Five Fake Treatments for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Sadly, most people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma die within five years of their mesothelioma diagnosis. In their quest for a cure, many patients turn to alternative "treatments." According to recent medical data, most of these "treatments" simply do not work, and many can cause serious harm. Read on to learn which fake mesothelioma treatments to avoid.

1. Rattlesnake Powder Therapy

Rattlesnake treatments are based on a medically unproven claim that a powder derived from rattlesnake has the power to kill cancer. The rattlesnake powder is made by cutting off the head of the snake and drying the remaining flesh in the sun. The dehydrated snake is then ground into powder and packaged into capsules. The patient is supposed to take one capsule every hour until he or she is healed. Alarmingly, many rattlesnake healers insist that this "cure" cannot be combined with any other medication. Thus, cancer patients are told to stop taking their cancer drugs and painkillers in order to benefit from the magical power of rattlesnake.

2. Oxidative Stress Treatments

Oxygen-based treatments are grounded in the idea that cancer cells cannot survive in a highly oxygenated environment. Oxygen therapy proponents attempt to produce lethal levels of hydrogen peroxide in cancer cells by administering high-dose intravenous combinations of vitamin C, vitamin K and a drug called Perftec. Although the proponents of this therapy claim that it only kills the cancer cells and is harmless to the surrounding tissues, these claims have not been scientifically proven.

3. Melatonin Therapy

Melatonin cancer treatments use high doses of melatonin, a hormone that is naturally produced by the body, to defeat cancer. The melatonin healers claim that, in high doses, melatonin boosts the immune system, which then destroys the cancer cells. While some healers recommend increasing the levels of melatonin through a twice-a-day meditation sessions, most others administer melatonin in capsules. This approach might be dangerous because the long-term effects of high doses of melatonin are unknown.

4. The Rife Machine

The Rife machine was developed in the 1930s by a microbiologist named Dr. Royal Rife. This machine attempts to kills cancer cells by administering specific sound frequencies to the body. The machine allegedly sends the sound waves deep into the tissues and is so effective that all that is required is a three-minute treatment every other day. While the promoters of this super-treatment (which costs thousands of dollars) claim phenomenal success, their claims are lacking evidentiary support.

5. DHEA Therapy

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a potent steroid hormone. The body produces low quantities of DHEA naturally, but the production of DHEA decreases as the body ages. The DHEA promoters claim that the reduction in the "fountain of youth" hormone causes cancer, which is why high-dose DHEA supplementation is necessary to beat cancer. However, high doses of DHEA can potentially cause liver and prostate damage. While the research into the benefits of DHEA continues, so far no proof has been produced showing that DHEA helps fight cancer.

A mesothelioma prognosis is a difficult reality to contemplate. Those who are diagnosed with the disease typically die within one to two years. Due to the shortened lifespan of those stricken by the illness, it is especially important to avoid fake treatments and receive care from a qualified medical professional. A mesothelioma attorney may be able to help you receive financial compensation in order to cover some of the costs of your treatments.