Solutions for Skin Cancer

Julian Whitaker, MD

I’ve spent a lot of time in the sun during my life. Between playing golf, boating, and just living in Southern California in general, I soak up several hours of sunshine three or four days each week. I’m the first to admit I don’t always use sunscreen, and as a result, I’ve had to deal with a handful of minor skin cancers over the years.

Before we go any further, I want to point out that skin cancer can be serious business. It’s the most common form of cancer in the US, and some cases can be troublesome, even lethal, if left untreated. I strongly advise you to report any suspicious lesions or growths to your doctor to rule out potentially fatal melanomas.

However, in this story, I want to focus on the much more prevalent and less critical non-melanoma skin cancers, and tell you about two do-it-yourself skin cancer treatments that worked for me.

Is It Skin Cancer?

Most of us have developed irregular areas of skin at one time or another. Classic examples include scaly patches, odd freckles or moles, and tiny bumps or lumps that seem to develop overnight. While most of these abnormalities are nothing to worry about, some may be early warning signs of skin cancer.

Precancerous growths, which are not yet malignant, look different than healthy cells, both to the naked eye and under a microscope. One of the most common types is solar or actinic keratoses, which are caused by excessive exposure to sunlight. These lesions are crusty bumps that pop up on the face, ears, forearms, shoulders, back, and other areas that get the most sun. They vary in color and size, and sometimes itch, ooze, and bleed. Although a small percentage of actinic keratoses progress to non-melanoma cancer, they typically respond well to treatment.

Full-blown skin cancer can be classified into two main categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma, the most serious form, affects the melanocytes, cells located deep in the epidermis, or outermost layer of the skin, that give the skin its color. Far rarer than non-melanoma, melanoma usually manifests as changes in shape, color, and texture of an existing mole. This type of cancer requires prompt medical attention, as it is responsible for more than 8,000 deaths per year.

The most prevalent types of non-melanoma skin cancers are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Both basal cell carcinomas, which account for approximately three-fourths of all skin cancers, and squamous cell carcinomas also occur in the epidermis, but they affect different types of cells. These non-melanoma cancers tend to be slow growing, and they rarely metastasize. When they are detected and treated in the early stages, 95 percent of the time they can be cured.

Bye-Bye Basal Cell Carcinomas

Now that you know the basics, I want to share a personal story with you. Back in 1995, I developed a basal cell carcinoma on my right ear. This crusty, raised lesion, about a half-inch in diameter, itched a bit and bled every once in a while. My dermatologist recommended surgical removal and a skin graft but I opted to try a less invasive route first. I mixed up a paste containing vitamin C and DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and applied it to the affected area a few times each day. In just three and a half weeks, the basal cell carcinoma had completely disappeared—a fact confirmed by my flabbergasted dermatologist.

A few years later, I developed another small basal cell carcinoma on my right temple. Recalling how well the vitamin C/DMSO combo worked before, I decided to beef up the formula with a little vitamin A cream for more antioxidant power. Once again, little by little, I could see the lesion begin to clear up, and it too eventually went away.

Though no clinical trials have been performed on this protocol, it makes sense that it would work. Vitamin C, in various forms, has been shown to kill cancer cells while leaving normal, healthy cells unaffected. And antioxidants in general have protective and rejuvenating properties not only for the skin but for the entire body. I used DMSO because it acts as a carrier, facilitating fast delivery of the antioxidants deep into the damaged cells.

This topical preparation will most likely work best on actinic keratoses and non-melanoma carcinomas. If you are diagnosed with these skin conditions, try this formula for a few weeks. It can’t hurt, and it may well help you avoid an invasive procedure.

The Eggplant Cure for Cancer?

If mixing up a home remedy doesn’t appeal to you, here’s another option. Nearly 20 years ago in a landmark study, Australian researcher Bill E. Cham, PhD, tested the effectiveness of a standardized mixture of solasodine glycosides (BEC) isolated from eggplant on 56 keratoses, 39 basal cell carcinomas, and 29 squamous cell carcinomas. Remarkably, every one of the treated lesions regressed. (A placebo cream used on a smaller number of lesions had no effect.)

Dr. Cham’s eggplant extract, called Curaderm BEC5, differs from other cancer treatments that interrupt cell division or halt cancer progression by cutting off the tumor’s blood supply. Instead, BEC invades cell membranes and initiates cell death from within. And because Curaderm binds to receptor sites found only on cancerous or abnormal cells, healthy cells are not affected.

Subsequent research has shown that Curaderm is incredibly safe and effective. The only reported side effect is dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) at the application site, and it resolves completely after Curaderm use is stopped. There’s no danger of toxicity, which is common with drugs used to treat cancer, and because Curaderm is not absorbed systemically, it has no negative effects on the blood, kidneys, or liver.

I’ve had personal success with Curaderm as well. Last summer, I used it on some suspicious-looking areas on my cheeks, and within a few weeks of treatment, the dry, itchy patches sloughed off and healthy, pink skin emerged.

Prevention, Prevention, Prevention

Skin cancer is a prime example of how an ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure. Excessive exposure to UV radiation is clearly linked to skin cancer. Although I believe everyone should spend time in the sun several days a week to boost vitamin D levels, you can certainly get too much of a good thing. After 10 or 15 minutes, I suggest you apply a full-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UV-A and UV-B rays, and wear hats, long-sleeved shirts, and other protective gear whenever possible.

But if you are diagnosed with skin cancer, keep in mind that your options extend beyond surgical interventions and that most skin cancers, if detected early, are curable.

Recommendations

• Any suspicious skin lesions should be reported to your primary care physician or dermatologist immediately to rule out melanoma.
• Here’s the recipe for my home remedy for treating actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancers: Mix equal parts of powered vitamin C, DMSO (both available in health food stores) and, if desired, vitamin A cream (also called retinol and sold at cosmetic counters). Rub a small amount into the affected area, cover with a Band-Aid, and repeat several times a day. If you don’t notice improvements within a month, or if symptoms worsen, see your doctor.
• You can order Curaderm from Vanuatu Medical, (888) 409-8351 or www.vanuatumedical.com.
• To learn more, read The Eggplant Cancer Cure by Bill E. Cham, PhD. It contains detailed instructions on use and amazing success stories and photos. It’s available by calling (800) 976-2783 or visiting amazon.com.

Reference

• Cham BE, et al. Topical treatment of malignant and premalignant skin lesions by very low concentrations of a standard mixture (BEC) of solasodine glycosides. Cancer Lett. 1991 Sep;59(3):183–192.

Modified from Health & Healing with permission from Healthy Directions, LLC. Photocopying, reproduction, or quotation strictly prohibited without written permission from the publisher. To subscribe to Health & Healing, click here.

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