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.

The other day I had a good portion of my annual physical exam. My doctor spent an hour with me–yes, an hour. We talked about all manner of health related things from my supplements to sex, how my marriage was, to what I was eating these days. When he read over the list-and it’s long–of supplements I take he noticed I’d forgotten fish oil and CoQ10. I take them, he wanted to be sure. 

He is a family medicine guy who started studying functional medicine a number of years ago because the western model as it was didn’t allow him to fully engage his patients own inner body wisdom. He wanted to be proactive vs reactive. It took me awhile to find him and how I got here was because I was looking for someone who really understood bio identical hormone replacement and supplements. I spoke to about 25 doctor’s office nurses and some docs before finding Dr. Aponte. It didn’t matter he’s a man, I have a great NP who I see for my gyno stuff.

When I told him I felt blessed to have such a well informed care giver who was willing to listen and focus on me while there he told me this, “The thing I hate most is interrupting patient care and sometimes it just can’t be avoided. You I see only once per year for the most part and I want to be sure I hear from you how you are not just from the tests we perform.” Wow.

It makes the annual thing a pleasure, but I’d go regardless. Before I had Dr. A, I used to do the annual thing and add check marks on the blood work form that my otherwise smart doc didn’t believe in that I knew were important “at my age.” The markers of inflammation like CR-P, Lp l (a), Homocysteine, fibrinogen, the subsets of cholesterol vs just LDL and HDL are all considered the basics if you want to have a more complete picture of your heart health. I’ve had a colonoscopy a few years ago, last year I had a stress test, and a couple of years ago a DEXA scan. 

JJ Virgin says, “Don’t guess, test.” My sentiments exactly. I want to know where I am–even when I feel really good and it’s check up time–because sometimes the markers of disease are silent in the early stages. I don’t want that kind of surprise one day. But if I should get one–a disease that is–I’m more than thrilled to know I took the time to find a practitioner I trust and feel I am a partner with in my health care.

Do you know your numbers? Are you happy with your doc? If not, how about getting that on the old to do for you list? It’s the most important one you know.