[a_c_s]

Chemotherapy is a research-backed approach that has been constantly refined since it was first used roughly 100 years ago.

Bloodletting is a theory-based approach and was, as far as we know, in continuous use for thousands of years despite being ineffective for almost every single condition.

The key difference is precisely the research and constant refinement, not any particular mechanism of action.

[a8da6b0c91d]

Bloodletting is not ineffective at all. If you have a dangerous bacterial infection, and have no sulfa drugs and no modern antibiotics, bloodletting is a good idea. You are reducing iron availability. Human tissue can cope with low iron. Bacteria need quite a bit of it critically to reproduce.

[FreeFull]

On the other hand, you're weakening your patient's body in a way that likely isn't good for their immune system.

[Xeoncross]

Sounds like Chemo

[Xeoncross]

In theory Chemotherapy is a research-backed approach. In practice it is simply the best we have for those that reject proper nutrition and exercise.

For example, Colon cancer has a 1.8% success rate with Chemotherapy and Lung cancer has a 1% success rate.

That is pretty abysmal research.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15630849

[tsotha]

>In theory Chemotherapy is a research-backed approach. In practice it is simply the best we have for those that reject proper nutrition and exercise.

Cancer is the result of DNA damage, which you can get from viruses, chemicals (of all types), sunlight, and even background radiation. Plus, I suspect, random errors in DNA transcription. That's why your body has multiple overlapping systems to detect and destroy cancerous cells.

The idea you'll never get cancer if you just eat right and exercise is a fool's hope - if you don't die of something else first you'll get cancer.

And yes, chemo isn't ideal, but it will normally stretch your life out some. It's certainly not the best we have in all cases - there are targeted drugs for some cancers now.

[task_queue]

What kinds of cancer does proper nutrition and exercise cure?

[meric]

Well, on average, it does give you more time, that is of better quality than chemotherapy.

[yvdriess]

Not the one Steve Jobs got.

[serf]

parent said proper nutrition, not "faith-based fruitarianism".