There are various alternative, or "natural," treatments for colon cancer. These treatments typically use herbs or other plants, such as seaweed, containing chemicals that supposedly can destroy cancer cells. Because there is no definite proof of the effectiveness of these treatments, talk to your doctor before undergoing any sort of alternative treatment plan for cancer.
Colon Cancer
Although the cancer can develop cancerous metastases from other parts of the body, the term "colon cancer" typically refers to carcinomas that originate in the colon or the rectum. There is no single thing that causes colon cancer; however, it typically begins as small masses known as polyps. Common risk factors for developing colon cancer include a diet heavy in red meat, being over the age of 60 and having a family history of colon cancer.
Herbal Treatments
Some alternative medicine practitioners use various treatment plans for colon cancer. One such treatment is Gerson Therapy. It involves consuming large amounts of raw and organic juices, undergoing coffee enemas, taking supplements and eating a restricted diet. According to the National Cancer Institute, the goal of this treatment is detoxification, which could help the body fight off cancerous cells. However, there is not enough scientific or clinical evidence to determine if Gerson Therapy is effective.
Seaweed
Seaweed also might be effective at treating colon cancer. One kind of seaweed, known as Kunbu, contains the chemical U-fucoidan. This substance can trigger a process known as apoptosis in cultured cells derived from colon cancer cells. Apoptosis, or "programmed cell death," represents a signaling pathway that causes cells, including cancerous cells, to stop dividing and die. Many anti-cancer medications aim at inducing apoptosis in cells, so U-fucoidan may be useful in treating colon cancer. However, there have been no conclusive tests in humans on the effects of seaweed on colon cancer.
Considerations
Herbal preparations and compounds derived from seaweed may have a role in treating colon cancer, but they should not be a substitute for the treatment plan designed by your physician. In addition, alternative medicine strategies might alter the effectiveness of conventional therapies for colon cancer, so talk to your doctor before undergoing any sort of alternative or complementary remedy.
