Cancer Therapy : The Independent Consumer's Guide to Non-Toxic Treatment & Prevention

Ralph W. Moss

1 An outdated reference guide
This book "covers" 103 substances and treatments for cancer. In that sense, it was "comprehensive" 12 years ago. However, it appears to be written primarily for the researcher, rather than for the cancer patient. All the references are to studies, almost all of which would be "gibberish" to the average cancer patient.

Although it has had many printings since it was first published in 1992, it appears that Dr. Moss has done very little updating of the text. For example, there is no reference to even one Internet web site. With all their shortcomings (product hype, etc.), these web sites are now essential tools for the cancer patient to learn about their options and resources (doctors, clinics, substances, etc.) for treatment.

Use this book as you would a dictionary. It may be wiser to look for it in the library, rather than to buy it.

2 A Biased Viewpoint
Moss gives a good overview of many alternative treatments although the book is no longer current. My main criticism is that he is obviously biased in favor of alternative medicine. A search of the internet for information on the Gerson Diet, for instance, reveals a much more negative view of this treatment's effectiveness.

3 A Serious Effort To Discuss A Controversial Subject
Ralph Moss Presents us with a fairly serious discussion of various non-toxic cancer treatments. Each chapter is followed by a list of references.

The book is dedicated to Linus Pauling who is known partly for his advocacy of Vitamin C. The treatments described vary from certain vitamin, mineral, herb and diet therapies to enzyme therapy and electric therapy. In my opinion the most interesting chapter in the book is the one which explains the Gerson Diet.

One of the more promising new treatments for prostate cancer, PC Spes, is not mentioned although a full chapter is devoted to Chinese herbs.

This book will be of value to those who wish to know more about alternative cancer treatments. It is not, however, a comprehensive guide to the field.

4 full of "good medicine"
I first encountered this book about 3 years ago when cancer was first diagnosed in my grandmother. We all sought every avenue for her so she could make an educated decision for her treatment. She finally decided upon convention chemo but she also supplemented her diet with a number of herbs and nutritional supplements. I am pleased to say she is still very much with us. About that time, in our on-line searches we came accross a site, iHerb that not only had the most up-to-date alternative supplements, but also had information which coroborrated Moss' explanations of these alternatives. We have continued with iHerb for our supplements and vitamins are are quite pleased with their product choices and service. Remember, there are many alternatives for cancer treatment. Do your research.

5 A Practical Handbook to Cancer Therapy
Dr. Moss has put together an excellent resource for people looking into non-toxic cancer treatments. Ralph was thrust into the alternative medicine scene when he brought positive laetrile studies to the public's attention in the1970s when people were saying there was no evidence of laetrile's efficacy. Since then he has been an important voice of reason in the fight for alternatives.

This book is a well-researched sourcebook for new and innovative cancer treatments. The book is divided into various sections. The first is "Vitamins," where Moss provides research on vitamins, such as Vitamin D, on cancer research. Moss details studies that have been conducted with vitamins. Other sections include, "Minerals" such as Calcium, "Herbs" such as Aloe, "Diets" such as Gerson, and "Less Toxic Resources" such as Amygdalin and Hydrazine Sulfate. In total he lists over 100 therapies. At the end of each section there are resources for each therapy. For instance, he gives addresses of clinics using the methods.

Parts of this book are also devoted to cancer prevention studies. He also will tell when studies show that a substance can, for instance, enhance chemotherapy's effectiveness, or relieve side effects of radiation. This is helpful for people who are not willing to rely totally on alternatives, but who want some of their benefits.

This book is useful to anyone researching cancer treatments, cancer preventions, or else just wanting the straight facts on alternative therapies. No major orthodox cancer group approves of most of the therapies Moss discusses. Moss is not a Medical Doctor, but a researcher, so his presentation should not be taken directly as a prescription or a do-it-yourself treatment. However, for a new angle on cancer, and for information on effective therapies, this book is one of the best available.

6 Consider the Alternative
In his preface, Ralph Moss tells us that "...the hub of the cancer establishment is a highly profitable drug development system, led by chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies." I have seen this claim corroborated by reputable medical people such as Dr. Samuel Epstein in *The Politics of Cancer* and in Dr. John Robbins' *Reclaiming Our Health.*

Moss points out that the major components of the cancer establishment are the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the American Cancer Society (ACS), grantees at major universities, the leading pharmaceutical houses, and the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) "...which regulates the marketplace on behalf of the very industries it is supposed to oversee." Non-toxic cures, on the other hand, are called "questionable, unproven and unscientific" (i.e. unprofitable to the Cancer Industry). Only orthodox cancer treatments - surgery, radiation and chemotherapy -(cutting, burning and poisoning) are "scientific" and presumably not to be questioned. But there is hope. With the formation of the Office of Alernative Medicine (OAM) in 1992, there are now centers of alternative medicine at the medical schools of Harvard, Stanford and Columbia, and a special center to study such treatment has been established at the University of Texas.

As yet, I don't have cancer myself, but I have watched beloved family members and friends go brankrupt and die after undergoing these toxic treatments without ever having had the knowledge to seek alternative cures. That is why this book, in my opinion, is such a valuable resource. Moss includes information on cancer prevention as well as alternative treatments with well-documented proof that they have worked for thousands of people all over the world. After each section, the author provides references and resources.

Since cancer has increased to epidemic proportions in the industrialized nations, I believe everyone would benefit from owning and reading this book.

pamhan99@aol.com