Effective Against Melanoma?

Brazilian scientists demonstrated in 2009 research  that potentised remedies reduced and controlled the spread of melanoma cells and tumours.

Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer. While it accounts for less than 5% of all skin cancer cases, it is responsible for a large percentage of skin cancer deaths. It’s the fastest growing of all cancer groups, and is increasing in incidence worldwide.

Surviving melanoma largely depends on how quickly it is detected and excised. The best chance of cure comes from the early surgical removal of thin tumours. Once the melanoma has spread (metastasised) or thickened, survival rates plummet.

Normal chemotherapeutic options for this type of cancer are limited and associated with side effects such as bone marrow damage, haematological disorders, and nausea or vomiting. With these problems in mind, Brazilian researchers investigated the effects a complex (mixture) of homeopathic remedies on cancer cells. Their research showed that it:

1. Prevented melanoma and bowel cancer cells from invading or sticking to the cells and tissues that surrounded them,
2. Improved the immune system’s ability to kill cancer cells,
3. Caused cancerous melanoma tumours to shrink or become dormant

This complex was tested repeatedly in both in vivo tests (using laboratory animals) and in in vitro tests using melanoma and colon cancer cells.

The paper on this research can be read at: In vitro and in vivo anticancer properties of a Calcarea carbonica derivative complex (M8) treatment in a murine melanoma model

Homeopathy Plus Comment.

Homeopathy is a safe and non-toxic system of medicine, but it does require study and application to be practiced well.

While this research has the potential of exciting changes for melanoma sufferers, it would be misleading to think that one complex will produce the same encouraging results for everyone.

Homeopathy works best when treatment is tailored to the unique symptoms of each sufferer. This is because:

• • Complexes offer a limited ‘cookie cutter’ approach not suited to all because of the potential variation in symptoms from one sufferer to the next – remedies other than those listed in the studied complex may help some but not others.
  • Remedies included in a Complex that are not needed by a sufferer will increase their risk of an aggravation from those remedies with each dose given. (More about aggravations can be read at: What To Expect)
  • Complexes do not allow the prescriber to change the potencies or remedies as needed to match the changing symptoms of sufferer – treatment that starts well may not continue in the same way.

But this research still brings good news and useful information. If you wish to use homeopathy  as part of your treatment strategy, please discuss the matter with your healthcare provider and seek the services of a qualified homeopath who has an interest in the area.