Woman with Stage 4 Cancer Foregoes Chemotherapy for 21-Day Water Fast
LONDON – A woman is choosing a 21-day water fast over conventional chemotherapy treatment for her stage 4 cancer,sparking debate about option therapies. Sarah Ford is raising funds via GoFundMe to support her health journey, hoping the fast and dietary changes will allow her to return to a healthy life for her four-year-old son.
Ford’s decision comes as some proponents claim medically supervised fasting can support the body’s natural healing processes. Dr. Alan Goldhamer, founder of True North Health Center, states, “In appropriately selected patients-resolute by medical history, physical exam and lab testing- medically supervised fasting can be safe.” He adds,”When fasting the body eliminates the dietary excess and accumulated toxins that appear to prevent the body from healing itself.”
The medic treating Ms Ford cites a single case published in the British Medical journal of a person with stage 1 lymphoma achieving remission after a water fast and dietary changes.
However, cancer experts caution against foregoing medical advice in favor of alternative treatments.
Ford’s case highlights the complexities surrounding Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system. Approximately 2,100 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK each year. Symptoms can vary,including obvious swellings in the neck,armpit,or groin,but also lesser-known indicators like night sweats,unintentional weight loss,a high temperature,persistent cough,itchy skin,indigestion,abdominal pain,persistent tiredness,excessive bleeding,and pain in the lymph glands after drinking alcohol.
The lymphatic system, a network of vessels and glands, is crucial for waste removal and fighting infection. In Hodgkin lymphoma, abnormal cells develop within this system, compromising its function and increasing vulnerability to infection. The cancer most commonly affects men between 20 and 40 years of age and those over 75, but can develop at any age.
