processed – it has to be in order to reach the state of kibble – not to mention dehydrated, and void of any living nutrients that would normally be found in fresh, unprocessed foods. If you want to feed healthy living cells within the body to remain healthy and living, you cannot accomplish that by feeding the body foods that contain no “life” in them. To paint a clearer picture, compare the look and smell of fresh meat, fruits and veggies to kibble…it doesn’t take a scientist to perceive that fresh foods will contain more naturally occurring vitamins (antioxidants) and minerals necessary to promote healthy cells.
Not all cancers stem from the same cause; some originate from viral infections, hormonal factors or genetic make-up, however, the individual’s immune system is the final factor that will determine their susceptibility to the disease. It is therefore paramount for your pets to be able to build their immunity through healthy nutrition and exercise. Let’s take a look at some preventative modalities, as well as those that can help support your pet if they have already been diagnosed with cancer.
Cancer cells thrive on carbohydrates. Although dogs are omnivores, they are mainly carnivorous; their diet should contain 2/3 animal protein and fat derived from a healthy source to meet their optimum nutritional needs. Their source of carbohydrates should be a good variety of very ripe fruits and vegetables which are either finely pureed or prejudiced. The reason for this is that dogs’ digestive system is not designed to break down fruit and vegetable skins – this is why when you give your dog fresh carrots, you will always see undigested pieces in their stool. In the wild, dogs will eat the stomach contents of their prey which is predigested vegetation, not grains and other fiber commonly found in most dry commercial pet foods. These grains are not only impossible for them to break down (often causing inflammation in the digestive track, is the reason why we see so much bowel sensitivity in dogs today), but they turn into sugar in the blood – an interesting observation considering that obesity and diabetes are also on the rise in dogs and cats today.
The Holistic Guide For a Healthy Dog by Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown, D.V.M. relates the following; “While conventional chemotherapy, radiation and steroids are still used, they are used together with a high fat diet. Tumors need carbohydrates for energy, and a diet high in fat and protein and low in carbohydrates makes tumors energy deficient and can literally starve them…The noted veterinary cancer specialist, Dr. Gregory K. Ogilvie of Colorado State University’s Department of Clinical Sciences, suggests following the percentages listed below for making a cancer diet for your dog.
This diet provides adequate protein for the dog to heal during the process of treatment and not enough carbohydrates to sustain the tumors.” I recommend that this formula can be applied to either raw feeding or a home cooked diet.
A raw food diet (BARF) is ideal for both prevention and support of cancer. CJ Puotinen writes in her book, The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care, “Although some argue that cooking improves the digestibility of foods and that any dog or cat with cancer is likely to have an impaired digestive system, cooking is a human cultural preference…By gradually introducing fresh, whole raw foods and by improving the animal’s digestion, you will supply far more nutritional support than any canned or packaged pet food or any home-prepared cooked food can provide…One of the strongest arguments against raw meat is that it may contain parasites or harmful bacteria that the animal’s impaired digestive system isn’t able to deal with. While this is a valid concern, the answer is not to sterilize the food with heat but to improve the animal’s digestion while reducing the risk of pathogens.” You may add nutrients such as garlic, sage, yogurt, kefir, and acidophilus to help improve your pet’s digestion and help reduce adverse bacteria.
Dr. Helaine Haltrecht, a Montreal veterinarian specializing in acupuncture and Chinese medicine says that “Acupuncture is very well known and accepted as an adjunctive treatment for cancer cases. The goals of therapy using acupuncture include controlling nausea, for instance in cases where there is chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and nausea is a side effect. As well, sometimes nausea is associated with the cancer itself, and by using acupuncture you control these symptoms and improve appetite. Acupuncture can also be used for pain control; some tumors are very painful, and acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, which are our bodies' natural painkillers. Finally, acupuncture is also used to stimulate the body’s immune system, and help fight off malignant cell growth. This may slow down the spread of the cancer, and prolong the animals' life.”
By definition, antioxidants are a “substance that inhibits oxidation: a substance that inhibits the destructive effects of oxidation, e.g. in the body…” (Encarta ® World English Dictionary ©). Translated into a nutritional context, these vitamins and other nutritional substances act to help prevent living cells from oxidation therefore keeping them healthy and less likely to turn cancerous. Here are several basic nutritional supplements that are typically recommended for cancer support as well as cancer prevention:
To quote CJ Puotinen, The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care, “Immunologists and veterinarians have documented vaccination-related side effects in dogs and cats ranging from paralysis, convulsive seizures, blindness and death to less dramatic but still serious conditions such as tissue damage, cysts, allergies and chronic diseases. Some immunologists suggest that feline leukemia evolved as a result of mass vaccinations for feline panleukopenia and that subsequent vaccinations for feline leukemia produced the epidemic called feline AIDS…In 1979, veterinarians (and brothers) Robert and Marty Goldstein wrote an article opposing the blanket use of vaccinations in animals. Their clinical observations and research linked annual revaccinations to chronic degenerative diseases such as arthritis, cancer, chronic skin problems, diabetes and autoimmune diseases. The conventional veterinary community ignored them. Now the mainstream veterinary literature has recognized vaccine induced fibrosacoma, a serious and often fatal cancer in cats that develops at the site of vaccine injections and which is often more aggressive and more resistant to treatment than other cancers of this type. ‘Finally, researchers and veterinarians are using vaccination and cancer in the same sentence!’ exclaimed Bob Goldstein in the October 1996 edition of his Love of Animals newsletter. ‘The veterinary community is beginning to accept that suppression of the immune system can lead to cancer.’”
Conclusion? Prevention of disease is as preferable for our beloved pets, as it is for us, to any cure…prevention that is attainable through education, awareness, and choice. Take the time to do your research. Consult holistic minded veterinarians well versed in wholesome, natural diets for your pets as well as vaccine protocols that are not only up to date in their use and safety, but that also meet the standards set by your own common sense. For example, would you vaccinate yourself or your children for the same diseases year, after year, after year? If your answer is no, ask yourself why.
What if we all took the time to think more deeply, ask more questions, and research the answers that we got…would we be surprised how much more easily attainable the idea of good health would really be? Could it be so simple that it so easily escapes us? …What if?
-Diana S. Bokhari is the founder of Quebec’s original holistic pet center for animal wellness, and has established a network for Canada’s leaders in complementary health care for domestic pets. She can be consulted at diana@naturalanimal.ca.