Category Archives: Colon-Rectum Cancer

Stage 3B Colon Cancer Spread To Lung After Surgery. Chemo Failed.

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Harry (not his real name) felt breathless sometime in May 2021. An examination by the doctor in a private hospital indicated three of the heart blood vessels were blocked. In June 2021, Harry underwent coronary angioplasty – i.e., a procedure using a tiny balloon catheter that is inserted in a blocked blood vessel to help widen it and improve blood flow to the heart.

While in the hospital Harry also suffered altered bowel habits and rectal bleeding. A colonoscopy was done and showed transverse colon (hepatic flexture) tumour and hemorrhoid.

Harry underwent a right hemicolectomy and omentectomy on 28 June 2022.

The histology report confirmed:

  • mucinous adenocarcinoma of colon with tubulo-villous adenoma at its edges.
  • Invasion of mesocolic fat, pT3 tumour.
  • Three of 8 lymph nodes are involved by metastatic tumour, pN1.
  • One microscopic focus of serrated  adenoma found at the tip of appendix.

Comment:  The  combination of mucinous adeonocarcinoma, tumour in the right colon and presence of serrated adenoma in the appendix is uncommon.

Stage 3B – T3N1M0

Harry was told to undergo chemotherapy in the same hospital where he had surgery. However, he was not happy with what he had gone through in that hospital and decided to take a break and ask around for various  opinions. Two months later, he decided to go for chemotherapy at  another hospital.

Before starting chemotherapy a PET scan was done. The PET scan report dated 9 September 2021 showed:

  • A focus tracer accumulation seen anterior to the third part of the duodenum (0.8 x 1.0 x 0.9 cm). This FDG avid lymph node likely represents metastasis.
  • Patchy ground glass opacity seen in the left lower lobe of the lung.
  • There is no evidence of metastasis to the brain, nodes,  neck, thorax, mediastinum, pelvis, thyroid, lung, stomach, liver, pancreas, spleen, adrenals and bones.

Harry underwent 8 cycles of chemotherapy.

He did not suffer any severe side effect except a little numbness of his hands.

The chemo treatments was completed in April 2020. A PET scan done on 7 April 2022 indicated:

  • Comparing with the scan done on 9 September 2021, the present scan indicate complete metabolic response to the treatment. Problem solved!
  • Patchy ground glass opacity seen in the left lower lobe of the lung is unchanged in appreance.
  • No evidence of FDG avid lesion seen in any other parts of the body.

Six months later, Harry did another PET scan. PET scan report dated 13 October 2022 showed:

  • Patchy ground glass/consolidative opacity seen  in the left lower lobe of the lung was grown larger.
  • New patchy nodular opacity seen in the anterior segment of the right upper lobe.

Harry was told to undergo another 8 cycles of chemotherapy using the regimen – TS 1, Irinotel + Avastin. The estimated cost of this second round of chemo would be about RM 66K as outlined  below (a note given to by the hospital).

Harry declined to undergo further chemotherapy.

Chris: Why did you not want to go for more chemotherapy?

Harry: I have done that before and it did not work!

C: When you did the first round of 8 cycles of chemo, did you ever ask the doctor if the treatment is going to cure you?

H: No. I did not know anything. I just followed what I was told to do.

C: In all, including  your heart operation, how much have you spent?

H: Roughly about RM200,000.

Comment

One big lesson we can learn from this case is that surgery and chemo did not cure Harry’s Stage 3B colon cancer.

After the completion of chemotherapy, Harry had a PET scan which showed everything was clear – no more cancer! So the treatment was effective. But that was just a …. (put in any word you like)!

About 6 months later, another PET scan showed that the cancer had recurred. Harry was asked to do more chemo.

Ask these questions:

1. What is the use of doing a PET scan when the result is so short-lived. A “success” had turned into a “disappointment” within 6 months.

2. Harry was asked to go for another round of 8 cycles of chemo which is going to cost him another RM 66K at least. Is that going to be a good investment for him?

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My Cancer Journey with Dr. Teo

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A  Patient from London

I was 40 years old when I was diagnosed with advanced cancer of the bowel which had spread to my ovaries, uterus, liver and lung. My symptoms came on suddenly and violently. Within 2 weeks of feeling unwell beginning with a swollen belly, lack of appetite, and difficulty breathing, I was bed bound with hardly any strength to take myself to the toilet.

It was terrifying how fast I deteriorated from being a healthy active woman to being unable to dress myself. The initial CT scan at the hospital revealed a mass the size of a rugby ball in my abdomen. My right lung had collapsed entirely. I had 9 litres of fluid removed from my lung and was hooked up to a bucket collecting lung fluid from my body for three weeks. The specialist team had no idea where the primary cancer originated from. It took a month before I received surgery which left me with a stoma and no more lady bits. Today, I have a 12 inch scar running down my belly and wear a colostomy bag. It took some time to get used to my new body. However, I love my scar and my stoma now because without them I would no longer be here.

As I was poorly before receiving major surgery, my healing journey began with some setbacks. I was teary and scared. I felt so weak. I was traumatised by the series of events which rendered me from a healthy female to one who had returned from the brink of death –all within two months. My entire life changed beyondrecognition. I was told chemotherapy was the next part of my fight against the cancer still residing in my body. I could barely walk after the surgery. To get my head around the side effects of chemo was difficult.Although my body was healing slowly, psychologically I was a total mess.I cried and cried. My son is only 11 years old. Reading about the horrific effects of chemotherapy added to my anxiety.

I found Dr. Teo’s website by chance. I read the stories on the website night after night. I felt inspired. I reached out to Dr. Teo for help. It was therapeutic for me to communicate with Dr. Teo. My emails were answered. I no longer felt alone. Unlike the hospital experience of waiting for hours for the doctor to see me for ten minutes a day, Dr. Teo took time to read my emails (some of which were very long) and replied with kind and inspirational words. At no point did he ask me to take his herbs. During a check up appointment, I was told the average life expectancy of someone with my condition even with chemotherapy was two years. I thought two years was way lower than the many stories I read on Dr. Teo’s website. I stalled my medical team who was very keen for me to start chemotherapy as soon as possible for as long as I could to come to a conclusion: I want to take Dr. Teo’s herbs and follow his dietary advice.

The first week on herbs was quite an embarrassing week because I produced lots of evil smelling gas and my stoma was excreting more discharge than ever before. I had to change my stoma bag many times in a day. I also had strange pains in my abdomen, in fact I had a painful couple of hours on the first night of taking the herbs when I thought the cancer had come back. I took numerous naps during the day for a week. I felt like my healing had ceased and I was regressing back to when I had first taken ill. However, my condition took a turn for the better after a week or so. I felt stronger and my healing took off. I walked straighter. My surgical pains began subsiding. My appetite returned. I gained weight. Colour came back on my face. My skin looked clear. I no longer had any white gunk on the back of my tongue.

Cutting out sugar, dairy, refined flours, meat, table salt, and cooking oil has radically transformed my outlook on food. I no longer live to eat. I eat to live. I ordered Dr. Teoh ‘s cookbook online as a guide to eating healthily. I make my own meals to take to dinner parties. I have raw days when I eat only raw veggies. I have my moments of weakness when I inhale the aroma of steak pies and chocolate cake. However, I stay determined and stick to a salad instead. It is hard only in the first few minutes, but the temptation to eat meat passes quickly once I think of how sickly I was.

Dr. Teo checks up on me regularly. We stay in touch via emails as I am in the UK and he is based in Penang. I have learned a new way of looking at life through Dr. Teoh’s writings. I speak my mind nowadays. In the past I used to hold on to my feelings and keep them to myself. Now, I let it all out. Dr. Teo  also encourages me to stay relaxed and positive, to take each day as it comes. I have become grateful for every little blessing I receive each day – from being able to vacuum the floor, to making a nice salad to being able to garden – thanks to Dr. Teoh and Im his lovely wife, I eat well, sleep well and wake up happy.

From reading Dr. Teo’s stories and writings on his website, I have learned that nobody knows what the future holds. All we have is today and today – the present – is exactly that: a gift. I have chosen to take his herbs instead of chemotherapy, it is a choice which has allowed me to live like I used to and enjoy the present in comfort. I thank Dr.Teo and his wife in a prayer everyday for their work which has helped me and other cancer patients to live out their days in hope and in peace. I have been taking Dr. Teo’s herbs for six months. I pray I will be lucky enough to take his herbs for many more months to come.

Colon Cancer Part 4: Surgery, Xeloda and Oxaliplatin – he died.

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In the early morning of 4 February 2020, I received an email from YK.

Good morning, Dr. Chris.

I am YK. Kenny recommended me to see you for treatment of my husband’s cancer.  My husband, EK, is quite weak but he is so adamant to travel to Penang to see you personally and seek your treatment. We will be driving from KL early morning and are expected to reach your clinic before noon. We would appreciate if you could kindly accommodate our request at this very last minute.

EK, 60 years old, was wheeled into our centre. This is what his wife told us:

  1. EK is rather weak but appeared determined to find healing for his cancer.
  1. He was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in March 2018.
  1. He had an operation in a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur. After surgery he had to wear a colostomy bag.
  1. EK was subsequently put on the oral drug Xeloda (or Capecitabine).
  1. He was okay, but only for a while. Three to four months later, the tumour recurred. It was about the size of a tennis ball.
  1. EK underwent chemotherapy. The regimen used was XELOX, a combination of Oxaliplatin and Xeloda.
  1. In addition, he received 25 radiation treatments. The whole treatments was completed in January 2019.
  1. From January to July 2019, EK was put on Xeloda – a total of 4 or 5 cycles.
  1. He suffered congestion in the intestine.
  1. He underwent a second operation to correct this situation and had to stay in the hospital for about three months.
  1. After being discharged, the doctor said there is nothing more that medicine can do for him. In other words the doctors had given up trying to “cure” him. EK was asked to go back to the hospital once every three weeks for palliative care, such as undergoing blood transfusion, infusion of sodium, nutrients and antibiotics, etc. as and when required.

The medical report dated 5 August 2019 stated the following:

  • Ill defined mass centered at the rectum measuring 11 x 7 x 6 cm.
  • Adherent small bowel loop at this site with proximal dilatation suggesting subacute obstruction.
  • Ileostomy.
  • No liver or nodal metastasis.

Chris: How much have you spent for all these treatments,?

Wife: The total cost came to about RM400,000. Paid by my employer.

On 17 Feb 2020, I wrote this email to YK.

I am sorry for writing this email but for the sake of my own knowledge in trying to help others, I hope you don’t mind me asking. Kenny just came to the centre this morning. He told me your husband passed away just a day or two after coming to see me. Is that correct news? Besides that he also took some products and was on Gerson Therapy? If you find it difficult to respond, it is ok … I understand. Chris

Reply: Good afternoon, Dear Dr. Chris.

Thank you for your email. In fact, I wanted to email to inform that my husband passed away on 11 Feb 2020, while we visited you on 3 Feb 2020. In fact, my husband was very positive after our trip to Penang and he did try to follow the prescription for one and half day and a lot of dark slimy charge from his stoma.

Unfortunately, he can’t continue because of his low sodium level whereby he can’t eat at all, just drink some soup and protein / milo drink since 2-3 before CNY. In fact, he told me that he will try again in 1 to 2 weeks time after he resolved his sodium problem.

FYI, He did drink Kangen Water & take all sorts of health products i.e., Ukon, Lingzhi, Hemohim, Lifepak, Usana & Shaklee products + all the vegetables and fruit juices etc.

When we visited you at your centre, he was already very ill but it was his wish to see you then. We are very glad that you were willing to see us at a very last minute request. We really appreciate your kindness. Thank you once again. Regards. YK.

Comments

  1. I am sad to know that EK had died. This is barely two years after being diagnosed with colon cancer. The questions that flooded into my mind were: Why so soon? Do you really have to die so soon? Was the cancer that aggressive? How could this happen?

After surgery, EK did everything that his doctor wanted him to do. He took Xeloda. Barely four months later, the cancer recurred. Why? Is it not obvious that  the scientifically proven Xeloda was not effective?

  1. More questions: After the recurrence, the next “proven” method is to give chemotherapy! That is a given – the golden standard protocol of cancer treatment. What baffles me is, Why was EK given more Xeloda in the form of Xelox regimen? Why Xeloda again? Just because it is part of the Xelox regimen?
  2. After the chemo was done, EK had 25 sessions of radiotherapy. From January to July 2019, EK was again put on Xeloda. It appears there is no other “magic” medicine besides Xeloda? Or someone has fallen in love with Xeloda?

Let me ponder what Einstein said:

My response to Einstein: Yes sir, I would give up Xeloda and find another bullet. That is the only sane thing to do, right?

More … and more questions: What if after the surgery, EK were to do nothing? No Xeloda, no Xelox chemo and no radiation! Many of you must be thinking I am mad to have the gut to pose such a “silly” question.

You may say, If EK did not do chemo, he would die (immediately???) or The cancer would spread all over the body.

Hang on, please read this:.

Read what Dr. Cynthia Foster said:

Dr. Richard Smith is the editor of the prestigious British Medical Journal. Why is he so upset? Does he know “something” that you and me do not know?

In May 1996, that is almost 24 years ago, the daughter of Tony, a 67-year-old man from Penang, came to my house asking for help. Her father was diagnosed with colon cancer which had spread to his liver. After surgery, his honest doctor concluded that chemotherapy or radiotherapy would be of limited benefit. The doctor told Tony’s daughter, Bring your father home, organize a party for him and then tell him he has cancer! Let him live happily and count his days.

Luckily, at that time there was no Xeloda or Xelox yet! If there was a Xeloda, would Tony’s doctor prescribed that to him? What do you think would happen after that?

Tony’s doctor was left in a limbo. His advice was to do nothing. I believe he had a pure conscience and was just being blatantly honest. (See, I am not “mad” after all to suggest that at times you don’t need chemo!).

Take a look at the pictures below. Tony had difficulty moving around. Even eating by himself was difficult. He had to be fed. That was before he was started on our herbal therapy.

I prescribed herbs for Tony. I must admit at that time,(again a reminder, 24 years ago), I was very much a green horn. I have not seen many cancer patients yet. After all we had just started CA Care in mid-1995.

Having seen the doctor’s medical report and comment, I was not hopeful at all that I could help Tony in any way. But what choice have we got at that time? But look at the photographs below. Tony bounced back to life. He was able to ride his motorbike and travel to visit friends in distant town.

Tony was one of my few pioneer patients. It was from patient like him that I started to learn more and more about how to heal cancer.

Twenty-four years ago, that young man’s hair (left) has not turned gray yet!

From being weak and half-dead Tony gained weight and regained his health within months. Look how happy he was.

Fast forward to 2020. We are often told that oncology has progress tremendously. With more and more state-of-the art (but expensive) drugs cancer patients would be better off today than 20 years ago. Really?

Below is the photo of EK taken on 3 February 2020 – two years after being diagnosed with colon cancer and after being subjected to all gold standard methods of treatment. I am not sure how he looked like before his scientific treatment. But I guess he would look like a normal person, unlike the one we see on a wheel chair in this picture below. Is  that progress or regress? And that is after spending RM400,000.

If you have a choice in the way you die, which do you prefer? Dying smiling or dying with sufferings like this?

Let me end by asking you to reflect seriously what Dr. Azra Raza wrote below:

 

 

 

 

Colon Cancer Part 3: Surgery and Xeloda – cancer recurred. Cannabis (illegal in Malaysia) oil did not work either.

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Jim (not his real name) is a 52-year-old Malaysian. He is both a smoker and a drinker.

  • About two years ago, October 2017, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He underwent an operation at a private hospital. The operation went well. After surgery Jim took eight rounds of Xeloda (each round means, two weeks of Xeloda followed by one week rest). The total cost of the treatments (surgery and Xeloda) was about RM40,000.
  • In June 2018, Jim went for a colonoscopy and was told that everything was clear. He was cancer-free.
  • According to his wife, Jim did well and he put on weight. Life went back to normal — and he continued with his heavy smoking and drinking habits.
  • Barely two months later, in December 2018, Jim had backache. He consulted a doctor, who is also a friend. Jim was told there was nothing to worry out. It might just be due to stress.
  • In April 2019, Jim could not move his bowels. A scope showed a tumour blocking his sigmoid colon. The only solution was undergo another surgery.
  • Below is his PET scan done on 11 June 2019.

  1. There is a mass at upper rectum infiltrating the pararectal fat and presacral space. It measures 4.0 x 3.5 x 4.8 cm in size.
  2. There are four nodules in the anterior pelvic cavity subjacent to anterior pelvic wall measuring 1.6 cm in diameter.
  3. A small focus seen in the right rectus abdominis muscle just below the umbilicus muscle measuring 2.0 cm in diameter.
  • Jim was given three options:
  1. If he was to do the operation in the private hospital where he had his previous operation, the cost of the surgery would come to about RM60,000.
  2. Jim could go to another private hospital, the same surgery would cost about RM40,000.
  3. Jim could go to a government hospital. This would cost RM3,000.
  • In June 20919, Jim opted for surgery in a government hospital since he had spent all his insurance coverage. The doctor did the surgery but could not remove any tumour. A by-pass was done instead. A colostomy bag was installed.

  • After the surgery, Jim was asked to undergo chemotherapy. Based on the result of the Kras & Braf Mutation Analysis, the oncologist in the private hospital (who previously gave Xeloda to Jim) suggested that Jim MUST undergo chemotherapy using Avastin. This would cost RM 20,000 per cycle. If Jim was to receive this Avastin treatment in the government hospital, it would only cost RM5,000.
  • Jim was undecided on the chemotherapy. It was at this point that he and his wife decided to seek treatment from a monk in a temple in Chiangmai, Thailand. He was there for about a week. Besides some herbs, Jim was also given cannabis oil (the use of cannabis in Thailand is now legal but it is illegal in Malaysia). In addition, the monk did acupuncture on Jim. According to Jim’s wife, Jim had less pain and could sleep better.
  • On 5 September 2019, Jim had an MRI. The mass at S1-S2 presacral space had grown bigger, to 5.7 x 4.2 x 5.6 cm.
  • Jim decided to go for chemotherapy but his wife objected.

Comments

I received an email from Jim’s wife one evening. The next morning Jim’s wife drove from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, alone by herself, to seek help for her husband. I asked her, “And you are going to drive back to KL again after this?” This 47-year old wife replied, “I am still young!”

I never get to see her again after this first visit.

What can we learn from this story?

  1. After talking with her for some minutes, I realised that she was a very focused and determined lady. But, I am not too sure about her husband who seemed to want results quickly.

To me, from my years of experience, I have come to the conclusion that healing of cancer is about healing human being – a very difficult problem indeed. Is the patient committed to his own well being?

After surgery and Xeloda, Jim was well for a while. According to his wife, Jim put on weight and life went back to normal. Like most people Jim thought he was cured! He went back to his previous lifestyle — heavy smoking and drinking. To me, that is wrong! I don’t want to pass negative judgment on people but I want you to ask yourself: Why did he do such thing? Due to ignorance or irresponsibility?

  1. Surgery and taking of Xeloda did not cure Jim. That is a fact, in spite of the fact that we are being “brain washed” into believing that medical treatments are very scientific and proven!

If you have been following my blog, I have written many stories about colon cancer patients who took those so called FDA-approved drugs, like Xeloda, as advised by their oncologists. Unfortunately, these oral drugs did not work for them either.

But it is not for me to tell you to take or not to take Xeloda. It is up to you. I am here just relating the stories of patients who came to seek my help, after medical treatments have failed them. Perhaps there are many others who find Xeloda is good for them.

  1. When the cancer recurred Jim was told undergo another operation. Then Jim was asked to go for chemotherapy using Avastin (may be with other chemo-drugs added in as well). He opted to go to Thailand and tried marijuana oil which can be legally used there.

I fully understand that there are patients who are desperate. They would want to try their luck with anything. Now, cannabis is the in thing! I honor their choice. So they hopped over to Bangkok,Thailand, for the cannabis treatment. Unfortunately, in Malaysia cannabis oil is illegal and carries a death sentence (sorry, I may be wrong). Knowing this, at CA Care we stay away from cannabis oil – just to be on the right side of the law. Let me share with you the stories of two patients.

There was this patient with a huge liver tumour. He was on our herbs for about two plus (?) years and was okay. Then he developed pain in his abdomen and decided to go to Bangkok to try the cannabis treatment. After three weeks in Bangkok his stomach was bloated and he died.

There was also a lady who had a recurrent cancer of the uterus (?). She opted to go for cannabis treatment in Bangkok. After two months in Bangkok, her situation deteriorated. While she was in Bangkok she wrote me asking for help. Her stomach was bloated and distended. I asked her to go to the hospital to tap out the fluid in her abdomen. Just a week ago, I received an email informing me that she passed away.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not against cannabis. So, by all means, if you think cannabis is good for you, do what you think your heart tells you to do.  Share your success or failure story after that. But what I want to let you know is that there is no magic bullet for cancer. Don’t be misled. That is my main point.

  1. With much due respect to the law makers, taking herbs for your cancer, and in this case cannabis, should not be made a crime! Read this website of the US National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq
  • Cannabis (also known as marijuana)has been used for medicinal purposes for at least 3,000 It was introduced into Western medicine in 1839 by W.B. O’Shaughnessy, a surgeon who learned of its medicinal properties while working in India for the British East India Company. Its use was promoted for reported analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and anticonvulsant effects.
  • By federal law, the possession of Cannabisis illegal in the United States, except within approved research settings; however, a growing number of states, territories, and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to legalize its medical use.
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved Cannabisas a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition.
  • Commercially available cannabinoids, such as dronabinoland nabilone, are approved drugs for the treatment of cancer-related side effects.
  • Cannabinoids may have benefits in the treatment of cancer-related side effects.

Some thirty years ago, I was invited by the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) to go to Bhutan for a month to advise the government on the potential of herbs. While there, I learned that when pigs get sick, the farmers feed them with marijuana leaves! These pigs get well again! Mind you, you see marijuana plants growing everywhere by the roadside! I did not see anybody went “high” smoking that stuff. In fact, I think they have more problem with “makan sireh” (chewing of bettle nut + sireh leaf) than drug addiction.

So I am not anti-marijuana, But since I am in Malaysia, I don’t want to be made a “criminal” and thrown into jail facing a “death sentence.” If there is one lesson we can learn it is this: Any herbal plant is good for mankind, but it is human beings that make it bad by abusing and manipulating it in the hope of curing human greed.

 

 

Colon Cancer Part 2: What if no chemo?

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In my earlier posting, I shared the story of SE who had colon cancer, underwent surgery but refused follow-up chemotherapy. To many people, SE is taking a great risk by rejecting chemotherapy. But according to her doctor, chemo or no chemo, the final outcome would be about the same — not much difference! So, where is the risk?

If you were SE what would you do? Go for chemo or not? It seems the answer to SE is obvious. NO chemo after discussing with her family about what the oncologist had told her. On top of it, SE has a son (let’s call him YA, story below) who was also diagnosed with colon cancer. He too refused chemotherapy.

Stage 3 colon cancer: No chemo after surgery

YA is a 43-year old salesman. In early 2018, his stomach did not feel good. He went to a GP in a private clinic and was prescribed pain killer. It did not help him even after three visits. Later, he had altered bowel habits.

In mid-July 2018, YA did a colonoscopy in a private hospital. There was a circumferential tumour in his ascending colon – just distal to ileocaecal valve.

This first visit to the hospital and examination cost him about RM6,000.

YA was told to undergo an operation. He hesitated and went on to consult three doctors in three different hospitals of their opinions. All the doctors gave the same advice: Operate! (yes, right. If YA were to come for my advice, I would have urged him to go for the operation too).

YA had no choice but had to undergo surgery as recommended. It was a hemicolectomy. Histopathology report firmed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of ascending colon. Three of the 15 pericolic lymph nodes are involved with metastatic carcinoma. CT scan showed no metastasis to either the lung or liver.

This is a stage 3 cancer, T3N1Mx. The operation cost him RM23,000.

After the surgery, YA was asked to undergo follow-up chemotherapy. The oncologist suggested  Xelox regimen, i.e. taking oral drug Xeloda plus injection of Oxaliplatin. Each cycle costs about RM5,500 to RM6,500. YA has to undergo a total of  8 cycles.

The oncologist told YA:

  • No chemo, there is a 40 percent chance of recurrence. The chance of cure is only 60 percent.
  • With chemo there is a 90 percent chance of cure. The chance of recurrence is only 10 percent.

This means YA could expect a benefit of 30 percent if he undergoes chemotherapy.

Take a pause, what would you do if you were YA. Go for chemo or not? YES or NO? I am sure different people will have different opinions. Let me share with you what I know based on my twenty plus years of experience helping cancer patients. There is no right and wrong way! Because nobody on earth can predict the real outcome.

Don’t only just take my words, read what these doctors tell us:

Chemo gives only 30 percent benefit? YA decided not to undergo chemotherapy!

I think the reason that made YA come to seek our help is also because he was “influenced” by one of his customers from Melaka. Let’s call him Mr. X.

Mr. X had stomach cancer. He underwent surgery but refused to undergo follow-up chemotherapy. Since he was adamant on NOT going for chemotherapy, his surgeon helped X find CA Care in the internet and suggested that X come and seek our help.  Mr. X was prescribed herbs and was doing very well (note: X’s story is not finished yet! More  to come later).

After studying YA’s case, I prescribed herbs for his colon and lymph nodes. I also cautioned YA that he must take care of his diet and change his lifestyle. Travelling around everywhere (being a salesman) is too stressful and is not good for his healing. He decided to embark on this non-medical journey.

In late February 2020, I got to meet YA and had a chat. This is one year four months after his first visit in  August 2018. YA is doing fine. The following are his blood test results.

  10 Jul 2018 16 Aug 2018 Started

on herbs

 18 Sept 2018 22 Feb 2019 27 July 2019 11 Feb 2020
ESR 26 H 11 H   2 4 13 H 11 H
Platelet count 308 224   244 212 203 205
Alkaline phosphatase 77 61   53 59 53 55
SGOT (AST) 13 18   22 22 30 33
SGPT (ALT) 15 11   33 21 46 52
GGT 24 20   12 18 25 27
CA 125 n/a 13.6   3.9 3.2 4.7 3.6
CA 19.9 n/a 4.3   3.1 10.3 7.1 10.1
CEA n/a Less 0.5   Less 0.5 Less 0.5 Less 0.5 Less 0.5

During the follow-up with his surgeon, YA underwent routine check-up.

USG on 22 July 2018: No evidence of liver metastasis. There are a few polyps measuring up to 5.5 mm.

USG 14 March 2019: Gallbladder polyps measuring 3-4 mm. No evidence of metastasis in this examination. Chest X-ray: Normal chest radiograph.

USG 1 August 2019: Gallbladder polyps, the largest measuring 0.3 cm. Chest X-ray: Normal CXR Colonoscopy: Normal ileo-colic anastomosis.

USG 13 February 2020: Small gallbladder polyp, measuring 5 mm (in July 2018 – few polyps). No evidence of metastasis. Chest X-ray: Normal mediastinum and lung fields. No rib lesion seen.

Comments:

  1. From what I could see, YA is very concerned about this health. He tried hard to take care of his diet. His understanding boss cut down his travelling, etc. I could see he was trying his best to get well. Every six months, YA went to see his surgeon and did USG, X-ray and blood test to monitor his progress. So far so good.

During his latest visit to his surgeon, he even asked if he needs to do more detail examination. The doctor said there is nothing else to do, after all he is doing well already.

  1. As a person, YA said he is doing fine, that is after one over years now. I was upfront with YA – I have done my best to help him. I really don’t know what else I can do. My experience tells me that there is no cure for cancer. So YA is not out of the woods yet. There is still a long way to go. It is my sincere hope that he stays the course. For now, if he is doing okay – can eat, can sleep, no pain and can continue with his work – what more than we ask for?

Only time can tell if the cancer would recur or not. But so far, YA is doing fine.

Read what Dr. Jerome Groopman and his wife wrote:

  1. YA came to seek our help because he saw that Mr. X (his Melaka customer with stomach cancer) was doing so well when taking our herbs. Then when YA came to see us he got to meet Johnny (not real name). Johnny had a similar cancer. He had surgery (two operations in a month) in January 2006. He too refused follow-up chemotherapy. Johnny was on our herbs and is doing very well up to this writing (almost 14 years now).

One lesson we should learn: Whatever happen to others – success or failure, know that it may not happen to you!

When you go and see a doctor (or an alternative healer like me), know that we are just conducting an experiment on you. We try to do the “right” thing for you based on our own experiences. Yes, we can predict what may happen to you after undergoing the treatment but we cannot guarantee the exact outcome. In scientific jargon we are just conducting an experiment where n=1 (only one subject in an experiment). That is what happened all the time.

Read what Dr. Hamilton wrote:

  1. YA knew us through Mr. X. During our latest chit-chat, I asked YA. Okay – how is Mr. X doing now? His answer: He already died. X was doing really well initially for about two years. I am fully aware of that. But what I did not know about his progress after that.

YA told me that after doing so well, like all other patients, X started to “misbehave”. There is nothing to be upset about – this happened all the time! X started to miss out on his herbs. He started to eat what he liked! According to YA, X had to be hospitalised. His legs were swollen and his stomach was bloated. After a month in the hospital, he died. For that the family faced a hospital bill of about RM100,000.

This is my message to YA. I hope you learn from this unfortunate experience. Your life is in your hands. You decide where you want to go.

 

 

 

 

Colon Cancer Part 1: Honest doctor, shockingly honest advice!

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Almost every day cancer patients write or come to me for help. For the past few weeks, I saw cases after cases of colon cancer. The cancer cases come in a non-random, wave-like patent. It looks like these past weeks is a “colon cancer season.” Indeed I find this strange and unexplainable.

I have already written two cases of colorectal cancer earlier! And now I am going to share a few more cases with you.

Case of: Honest doctor, shockingly honest advice!

SE is a 62-year-old Malaysian lady. About three months ago she passed out blood in her stools. She went to private hospital and did an endoscopy followed by CT scan of her abdomen and pelvis.

CT scan showed a 8 x 11 x 14 mm polypoidal mass on the anterior wall of the mid sigmoid and a 18 cm tumour from the anal verge. A biopsy confirmed an invasive moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.

The doctor suggested surgery. According to SE’s son, the whole treatment would cost about RM 60,000 (if done in a private hospital). SE has no money and she is not covered by any health insurance. SE was subsequently referred to a “government-sponsored hospital” for further treatment.

SE underwent surgery in December 2019. One of the 11 lymph nodes removed was involved. But the cancer has not spread to any other organs. SE was told it was a Stage 3 cancer.

In all, the operation in this “government-sponsored hospital” cost about RM3,000 (against RM60K in a private hospital).

SE was told to undergo follow-up chemotherapy. Since SE did not speak English, the doctor wrote his recommendation on a piece of paper (see below). He suggested that SE go home and discuss this matter with her family members.

I was indeed shocked to read this note from her doctor (of this  “government-sponsored hospital”). My first reaction was to SALUTE this honest doctor! Thank you Doc., for being very honest and up front with your patient.

Let us read the note (translated) carefully.

Watch this video:

SE and her family decided not to undergo chemotherapy!

Comments

Let me ask you this question: Given that to do chemo or not to do chemo makes no difference! And 5 patients out of 100 would benefit from the chemo-treatment. What would you do if you were in SE’s situation?

It looks like, if doctors were to give their patients honest information (perhaps based on their own experiences and reading of medical journals) most patients would run away from chemotherapy. If this happens, cancer industry is no more a lucrative billion-dollar industry.

Many of you may want to dispute what SE’s oncologists said! How could it be — only 5 percent benefit only? How could it be, to do or not to do chemo is about the same? If don’t want to do chemo also, ok! What kind of oncologist is that? My answer is: This is the very honest kind of oncologist. Don’t get angry at him. What he said is very true. Instead let us salute him for being honest. The world needs such doctors!

Let me ask you to reflect on the quotations below:

Two more postings to come:

Colon Cancer Part 2: What if no chemo?

Colon Cancer Part 3: Let the truth be told – shocking outcome after surgery and chemo..

 

 

 

Colon Cancer stage 3B: Surgery and chemo failed to cure her. Cancer spread to her lung.

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On Tuesday, 8 August 2017, I received an email from WC, the son of a cancer patient from Singapore.

Hi Dr Chris,

I came across your website while trying to explore more viable options for my mother’s condition. She has been diagnosed with colon cancer Stage IIIB T4aN1M0 and a tumor (5cm x 3.5cm) has been removed through keyhole surgery 3 weeks ago. From your case study and examples from your website, I am confident that your vast experience in this field is definitely something we desperately need in this difficult situation.

Long story short, I would humbly need your opinion on my mother’s next action. She is absolutely normal now, independent, optimistic and able to perform all daily routines including her weekly dance class but doctor would like her to start her Xelox chemo this coming Saturday (12/8/2017) to reduce the rate of cancer recurrence. Was told the chances are 50/50 but if she goes for chemo, the probability of recurrence can be reduced to 30% or lesser.

My biggest fear is if her condition worsen after chemo and I am sure by then we will all regret. Do you think it is a right choice to monitor her condition after her first chemo before deciding going for other methods? If she can pull through the entire chemo procedure, can we still drop by your clinic in Penang to prescribe some herbs and seek advice on diet that she has to follow to be on a safer side?

Thanks and hope to hear from you.

Reply: Thanks and you make whatever decision you think is right.

On Tue, Aug 8, 2017, WC wrote:

Hi Dr Chris,

Thanks for the prompt reply and sound advice on my mother’s situation. Yes, surgeon already has the tumor removed via laparoscopic surgery weeks ago since the tumor is in the process of blocking her colon (described as 5 x 3 cm mid sigmoid cancer). Found a lot of good examples from your blog but I have been searching advice on diet on your website but nothing in specific other than not to listen to your doctor which we too agree. Right now, her diet is very much in control, cooked food only, certain deep sea fish and vegetables, low sugar and may be salt. Please guide us if there are more precautions we have to take into account.

Doctor seems to be very optimistic with this Xelox regime during our visit yesterday maybe because mother has a healthy body, free from any prior disease such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke and etc +. She is only 53 yrs old and her first chemo takes place this Saturday itself. Regardless going chemo or not, we will still arrange a visit to your clinic to seek your profound herbs therapy to reduce the probability of cancer recurrence which I heard can be more severe if happens. My siblings and I, we all love our mother to the core and will take extra miles/different therapies to ensure she can lead a good life. Thanks.

 Reply: Key hole surgery? That is something I would not recommend. Anyway, it is done. Recurrence? Well … no one can know, but if you follow what the doctors say … you can eat anything you like … then you will be a dead duck.

 Xelox chemo regime — you go to my website and read … may be difficult for her …. but it is up to you. If you need help come and see me in Penang with all the medical reports.

(We never get to see the patient. About two and half years later, we got the following emails form WC – the patient’s son).

7 Jan 2020

I hope this email finds you well. I would like to share with you my mother’s latest condition battling with her cancer & seek your help to assist her live longer & better.

Following my last email communication with you in 2017, my mother completed here full Xelox chemo regime in 2018. But, during the beginning of 2019, her CEA rises again (from 20.4 to 135) as you can see in this snapshot below:

She did 1 cycle of oral chemo (Xeloda) for 2 weeks in the middle of 2019 after doctor found few three nodules in her lung. Seems like her cancer has now spread to distant organ.

Oral chemo, even just 1 cycle, made her suffers in my ways (body aches, tiredness, numb, skin turn yellowish) & she is afraid her liver will be damaged if she continues (she heard stories from friends about chemo causing liver failures) so we decided to try out other alternatives including few TCM clinics in Johor Bahru & currently, a nutritionist in KL, all recommended by her friends).

But when she went back to National Cancer Center Singapore this week, her result got worse & doctor said the existing nodules have grown & there were few more small nodules found in her lung now (see attachment for medical report & CT scan snapshot). She was very disappointed & hopeless because despite all the efforts, nothing shows any improvement to her cancer condition.

I am begging you doctor, if you are willing to meet us & think you have a plan that can help better her condition & lives longer, I will be happy to fly together with my mother to Penang to seek consultation. Currently, she is still physically fit, “healthy from the outside” & is able to perform many house chores, exercises & does cooking for the family, I am hoping this healthy sign can help with her battle with cancer if we take action now.

Thanks. Regards,

Reply: You wrote: 8 cycles Xelox & 1 cycle of oral Xeloda since 2017 when she was first diagnosed. Cannot understand this …. 8 cycles of Xelox means i/v oxaliplatin plus Xeloda …. that means she had 8 injections plus 8 cycles of oral Xeloda.

What happened after that … she stopped oxaliplatin? No more injection but continued with oral Xeloda? For how long?

Unfortunately, there is NO cure for any cancer. She would be very disappointed to hear me saying that.

Just an hour ago, another patient came ….with lung cancer and has been 10 years on treatment — still no cure. I have many of such stories …just click this one…

https://cancercaremalaysia.com/2019/12/04/colon-cancer-surgery-and-chemo-did-not-cure-them-ended-up-in-a-more-dire-situation/

On Wed, Jan 8, 2020 WC wrote:

Hi Dr Chris,

We are going to take turns to accompany my mother for her future medical appointments since we are all working. My sister accompanied my mother to her latest visit to National Cancer Center Singapore so I think she is the best person to provide the current condition with her disease now.

Here are my answers:

a) She had colon anterior resection (laparoscopic) at Singapore General Hospital.

b) No radiation done.

c) 8 cycles of Xelox (1 cycle equals 1 session of drip (oxaliplatin) accompanied by 2 weeks of oral chemo (Xeloda) & a week break from chemo) in 2017/2018 & another 2 weeks of oral chemo (Xeloda) consumed middle of last year 2019 before she decided to go with other alternatives like TCM & diet.

d) She took TCM during 8 cycles of Xelox & now she is on supplements prescribed by a nutritionist from KL:

  1. C pantho
  2. Apricot seed
  3. Mela 10mg
  4. Opc
  5. Vd3
  6. Cbpe powder
  7. DHA
  8. Lauric lysine
  9. Ascorbic acid
  10. RYR
  11. Mela
  12. Selenium
  13. Silicon
  14. Zinc
  15. B12
  16. Folate
  17. Mag

Thanks.

Reply: 1. So only 8 cycles of Xelox and no others —

  1. took TCM during Xelox — you know what are these herbs?
  2. Wow — the long list of supplements??????????? Cost you a bomb every month? Does she want to continue taking them after seeing me?  If she wants to take my herbs … no need la all these.

But it is up to her to decide what she wants to do.

On Wed, 8 Jan 2020, WC wrote:

Hi Dr Chris,

After her surgery, she completed 8 cycles of Xelox. Yes, 8 injections and 8 cycles of oral, each time for 2 weeks + a week break. After that, because her CEA was still increasing during routine checkup, she tried 1 cycle of oral again for only 2 weeks but decided not to continue.

I totally understand that after reading your articles & NCCS doctor was saying the main thing now is to shrink nodules & prolong her life. So this is what we are trying to do.

  1. Yes, no others. 8 cycles Xelox & 1 cycle of oral Xeloda since 2017 when she was first diagnosed.
  2. I am not sure, is not specified anywhere but I know one of them is probably “Lignosus rhinoceros” as the TCM doctor called it tiger milk plant.
  3. Yes, cost is significant from an average family like ours so we have to work.

We just hope she gets better & like what you said, she decides what she thinks is best for her body after seeking help from you this week. Do you know how long it will take before she can see the effects from your herb prescriptions?

Thanks.

(Patient and her daughter came to seek our help after this email).

13 Jan 2020 WC wrote:

Hi Dr Chris,

Thanks for the medicine that you prescribed for my mother last week. Her pain has significantly reduced & physically, she looks healthier now. After the first day she took your Pain Tea, she did not have to rely on her heat bag at all during day time. She still has a little soreness at her pelvis bone & stomach (she suspects due to some injury at her intestine) and will still use heat bag (with less dependence) every now & then at night. My siblings & I are glad to see her progress as she was able to perform her daily routines again without any side effects or getting tired easily. Before this, she didn’t even want to walk out of the house because she was too tired. Thanks!

13 Jan 2020 WC wrote:

Hi Dr Chris,

Noted, not expecting cure entirely from her disease at this point but as long as she can remain fit & happy, that’s more important to us. She has been following your diet recipe, some of the ingredients are really hard to find here in JB/Singapore, haha.

Yes, her daily chores will not be too heavy for her & we told her not to push herself too much. As she is not working now, having something to do will keep her out of boredom. She is not used to having nothing to do.

I am glad to hear that she is someone that you can help. Will continue to monitor her progress.Thanks.

Lessons we can learn from this case.

  1. Surgery and chemo did not cure her colon cancer. Is this just an odd or unique case of medical failure? No – I have seen many other cases of failure and it does not matter where you receive your treatment – in Singapore, in Jakarta or in Malaysia. Read more here: https://cancercaremalaysia.com/2019/12/04/colon-cancer-surgery-and-chemo-did-not-cure-them-ended-up-in-a-more-dire-situation/

We are told that the “proven, scientific” methods of treating colon cancer are surgery and chemotherapy. There is no two ways about this.

The chemo regime used in this case is Xelox – capecitabine (Xeloda) and oxaliplatin. This is FDA-approved. This  is the only recognized treatment method that is covered by your medical insurance (if you have one). This is supposed to be proven treatment method and is reported in the medical journal as scientific.

But, hang on a minute, think carefully –  what is so proven or scientific about such treatment? For this patient it does not work. After the completion of the treatment her cancer spread to her lung. Why spread? The truth is, no one can predict and no one knows why! So where is the science here?

What did the doctors wanted to do after this metastasis? They wanted to give her more of the same drug (Xeloda). After two weeks of Xeloda, the patient decided to give up medical treatment altogether. She could not tolerate the side effects. Yes, that was what happened and that is what is proven in this case.

Let me quote what Dr. Russell Blaylock wrote in his book Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients:

  • Unfortunately, the medical profession is not as truthful as they should be …. Studies have also shown that physicians are more likely to report that their patients have few if any side effects from the treatments than are the cancer nurses, who, in fact, spend a great deal more time with the patients.
  • Because of the huge investment in the chemotherapy business – by supporters such as the pharmaceutical industry, many universities, the editors of major journals, the major media outlets and even your oncologist – all the individuals involved in this area of cancer treatment have been working overtime to make the public think chemotherapy works better than it really does.

2. Don’t get me wrong. I am not anti-doctor. But I am a keen seeker of truth. When you have cancer, by all means go and see your doctor and shop for your cure. Do what you think is right for you. Over the years, I have come to understand that there is no cure for any cancer – remission yes, but not cure.

3. When this patient came to seek our help, I was up front with her. Don’t have the impression that we in CA Care can cure her cancer. But we may be able to make her life better and perhaps live a bit more longer. If you want to know more, just go to our website and read our case reports on colon cancer. There are many patients who benefited from our therapy without having to undergo the so called proven method of chemotherapy. Click this link: https://cancercaremalaysia.com/category/colon-rectum-cancer/

4. Before I prescribed herbs for patients, I generally like to talk to them first and explain what we do. Then it is up to the patients to decide if they want to follow our therapy or not. You make the decision, not me. I can show you the way but you must take positive actions to heal yourself.

5. Following our therapy is not easy. You need to drink bitter herbal teas that have awful smell. You need to take care of your diet. No, we are not on the same page with your doctors who tell you to eat what you like because diet has nothing to do with your cancer. If you are not prepared to take care of your diet, then my honest advice is do not to come and see me.

From my data, I know that only 30 percent of patients who came to us believed in what we do. And this group of patients benefited from our work. Unfortunately we cannot help the remaining 70 percent of the patients. They came wanting to find a “magic bullet” for their cancer even after medical treatments have failed them. They wanted to find healing on their own terms. Read these stories:

6. After talking to this patient, I am glad to say that she seemed to be a positive lady who wanted to help herself. Taking bitter herbs would not be a problem. And she is prepared to take care of her diet.

Indeed I am glad to learn that she benefit from our therapy. Let me repeat what her son wrote: After the first day she took your Pain Tea, she did not have to rely on her heat bag at all during day time. Her pain has significantly reduced & physically, she looks healthier now.

Well, do you still believe that herbs are “useless, unproven and unscientific”?

Let me end by quoting more of what Dr. Russell Blaylock wrote in his book Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients:

  • Most traditional (medical) cancer treatments are a careful balancing act of using highly toxic levels of the drugs, hopefully without killing the patient. This does not always succeed and in far too many cases the patient’s death is due to the treatment and not the cancer. This is especially common in older cancer patients and in those with preexisting diseases – such as diabetes, heart disease, liver diseases and extreme frailty.
  • One of the major advantages of using anticancer plant extracts is that most have a high level of safety and few significant side effects … In addition, for most of these natural products, the cost is dramatically lower than chemotherapy.

 

 

 

Diagnosed with colon cancer – What to do now?

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In my earlier posting, I wrote about two Indonesians who came to seek our help after surgery and chemotherapy failed to “cure” them. The next day, Tai – another Indonesian from Pontianak came to seek our help. He was also diagnosed with colon cancer. This is another story.

Tai is 56 years old. His problem started about two months back when he had diarrhoea. Sometimes he passed out blood. He went to a hospital in Pontianak. A colonoscopy was done. The doctor said he has colon cancer and has to undergo an operation.

Not satisfied, Tai went to Kuching (Sarawak) to seek a second opinion. Blood test and CT scan were done.

Tai’s CEA level was at 15.36 (high). His liver function enzymes were all within normal limit. CT scan showed:

  • Irregular wall thickening narrowing of the recto-sigmoid.
  • There is a 25 mm hypodense lesion in segment 8 of the liver. There is no evidence of liver cirrhosis.
  • Bronchiectasis (walls of the bronchi are thickened from inflammation and infection) in the right middle and lower lobes of lung.

Tai was told to undergo surgery. This is to be followed by 6 to 10 cycles of chemotherapy.

Listen to our conversation that morning.

Below are some of the main points we discussed that morning. I hope patients who want to come and seek our help will learn from this conversation. We talked for over an hour. And this consultation is free of charge!

  1. Tai has not undergone any treatment yet after his diagnosis of colon cancer. He came to know about CA Care through a friend. Then his daughter went into the internet and read more about us.

Yes, this is the way it is. Many people know us through words of mouth. From there they go to the internet and read. After reading as much as they can, they come and see us. Spot on, patients please READ. Unfortunately, many patients don’t want to read! Or they prefer to hear and follow what others tell them.

  1. I asked Tai if he asked the doctor if surgery and chemotherapy that he was told to undergo would cure him.

Tai’s daughter said she did ask this question. The doctor replied that surgery has its own risk, and there is no guarantee of a cure.

Yes, this is what I always tell patients to do. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid. You go to the doctors hoping to find a cure — is that not what you want? So at least, ask if you can be cured! Learn to know the “truth” by yourself.

  1. Tai’s daughter then asked the doctor, Why treat if you cannot cure?

The doctor did not answer that question. His only reply was, You must undergo the surgery and chemotherapy.

From the two questions above, Tai understood the “hidden” message. His cancer cannot be cured. Surgery and chemo will not do the job! But whatever it is, Tai was told he must undergo the standard treatment protocol — everyone who gets cancer gets operated and then chemo-ed! That is the way it is.

Some doctors may get angry and give you sarcastic answer – but in this case, Tai’s doctor was not “aggressive”. He just kept quiet.

  1. The family was not convinced and refused to undergo further medical treatment.

Tai and her daughter and the son’s friend, flew to Penang and seek our advice. Patients you need to learn how to make your own decision about your health. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to be able to do this. From the answers given by the doctor and also stories of “bad “experience of others before him, Tai hesitated to join the “crowd” in the hospital. He wanted to find another option.

  1. What do you want me to do for you? Cure you? No, go for surgery first before taking our herbs.

Tai’s daughter said her father was hoping to find another alternative. Of course, like everyone else, he hopes that the herbs can cure him.

This was my reply. We know that surgery and chemo do not cure cancer. So when you come here wanting us to cure your cancer, it is really not right. My experience showed me that no one on earth can cure any cure! So don’t be misled.

Let me tell you a story.

There is this lady from Batam. She has a lump in her breast. She went to a Chinese herbalist in Kuala Lumpur who told her not to go for any surgery. She was told to just take herbs which cost RM5,000 per month! She took the herbs for almost one and a half years. The lump did not go away. It grew bigger and eventually burst. When this happened the herbalist told the lady, I cannot help you anymore. Go and see a doctor and have the lump removed.

What do you think of such a herbalist or sinseh? Don’t be misled or be cheated by such people. The same can happen in Tai’s case. There is a “rotten” tumour in his colon. It can slowly grow and block the passage in the colon. Since Tai is still young, 56 years old and the cancer has not spread extensively, I suggested that he goes for surgery to remove the tumour.

If patients come to me with extensive spread — say from the colon to the liver, lung, etc, I would generally say there is no need for surgery. Surgery is not going to cure such a serious case. But in Tai’s case, after seeing the CT scan, I am a bit unsure. Yes, there is a mass in the liver. Don’t operate that liver mass. But it is better to remove the mass in his colon. Please don’t believe that herbs can make the tumour in the colon go away.

  1. If I operate, do I need to wear a colostomy bag?

You need to ask the doctor who is going to operate on you. Generally if the tumour is very near the anus, you will need to wear a colostomy bag all your life. But if the tumour is higher up in the colon, the surgeon can just remove a section of the colon. You may need to wear a colostomy bag for a while. Later when everything is alright you need to undergo another operation to rejoin the colon and the bag is done with.

  1. To operate or not to operate: You need to make that decision. I cannot tell you what to do.

Tai said he was not prepared to undergo surgery, if possible. To this my response was: I am really concerned if you reject surgery altogether. If I have a “rotten” mass inside my colon, I would go for an operation and remove it, provided there is no extensive metastasis.

Tai explained that he is reluctant to go for an operation because for the past month a herbalist in Pontianak prescribed him some herbs. This helped him. Tai said, Before taking the herbs I have severe stomach pain. After taking the herbs, the pain was gone!

My reply. I understand. But I am afraid of what can happen to you in the future. Feeling better or good after taking herbs does not mean the cancer is cured! One day in the future, like a dormant volcano, it may explode.

From my years of experience, I know that the tumour would not go away just by taking the herbs. Yes, you may be able to live for one or two years with that rotten mass. But I am not sure what is going to happen after that.

Some alternative healers may tell you not to operate – just take their (alternative) treatments  and you will be alright. I am not sure if they are right in telling you such thing. Where is the proof or evidence that their herbs can cure?

You also need to understand that undergoing surgery to remove the tumour does not mean that the cancer will be gone forever. Surgery cannot guarantee a cure at all. But by removing the main source of the cancer, it can make the management of your cancer with alternative therapy easier.

Let me share with you the story of one VIP patient. He was an old man, past his 80s. He had colon cancer that had spread extensively to his liver. He refused any medical treatment (either surgery or chemo) in spite of the fact that his niece (a medical specialist) urged him to do so. His younger brother (a minister in the government) brought him to see us.

Based on his age and extensive metastasis, I agreed with the patient that surgery or chemo might just give more problems instead of helping him.  The patient was prescribed herbs and he was “well”. He could move his bowels normally and he continued to live his normal life. Was he cured? NO. About nine months later his stomach became bloated after eating glutinous rice laced with sugar plus salted dish. He was rushed to the hospital and died not long after the “forbidden meal”. In this case, herbs helped him but it did not cure him!

In case of Tai, it is still worth taking a gamble by undergoing surgery before taking our herbs. He is still young – just 56 years old and his cancer has not spread so extensively yet.

  1. Find the right surgeon to operate on you!

When you come and seek our help, we would try our best to help in any way we can. It is NOT just about prescribing herbs. The question that comes to mind is who is a good surgeon to go to. From the experiences of our patients, we know that Dr. X in Hospital Y is the surgeon to go to. So colon cancer patients, Go to him if you want my advice. Let me say up front, I don’t get an referral fee by doing this! In fact, I don’t know him personally. But I know he has a good reputation.

I told Tai the following:

  1. Before the operation, ask him to give your the estimated cost of the surgery.
  2. Ask the surgeon if you need to wear a colostomy bag — forever or just temporarily.
  3. There is no need to ask the surgeon if he can cure your cancer. By now you should know the reality of the situation.
  4. It is most likely that the surgeon will ask you to go for follow up chemotherapy. No need to rush into this yet. Tell the surgeon you need to go home first and discuss with your family and figure out where to find more money to pay for the treatment.
  5. No need to take herbs yet!

Take one or two weeks to decide what you want to do after considering my advice. There is no need to take the herbs now. You would be just wasting your money. If you need my help after the surgery come back again with the medical reports two or three weeks after your surgery. Then we shall decide what further treatment you need.

More stories …

While I am writing this story about Tai, I received an email from Singapore.

Dear Dr Chris Teo,

We would like to seek your advice for my mother, age 78. She suffered constipation (4 Dec to 8 Dec) and was in pain for 5 days with a huge bloated stomach.

With all investigations done in a hospital, she is diagnosed  with colon cancer on 9 Dec 2019. There is a tumour found in the large intestine that block the passing of the stools. She had undergone blood tests, CT scans and colonoscopy.

The immediate attention given by doctor was to release the gas in her body and to aid the passing of stools asap with the help of a stent insertion to the intestine. A tube was also inserted into her nose. This was done on 9 Dec 2019.

Her stomach has subsided since the insertion of stent, some stools and gas were passed out with the help of the stent. However, today (12 Dec) she did not pass out any stools.

The investigations shows:

Her CEA is 32.5. From the scan report: “There is an obstructing short segment concentric mural thickening of the mid descending colon, a primary tumour , approx 5.1cm in length with upstream dilatation of the rest of the large bowel.” CT scans shows no  spread of cancer cells to other part of the organs.

The next procedure urgently suggested by the specialist is to remove the tumour the soonest. As informed by the specialist, she would have to live with stoma bag after the removal of the tumour as the success rate of joining the intestines back is low.

We would like to seek alternative medical treatment for her, keeping in mind of my mother’s age to undergo the stress of a major surgery, as well as the quality of life after the operation.

May we check on the possibility of meeting you for a consultation.  We would greatly appreciate if we could meet up with you somewhere next week. Looking forward to hear from you. Thank you.

I have not met with the patient yet. But based on the email above, I am in full agreement that putting in a stent to help with her bowel movements was the right thing to do — a procedure alternative healers cannot do!

What about an immediate surgery as suggested by the doctor? The family members seem skeptical due to the patient’s old age (78 years old) and the prospect of having to permanently wear a colostomy bag after that.

I tend to agree with the family’s logic for not wanting the surgery. Why? Because I have come across a similar case like this before. This is the story and see if you can learn anything from this case.

Chai and his wife came to our house one day, on behalf of their 82-year-old mother who was diagnosed with colon cancer. The doctor was adamant that the patient be operated on immediately. At that point in time, I too agreed that Chai’s mother-in-law had to undergo the surgery immediately. But Chai and his wife did not want their mother to undergo the surgery.

They asked me, What if she did not undergo surgery? My answer then was: Well, the stools will be blocked and accumulate within the colon. With time the intestine may just burst. They then asked, Can your herbs do something? My answer was, I just don’t know. I cannot see how the herbs can ever clear the blockage at all.

Since Chai and his wife insisted that they would not go for the surgery, I had NO choice but to make a deal with them. I shall prescribe her some herbs. If the patient was not able to move her bowels after a week or so, they MUST bring her back to the hospital for immediate surgery. Amazingly, after taking the herbs, the patient was well. Her bowel movements became normal.

Watch this video:

About two years later, the patient died. According to Chai it is not due to cancer, probably due to old age.

 

 

 

Colon Cancer: Surgery and chemo did not cure them – ended up in a more dire situation.

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One morning in November 2019.

Two Indonesians came to seek our help. One of them is from Medan and  the other from Jakarta. Both of them had colon cancer. They had surgery followed by chemotherapy. The treatments did not cure them. Let us examine each case in detail. And let us hope we can learn something from their experiences.

Case 1: SPW is 53 years old. He is from Jakarta. About eight months ago, SPW passed out blood-stained stools.

A colonoscopy indicated tumour in his colon.

A CT scan done on 20 March 2019 showed gallstones, in addition to a tumour in the colon.  SPW underwent surgery to remove the mass in his colon and the gallbladder stones.

Pathology report confirmed cancer,  adenocarcinoma, pT3NxMx.

After the surgery, SPW was sent home without further treatment.

About two months later (Jun 2019), a PET scan was done. The result showed the cancer had recurred at the previous operation site. There was NO spread to the liver, lung, lymph nodes or bone.

PW underwent 6 cycles of chemotherapy, at a private hospital in Jakarta. The chemo was given every two weeks. The regimen used was FOLFOX-4, consisting of  Eloxatin (or oxaliplatin) + 5-FU + Leucovorin (folinic acid).

About five months later, in November 2019, another PET was done. The results were disappointing.

  1. The doctor suspected the cancer had spread to the liver.
  2. Metabolic activity of the recurrent mass in the colon was less intense but the cancer did not go away.
  3. PET scan showed reactive lymph node.

The oncologist asked SPW to undergo more chemotherapy but he refused further treatment. Why?

SPW said he suffered severe side effects during the chemo.

  • He lost 15 kg of body weight within that few months of treatment.
  • He was depressed.
  • He suffered severe fatigue.
  • He lost his appetite.
  • He could not sleep at night, and had to take sleeping pills.
  • His fingers were numb.
  • He had difficulty walking.

Current condition: He has to urinate four times during the night.

Case 2: Wongso is a 67 year-old from Medan. In March 2018 he passed out stools with blood. A colonoscopy was done in a hospital in Medan. There was a mass in his colon.

Wongson underwent an operation to remove the tumour in his colon in April 2018. The pathology report confirmed cancer – adenocarcinoma, pT4N1Mx. One of the two lymph nodes was affected. A CT scan on 9 May 2018, showed the cancer had spread to his liver.

Wongso underwent chemotherapy at the government cancer hospital in Jakarta. He received 6 cycles of chemotherapy. The regimen used was FOLFOX-4,  consisting of oxaliplatin, folinic acid and 5-FU.

A CT scan on 5 September 2018 showed that the tumour in his liver had shrunk from 2.49 cm to 2.06 cm. But it did not go away.

Wongso was prescribed an oral drug – Xeloda. He took the pill for two weeks followed by a week of rest. This constitutes a cycle. Wongso took a total of 12 cycles of Xeloda. His CEA was initially at 2.6 but this increased to 79.8 in November 2019.

CT scan on 29 October 2019 showed:

  • Mild ascites around the liver.
  • Multiple cyst in both lobes of liver.
  • Fractured compression at L4 vertebrae.

In spite of this failure, the oncologist still insisted that Wongso continues to take the Xeloda. Wongso was still on Xeloda when he came to seek our help. His complaints were: stomach pain, probably due to “wind”. He moved his bowels 3 to 4 times a day. He had to urinate 3 to 4 times each night.

Comments

The standard treatment recipe for colon cancer is: surgery, chemotherapy and oral drug such as Xeloda. Sometimes patient is also asked to go for radiotherapy before surgery. This is the cases where the tumour is too large.

If you have cancer, you have to go through these treatments no matter where you are – in the most famous  and expensive hospital or in just any ordinary cancer hospital. Yes, you need to undergo this so called proven method of treatment. But, the question you need to ask is: does this proven and scientific method of treatment works for you? I cannot answer that question! But if you come to see after being diagnosed with colon cancer, my only advice is to go for surgery to remove the tumour, that is if the cancer has not spread extensively elsewhere. If there is a widespread metastasis, the value of surgery is questionable. So, that is as far as I would go. In fact, after I met with the two patients above, the next day, there was another Indonesian who also had colon cancer. He has not undergone any treatment yet. My advice to him was: Go and have the tumour removed. Go to this surgeon X in Hospital Y in Kuala Lumpur. He is a good doctor. I think he would be able to help you.

Looking back over the past twenty plus years helping colon cancer patients, I could recollect many sad experiences. In the early years, I have a few patients who underwent chemotherapy with 5-FU after surgery. At that time the only drug deemed effective was 5-FU. One patient went all the way to Sydney for his 5-FU treatment.  He died while undergoing the treatment. Then there was this building contractor. He too had colon cancer and underwent chemotherapy after his surgery. He did not make it. Before he died he told his daughter to not forget CA Care and she should try to help us whenever we need to do any renovation work. Over the years, I lost many good friends.

Now, the chemo regimen for colon cancer has been “updated.” In the case of SPW and Wongso, the oncologists treated their colon cancer using FOLFOX-4 regimen, which consists of a combination of  fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin.

In fact, besides FOLFOX, there are other variations such as:

  • FOLFIRI – consisting of folinic, 5-FU and irinotecan.
  • CAPOX – consisting of capecitabine or Xeloda and oxaliplatin.
  • XELOX – consisting of Xeloda (trade name) and oxaliplatin.

If you study the above carefully, these are merely different combinations of the same five drugs below:

  • 5-FU.
  • Folinic acid or
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Irinotecan
  • Capecitabine or Xeloda.

One important question which most patients want to ask is: Can chemotherapy cure colon cancer? Or What is the success rate of chemotherapy for colon cancer. I tried to search the answers from the internet and these are what I got.

  • Chemotherapy is used after surgery in many colon cancers which are stage 2, 3, and 4. It has been shown that it increases the survival rates. This is not the case in stage I cancers, and therefore chemotherapy is rarely used in this setting. The vast majority of stage I cancers are cured with surgery alone.
  • Although clinical trials have demonstrated that adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival for stage-III colon cancer, the benefits remain controversial for stage-2 lesions. Stage-2 colon cancer patients receive adjuvant chemotherapy despite its uncertain benefits.
  •  Surgery is the primary curative modality in 70–80% of colon cancer patients who present with a non-metastatic disease. However, recurrence is common and is seen in nearly 30% of stage 3 cases after 5 years.
  • Nearly a quarter of all colon cancer cases are stage 3 at diagnosis.
  • Chemotherapy does not cure metastatic colorectal cancer, but it can improve symptoms and prolong life. 
  •  Upon diagnosis, 20% of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients present with metastatic disease (Stage 4) with no curative treatment options currently available. 
  • The overall five-year relative survival of colorectal cancer patients in the US is 64% and in England it is 50.7%.
  • Below is the survival rate in England, based on the stage of disease at diagnosis.
Stage at diagnosis Number of cases 5-year relative survival (%)
Dukes A / Stage 1 26,727 93.2
Dukes B / Stage 2 74,784 77.0
Dukes C / Stage 3 72,806 47.7
Dukes D / Stage 4 28,377 6.6

 

  • The above data are obtained with patients in the US and England. We need to take note that survival rate does NOT mean cure. Unfortunately many patients are told that if they can live five years and more you are considered “CURED”. Unfortunately this is a wrong advice.
  • Take note also that the above result need not apply to you. You may respond differently from these people. The above result should be treated as just an indicator of what can happen to you.
  • In summary, if you are diagnosed with advanced or Stage 4 cancer, you chance of survival is probably 10 to 15%, no matter what you do. On the other hand, if you have a Stage 1 cancer, you don’t need chemotherapy at all after surgery. Even for Stage 2 cancer, chemotherapy is of doubtful benefit.
  • Overall, that data tells that for colon cancer, you have a 50:50 chance with chemotherapy if your cancer is at Stage 3.

Most patients believe that surgery and chemotherapy can cure their cancer. Unfortunately this is often not the case. In the case of SPW and Wongso, were they ever told the truth about their chances? Unfortunately, they had to learn the hard way.

 

 

 

 

Colon-Liver Cancer: After surgery, he opted for CA Care Therapy. Right? Wrong?

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CHK is 60 years old man from Johor. In May 2018, he had pains in the right lower abdomen. He consulted a GP in his hometown and was told that he had appendicitis. He was advised to see a surgeon in the hospital for an operation.

The next day, CHK went to a thoracic specialist in a private hospital. He was told outright that he had to immediately undergo a surgery to remove his appendix (i.e. appendectomy).  The next day, 13 May 2018,  CHK underwent the operation which cost him RM14,000.

While performing the surgery, the doctor found a mild bleeding surrounding the colon. He suspected a growth in the colon. The surgeon also noted that the liver showed symptoms of cirrhosis. After this surgery CHK went home to rest.

On 29 May 2018, CHK went back to the hospital again for a colonoscopy. There was a tumour in his colon and 85 percent of the passageway was blocked.  A biopsy confirmed adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon.

On 29 May 2018, CHK went to seek a second opinion in Kuala Lumpur.

CT scan showed:

  • An irregular mass in the distal segment of ascending colon, measuring 4.1 x  1  cm and it is  8.6 cm long. There is narrowing of the colonic lumen.
  • There is pericolonic tumour infiltration and the lymph nodes are mildly enlarged.
  • There are two small metastatic liver nodules measuring 1.3 cm and 1.4 cm.

On 26 June 2018, CHK underwent another operation (right hemicolectomy) in a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

The surgeon removed about  17 cm of the colon, in addition to the omentum. Unfortunately, the surgeon did not do anything to the two metastatic liver nodules.

CHK was discharged from the hospital on 1 July 2018. He was given pain killers and anti-inflammatory medication and asked to recuperate at home.

He returned to his surgeon for monitoring on 23 July 2018.

A PET scan showed:

  • Two hypermetabolic metastatic nodules in the liver.
  • No abnormal hypermetabolic foci or metastases elsewhere.

The oncologist suggested the CHK undergo six cycles of chemotherapy with the view of follow up liver surgery. The drugs to be used are: Erbitux and Folfiri regimen (consisting of  Leucovorin + 5-FU and irinotecan). Each cycle of chemo cost RM15,000.

CHK’s son-in-law, Jack (not his real name) brought him to Singapore for more opinions. Unfortunately the story is the same — revolving around chemotherapy and surgery.

On 26 July 2018, I received an email from Jack.

Dear Professor Chris, 

My father-in-law, aged 60 was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and liver metastasis in June 2018. He had undergo a surgical procedure to remove the affected colon part on 26th June 2018 and is now recuperating at home. 

On 23rd July 2018 he did a PET scan. The result confirmed the cancer had spread to his liver. 

We also did a few genome testing on the tumor for potential immunotherapy. The result were negative for the “smart bomb” approach. 

Like most of other patient, we were told to go for chemotherapy treatment with the goal that the lesions in liver will shrink and ready for another surgical removal. I do have strong concerns about the chemo treatment especially with liver cirrhosis condition. At the same time, oncologist couldn’t give me answers about taking care of the immune systems and complications during chemo treatment. 

Before we make any decision on the next treatment options, we would like to pay you a visit next week.  I would love to get your precious input about  body healing  itself. We clearly understand there is no magic bullet from you and we wish to know more about how to cope and “live” with cancer management. 

Please find the attached of first time visit form. We will sign the disclaimer form when we visit you at CA Care center. I’ve also prepared a copy of medical history for CA Care center and will bring it along as well. 

I look forward to hear from you. 

Jack, his wife and his father-in-law came to our centre in early August 2018. Let me share with you what I have said that morning. This certainly apply to all patients who want to come and see us. May be you can learn something from this case.

  1. At CA Care we don’t play god. We do not promise you a cure.

We also don’t want to mislead you into believing that we have a magic bullet for your cancer. We can only do our best to help you if you want to help yourself. Unfortunately, most patients (I say again, MOST) who come to us, are searching for a cure! Some want healing on their own terms without wanting to help themselves.  There is no point taking our herbs if you insist on picking only what you want to do.

Most of the time too, if I find that the patients are not up to the “mark”, I would suggest that they go home and think about it first. I also ask them to go home and pray to ask for guidance.

When I received the above email from Jack, my instinct tells me that CHK is going to be a “good” patient. Jack reads and he knows what he wants for his father-in-law. He is not looking for a cure because he knows there is NO cure. What he wants is for his father-in-law to be able to live a life without any suffering — can eat, can sleep, can more around and there is no pain. What else do you want? But we do have patients who are not satisfied with that. They want to be cured!

  1. Before you undergo any treatment, ask, if surgery or chemotherapy / radiotherapy, is going to cure you?

See what the answer is. Then go to the internet and check what the ordinary folks have got to say after receiving such treatments.

In this case, CHK started off with an operation of his appendix only to be told that there was something in his colon and liver. How could that be? Why the “rush” to do the appendectomy?  Did the doctor not give the patient a thorough check? Apparently he did but sorely missed the target.

On the morning of 13 May 2018, before the surgery, an ultrasound of the abdomen was done. The result said:

  • No focal liver lesion. Kidney, pancreas, gallbladder are all normal. 

How reliable is the ultrasound result then? While performing the operation the surgeon suspected where was a tumour in the colon. And he also saw that the liver was NOT normal.

With metastatic liver cancer, CHK was asked to undergo chemotherapy using  Erbitux and Folfiri regimen. A total of six cycles would cost a cool RM90,000. But what good can you expect to get from this expenditure?

Go to the website and read the side effects of the treatment. Then go and “hunt” for data to see if such treatment did ever cure such metastatic cancer.

Jack had probably done his homework before he came to CA Care. All patient should do the same!

  1. Go for surgery and get the tumour totally removed. 

Generally this is my advice to all patients if you have cancer of the breast, colon, stomach,  sarcoma, etc.  If you don’t want to remove it, I would tell you not to come and see me. Our herbs cannot make your tumour go away. But if the cancer has already spread to other organs, then surgery may not be as helpful anymore.

However, there are exceptions. Over the years, I have seen that surgery can do more harm than good if you have cancer of the brain, liver, lung and pancreas. If you have any of these cancer, I would not push you to go for surgery.

I would want you to ponder carefully what you want to do. Perhaps there are time when you need to learn how to live with your cancer rather than trying to chase the non-existent cure.

  1. Learning to live with your cancer.

 For CHK, whatever he does, we all agree that his metastatic cancer cannot be cured. Well, the mantra is: Go for chemo so that the cancer does not spread more, or Do chemo to prolong life, or Do chemo to enhance quality of life.  If you have been following what I have been writing in this blog, you will know that such statements have to be taken with a heavy pinch of salt. They may not make sense.

So when CHK came to us, my first point is that we cannot cure his cancer. But we may be able to help him live a good life. There is no obsession of wanting to kill the cancer cells or going to war with cancer. Learn from your TV that no one wins in a war — see what is happening to Middle East today or Vietnam some years ago! But Americans never learn their mistakes. The same can be said about cancer. Fight and declare war on your cancer — the patient may just die sooner.

For cancer patients, it is better to learn how to live with the cancer. Take care of your diet. Lead a stress-free life. Turn to your god for guidance and comfort.

Yes, doctors say eat what you like, food has nothing to do with your cancer. I say, no! Eat what you like and you die sooner. I have seen many patients suffer recurrence after taking bad food.

So, what is happening to CHK after he decided to follow our therapy? The following are the e-mail exchanges we had over the past months.

After one week

Yesterday marks the first week of my father in-law on herbs. I just want to provide a quick update here. Generally, he is doing well with exception to the following:

  • Occasionally mild dizziness.
  • Pinch pain on big toe when pressure applied. (e.g walking)
  • Slightly more tired. Taking more nap in afternoon as compare to previous weeks.
  • Increased of bowel movement (2-3 times/day). Dark stools similar to color of the boiled herbs.

After two weeks

Yesterday, we completed two weeks of the treatment. My father in law continue to do well and coping better with new lifestyle.

His previous symptoms now reduced to:

  • Increase bowel movement (2-3 times). Sometimes loose bowel.
  • Occasionally mild giddiness.

After three weeks

It’s already three weeks he is on herbs. He continue to do well. All the previous symptoms seems to go away. The only concern now is he continue losing weight despite eating well.

Reply: Did I give you SuperP (protein). That will make him better. Just take it as food once or twice a day. 

Professor, we manage to take the result from PATH LAB today. The numbers on tumor markers were worrisome. The latest result shows the CEA spike to 11 from previous 5.5 while CA 19.9 increases to 55.2 from previous 19.

Reply: The results are not good. If the numbers double after one month — no good.

Professor, my father in law is doing fine overall with exception of the numbness and cramp pain issue which I shared with you previously. His cramp pain now “move” from the right side (where surgery was done) and occasionally towards the left. It’s like Chinese saying “wind pain” if you know what I meant.

It is not very painful type and it does happen intermittently especially when he goes jogging. However, it is getting more frequent as day pass.

The surgeon we went back for follow up, described this will prolong for some months and he is fine as long as he doesn’t vomit or passing blood in stools.

We intend to bring him for colonoscopy to find out reason of the abdominal pain but this procedure will give him sedative. Do you foresee any issue on this? Can you share with me your thoughts & experiences with other colon cancer patients on this one?

Other than the above symptom, he is doing fairly well with his routine even though the tumor marker increased in the previous blood test. He sleep well, eat well and go out meet with friends by himself. Bowel movement is good too.

Reply:  OK.  If pain moves from one spot to another that may be due to wind. That is easy. I have herbs for that.

You can try Stomach Function tea — need to boil like other teas or take Gastrovit — no need to boil.

Professor, I want to share the latest blood test result that we did last week. Again, he failed the blood test. CEA continues to increase from previous 11.1 to 18.9 while CA 19.9 increases from previous 55.2 to 84.6.

Physically, my father-in-law is doing well. No pain, good appetite, sleep well and jogging almost every morning. Just like normal person. He still lose weight but at very slow pace. Overall he look good without looking at the medical record.

We are under impression that his healing might be slower since healing take time. Sometime we have to get worse before we get better. Are we the only odd one that have this kind of result? I look forward to your experience on this.

On a side note, we have amazing experience with e-therapy. I was having flu and I manage to recover in three days just using the machine alone. My father in law tried the program 72 – Stomach Function for three days and he can feel the wind pain is almost gone.

Reply: No, I don’t think so. The fact that CEA and CA19.9 increase significantly over so short period of time means something is not right.

 This is not good at all. I must say I am disappointed. May be there is still something inside. Yes, once a while I do get such case.

Do you think you want to see the doctor? May be a PET scan can show what is not right. But then after that it may mean chemo.

I have given him all the herbs that I have. There is NOTHING more that I can give to solve the rising tumour markers.

CHK is doing okay BUT his CEA and CA19.9 markers are rising. Something is not right somewhere. As I have written to Jack, I really don’t have anything else to give his father-in-law to address that problem. May be we just have to learn to live with it. Accept that reality. A rising marker level is not good sign but a high maker level in itself is not going to kill him yet.

No, some of you may want to argue that to stop the CEA and CA19.9 from rising, CHK should go for chemo! Yes, that may be true. You can achieve “temporary happiness” for a while. But I have seen cases after cases of tumour marker levels shooting up high again after an initial decrease with chemotherapy. 

My final advice. 

Do your homework well. Don’t just simply believe everything that you are told. Make sure that you know the truth. Don’t be impressed just because someone is said to be an expert.

Lay out all your options and make your own informed decision. Remember, you are the one who has to suffer the consequences of your action, not the so called expert.

Over the years, I have come to sense that the “cancer world” is a rotten world. It is good to be aware of it. Read these articles below to get an idea of what I am talking about.

No chemo for me. My husband died within minutes after completion of his 6th cycle of chemo

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Julie (not real name) is a 54-year-old Indonesia. She was initially diagnosed with TB (tuberculosis) and has been taking TB medication for the past seven months. No, her problems did not go away.

Blood tests showed her CEA was at 39.7 (high) and a CT scan showed a mass in her lung.

The doctor wanted her to do a biopsy and if it is cancerous, Julie would have to undergo chemotherapy. Julie do not want chemotherapy. My question to her, “Why don’t you want to go for chemo?”

Julie had a bitter experience to share.

About 5 years ago (in around February 2013) Julie’s husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. He underwent an operation — performed by one of the best colorectal surgeons in Singapore. He was then sent to a well known Singapore private hospital for chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was started in June and by December Julie’s husband was dead.

After receiving 3 cycles of chemo, he had difficulty walking.

Chris: “Did you still continue with the chemo?”

In spite of the early warning that something had gone wrong, the oncologist still wanted the patient to finish the scheduled six cycles. Julie’s husband eventually completed the six cycles of chemo. Within a few minutes of completing this last cycle — after the “needle” was removed from his arm — he died.

C: “Did you ask the oncologist why your husband died?”

The oncologist said his heart could not stand the toxic drug.

C: Before you started the chemo, did you ever ask the oncologist if chemo can kill?”

The oncologist said the chemo is going to cure him!

C: “In total, how much money did you spend for his treatment?”

About one milyar (one billion) rupiah.

Comments

This is a story of two tragedies. One, Julie had been taking TB drug for the past 7 months because the doctor thought she had TB. She was not getting better.

Julie said every day, throughout the day, she has pain and numbness on the right side of her chest. Once a while blood oozed out from her right ear. She could not sleep at night because of her cough. She had no appetite and felt tired all day long. She became breathless when climbing the stairs.

The doctor was monitoring her progress through X-rays. It was not until May 2018 that a CT scan was done. After seeing the scan, it was not about TB anymore. Could it be lung cancer? Or to be more precise, could it be a metastatic lung cancer?

Why did I say metastatic lung cancer?

Julie told us that in 2011, she had a hysterectomy. Then in 2013, she again had an operation to remove her ovary. I asked Julie if the doctors at the time ever indicated that she had some sort of cancer? Julie did not know. It was indeed unfortunate that such medical history was not taken into account (perhaps they did not even want to know?) when the doctors came to the conclusion that she had TB.

Tragedy number two. Julie was told that she would have to undergo chemotherapy if the biopsy turns out to be positive. No chemo for me — that is Julie’s position. Her husband was killed by that kind of treatment.

Julie specially flew to Penang to seek our help. Yes, we understand her predicament.  I have heard many such stories before. If you have colon cancer you don’t have to die within 6 months even if you don’t do any chemo. We have patients living ten years and more, after surgery but without any chemo. So the story of Julie’s husband  is  pathetic.

I spent almost an hour trying to help her in any way I can. I have also reminded Julie that I cannot cure her — to help yes, but to cure, NO. In a situation like this we can only do our best to heal ourselves. But first and foremost she must be willing to help herself. Are you prepared to take that responsibility?

You don’t have to wait until your partner dies before you believe what these doctors said:

 

 

 

 

Colon cancer: After three surgeries and two cycles of chemo, he wanted to give up

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Sam (not real name) is a 43-year-old Malaysian from a town in central Malaysia. He came with his family to seek our help. Unfortunately, he came empty-handed — no medical reports.

Generally in a case like this, we would ask the patient to go home and bring his medical reports before we prescribe the herbs.

But in this case, I could not send Sam home empty-handed since he had travelled so far to come and see us. I made clear to Sam that I am “blind” and I would take what he tells on faith, as the real truth. The next time, if he ever returns, I asked him to try and get all his medical records.

Sam said since he received treatments in a government hospital, it is not likely that they would release this records. I know this is not necessarily true!

This is  Sam’s story.

  1. His problem started with abdominal pains and difficulty in moving his bowels. This happened a year ago, April 2017.
  1. Sam went to a private clinic. But the GP asked him to go the government hospital for help.
  1. In May 2017, a colonoscopy and biopsy were done. He was diagnosed with cancer of the colon.
  1. Sam underwent an operation in July 2017. He stayed in the hospital for 3 weeks. After his discharge, just a few days at home, Sam suffered abdominal pains again. He was again admitted to the hospital. On examination, Sam was told that there was an internal leakage.
  1. Sam had to undergo a second operation. A colostomy bag was installed. This time, he spent 2 weeks in the hospital. About 3 weeks at home, he had problems again. This time pus started to ooze out through the wound.
  1. Sam was readmitted to the hospital for the third time. This time the doctor drained out 8 liters or 2 gallons of pus from his abdomen.
  1. While in the hospital he was in coma for 3 days. After two weeks of hospitalization, Sam was again discharged.
  1. Sam was told to undergo 12 cycles of chemotherapy.
  1. In February 2018, Sam received his first shot of chemo, followed by another shot 2 weeks later.
  1. The chemo made him sick — he had fevers on and off for 2 weeks and his back ached. It was at this time that Sam felt he could not finish the scheduled 12 cycles, and decided to come and seek our advice.

Listen to our conversation that morning.

 

Comments 

Can we learn some lessons from this tragic story? Yes, absolutely.

Lesson one: not all doctors have the same expertise and capabilities. Not all hospitals can offer equally effective treatment for cancer.

When patients with colon cancer come to us for advice, this is what I would say: Go and have the tumour removed. If you want a “good” colorectal cancer doctor, go and see Dr. X in Hospital Y in Kuala Lumpur. I have sent many patients to him and he did a very good job! According to my patients, he is also a compassionate doctor.

Let me be up front. By sending patients to Dr. X, I do not get any “referral fee”. Get that right. I am sticking my neck out for him because I want you to get the best treatment possible! I know Dr. X professionally through my patients and I am not sure if he even knows who I am either!

Not long ago, a man whom I knew years ago, came to see me because of his wife’s leukemia. She was seen by a doctor in a government hospital. Apparently she was not  given any “chemo-drug” and was sent home. To me, it looked like it was a “gone” case. I suggested to his man, Why don’t you bring your wife to see Dr. N. (in P hospital). He is good with leukemia. At least go and listen to what he has got to offer.

This is what the man answered me, What is it that the Dr. N can offer that cannot be found in the government hospital? After all the medicines are all the same. And the doctors are just as qualified. 

Yes, I know this man always acted “smart” since I knew him. There is no use for me to argue with him.

Not long after that, his wife died. It looked like he believed he had given his wife the best! Or, was it because treatment in a government is free of charge (being a retired government servant) whereas going to a private hospital cost money? Your guess.

Lesson two: Before you undergo any treatment, ask the doctor there basic questions! Can your treatment (surgery, chemo or radiotherapy) cure me? What are the side effects of the treatment? How much is the treatment going to cost? (in case your bank account cannot stand the “drainage”). 

In Sam’s case, can the three surgeries cure his cancer? Not likely. In fact, these could even make the cancer spread more aggressively.

Sam did ask the doctor about the side effects of chemo. The doctor explained there was no other option that he knows of. Yes, chemo causes many severe side effects. But without chemo, the cancer would spread. So it is a choice between the devil or the deep blue sea. Unfortunately, doctors are not taught more than this! If you have been reading my case reports in this website, you will learn that many colon cancer patients do not need  chemotherapy after their surgery. Yet they live!

Lesson three: Be knowledgeable. Read as much as you can about your problem. One point that sticks out like a sore thumb is the question about diet. Patients are often told to go home and eat anything they like. Take eggs, eat meat to become strong so that you can go through your chemo easily.

At CA Care we tell you to take care of your diet. You cannot take all these! What you eat will determine the direction of your healing.

Dr. Vincent deVita is one of the outstanding, “blue-blooded” oncologists in the United States. He was once the director of the National Cancer Institute. Read what he wrote (in Foreword, The Cancer Recovery Eating Plan):

  • We know that the cause of more that 70% of malignancies may be due in some ways to what we eat — what we eat has a tremendous influence on whether we will develop cancer.
  • Why has it taken the medical community so long to appreciate the connection between diet and cancer?
  • Most doctors are regrettably uneducated about the connection between what we eat and our health.
  • Most medical students receive little or no training in nutrition.

Read what Dr. Russell Blaylock wrote:

 

 

Stage 2 colon cancer spread to liver, bones and lymph nodes less than two years after surgery, chemo and radiation. What had gone wrong?

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When I first came to Penang some forty plus years ago, I met a lawyer — let’s call him Mark. Since then we became friends.

About a year or so ago, Mark suddenly dropped by the centre — it had been many years since we last met. Mark was diagnosed with colon cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy at a hospital which is supposed to be the “best” in the country (one doctor told me this!).

After relating his story, Mark left. No, I did not give him any herbs. Neither did I give him any advice. This is because from our conversation, I sensed that Mark seemed to know what he was doing. And during our conversation Mark did not ask for any advice or help either. So I just left it at that.

One of our principles that we uphold at CA Care is this: If you are still on chemo or radiotherapy (or are planning to do chemo or radiotherapy) or are taking other treatments elsewhere, please go ahead and continue with these treatments first. Do not take our herbs yet. We do not wish to intervene. 

If you have done everything and have nowhere else to go and need help, when you come to us, we shall try our best to  help you.

In early March 2018, as  I walked into our centre, someone greeted me but I could not recognise him, not until my wife told me that it was Mark who said hello. No, I was not being “arrogant” but Mark had “changed” a lot. He looked “much older”.  Perhaps I should not say that. My faulth, because I did not put on my glasses that morning (but generally, I don’t need to do that!).

Briefly, this was what happened to Mark.

  1. In 2016, Mark was diagnosed with cancer of the rectum. Surgery was not done. Mark was fitted with a colostomy bag.
  1. In September / October 2016, Marked received 25 sessions of radiotherapy and 2 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with FOLFOX.
  1. In early January 2017, Mark underwent a surgery. The tumour was removed. It was a moderately differentiated colo-rectal cancer, Stage B2.
  1. On 3 August 2017, Mark had his stoma reversed and the colon rejoined. A colonoscopy was done a day before the reversal procedure. There was NO sign of malignancy.
  1. Everything seemed okay.
  1. Disaster — 30 January 2018. A follow up CT scan showed:
  • Tumour recurrence at the anataomosis site and 6.5 cm anal verge. Biopsy of anal verge done on 8 January 2018 showed NO malignancy.
  • Multiple ill-defined lesions at both lobes of liver – confirming the cancer has spread to his liver.
  • Extensive intraabdominal and pelvic lymphadenopathy.
  • Bone metastasis — both iliac bones, both sacral alae, right and left femoral heads were invaded by the cancer.

The cancer is now TxN2bM1b — call it Stage 4 if you like.

Comments

In an earlier posting, I wrote about AB who had Stage 3 cancer. She declined chemotherapy and opted for the CA Care Therapy. It has been three years and she is still doing great. Mark had Stage 2 cancer — appeared to be less “dangerous” than AB’s cancer — but problems appeared within less than two years of treatment.

Do you ever ask why? Medical treatments for cancer are supposed to be proven and scientific — but why the metastasis so soon and so seriously?

Herbs and alternative therapies are supposed to be unscientific and unproven — yet patients like AB did so well.

Take time to understand the implications of the following quotations:

Dr. Richard Horton is the  Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet, a very prestigious medical journal. In 2015 he wrote this:

  • A lot of what is published is incorrect ….The case against science is straightforward: much of the scientific literature, perhaps half, may simply be untrue.
  • Afflicted by studies with small sample sizes, tiny effects, invalid exploratory analyses, and flagrant conflicts of interest, together with an obsession for pursuing fashionable trends of dubious importance, science has taken a turn towards darkness.

Marcia Angell is the former Editor-in-Chief of The New England Journal of Medicine, one of the world’s most prestigious medical journal. In her article, Drug Companies & Doctors: A Story of Corruption she wrote:

  • … conflicts of interest and biases exist in virtually every field of medicine, particularly those that rely heavily on drugs or devices. It is simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published, or to rely on the judgment of trusted physicians or authoritative medical guidelines. 
  • I take no pleasure in this conclusion, which I reached slowly and reluctantly over my two decades as an editor of The New England Journal of Medicine. 
  • One result of the pervasive bias is that physicians learn to practice a very drug-intensive style of medicine. Even when changes in lifestyle would be more effective, doctors and their patients often believe that for every ailment and discontent there is a drug.

 

Stage 3 Colon cancer: Surgery but NO chemo. Three years on, still doing fine

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About two years ago, I wrote the case of AB, a 77-year-old Indonesia lady. She had a 4 cm tumour in her colon. In May 2015, she underwent an operation at NUH Singapore. Nine of the 27 lymph nodes were with metastatic carcinoma. This was considered a stage 3 cancer.

After the surgery, the doctor suggested a follow-up chemotherapy but AB and her family members refused the treatment. In March 2015, AB’s son came to seek our help.

AB was started on the herbs for colon and lymph nodes. Although her liver function enzymes were not within normal range, we only put her on Capsule A + B only. AB also took herbs for appetite.

AB’s conditions improved significantly. Her son said, “My mother is doing good!”

In mid-2017, AB’s liver function seemed to have deteriorated. We put her on Liver Tea.

It has been three years now and AB is doing fine. Now, her liver function seemed to improve.

Comments

While writing this story, I received an email below:

Dear Dr. Chris Teo,

Selamat malam, saya A dari Bali Indonesia. Ayah saya terkena kanker colon stadium 3. Pada akhir tahun 2016 ayah saya sudah melakukan operasi pengangkatan kanker dan kemoterapi sebanyak 5X setelah operasi. Namun awal tahun 2018 ini perut ayah saya tiba-tiba terasa sakit, lalu kami cek lab ke rumah sakit dan dari hasil MRI ditemukan kalau terjadi penyebaran kanker ke tulang, dan dokter berkata untuk segera kemoterapi 12X.Sekarang ayah saya sudah menjalani kemoterapi 4X, dan dia sangat kesakitan menjalani ini.

Translation: 

Dear Dr. Chris Teo,

Good evening, I am A from Bali Indonesia. My father had stage 3 colon cancer.

At the end of 2016 my father had an operation to remove his cancer followed by 5 cycles of chemotherapy. 

But in early 2018, my father suddenly had stomach pain. A check up and MRI showed that the cancer had spread to the bone. The doctor said he needed chemotherapy immediately, this time 12 cycles. After 4 cycles of chemo, my father suffered badly from the treatment. 

Just a few days before this, I received this e-mail from Singapore.

Dear Dr Chris Teo,

My mum was diagnosed with advanced stage rectum cancer spread to the liver in May 2017. After going through chemo for 9 months, recently her oncologist told us that her liver had worsen and even chemo won’t help.

We will like to bring her to consult you. She is 62 years old and still mobile but weak at times. She has bloated abdomen and is on a pipe to drain out the fluid 2 times daily.

No doubt the Singapore case is more serious — Stage 4 but whatever it is, can you learn some lessons from the above three cancer cases?

Lesson One: After surgery (which I urge you to do if the cancer has not spread yet) the doctors would invariably recommend chemotherapy. Often patients are told, You don’t do chemo, the cancer will spread fast. You die soon.  So that is the golden rule you must follow! Is there any other way out — another option? Of course no other way!

But look at the reality. AB too had Stage 3 colon cancer. Nine out of 27 lymph nodes were infected with cancer. In addition, AB also had a total hysterectomy.  In short, her cancer was also a serious one. But AB did not follow the golden rule. She refused chemotherapy. She opted for the CA Care Therapy. Three years on, AB is still doing fine.

You may wish to ask, where is the “scientific” proof? She is able to lead a normal life without pain — can eat, can sleep and can move around. That is proof, simple!

So, is chemotherapy the only answer to your cancer problem?

Ask you doctors these questions:

  • Would chemotherapy cure your cancer?
  • What are the side effects? What are the unintended (collateral damage) toxic effects of the treatment?
  • Enquire about the “financial toxicity” — how much does it cost? Do you need to sell your house or a piece of land to pay for the treatment?
  • Think again — would you subject your 77-year-old mother to chemotherapy?
  • Think further — what could have happened if AB were to go for chemotherapy?

Lesson Two:  Often patients are told medical treatments are scientific and proven methods of treatment, while herbs or other alternative therapies are just hocus pocus — quackery! Not proven.

AB’s son regularly monitored his mother’s progress through blood tests. I would NOT encourage her to go for CT or PET scan due to radiation risks.

Let us examine the above data critically.

  1. Initially when AB came to see me, her liver function was within normal range except with a slight increase of GGT. I was not alarmed by that and prescribed her the normal herbal teas for colon cancer.
  2. A few months later (September – December 2015), her liver function showed more deterioration. That was when I prescribed her Capsule A & B to take care of the problem. Her situation improved!
  3. In March 2017, again her liver function deteriorated. This time, in addition to taking Capsule A & B, she was asked to take Liver tea. Bravo by March 2018 her liver function was back to normal (except with a slight increase in SGOT).
  4. We need to be take note that colon cancer has a high chance of spreading to the liver — sometimes within 6 months. It is already THREE years and AB is still fine. Is that quackery? Look that at happened to those who had chemotherapy.

Lesson Three: Yesterday a medical doctor came to seek our help for his wife. His question before he left, Will the herbs harm the liver or kidney? Exactly, most patients are being told that — herbs can cause damage and are toxic to the liver, kidney, etc. This is the mantra held by the noble profession, perhaps they believe that only their prescribed chemical drugs are safe — but don’t these drugs cause a lot of damage?

Have a close look at AB’s blood test results again. From the beginning after her surgery, certain liver enzyme were elevated — GGT = 48 in May, SGOT and SGPT were elevated in September 2015. Then in March to December 2017, her SGOT and SGPT were out of range. This time around, it seemed to be more serious! What could be the reason? We know that colon cancer can spread to the liver rather soon. Could this be a beginning of liver spread?

I prescribed herbs for her liver. In March 2018, her liver function enzymes were back to normal (except for a slight increase of SGPT). If herbs damage the liver, taking more herbs means more damage done to the liver, right? You don’t need to go to a university to understand this logic. But in this case AB’s liver became better not worse.

Related story:

https://cancercaremalaysia.com/2016/04/01/colon-cancer-surgery-but-declined-chemo-my-mother-is-doing-good/

P/S: In response to this story, this is what AB’s son wrote:

Dear Prof Teo,

Thank God for His grace in sustaining my mom.

We appreciate your help in treating her. It was by God’s providence that we found your website, while we were not actually looking for a herbal treatment. I was curious with a link that said after $100,000 there was still no cure. From there, I found your blog and read up. Glad that you were willing to extend your help to us.

Reply: Praise God for this blessing!

Surgery did not cure his colon cancer

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MW is a 47-year-old vegetable seller at a wet market in Singapore. He is a jovial man! His problem started about 9 years ago, August 2007, when he passed out blood in his stool. He went to a “very good” doctor in a private hospital and was told he had colon cancer. He underwent a surgery. MW was fitted with a colostomy bag for a while and then underwent a second operation to rejoin his colon. MW said the total treatment cost is about SGD 40,000.

After the surgery the surgeon said there was NO need to undergo any chemotherapy, radiotherapy or take any medication.

Since MW did not bring his medical reports, I am not able to know more about his colon cancer.

About 9 years later, MW suffered a relapse. A PET-CT scan showed:

  • soft tissue lesion involving the prostate.
  • several sub-centimeter lung nodules.

His CEA in February 2017 was 34.0 (high).

MW consulted an oncologist in a government hospital. He was told to undergo chemotherapy. The drugs to be used are either: Oral capecitabine (Xeloda) + oxaliplatin injection, or Oral capecitabine (Xeloda) + Irrinocetan.

MW hesitated to undergo chemotherapy. The oncologist told him, If you do not want to undergo chemotherapy, then no need to come and see me. Don’t waste my time. I have too many patients to take care. 

Through the recommendation of a friend, MW went to Thailand for further treatment in September 2017. A six-week treatment in Thailand cost him about SGD 40,000.

Did the treatment in Thailand help you? MW said he felt better and his CEA dropped from 34 to 8. But unfortunately, MW said, This improvement was not sustainable.

After MW returned to Singapore, his CEA increased to 18.0

Did they ask you to go back again for more treatment? They never suggest that but I decided not to go back there again. I already spent so much money. In addition, the patient who recommended me to that place also suffered the same fate like me. Her well being worsened again.

Comments 

There are a few lessons that we can learn from this story.

  1. Surgery did not cure cancer! 

Over the years dealing with cancer patients, I have learned that patients like to hear what they only want to hear! They believe that “doctors know all” and whatever their doctors say will be the whole truth!

Listen to what Dr. Veatch said:

With due respect to the learned surgeon. He did his best and he believed that he “Got it all out.” That is what all patients want to hear any way!

  1. Cancer can come back again.

The truth is, if you think you are done with your cancer, know that the cancer may not be done with you yet!

In this case, MW was told everything was removed —  “clean” and he was cured by the surgery! Nine years later, we know that his doctor was wrong.

Here is another quotation for you to reflect on.

Dr. Barry Boyd highlighted what happens today in most health care settings. And probably this is going to happen in the future too. It happens in America and it happens in Singapore and Malaysia!

  1. To stay healthy is your responsibility.

I always remind patients to be careful — take steps to take care of yourself to minimize the possible recurrence of your cancer! Yes, you can do that but your doctors may not tell you, or may not know what to tell you!

You need to seek out such information yourself. Understand that to stay healthy or to get sick is your responsibility, not your doctor’s.

But take it from me, most patients couldn’t care less about my advice!