Help Andrena with Cancer Treatment in Seattle

Help Andrena with Breast Cancer Treatment

The Background

It’s been almost one year since Andrena was first diagnosed with breast cancer. At that time she was offered palliative care by her oncologist in Canada. Andrena found this to be counterintuitive - why would she pursue a treatment that could never get her better? As a result, she decided to pursue alternative treatment as these were the only cases of cure for Stage 4 she saw at the time.

Since then Andrena has explored several alternative cancer treatment modalities - herbs, supplements, coffee enemas, carrot juicing, saunas, localized hyperthermia to name a few. These modalities have kept her alive and she is now far more knowledgeable of what works for her. She works with a Chinese medicine doctor (also trained in Eastern medicine), 2 naturopaths and her oncologist.

The Catalyst

In July she caught a stomach flu which led to significant deterioration of her health. She was unable to take any herbs, supplements or medication. As a result her doctors all agreed that she would have to begin conventional treatment. Andrena was still weary of this palliative chemotherapy and so began researching various oncology practices. This led her to Dr. Ben Chiu of Lifespring Cancer Treatment Center in Seattle who has Stage 4 Breast Cancer patients living 20+ years cancer free.

The Treatment

Dr. Chiu’s approach is somewhat radical. It has two major facets (1) he employs a low and slow approach which allows the patient’s immune system to be more resilient for a longer time and (2) he uses a cocktail of synergistic drugs which he switches every 3-4 months to create chemical confusion and prevent resistance. Andrena tried to get her oncologists in Canada to follow this protocol which Dr. Chiu provided free of cost. Unfortunately, oncologists in Canada are heavily regulated due to our social insurance and must follow Standard of Care (SOC). As a result they have very little autonomy.

Next Steps

Andrena has decided to move to Seattle In December to work with Dr. Chiu. Her Canadian oncologist will continue to support her with hormonal therapy, testing and scans to reduce costs. Dr. Chiu will charge her for the cost of drugs but his fees are pro bono. He has estimated 1-2 years of treatment at an estimated cost of US$50,000 for the year. This fundraiser is intended to offset the cost of treatment and living expenses.

Andrena is as determined as she is excited to create a blueprint for Stage 4 Hormonal Breast Cancer Treatment. She now believes that an integrative approach is the best way to go. But she needs to walk this path to prove it. We thank you for your support in helping to get Andrena to Seattle.