In late May of 2006, I was diagnosed with inoperable prostate cancer and again decided – with my wife’s loving concurrence – not to expose myself to clinical experimentation from radiation, chemotherapy and the many toxic chemicals currently used in conventional treatments but  instead, rely heavily, if not solely, on alternative, natural, therapies. During the course of my research on the web, I came across many stories by prostate cancer 'victims' who had, by no small measure, beaten cancer using natural therapies. But all the tales were post event; none described the experience as it  evolved. That got me to thinking about doing my own journal, in the form of a blog. My rationale being two-fold. Firstly,the required study and research would greatly assist me in handling my own dilemma on a day to day basis in a more informed, considered and orderly manner and secondly, perhaps my blog would help others facing the same problems in their quest for answers.

I guess part of my philosophical direction is very much about being in control of my own destiny, for better or for worse. I dread the thought of handing over that control to a group of medical people primarily trained to be reactive to disease and not proactive, in a preventative mode. Moreover, to follow the allopathic route means being just one of a number passing through the doors of medical specialists' each day and for whom I would represent surgery time and a nice fat fee at the end of it all. An example of this attitude being  in 2000, when I was misdiagnosed with a metastasis. One surgeon wanted to immediately remove my right lung even though the disease was  supposedly  in my liver also. He had no interest at all in my well-being – just his fat bank account.

Many of the men with prostate cancer I have met or corresponded with, or whom I have read about, apparently handed over the responsibility for their future well-being – and in many cases their very existence – to their doctor or specialist thereby abdicating – in a psychological sense – any personal responsibility for a satisfactory and meaningful outcome. And based on my subsequent studies, there is now no doubt in my mind that for many of them, it would have been a recipe for an early demise.

Moreover, as far as prostate cancer goes, the statistics clearly show that there is next to no additional longevity to be gained from surgical intervention. The main difference it is that with natural therapies one is much more likely to ultimately die quietly, with dignity and in good humour. But with orthodox treatment,  totally debilitated, saturated with medically induced poisons, in considerable pain and with extreme suffering and loss of dignity.

I am mindful too that the medical profession is apt to over diagnose prostate cancer and for many men, treatment is not only unnecessary – it is counter-productive. Doctors all too often talk, or rather boast, about their cancer patients having died of some  cause other than cancer per se. But not only does this skew cancer death statistics, it also does not identify with the fact that the patient's immune system is so badly compromised by the cancer treatment, he inevitably succumbs to the first disease or bout of illness that comes his way.

I do hope that you will find my blog both informative and instructive. Your comments will be very welcome. You can place comments on the blog, or, send me an email, at: prostateruminat@optusnet.com.au/