It is a a great pity that this current scientific reappraisal of what likely happened to Ian medically, has been promoted by his own ‘Out on a limb’ blog as a personal attack. Clearly the IMJ authors are seeking the truth because they, like my institute, see the groundswell of patients dissatified with modern medicine and looking for another way - diet, meditation and positive thinking, especially if appears to be rock solid, sounds like a much better option! We all hear cancer patients saying: “If Ian can do it – then so can I”: often foregoing conventional treatment. So if indeed Ian had advanced TB and not metastatic cancer – and if the numbers of cancer patients depending on that information are rising; even though many years have passed, isn’t it in the public interest to know. A question I always had; if Ian had successfully meditated his cancer away – then why did his TB remain?  And……..What about Meares report?

 When Ainslie Meares reported Ian’s story in 1978 in the MJA – there was one missing piece to the puzzle – Meares did not know Ian had been dignosed with advanced TB in June 1978 . Meares had written and submitted the abstract when the calcifications on Ian’s Chest disappeared – he too presumed the growths had been metastatic cancer – in the absence of  knowledge about the TB. However, undiagnosed and ignored ‘shadows’ on earlier lung x-rays - evident in February 1976 showed unusual markings on his lung - I remember we asked the radiation oncologist about this shadowy aberration on the x-rays and he was quite dismissive. Meares met Ian Gawler for the first time in December 1975 and then Ian began sessions January – mid February 1976.

After Meares and Gerson diet: Mid March 1976 – Ian Gawler

Meares sessions failed to assist Ian – he rapidly  deteriorated and was close to death with hydroneprosis of his right kidney and  unrelenting lower back pain,     sciatica and  exhaustion.  Weight loss was also associated with the intensive Gerson Diet. 

With current knowledge and the luxury of reviewing the entire timeline of his illness; these were not typical symptoms of osteogenic sarcoma secondaries – but more that of Tuberculosis! There is no “Spanish Inquisition” just a search for accuracy and truth.

The material below is reproduced from Science-Based Medicine  It is provided in the public interest to assist with understanding the complexities that surround the 2012 Haines & Lowenthal IMJ report.

January 6th, 2012 by Steve Novella, M.D. in Opinion, True Stories

Dr. Ian Gawler, a veterinarian, suffered from osteogenic sarcoma (a form of bone cancer) of the right leg when he was 24 in 1975. Treatment of the cancer required amputation of the right leg. After completing treatment he was found to have lumps in his groin. His oncologist at the time was confident this was local spread from the original cancer, which is highly aggressive. Gawler later developed lung and other lesions as well, and was given 6 months to live due to his metastatic disease.

Gawler decided to embark on an alternative treatment regimen, involving coffee enemas, a vegetarian diet, and meditation. Eventually he was completely cured of his terminal metastatic cancer. He has since become Australia’s most famous cancer survivor, promoting his alternative approach to cancer treatment, has published five books, and now runs the Gawler Foundation.

At least, that is the story he believes. There is one major problem with this medical tale, however – while the original cancer was confirmed by biopsy, the subsequent lesions were not. His oncologist at the time, Dr. John Doyle, assumed the new lesions were metastatic disease and never performed a biopsy. It was highly probable – the timing and the location of the new lumps following a highly aggressive cancer. But even a diagnosis that is 95% likely will be wrong in 1 patient out of 20 – which means a working physician will have patients with the 5% diagnosis about once a week. The standard of practice today would be to do a biopsy to get tissue confirmation of the diagnosis, and rule out the less likely alternatives.

Recently oncologists Ian E. Haines and Ray M. Lowenthal published a paper in which they advance a plausible alternative theory to the story Gawler has been telling for 30 years. Another part of Gawler’s history is that, at the same time he was pursuing alternative treatment for his presumed metastatic cancer, he was diagnosed and treated for tuberculosis. He was having night sweats, losing weight, and coughing up blood – all symptoms that can be explained by disseminated TB. Gawler acknowledges that he had TB and was successfully treated for it, but contends that he had cancer and TB. Haines and Lowenthal propose their alternate hypothesis, and point out that all of Gawler’s symptoms (following successful treatment of his sarcoma) could be explained by TB.

Haines and Lowenthal conclude in their paper:

This hypothesis is advanced for two reasons. The first is to underline the modern recognition of the need to consider diagnostic investigations, including biopsy, before assigning the diagnosis of advanced cancer to any patient. This principle is especially vital in cases where two diseases can present in the same way. The second is that there a risk that if diseases are incorrectly labelled, incorrect treatments may be given. This can lead to misleading interpretations being made about non-traditional treatments providing “cures,” which can influence the decision-making of patients seeking answers and even lead them away from potentially curative traditional treatments.

As oncologists they want to emphasize the point that biopsy is necessary in such cases – that is a fairly accepted position. They go further to point out that incorrect diagnosis is one source of misleading stories that could convince many cancer patients that an ineffective “alternative” treatment is effective, and therefore interfere with their informed decision making. This is an excellent point.

No one is doubting the sincerity of Ian Gawler himself, although even if sincere he can still be profoundly mistaken. It is easy to understand how someone who was given a terminal diagnosis and then survived would credit whatever they did to treat themselves. This is a profound personal experience, and certainly affected the course of the Gawler’s subsequent life. It is a powerful story that will resonate with anyone facing a cancer diagnosis.

All the more reason to set the story straight, or at least point out that Gawler’s interpretation of his own story is not the only possible interpretation. This points to the fallacy of relying on anecdotes in medicine – 37 years after the fact we have no way of determining whether or not Gawler had metastatic cancer or TB. This means that his case cannot be used as evidence for the efficacy of diet and meditation in curing cancer. But that is exactly how Gawler is using it.

In his latest book, The Mind that Changes Everything, Gawler writes:

It is our mind that regulates our present and our future. Do you imagine a happier world with better health? More vitality? More success with the ability to fulfil your potential when it comes to sport, business, relationships, healing and peace of mind?

This is a typical New Age, Chopra, The Secret type of claim – if meditation can cure cancer, then the mind can do anything. It is pure wish-fulfillment fantasy, but can sound compelling when backed up by an apparent dramatic story.

In a news report on their new article, Haines is quoted as saying:

”I’ve seen beautiful young girls with their whole lives ahead of them and they go into these holistic therapies and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and then in the end we have to look after them. They all eventually get to us.”

I need to point out that while Haines’ experience is important, it is also anecdotal. He is only seeing those patients who come to him after CAM treatment failure. It is possible that there are those who are cured that he is unaware of because they don’t “get to” him. All we can say is that there are cases of patients who pursue alternative cancer cures, they do not work, and then they present to an oncologist in an advanced stage of their disease. What we need are controlled studies of any proposed treatment to see if they are safe and effective. Of course, there are no such studies supporting the use of alternative cancer cures – that’s why they are alternative.

Gawler has believed for the last three decades that diet and meditation can cure cancer. He has spent that time writing books and promoting his personal story, convincing many others of his beliefs. While he may mean well, the far better course of action would have been to study the hypotheses that stemmed from his dramatic experience, not to conclude that he must be correct and proceed with premature conviction. That is the difference between a crank and a scientist.

In medicine well-meaning (and not-so-well-meaning, for that matter) cranks can do a lot of harm. It’s good to see mainstream doctors recognizing the risk and doing something about it.

*This blog post was originally published at Science-Based Medicine*

Professor Haines recently experienced his own exciting story of survival.  The e-published Internal Medicine Journal  article may not have had one of its authors alive to discuss the importance of the report to cancer patients because just as Professor Haines was driving out of the Melbourne Cabrini Hospital carpark in late November 2011, on his 57th birthday, he had a cardiac arrest and was clinically dead.
Watch video interview with Professor Haines Channel 7 Melbourne: Click here

Fortunately, Dr Peter Jenkins followed by orderly & CPR expert Jonathon Cooper came to the rescue and in an intense 7 mins effort, Ian was brought back to life – a second chance and a miraculous recovery event. A long time advocate for cancer patients and well published researcher, Professor Haines is now a survivor in his own right. I was thinking about survival yesterday as it was the 10 year anniversary of my own survival when I travelled to the Netherlands to have my “world first” bionic colon implant  – a miraculous surgery that saved my life and gave me back life quality. The lower end of my colon had been paralysed – an unexpected post surgical complication following a hysterectomy in Dec 1997. I am eternally grateful to the researcher/colo-rectal surgeon who took a chance and gave me a second chance at life and a return to my career.

Like Professor Haines - if not for modern medicine, neither of us would be here to continue my work and assist those with life challenging illness.

www.gracegawlerinstitute.com  E- institute@gracegawler.com

The cancer public needs to be aware of the previously inexplicable anomalies of Ian Gawler’s clinical history and the content and reason behind the  publication of a well researched report that for the first time in more than 3 decades, provides a different perspective & hypothesis for his ‘cure’.
Misinformation is being generated about the motive and intentions behind the latest e-published paper however, cancer patients have not yet had the opportunity to see or the review the full report and discern for themselves the motive and the importance of the publication for the cancer community.

If the history books have written that Ian Gawler had metastatic bone cancer, and…. if it is proven that he actually had widespread TB instead – isn’t this a matter in the public interest?  Many patients say ” If Ian did it – I can do it too!” Many give away conventional oncology believing that lifestyle medicine methods as reported by Gawler & Jelinek in the MJA Dec 11 2008 can impact cancer, and in Ian’s case; likely cured his metastatic cancer.

However that report  is chronologically incorrect with many errors of fact – most patients are not aware of this. Patients should be aware that 2 flawed versions published in the MJA are still listed on the Gawler Foundation media website, despite Ian commenting that the timeline in 1978 & 2008 articles were incorrect. He has also stated on his blog that  he never had a vegan diet…..other issues remain unadressed by the authors. “Case report in the December 2008 edition of the Medical Journal of Australia

So getting back to the current IMJ paper –  there is no Spanish Inquisition, no medical profession out to get Ian, and no one in the latest scientific article  is disputing Ian Gawler personally or work wise; the paper is a professional scientific document that takes account of  previously unconnected history surrounding Ian Gawler’s medical timeline and exposes a new and likely hypothesis for his “cure’.

To also be clear – this matter of Ian’s ‘remission/cure’ is not personal. Because I was with Ian throughout his entire recovery process 24/7 - my experience is valid and first-hand. My recorded original medical history is indesputable. I have always had more questions than answers when it came to Ian’s disease process.  I too have devoted my life to assisting cancer patients and those with life challenging illness and I am interested to explore the science and know the truth as this was also a momentus part of my life. What really happened throughout Ian Gawler’s recovery and what was the relationship between his TB and his cancer? This is a scientific and now public issue - not an emotional question. Being a fan of Professor Julius Sumner Miller when I was young – I learned to question and ask his famous question: “Why is it so?”

From my perspective; there are no ‘ex-wives quarrels or duelling Mrs Gawlers’ – as previously reported in the popular press when Ian’s history was challenged previously -in fact such headlines served to smoke-screen important professional issues with regards to my corrections/refute  letter MJA 2010

RE TB – Gawler & Jelinek’s 2008 MJA states that Ian Gawler : “….developed pulmonary tuberculosis in June 1978 and was treated for this condition for 12 months.”
Actually – Ian Gawler did have TB – but he had it for 2+ years – it remained undiagnosed until June 1978.
Haines and Lowenthal’s paper titled Hypothesis: The importance of a histological diagnosis when diagnosing and treating advanced cancer. Famous patient recovery may not have been from metastatic disease” is far from an inflammatory title. Prof Ray Lowenthal and Prof Ian Haines IMJ abstract.
 To be continued….

Cancer Experts Challenge Gawler’s Cure – The Age 31 december 2011 http://www.theage.com.au/national/cancer-experts-challenge-gawlers-cure-20111230-1pfns.html

Grace Gawler – First wife disputes….The Australian Oct 2008

The article is gaining media momentum around the country. For those of you who are regular subscribers to this blog; you are no doubt aware that the Medical Journal of Australia published a refute letter authored by me in 2010 as a response to an inaccurate review of Ian Gawler’s remission story titled “True Stories” MJA Dec 11 2008. The authors of the published manuscript, Dr Ruth Gawler and Professor George Jelinek had reported a previously incorrect clinical timeline, with incorrect dates  along with serious errors and omissions. The famous photograph of Ian’s chest wall  was incorrectly dated – I have the originals. After many attempts to open a dialogue, the authors failed to respond…there was a ‘cocoon of silence’!  Unfortunately, my refute letter was smoke-screened and deemed by media as “quarrels between ex wives” in The Australian newspaper (Oct 2008) while the Australian Doctor reported the published letter quoting the “Duelling Mrs Gawlers”. These were the only 2 follow up articles at the time. A surprise for a subject so important in the public interest and given Ian Gawler later admitted in the Australian Doctor that he knew Ainslie Meares had the timeline of his story wrong – an error of 19 months! Later on his personal blog – Ian Gawler cleverly worded that he had never followed a vegan diet. However, cancer patients in the public domain were never privy to the disclosures.

The real true story therefore did not get to the most important group of people; cancer patients who should know the facts before making informed decisions about what treatments to take on board. Fortunately, my letter alerted two prominent oncologists who took my refute letter seriously and followed their investigations through to today’s exclusive press release to the Melbourne Age which reads:

“AN EXPLOSIVE new medical report has cast doubt on whether Melbourne alternative therapies guru Dr Ian Gawler ever suffered the secondary cancer from which he has claimed for 30 years to have cured himself.

The online report in the Royal Australian College of Physicians’  Internal Medicine Journal says Dr  Gawler, Australia’s most famous cancer survivor and founder of the Gawler Foundation, had advanced tuberculosis rather than the secondary bone cancer he was told he had in the late 1970s….Read more by selecting the link to the Melbourne Age:
http://www.theage.com.au/national/cancer-experts-challenge-gawlers-cure-20111230-1pfns.html

To read more about this intriguing story select the following link. http://gracegawler.com/Institute/?page_id=3454

My Memoirs – ‘Grace, Grit and Gratitude’ – was published (self published) October 1^st 2008 after Curtain University’s Black Swan Publishing lost funding for the project. They had listed it for their Blockbuster Christmas release a couple of years prior. The book had been in process for about 8 years and unlike The Dragon’s Blessing, Ian Gawler’s Biography authored by Guy Allenby; Grace , Grit & Gratitude covers areas Allenby omitted and gives a open and frank discussion about the role that TB had likely played in Ian’ Gawler’s recovery. Anomalies and the atypical pathway of his metastases was always a question for me – I knew that his TB diagnosis had  something to do with this extraordinary remission  - but there was non one willing to entertain or discuss the issue. At last – entering 2012, there are some answers for this atypical medical case in which I was so intimately involved.  Grace, Grit and Gratitude is available in soft cover or as a downloadable eBook.

Turning up the Heat on Cancer Cells:
Channel 7 Sunrise created a groundswell of interest around Australia this week with their telecast of a segment about hyperthermia in Germany.

Cancer cell dying in heat

In this third blog on this subject, I would like to discuss the importance of hyperthermia in a treatment program for cancer. Parmenides, a Greek physician and philosopher (540-480 B.C.), said “Give me a chance to create a fever and I will cure any disease.” In 2011 that sweeping statement can be qualified more accurately as to how much hyperthermia can help bring about a remission from cancer.

In the past 2 years many clients have arrived at our Institute with a poor prognosis – many having exclusively used alternative medicine for years despite the fact their cancer would have been treatable by local conventional medicine had they taken that path.  Some of these patients have been able to gain life quality and extend their lives up to 2 years after visiting German clinics who have offered among many therapies – hyperthermia.   A rare few in this group have worked hard for their remissions & their survival given tumour load has been remarkable. The Institute has supported many cancer patients in their quest for recovery and it is a great feeling to know that many of our clients who had dire prognoses, are spending another precious Christmas with family & friends. However I also remember each Christmas those brave souls who didn’t make it despite the best treatments here and overseas. Working with cancer is a sobering experience.

The moral of the cancer story is clear – find it early – treat it early & don’t waste time playing Russian Roulette with unproven internet & alt/med “cures”.

A considerable part of the Grace Gawler Institute’s work focuses on international referrals. Leading the field in Australia with this ’boutique’ service, the Institute provides cancer patients with an international case management service, ideal when treatment options for patients in Australia are limited or exhausted. At the patients request, we refer them to reputed hospitals, universities and specialists offering advanced treatments. These are mostly in Germany.

As the Founder of my Institute  and myself a survivor of a world “first” bionic implant procedure - The Netherlands 2003; I have respect for medical options that are not available in Australia. Had I not made my decsion to travel overseas for treatment – I would not be writing this blog! There are always risks in choices we make in life and when it comes to our health, survival or life quality – we need to be sure that we are making well considered choices based on evidence-based practises. Hyperthermia for one – has a multitude of time-proven research.

According to Dr Peter Wolf in Germany – When hyperthermia is used, cancer cells experience a build-up in heat, which leads to an inadequate supply of oxygen and a depletion of nutrients in the tumor. These deficiencies lead in turn to disturbances in the metabolic processes of dividing and maintaining cells, including the failure of the repair systems of the cells. Thus thermal cell components (i.e. those parts of the cells damaged by hyperthermia) cannot be replaced, and this can lead to the death of the cancer cells.

Furthermore, results from studies show that cancer cells form a special type of protein structure on the surface of the cells when heated to a temperature of approx. 42° C, which does not happen with healthy cells. This effect is activiated using hyperthermia. These protein structures – also known as heat shock proteins – are recognized by the body’s immune system as foreign substances, thus enabling the immune system to destroy them. It has been proven again and again in recent years that hyperthermia is especially effective in combination with chemotherapy or radiation treatment. The reason for this is that the tumor has a chance to recover and become resistant to the radiation or cytostatics between treatments. This is where hyperthermia comes in: the genetic code of the tumour cells is damaged by the heat, which in turn results in the cells not being able to repair themselves and reproduce. Consequently, the chance of the cancer growing back is considerably smaller, when using hyperthermia.

So hyperthermia works in two ways: on the one hand by creating thermal damage and on the other hand by stimulating the body’s own immune system.

The NCI reports that whole-body heating is being studied as a way to make chemotherapy work better in treating cancer that has spread (metastatic cancer). A related technique can be used along with surgery to treat cancers in the peritoneum (the space in the body that contains the intestines and other digestive organs). During surgery, heated chemotherapy drugs are circulated through the peritoneal cavity. This is called continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion (CHPP) or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). In studies, this has seemed helpful in treating certain types of cancer, but it isn’t yet clear if this treatment is better than other types of treatments.

New Genetic testing via blood offers another window into individualised cancer treatments and can indicate if hyperthermia & radiation will be of use. Some German Clinics exclusively use these tests for detecting complementary medicines, appropriate chemotherapies for your tumour type plus Circulating Tumour Cell Counts (CTCs) to determine if treatments are responding. For information about these tests please contact me as the test is organised from Australia. institute@gracegawler.com

If you wish to consider an overseas option for cancer treatment it is imperative that you enlist the help of someone who is experienced in this arena and who can make referrals tailored to your individual needs. It is also important that treatments in Germany or other countries are supported by your local health practitioners as there can be complications and need for follow up with oncologists when you return. As well there is a very under-rated but imperative part of any cancer treatment – psycho-oncology via a regular specialised group or one on one counselling. Just having hyperthermia is NOT a miracle cure and it is misleading to say so. Hyperthermia most times works best as part of an overall coordinated treatment plan.

I have not included various clinics websites, names etc in these blogs because it would be unprofessional for the reasons stated above. But please contact me at the Grace Gawler Institute if you would like further information or if you would like to arrange a discussion by Skype or in person.
Email institute@gracegawler.com web: www.gracegawler.com/institute

Channel 7 video link to Miracle Cure? Please view this video
http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/-/watch/27631846/miracle-cure/

Local Surface Hyperthermia –In addition to the treatment with Whole-Body-Hyperthermia (WBO) and Local Hyperthermia; patient’s can be given Local Surface Hyperthermia. This therapy method is especially suited for superficial tumors such as skin cancers, superficial lymph nodes and metastases of the skin and / or the muscles of different primary tumors (e.g.Malignant melanoma, superficial metastases of the Breast).

Local Surface Hyperthermia

For the Local Surface Hyperthermia the heat is generated with a water-filtered infrared radiation source (infrared A) which is able to penetrate into the tissue to a depth of around one inch (up to 2 cm). The whole procedure takes one hour.  Often Local Surface Hyperthermia is given  in combination with chemotherapy or immune-therapy to increase the effectiveness of the therapy.
The Local Surface Hyperthermia is a safe, non-invasive therapy without harmful side effects.

2. Local Hyperthermia For a long time it has been known that cancer cells may be damaged by heat.  If you heat up cancer tissues, heat shock proteins develop, initiating immunological mechanisms of defence against cancer cells.  Repair mechanisms in the cancer tissue after chemotherapy or irradiation get impaired by hyperthermia.  If the chemotherapy or irradiation is performed incombination with hyperthermia these treatments will be much more effective.

Local Hyperthermia

As a result, in many cases it is possible to use a lower dosage of chemotherapy which means less toxicity for the patient.

In local hyperthermia, cancer tissue or metastases are heated up by using short wave irradiation with 13.56 Mhz and an energy up to 150 watts.  Penetration depth is about 20 cm.  In the tumour tissue, temperatures higher than 42 c (107.6 f) are achieved.  While healthy cells tolerate this treatment malignant cells get damaged.  The local hyperthermia has no significant side effects.  During the treatment the patient stays relaxed on a warm water bed.

 3. Whole Body Hyperthermia (WBH)   The healing effect of fever has been known for many centuries.  Whole body hyperthermia (WBH) is a new treatment using the well known principle of fever in a therapeutic way. There are different ways of action: • Fever to activate the immune system • Heat as thermic damage of cancer tissue • The thermic increase of the efficiency of chemotherapy

  3 a/ Moderate Whole Body Hyperthermia- stimulates & activates the immune system.  This treatment is given when chemotherapy is not appropriate.

Whole Body Hyperthermia

The body core temperature is raised to about 39.5 c (103.1 f), which simulates a natural fever increasing the number and activity of natural cells, T-helper cells and cytotoxic T-cells.  This treatment is also used in cancer diseases with special association to the immune system like renal-cell-carcinoma, malignant melanoma and special lymphomas. Moderate whole body hyperthermia is also used to prevent recurrences.

 3 b/ Extreme Whole Body Hyperthermia – particularly in advanced or metastatic disease. Extreme whole body hyperthermia is used in combination with chemotherapy in advanced or metastatic cancer.  The body core temperature is increased up to 42 c (107.6 f).  Extreme whole body hyperthermia is useful in advanced cancer, especially with metastases in different organs, e.g. in the liver, bones or lungs. Together with whole body hyperthermia, chemotherapy is more effective.  We start the chemotherapy at a temperature of about 41 c (105.8 f).  Very often it is possible to use very low doses of chemotherapy, so side effects of the chemotherapy are kept to a minimum.  Tumours or metastases resistant to chemotherapy can be successfully treated with a combination treatment of chemotherapy and whole body hyperthermia.  Body core temperature is increased carefully using whole body water filtered infra-red-A-irradiation.  The extreme whole body hyperthermia is a safe treatment. During the whole body hyperthermia the patient is in a special unit (IRATHERM 2000) and can be reached from all sides. To be continued…..
Please visit again for Part 3.

Contact the Grace Gawler Institutefor recommended clinics, protocols and case management, referrals & all needs for visiting Germany for hyperthermia. www.gracegawler.com/institute  Email: institute@gracegawler.com

]]> http://gracegawlermedia.com/2011/12/20/hyperthermia-segment-on-channel-7-sunrise-grace-gawler-comments-part-2/feed/ 0 gracegawlermedia hyperthermia 1 hyperthermia 2 hyperthermia 3 http://gracegawlermedia.com/2011/12/20/hyperthermia-segment-on-channel-7-sunrise-grace-gawler-comments/ http://gracegawlermedia.com/2011/12/20/hyperthermia-segment-on-channel-7-sunrise-grace-gawler-comments/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:05:04 +0000 gracegawlermedia http://gracegawlermedia.wordpress.com/?p=1046 Continue reading →]]> Miracle Cure? Sunrise Channel 7     Select link to watch video (Dec 19 2011)

Yesterday’s Sunrise segment is a step towards further embracing medical hyperthermia here in Australia.

Travelling to Germany for Hyperthermia without knowledge or a case manager/guide and supportive oncologist is not recommended. It is essential because you will need followup when you return to Australia. I have seen and heard of many patients who have travelled to German clinics for treatments, having spectacular results with coordinated care including hyperthermia and chemotherapy and other treatments, only to return without the required support and advice and experience a relapse  & recurrence due to poor or no follow on treatments. Hyperthermia is a wonderful adjunct treatment with other therapies – in particular chemotherapies. Lower doses can be used due to the effect of heat on the cancer cells. There is ususally an immune support program associated with the treatment.

Oncotherm was founded in 1988 by Prof. Dr. András Szász, as a spin-off entrepreneurship based on research conducted at Eötvös Science University, located in Budapest. The electro-hyperthermia method was a completely new development in cancer treatment. Since its initial development, the medical and technical aspects of the method have been steadily improved, in accordance with the latest medical, scientific and technological findings. In the process, the method, now generally referred to as “Oncothermia”, has become one of the leading Hyperthermia-based therapies in Europe. At present, more than 100,000 Oncothermia treatments are provided worldwide every year, to patients with many different types of tumor disorders.

Understanding Hyperthermia & Oncothermia:

Oncothermia, a unique improvement on conventional oncological Hyperthermia, represents the next generation of Hyperthermia therapy. It selectively destroys malignant cells by applying the required specific energy dose. While traditional Hyperthermia functions solely via certain thermodynamic parameters, such as temperature, Oncothermia functions by controlling absorbed energy doses, via an approach similar to that used in radiation therapy. Oncothermia moves beyond conventional heat therapies by using controlled, selective energy transfer. Oncothermia transports energy directly to malignant cells, via a selecting electric field. The therapy thus functions in a largely apoptotic manner. The entire treatment is controlled by the modulated electric field that passes through the patient. In the process, the tumor becomes a constant, controllable parameter within a closed electric circuit. To be continued…….

Please contact Grace Gawler at institute@gracegawler.com for more information or for details about International case management & referrals or for more about hyperthermia in German clinics. www.gracegawler.com/institute

Dear Editor I am alarmed at the content of the article dated October 29, 2011
published on online “Adelaide Now” and titled “Why a brave mum said no
to chemotherapy” and the blog www.MumsNotHavingChemo.com  I believe your newspaper has a public duty of care to present the other side of the issue as to what happens to cancer patients who choose alt/med exclusively forgoing chemotherapy and other conventional treatments.  I note that the online article lists no author – however it becomes obvious when you read through the material; who has written it; freelance  journalist Laura Bond whose mum has chosen not to have chemo.
Cancer patients may die unnecessarily by taking the ‘seemingly legitimate’
advice which is actually regurgitated from the usual poor science found on the  internet.
Recently it became public that Apple’s Steve Jobs turned his back on surgery in favour of alternative medicine; that choice cost him his life. His type of tumour was treatable with conventional medicine. Inherent dangers exist in advising cancer patients against conventional medicine. Will we next see a blog ”Why a brave mum said no to chemotherapy for her leukaemic child!” …. because that is the obvious extrapolation! Such an article carries with it a huge public duty of care and responsibility.

Waht’s the dangers? The following demonstrates a pattern I see on a regular basis:
Nine years ago two patients were diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer, same tumour size, hormone (estrogen) and herceptin positive status. One patient took the conventional route – surgery, chemo and a hormone blocking agent – she remains well and vibrant to this day. The other lady – like Apple’s Steve Jobs whose recent death and refusal of surgery brought cancer into public awareness; she also  believed surgery to be too invasive, so she chose to keep her lump after she received her biopsy result.

Rather than booking in for surgery, she fled to a well known cancer naturopath
who advised to her to fast, take 8-9  juices daily and a variety of herbs and
supplements as well as other alt/med treatments. She spent many thousands of
dollars. Seven years later she came to see me believing that her tumours were resolving and that she must need emotional healing! Tumours were visible and far from resolving. I requested a diagnostic work-up. A scan revealed massive secondaries in bones, lymph and liver – more tumour load than I had seen in anyone.

She passed away this year after a hellish battle for her life – her final months extended by compassionate conventional medicine.  By the time she realised what she had chosen was not working and that she had listened to the wrong people for years–it was indeed too late. I see this type of patient far too often.
My speciality as naturopath, herbalist and cancer support leader is to guide cancer patients who we call alt/med casualties, back into the best of conventional medicine.

Cancer patients have a right to choose their treatments, but it must be based on accurate reports and truthful evidence-based information. I have seen thousands of “Penny Dingle-like” cases and most cancer patients, like Dingle who go the alt/med route, also give up medical monitoring tests. Herald-Sun reporter Andrew Bolt aptly named this Dingle phenomenon “The Searing Price of this Fahionable Unreason “
The alt/med path sounds wonderful, idyllic. I have been there and can speak to this issue with some authority after working in cancer support and naturopathic medicine in cancer for almost 4 decades. I co-founded a famous cancer support organisation launching the first educational support groups for cancer patients in Australia. Having worked with more than 13,000 cancer patients, I have written extensively on cancer and the importance of emotional healing in breast cancer. I have cared 24/7 for a terminally ill patient who recovered – but even in his case there were flaws in his medical clinical timeline and undiagnosed TB that complicated the issue of diagnosis. Many have taken an alternative medicine path based on our ’incorrectly’ reported story!

It’s human nature to seach for the ‘Magic Bullet’ to cancer  – but if people make an experiment of themselves to prove a point – then they should keep it to themselves until it is proven, scrutinised and have been clear of cancer for more than 5 years. As Dr Linda Calebresi wrote in the Australian Doctor: “Hope comes with a duty of truth”!

It’s a sad fact but many cancer entrepreneurs stories are challengable when it comes to accuracy and truthfulness.  If your life depends on the
accuracy of someone’s story – then their story had better be accurate!

Every day my email, phone and practice is full of patients who tried alternative medicine exclusively to treat their cancer. When they become ill or notice an alarming tumour spread – they contact me.

In conclusion, if anyone is to recommend an exclusively alternative treatment to cancer patients – then like other registered health professionals, let them be responsible for the outcomes of each of those patients. The media also has a responsibility to present accurate and balanced information about such an important public issue as chemotherapy and cancer. Adelaide Now – Are you interested?
Grace Gawler- Gold Coast Qld. www.gracegawler.com/institute

As an educator in cancer medicine and a qualified naturopath working with cancer patients for almost 4 decades… and as one who on a daily basis sees the advantages of the synergy of complementary and conventional medicine versus the disadvantage of cancer patient’s alt med choices – I believe the article and associated blog (mumsnothavingchemo.com) to be highly misleading and a misuse of the author’s position as a journalist.

Get the facts right for others that follow

I believe in free speech – but free speech must act both ways with right of reply accepted for healthy debate. I became concerned when I wrote a polite and balanced comment below the above mentioned online article in the ‘comments box’. Within minutes of pressing the submit button however – the box had vanished. I then wrote to the editor of the Adelaide paper in a letter to the Editor. Silence!
Pip – one of our Institute’s directors, then wrote on the blog associated with the article. { www.MumsNotHavingChemo.com } He authored a well balanced and polite response even inviting dialogue on the issue – his comments must have been blocked from appearing on the site presumably due to a differing opinion. blitzed again! As cancer educators we are concerned for the desperate and vulnerable who may give credibility to a journalist & publication in a recognised newspaper. Much of the information Laura Bond is regurgitating and proselytizing has been around for decades and much of it  I examined in the mid – late 1970′s when my partner Ian Gawler was diagnosed with bone cancer. Even his case has been misquoted, important facts omitted and albeit his entire story misreported in 2008 in the Medical Journal of Australia necessitating my correction in September 2010. Sorting out fact from fiction and reality from idelology in cancer care will no doubt continue.

In conclusion, if anyone is to recommend an exclusively alternative treatment to
cancer patients – then like other registered health professionals, let them be
responsible for the outcomes of each patient. If Laura Bond and her mum choose this path – then let them be well advised and let them do it in isolation rather than influencing others. Last week I saw more cases of people like Penelope Dingle who had used alternative medicine exclusively to treat their cancer…Personally I am concerned for every patient I see presenting with avoidable symptoms, unneccessary pain and suffering and grieving families when it all goes belly-up. Informed choice also means being informed adequately and accurately.
The media has a responsibility to present accurate and balanced information and print or allow right of reply about such an important public issue.  My letter to the editor of Adelaide Now will be reproduced on my next blog along with some comments

Source Article at
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/why-a-brave-mum-said-no-to-chemotherapy/story-fn6bqpju-1226180025592

The next time you hear of an miraculous natural cancer cure remember the words of the late Carl Sagan – “Exceptional claims require exceptional evidence.” Personally after nearly 4 decades of working in strategies to manage and recover from cancer, I remain surprised and shocked at the numbers of  patients refusing surgery or valid treatments only to try some miraculous cure based on anecdotes and with little or no evidence. If patients really understood the nature of cancer and how it behaves and metastasizes (spreads through the body) – I believe they would make different choices. (More on this topic next blog)

Take the example of two patients who 9 years ago were diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer with the same hormonal status and one positive lymph node. One patient went the conventional route – surgery, chemo and a hormone blocking agent – she remains well and vibrant to this day.

Breast Cancer Cell

The other lady – like Steve Jobs, believed surgery was too invasive so she chose to keep her lump and node after a she received her biopsy result. Rather than booking in for the surgeon, she fled  to a well known cancer naturopath who advised to her to fast, juice and take a variety of herbs and supplements as well as other treatments such as Scalar energy. Her  treatments cost her a small fortune. Although she had massive tumour development by the time she found me, 7 years on…she believed that the tumours were resolving by  simply “coming out” of her body, a theory condoned by the naturopath concerned who also  that said all her ‘test’ results were excellent, therefore she must need emotional healing. This lovely lady had more secondary tumours than I had seen in my 4 decades of working in this field.

Stage 1V breast cancer

She passed away this year after a hellish battle for her life – her final months extended by compassionate conventional medicine.  By the time she realised what she had chosen was not working and that she had listened to the wrong people – it was indeed too late. There is a mantra repeated daily in my practice.. “I wish I had come sooner!”
Recently while in conversation with a friend – another most unfortunate story came to light; sadly it is also a story I hear all too often and it has the same tone as  Steve Job’s outcome and my above mentioned patient.

My friend related how his friend Mark had a lump on his  back  for some time – likely a skin cancer – but it was never biopsied or removed surgically; he did not believe in doctors. Instead – being a nature-cure type of person Mark explored the internet and found a old herbal remedy, ‘black salve’, a paste made from bloodroot and various other additives. He emailed a few friends and they told him glowing reports of people they knew who had ‘success’ with the paste.

Within hours Mark’s lump was painful ball of inflammation – a nasty black scab appeared on the surface and over many weeks the crater underneath healed.

Scab created by black salve

 He believed he had cured his lump whatever it was and went about sharing the wonders of this miracle treatment with all and sundry.  However, 18 months later Mark became quite unwell, so unwell that he eventually had to seek the advice of a doctor. Scans revealed secondary melanomas in his bowel liver and oesphagus

 The primary? Yes – it was the lump on his back he had ‘successfully’ removed with ‘black salve’ … that ‘successful removal’ had cost him his life – he was blissfully unaware of the insidious disease he had been harbouring in his body. He still refused convention interventions choosing more natural remedies and died within a month from a very aggressive melanoma! Had Mark had his original lump diagnosed when removed – the outcome may have been very different. He leaves behind a wife and 4 teenage children.

So… back to Steve jobs whose biggest legacy I believe is a big caution to patients who choose not to follow valid conventional medicine options first and foremost.  One has to ask the obvious question: Do you believe in something enough to play Russian Roulette with your one precious life? Are you following the ideologies of others rather than applying logic you your own situation? Are the cancer Gurus and entrepreneurs that you follow legitimate advisors or survivors?Can you place trust in their stories- so much so that you are prepared to risk your life?

Author Walter Isaacson talked to “60 Minutes” for the Sunday, Oct. 23 episode, telling host Steve Kroft that he was shocked about Steve Jobs’s decision to initially skip surgery while he experimented with ‘alternative medicine’ for his pancreatic cancer — that such a genius could make such a wrong decision about his own health.
“I’ve asked Jobs why he didn’t get an operation then and he said, ‘I didn’t want my body to be opened … I didn’t want to be violated in that way,’”said Isaacson.

“I think that he kind of felt that if you ignore something, if you don’t want something to exist, you can have magical thinking…. We talked about this a lot,” he told Kroft. “He wanted to talk about it, how he regretted it. … I think he felt he should have been operated on sooner.”
source:
huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/20/steve-jobs-biography-obama_n_1022786.html

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