A Dutch study of almost 4,000 people treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma using chemotherapy and radiation reports that 48% of those studied were diagnosed with a SECOND cancer in their lifetime.

It was also reported in the December 2015 study, which tracked people treated between the years of 1965-2000, that new advances in chemotherapy in the 1990’s had no change in the incidence of secondary cancers.

“The cumulative incidence of second solid cancers did not differ according to study period (1965–1976, 1977–1988, or 1989–2000)”

This study is EXACTLY why my husband and I chose to address my Stage 2 NLP (nodular lymphocyte predominant) Hodgkin’s lymphoma with nutritional and holistic therapies FIRST. We knew the risk for secondary cancers existed first hand when my aunt (mom’s identical twin,) who had Hodgkin’s as a teenager and was treated conventionally, was diagnosed and passed away from the effects of breast cancer treatment in her 50’s. Her doctor stated that her breast cancer (and heart problems resulting in multiple surgeries,) were caused by her Hodgkin’s treatment as a teenager.

When I was diagnosed at 26, I was perfectly healthy (besides digestive problems from my super poor Standard American Diet.) When the oncology nurse told us all of the effects of the chemotherapy and radiation, it was hard to accept the SIDE EFFECTS from the treatment that wouldn’t be there otherwise. They were pretty much going to ravage me.

After I finally agreed with my husband to pursue holistic/ nutritional treatment FIRST, we always knew that if for some reason it didn’t work, or my cancer progressed in the 3 month time limit we gave myself, THEN chemotherapy would be an acceptable next step. But if my cancer decreased or stayed the same, we would keep going and move forward with possibly additional natural therapies.

It’s important to know that I had a firm belief that chemotherapy and radiation would NOT bring me health. I also had a strong fear of them and how they would affect my longevity and ability to have children one day. They would probably do a decent job shrinking tumor bulk initially, but as far as long term wellness and fertility, it was too much of a gamble. I didn’t feel unreasonable at all giving myself time to try effective, well-researched nontoxic approaches for a set time limit while monitoring carefully.

And if you’ve been following my blog for long- I’m here 7 years later, no evidence of disease, and have 3 amazing daughters. No chemo or radiation needed.

Why isn’t this a reasonable approach with oncologists today? Could be that they wouldn’t be able to support their families if they didn’t prescribe drugs and could also be at risk for losing their medical license? It could also be that they truly believe that chemo and radiation (along with newer but still toxic immunotherapy) are the only tools they have in their toolbox because that’s what they were taught in medical school.

Hodgkin’s indeed has a high rate of remission (in the 80-90% range for 5 year survival,) but possibly HALF of those people will have to undergo treatment for another, more aggressive cancer in their lifetime.

If you have already been treated for Hodgkin’s using chemotherapy or radiation, please don’t let this scare you. Let it be motivating for you to begin an anticancer lifestyle that will give you the confidence that your remission isn’t so much about luck, but about intentional living that you can have a degree of power over.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! What would you do if diagnosed with seemingly more curable Hodgkin’s lymphoma? Chat with me in the comments below or on Facebook.

Source:

New England Journal of Medicine: Second Cancer Risk Up to 40 Years after Treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Related Articles:

A Natural Hodgkin’s Survivor’s Take on Connecticut Teen Forced Into Chemotherapy

Update: Connecticut Teen Forced Into Chemotherapy

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The post Study: Half of Hodgkin’s Patients Get Second Cancer After Chemo appeared first on Anti-Cancer Mom.