Here is an interesting article from the November edition of the peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, November 9, 2007.
It shows that supplements can also help arrest the progression of certain cancers, contrary to some opinion. It also confirms that vitamin c is one of the most potent and most versatile apoptosis-inducing vitamins and supplements.
Topical Vitamin C Stops Basal Cell Carcinoma
(OMNS Nov 9 2007) The most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, often responds to a remarkably simple, safe, at-home treatment: vitamin C. Physicians and patients report that vitamin C, applied directly to basal cell skin cancers, causes them to scab over and drop off. [1] Successful use involves a highly-concentrated vitamin C solution, directly applied to the blemish two or three times a day. Vitamin C is selectively toxic to cancer cells, but does not harm healthy skin cells. This is also the basis for high-dose intravenous vitamin therapy for cancer. [2] Even higher concentrations of vitamin C can be obtained by direct application. The use of topical vitamin C to kill basal cell carcinoma has been known at least since 1971. Frederick R. Klenner, MD, wrote: "We have removed several small basal cell epithelioma with a 30 percent ointment" of vitamin C. [3]
One person, who reported that a 2mm diameter spot on the nose would not heal for months, had it disappear within a week with twice-daily concentrated vitamin C applications. Another patient reported that after dermatologist-diagnosed multiple spots of basal cell carcinoma were coated with vitamin C, the spots fell off within two weeks. [4]
Basal cell carcinomas are slow growing and it is rare for them to metastasize. This provides an opportunity for a therapeutic trial of vitamin C, provided one has proper medical diagnosis and follow-up.
Preparation of a water-saturated vitamin C solution is simple. Slowly add a small amount of water to about half a teaspoon of vitamin C powder or crystals. Use just enough water to dissolve the vitamin C. Using less water will make a paste. Either way, application with the fingertip or a cotton swab, several times daily, is easy. The water will evaporate in a few minutes and leave a plainly visible coat of vitamin C crystals on the skin.
Consult your doctor before employing this or any other self-care treatment. A physician’s diagnosis is especially important, since other forms of skin cancer, such as melanoma, are faster growing and more dangerous. If the vitamin C treated area is not improved after a few weeks, a doctor should be consulted once again.
References:
[1] William Wassell, MD: Skin cancer and vitamin C. Cancer Tutor, Skin Cancer and Vitamin C
[2] Riordan NH, Riordan HD, Meng X, Li Y, Jackson JA: Intravenous ascorbate as a tumor cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent. Med Hypotheses 1995; 44: 207-2 13. The Bright Spot For Health-Vitamin C Research and Intravenous Ascorbate as a Tumor Cytotoxic Chemotherapeutic Agent and also DoctorYourself.com - Vitamin C as Chemotherapy for Cancer
[3] Fredrick R. Klenner, MD: Observations on the dose and administration of ascorbic acid when employed beyond the range of a vitamin in human pathology. Journal of Applied Nutrition Vol. 23, Nos 3 & 4, Winter 1971.
http://yost.com/health/klenner/klenner-1971.pdf and DoctorYourself.com - Klenner Vitamin C Paper
[4] Age spots, basal cell carcinoma and solar keratosis.
http://www.doctoryourself.com/news/v5n9.txt
Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine
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