Combat with Cancer
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1998 May / Jun VOL VII NO 4.
Dr M S Hakimji
'Phos

CANCER as defined by the dictionary is a very harmful growth in the body- a malignant tumour. It's actually a Latin word meaning crab or tumour. Cancer means a change of the normal growth of cells, which tends to proliferate, spread and destroys. Figuratively cancer means an evil or harmful thing that tends to spread. Therefore, its use today "cancer of corruption in Indian politics." 

Prevalence of Cancer dates back to 1500 BC. There is no reason to suppose that during all these years, features of the disease have altered in any way. Lot of research on the subject has yielded little result. 
But Homoeopathy has something to offer and I would like to share my experience with you. 

Let me relate to you my first experience with the disease. It was almost 12 years ago, when I had just started my Homoeopathic practice. I was called upon to attend a 70-year-old lady having dyspnoea and difficulty in swallowing. On examination she had a very large thyroid tumor which was causing the whole trouble. The lady was highly emaciated and weak but her pulse and BP were normal. She was under Homoeo treatment with a senior Homoeopath but neither she nor her family members were aware that this growth was malignant. With reluctance my patient agreed to visit an ENT surgeon, who concurred with my suspicion and suggested emergency tracheostomy. The lady would have nothing to do with surgery. Homoeo treatment commenced with Iodum in infrequent doses but sad to say she succumbed within a fortnight. However her suffering was much reduced. That time I felt sad and took it as a failure, but today I understand clearly that it was a good palliation. 

About six years back, a patient of mine, who recovered from bronchial asthma, insisted that I treat her 65 years old father suffering from carcinoma of larynx. The patient was emaciated, had bouts of cough and difficulty in swallowing albeit with good appetite. He disliked draft but desired cold drinks. He preferred salted items and disliked sweets. Here was a case of Phosphorous. Treatment commenced with Phos 30 daily doses. Gradually the potency was worked up to 1M. The patient expired 3 months later. 

These two episodes had at that time made me wary of taking up cancer cases and I started to avoid them. Then suddenly a turn of events took place. A patient, whom I used to treat along with his family regularly, did not show up for a very long time. After an absence of 2-3 months he came with his wife's report showing that she had recently been operated for breast cancer. He then enquired whether I would treat his wife with Homoeopathic medicines, while she was taking chemotherapy as he did not want her to suffer any side effects of Chemotherapy. This was then a new concept to me. I agreed and we started our treatment. 

The remedies used were: 1] Nux-vomica 2] Phos 3] Ipecac 4] Arnica 

The above remedies were used as and when required according to the symptomatology. Today she is hale and hearty and is very thankful to me for helping her tide over Chemotherapy painlessly.
Ever since, the above remedies have been my sheet anchor for any patient undergoing chemotherapy.

I should now like to relate to you a case of acute lymphoblast leukemia. The patient was a small male child of 2 1/2 years, who had developed fever since 1 1/2 months not responding to conservative allopathic treatment. Investigations diagnosed him as a case of leukemia. The father of the child insisted that the child should be treated by both systems. Based on my newfound concept, I agreed to take up his case. 

Chief Complaint:
Fever since 1 month
Sore throat since 1 month
Profound weakness. Loss of weight. 

Personal History:
Patient is lean and dark, having copious perspiration on head during sleep. Sleeps on abdomen. Craves for sweets and drinks water very often.
MIND: Obstinate, dislikes touch/ caress. Irritable and cranky before onset of fever. Fear of loud noises, crackers and strangers.
Past History: Recurrent bronchitis since age of 1 year. 

Physical Examination:
Tongue - pale
Liver - enlarged
Pulse - 96/min
DIAGNOSIS: Bone marrow biopsy: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Treatment: commenced with Nux-vom 30, Arnica 30.

Treatment continued on these lines, and when I saw the child last in Feb 98, he was fine. 

Editor: This case was presented at the June Poona conference on Cancer, a report of which is included in this issue. The author handed over this paper to me personally, so it is included separately.