Found out recently that the lung cancer is back. This time it is in the left lung and a different type non-small cell. Have not gotten a treatment plan yet but have done some online research. Questions: Does cannabis oil really help? What does Frankincense oil help? What types of immune therapy are there?
Hi I'm so sorry to hear about your cancer being back. Do they know why you have cancer in your other lung and it's a different kind. That's strange. Let me know I'll worry about you. I will be here for you. Love susie jo1948
I am very sorry to hear that you have a recurrence of cancer and that it is a new type to deal with. Truthfully, it is not all that uncommon, and I have even known a patient with two types of lung cancer at the same time. That said, nobody wants cancer a second time.
As for your questions about cannabis and frankincense, I am not a doctor, but I will tell you what my doctor (and every other doctor I have spoken with about this) has told me: you will find a lot of anecdotal claims about these oils online, but you will not find any studies to back them up. There is a LOT of science available on cannabis, but none of it conclusively supports treating cancer with cannabis oil or any other form of delivery. There have been no viable human trials with it, perhaps mostly due to legality issues, but there are countries with more lenient laws about cannabis that STILL have not produced any such trials. The reason for this is that there is no good indication that it would be better than the current medications available, there is no good indication that it would be even close to as effective, and there is no known way to safely administer the quantities necessary to the tumor if it was theoretically likely to be curative.
I recently sat through a long presentation in Los Angeles from a medical cannabis consultant, a former doctor who now advocates for cannabis use and helps prescribe doses for various conditions but does not, herself, sell any product. The presentation was specifically geared toward lung cancer patients and the information was EXCLUSIVELY about palliative care. I asked about curative use and she stated that, simply, she knew of no evidence that it was curative but would not rule out the possibility that some scientific advances might find a curative use for it IN THE FUTURE. This includes isolating chemical components and most likely manufacturing them into a synthesized drug that would be more powerful and targeted than the "natural" oils that are, by nature, entirely inconsistent with their chemical makeup.
As for frankincense, I've only ever seen that presented as quackery, and I know nobody who has seriously considered it.
But, again, I am not a doctor. My advice to you is to stop researching anything online until you know EXACTLY what you are dealing with and have had the time to sit with your medical oncologist and go over all the available options, including any current clinical trials that you might qualify for.
I am currently in a clinical trial for a targeted drug and I can say it is the best decision I have made during my treatment, though I know patient experiences with trials vary. Beyond that, just remember that new immunotherapy and targeted drugs are often far more effective than anything available a couple of decades ago. Even standard chemotherapy is often more tolerable and effective than it used to be. So just check in with your oncologist before going too far off the deep end in Internet research. And if you do come up with options that SOUND really appealing, run them by your oncologist just to find out if he or she knows anything about them -- and never take any herb, supplement, or drug without keeping your oncologist in the loop.
All the best!
Beautifully put.
Thank you!
Hi I have a question do anybody know about this drug ?
Pembrolizumab Keytruda . And side effects the reason I'm asking is because my sister has lung cancer. And the Doctor is recommending this drug.
Kgie, you have been excellent advice by jpoehlmann . Take it one day at a time and thoroughly discuss your alternatives with your oncologist , and surgeon if appropriate, and then with your head up and a positive attitude implement the treatment plan . Never give in and never give up! All Best Wishes, judg69
I am so sorry to hear you have a second lung cancer diagnosis. I have seen cannabis oil help with the side effects of chemo, but there is no verifiable evidence that it is a cure for cancer. There is also nothing but unsubstantiated claims about frankincense oil.
I had squamous cell LC in my upper left lobe. The lobe was removed 5 years ago last month. In January 2017 they found a spot on my upper right lung lobe, that was also squamous cell, that lobe was removed 3 1/2 months ago.
My best advice as someone who has been there; talk to your oncologist, your surgeon, your primary care doctor. Find out what type of cancer it is, and what your options are. At that point you can make a more informed decision, and if you do start taking any supplements, herbs, or oils, let you medical team know everything you are taking.
After my first cancer diagnosis a dear friend hit the internet and started sending me all kinds of links to herbal teas and "all natural" supplements that claim to kill cancer cells. But they are just that, unsubstantiated claims made by the people selling the stuff. I did start taking an herbal supplement after my first surgery until I realized the claims were only being made by the company that manufactured the product (yes, I was grasping at straws, I was terrified it was gonna come back) these companies feed on that fear. If I'm gonna spend money, I want it to be on something proven to at least help in some way.
There are people who say the medical community will never find a cure for cancer, there is too much money to be made in treatment and research. But all these "all natural" herbs, oils, supplements companies are just out to make money, they cannot offer any real proof that what they are selling you really works, that it can cure cancer. They are taking advantage of the fear, the panic, and the uncertainty a cancer diagnosis can give you. If you want to try herbs and supplements, go for it, but please do it with caution, with your doctors knowledge and okay, and only to supplement your medically proven treatment plan.
I wish you all the best. Please keep in touch, let me know how you are doing.
Last year they removed the lower portion of my right lung. This year the cancer was found in the upper portion of the left lung, near the bronchial tube and the lymph nob. The surgeon who removed the cancer last year has told me surgery was not an option. Now just waiting to get into the cancer center.
I was not to favorable to trying cannabis oil since I am allergic to pot smoke.
I am sorry that you are not a candidate for surgery. I hope the cancer center gets you in quickly. Please keep in touch, let me know how you are doing.
So sorry you are in this position. You’ve had so much good advice so far I can only echo what others have said.
Cannibus in the form of CBDs has proven to be an effective tool for controlling nausea in some people. It can be used to compliment chemo not replace it. Don’t rule out consumables, they are slower acting but work very well in the patients who do benefit from it. Like all meds, it doesn’t work for everyone. Another possibility is Marinol which is an artificial CBD which was approved by the FDA a couple decades ago.
They’re probably waiting on the results of the genomic and PD1 levels so they can present you with all treatment options. Please let us know what you learn.
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