LUNG CANCER - Printer Friendly

    Lung cancer accounts for more deaths than any other form of cancer in the United States.  Annual rates for lung cancer are currently an estimated 170,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States resulting in an estimated 150,000 deaths per year.

    Standard medical treatment for lung cancer varies with the form of the disease.  Lung cancers are of two principal types, small cell or nonsmall cell disease. For small cell lung cancer, which spreads rapidly, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are primary interventions.  For localized nonsmall cell cancers, surgery is the treatment of choice.  Although surgeons may remove the affected part of the lung, recurrences are common.

    Treatment outcome is determined by multiple factors such as the type of the cancer, the progression of the disease, and the general health of the patient.  Early intervention results in better prognosis.  Prevention of lung cancer is a high priority.  Thus many cancer experts advocate decreasing or stopping cigarette smoking as a preventative strategy.

EDGAR CAYCE'S PERSPECTIVE OF CANCER

    Edgar Cayce gave many readings for persons suffering from a wide variety of cancerous conditions.  Here are some of the key points to consider with regard to Edgar Cayce's perspective of cancer.

• CANCER IS AN ENTITY UNTO ITSELF.  In most cases, cancer is a group of cells or tissues which separates ("segregates") itself and forms its own entity within the larger system of the body.  In a sense, cancer has its own separate identity like a parasite which infests a host organism.

• CANCER REPRESENTS A FAILURE OF NATURAL PROCESSES.  Edgar Cayce observed that the same processes which result in cancer are present in the body all the time.  Cancer usually results from the failure of natural processes such as coagulation and elimination of wastes.

• CANCER DRAWS FROM THE VITALITY OF THE BODY.  Cancer uses the body's life-force energy to survive.  Like any parasite, cancer is a drain upon the resources of the host organism.

• CANCER HAS MANY CAUSES.  There are many etiological (causative) factors associated with cancer.  Heredity, environmental toxicity, poor eliminations, injury, lack of vitality, and depleted immune system were the most often cited factors linked to cancer.  Specifically, chronic irritation or bruising were often said to be triggering factors producing tumors which could become malignant.

• THERE ARE MANY FORMS OF CANCER.  Edgar Cayce recognized the various kinds of  cancer.  On two occasions he stated that there are nineteen forms of cancer.

• CANCER CAN OFTEN BE PREVENTED.  According to Edgar Cayce, keeping a healthy diet and good eliminations can help prevent cancer.  Specific therapies such as iodex and ash ointment and plantain salve were recommended by Cayce to prevent lumps and tumors from becoming malignant.  Gentle osteopathic treatment was also often prescribed to set up "drainages" and improve eliminations thus decreasing the chances for cancer.

• EARLY TREATMENT RESULTS IN BETTER PROGNOSIS.  In agreement with modern medicine's view of cancer treatment, Edgar Cayce noted that early intervention produces better therapeutic results.

• CANCER INVOLVES MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL ASPECTS.  Edgar Cayce's holistic approach to health and healing is notable in the readings he gave for person's suffering from cancer.  The mental and spiritual aspects of prevention and treatment were strongly emphasized.  Cayce also stated that excessive worry and negative attitudes can make a person with a genetic predisposition for cancer more vulnerable to developing the illness.

• CANCER IS SOMETIMES A KARMIC PATTERN.  Consistent with the perennial philosophy which acknowledges the continuity of consciousness, Edgar Cayce observed that in some cases cancer can result from past life experiences.

• THE TREATMENT OF CANCER INVOLVES MANY MODALITIES.  Edgar Cayce recommended a wide variety of therapeutic modalities for the treatment of cancer.  Treatments directed at decreasing toxicity and increasing vitality were emphasized.  On the whole, natural therapies that worked with the body to heal itself were given priority.

• EDGAR CAYCE SOMETIMES RECOMMENDED SURGERY AND RADIATION.  In certain cases where the cancer was progressive and extreme, surgery and/or radiation therapy were recommended.  Modern chemotherapy techniques were not available during Edgar Cayce's era.

• SOME CASES OF CANCER WERE REGARDED AS INCURABLE.  Although Edgar Cayce was generally optimistic with regard to the body's innate ability to heal itself from almost any illness, in some cases of cancer the disease was too advanced to expect a physical cure.  In such instances, Cayce would recommend therapies to decrease the pain and suffering while emphasizing the mental/spiritual (soul) aspects of healing.

EDGAR CAYCE'S APPROACH TO LUNG CANCER

    Edgar Cayce gave approximately nine readings for seven individuals suffering from lung cancer.  This group of readings naturally vary due to individual differences and variations in the progression of the disease.  Thus, the summary provided in this overview will focus on the common features of causation and treatment.

    Tabor's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary states that cancer "may be caused by various forms of chronic irritation."   This view is entirely consistent with Edgar Cayce's perspective of cancer -  particularly with regard to lung cancer.  This is also consistent with the known causes of lung cancer such as cigarette smoke and environmental toxins which continually irritate the lungs.  Two other important factors associated with cancer are decreased vitality (resistence) and poor eliminations.

    Thus the treatment of lung cancer involves specific treatment to the lungs and general systemic therapies to improve eliminations and increase vitality.  The most common recommendations for the treatment of lung cancer appear to be:

• Improve eliminations and decrease toxicity with cleansing diet and hydrotherapy (castor oil packs and colon therapy);
• Utilize ultra-violet light therapy and animated ash to assist the system in fighting the cancer while increasing oxygen in the system;
• Provide inhalant therapy to purify the lungs (apple brandy from charred oak keg);
• Increase vitality with beef juice taken in small quantities as a medicine;
• Create constructive attitudes and emotions by working with the Ideals Exercise.