Well Suzanne Somers has a new book out and this time she’s taken on the conventional wisdom and practice of cancer treatment in this country. Like her or not this book will stir dialogue and encourage people to question the status quo on cancer treatments–which has a woefully poor track record in the success category.

Like so much else of our current medical system, chemotherapy, radiation, and radical surgeries to “kill the cancer or eliminate it” makes people sick and vulnerable on top of sick and vulnerable. While inroads are being made in great cancer centers like Sloan Kettering in New York City, to include complimentary forms of support for the patient, for the most part true alternative practices with proven track records are criminalized in this country.

As midlife women, we are crossing a threshold of age for increasing diseases while also being more empowered to take our health into our own hands. Of all people we should applaud books like hers.

Now before you leave here all in a huff thinking I have no respect for western medicine hear this: I am 100% on the side of complimentary medicine which takes from western, eastern, new and ancient energy modalities, and functional medicine. In no way do I think all western med is bad or all cancer treatment performed in a western setting should be tossed out. I’d like to see patients have options, learn about the alternatives to traditional chemo, radiation and some surgeries. Then make their decision fully informed on what’s out there.

Europe enjoys some of the most sophisticated hospitals and cancer care centers and most practice prevention, support via supplements, natural healing agents, and practices docs in this country can’t even consider trying or face jail time or malpractice suits. Hence a travel trend called “medical tourism.” Americans and others in countries with limited or no access to  proven, safe alternative options to traditional pharmaceutical and surgical practices, are traveling to foreign countries to exercise their rights to try something else. They also travel when health care options cost more than the person can afford here.

The cancer care model is no different than much of the rest of the (disease care) health care model. Much of it is, to quote Dr. Julian Whitaker in his latest newsletter, “Killing houseflies in the kitchen with a shotgun. Yes it can be done, but certainly doesn’t solve the problem–and look what it does to the kitchen.”

In this time of health care debate I’m promoting self care and education about the many ways to do so. Preventing cancer is a strong place to start. And learning about treatment options within and outside of the medical model is important. A book like Suzanne’s simply brings some things into the light for all to see. If more people are interested in alternatives the government will eventually have to accept the practitioners who offer them. Maybe even remove the next to impossible financial and time constraints in testing to get these approved.

Weigh in if this stirs something in you about health care and choice.