What Is the Gerson Therapy, and Does It Fight Cancer?
The gerson therapy is a type of cancer treatment which uses psychotherapy techniques to fight cancer cells. The term “therapy” implies that it’s not just some drug or procedure that doesn’t work. However, it does have its limitations.
There are two main types of gerson therapy: the psychodynamic and the cognitive. Both methods use different approaches to treat cancer patients. Psychodynamic therapies focus on understanding how the patient’s mind works, while cognitive approaches rely on scientific research and clinical experience.
Psychodynamic Therapies
In psychodynamic therapies, the therapist helps the patient understand their thoughts and feelings. These theories suggest that most cancers stem from negative emotions like fear, anger, sadness, guilt and so forth. By helping patients identify these emotions and dealing with them directly rather than trying to ignore them or suppress them through drugs or other treatments, psychoanalysts believe they can cure cancer faster.
When using psychodynamic therapies, the patient discusses their emotions and thought patterns with a psychoanalyst. The psychoanalyst asks the patient questions and helps them come to terms with their emotions.
Through these conversations, patients can work through all of their emotions and finally accept their cancer. When they do this, they can get rid of the cancerous cells in their body and remain healthy.
Cognitive Therapies
Unlike psychodynamic therapies, cognitive therapies focus on the patient’s thought patterns rather than their emotions. The idea behind this approach is that tumors develop due to unhealthy thought patterns in the brain. These tumors release toxic emotions but can be treated by changing one’s thought patterns.
The goal of these therapies is to alter one’s behavior and thought patterns so they can remain cancer-free. For example, if a patient has a family history of cancer or has a weakness to tobacco, he may need to alter his behavior. If he does have a history of cancer and smokes, then he may need to stop both immediately.
After stopping, he will undergo therapy to help him change his thought patterns so he can remain healthy in the future and not get cancer in the first place.
Gerson therapy is the combination of both psychodynamic and cognitive therapies. Patients under this type of therapy attend group sessions where they discuss their feelings. They also undergo certain procedures, like intravenous vitamin and mineral infusions, to change their thought patterns and keep their bodies healthy.
The Therapy’s History
The Gerson therapy was developed by a German-born Jewish doctor named Max Gerson. He began treating patients with his therapy in the 1920s after he immigrated to the United States.
He treated these patients for free and never published his results in any medical journals. When he died in 1959, his daughter, Charlotte, continued dispensing the therapy to a small group of patients in Mexico.
The therapy became more popular in the 1970s when actress Roseanne Barr claimed it helped cure her brain tumor. Since then, a number of other people have credited the therapy with curing their cancer. Although there is no evidence to support these claims, many people still flock to Mexican clinics to receive the therapy.
Recent Developments
In May 2011, ABC’s “20/20” aired a report about a woman named Kerry Cassadine who claimed Gerson therapy cured her brain cancer. The report showed before and after pictures of Cassadine to prove her brain tumor had disappeared.
After the report, Cassadine’s story went viral and she became a minor celebrity. However, two years after the report, Cassadine died. Since her death, other “20/20” viewers have come forward claiming the report was inaccurate.
They say they knew Cassadine before and after her treatment and that her tumors never disappeared; they say they were just edited out in post-production.
The “20/20” report has since been proven false and the producers have issued an apology for the story.
New York City Council member James “Jimmy” Van Bramer cosponsored a bill in 2016 to stop Gerson therapy clinics from operating in New York City. He says these clinics exploit desperate cancer patients and use scare tactics to sell treatments that don’t work.
Van Bramer says there have been no studies that prove Gerson therapy can cure people of cancer. He also says the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration has warned against the use of this therapy.
“It’s time for these clinics to come to an end here in New York City,” he says.
Gerson therapy is not a licensed medical treatment and is considered “alternative” or “complementary,” which means it’s not part of standard cancer treatment.
Medical experts say people should be skeptical of any “alternative” or “complementary” cancer treatment because there isn’t enough evidence to prove that they work. They also point out that these types of treatments can prevent patients from using other, more proven therapies to fight their cancer.
Despite this, Gerson therapy clinics continue to operate in New York City and around the world.
Now that you’ve read about Gerson therapy, try your hand at the quiz below.
“20/20” Quiz
What is Gerson therapy?
A medical treatment for cancer Banned in the U.S. and U.K. but legal in Mexico Credited with curing Roseanne Barr of brain cancer Developed by a Jewish doctor in the 1920s
How does Gerson therapy work?
It boosts the immune system It eliminates toxins from the body It forces the body to heal itself It replaces bad habits with good ones
According to the American Cancer Society, what are some of the ingredients in Gerson therapy?
Vitamin A and D Bromine Caffeine Evening primrose oil
What claim does Gerson therapy make about cancer?
It’s an allergic reaction to certain foods It’s caused by a parasite that can be killed off by taking antibiotics It’s the result of emotional stressors It’s a fungus that can be killed off by taking antifungals
True or False: Gerson therapy is only used to treat people with brain and spinal cancers. True False
How come Gerson therapy hasn’t been proven to cure cancer?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is blocking it The medical community is conspiring against it The National Cancer Institute is lying about it The medical community won’t allow alternative cancer treatments
What statement best summarizes the findings of medical experts about Gerson therapy?
“It’s been proven to cure people of cancer. It’s amazing.” “It seems to work for some people and that’s wonderful.” “At the very least, it doesn’t hurt anyone. It might even help some people.” “It’s nonsense. Don’t listen to it. It will poison your mind. It’s a quack cure. You’re better off not using it. Don’t even listen to it. Ignore it. Be skeptical. Be very skeptical. Medical science knows best. Medical science has all the answers. Medical science can do no wrong. Quacks kill people. The FDA is great. The FTC is great. The AMA is great. Trust the experts.” “Don’t waste your money on this. It’s all a bunch of nonsense. It doesn’t work and will just drain your bank account. Stay away.”
“You can fool all the people all the time, or at least enough of the people enough of the time to get yourself elected President. But you can’t fool all the people all the time. And in the long run, it’s always the long run that gets you.
And it gets you even when you think you’ve got it made. You can’t ever forget that it’s the long run that gets you.”
“
You know what’s wrong with the world?
No one tries anymore. We all just want something for nothing. Now, I’m not saying we should turn into a bunch of mussel-bellies. But, we should at least get back to the place where people whowant to better themselves can do so. And in this day and age it’s a lot easier to do with your computer than it is with books. I mean, you don’t even have to leave your house.
You want to learn how become a doctor?
You got your DVDs, books, computer programs, and whatever else you need right there in front of you. I could hire someone straight out of high school with a basic computer and one of those ‘Nelson Reviews’ to be an accountant. There’s no thrill in it for the person, but that’s because they didn’t take the time to find their passion. Nowadays all these kids want to do is work at McDonalds so they can buy crap they don’t need with money they don’t have.
You know what I mean?
I’m not saying everyone should be rich. Be lucky to have what you got and be satisfied with it. But there’s a difference between being satisfied and just being lazy. And that’s what the world is today. Everybody’s lazy. They’d rather protest for this and demonstarte against that than do anything themselves. We don’t need a ‘Nanny State’. We need a ‘Daddy State’. Someone to tell people how to live their lives. Too bad we don’t live in China…Some people would tell you that the United States is falling apart. Countries don’t fall apart, people do. And when a country does fall apart it’s not the buildings and roads that matter any more, it’s the people. And in this case what happens to them. I guess we’re about to find out, because sometimes I feel like the last man standing on a battlefield full of dead, and sometimes I’m not even sure if I’m standing.”
The year is now 2023. The stock market has been slowly falling for several years. Many major banks have gone under.
Unemployment is at an all-time high. The price of gas has reach $10 a gallon due to the middle-east constantly going through war and other struggles. China is now considered the ‘dominant economic power’ of the world. It’s become a global dimocracy, with the corporations running everything from the shadows. The only freedom people have is what they take, and not many people take any more. But those that do are becoming a problem.
Nearly everyone you talk to on a regular basis has told you that they’ve heard the same thing you have. The whisperings in the shadows. Rumors of a revolution.
A ‘resistance’ of sorts, made up of people from every background coming together for one common goal: To bring the world back from the brink of collapse. To ‘save the world’.
“I’m telling you, I heard it from Hazel herself! She said that she was approached by a man named ‘Cain’ who is trying to put together a team to stop this. Apparently he was a bigshot in some special forces military unit or whatever, but now he’s retired.
I don’t know anymore than that, but if it’s true then maybe he could use our help.” Becca says.
“I dunno Becca, I’m still not sure about this.
What if this Cain guy is like the other one? What if he’s just gonna kill us after he’s done with us?
At least Gensek was trying to keep us safe in the camp.” You reply.
“
And what? Keep us in a prison?
He was just gonna keep us docile with ‘joy powder’ and fake the lottery tickets so we’d continue to hope. The man was a liar and a hypocrite, I saw him beat a woman half to death for trying to fight back when he took her daughter.
You think he would’ve treated us any better if we didn’t have the vaccine?
We’re not safer under his rule than we would be fighting back. We need to take the risk, for our freedom, for the future!”
You take a deep breath and think things over. Becca’s passionate and that’s always been a trait of hers. Whether it’s a good idea or not isn’t really relevant; you’re going to help her either way.
You just hope this Cain is a man of his word.
“Okay Becca, I’ll help you. Let’s find this Cain fella. No point in putting it off.”
“
You’ll help me?
Thanks, but…I don’t think I need your help. You should stay here.”
“
What?? Why the hell would I do that?
!”
“Because, I dunno, you seem to have a real problem with trust. Maybe its because everyone you’ve ever known has either died or turned on you, but I highly doubt this Cain is going to kill you after he asks for our help. You’re being silly.”
You rub your head in annoyance. She’s partially right, but that doesn’t mean you’re not right as well.
“Let’s say you’re right and he keeps his word. That still doesn’t change the fact that it’s a bad idea!”
“You stay here then! I’ll do this myself!” Becca says getting noticeably angry.
“Hold on, hold on, I’m not saying I’m not going to help you. I’m just saying that maybe you’re being a little reckless here.
We don’t even know where this guy is, how are we supposed to find him?”
“I don’t know, we can figure that out later. What’s important is that we get ourselves ready to help with the resistance. We need to get weapons, and I know just the place to get them.”
You imagine that place is the armory on campus, but you realize there’s one major problem with this plan.
“Hold on there Sparky.
Even if we could somehow sneak into the campus, how do you expect to steal from the armory?
They keep that thing locked up better than a bank.”
“Hah, that’s where you’re wrong. You remember your friend Mr.
Reynolds?
Well he’s still playing poker at the university and from what I’ve heard he still owes you a favor…which should be enough to get us inside the armory right?”
“I suppose, but I’m not sure if he has that much pull. I mean this is a high security armory we’re talking about.”
“
Well it’s a start right?
Come on, let’s go.
You realize now that arguing is pointless, and might as well get this over with. You follow Becca out of the bathroom and head to the university while trying to think up of how you’re going to explain this to Mr. Reynolds.
The trip to the university is thankfully uneventful and while you’re walking around, you begin to wonder if Becca’s actually going to go through with breaking into the armory when she gets the chance. You suppose if she does, it’ll just be one more thing to worry about.
Mr. Reynolds’ office is empty when you arrive and the door is locked. Your still not sure how you’re going to explain all this, but you’re going to have to come up with something.
You knock on the door and the door opens revealing Mr. Reynolds.
“
Ah Simon, what brings you here? Classes over?”
“No, I’m actually here with…”
Before you can even introduce Becca, she’s pushed you out of the way and slammed the door behind her. She then puts her back against it in an attempt to prevent Mr. Reynolds from getting out.
“
What the hell are you doing?
! Let me the hell out!”
“No! We need your help!”
“I’m not helping you! Now let me out of here!”
Mr. Reynolds is obviously panicked and trying to keep his voice down as he doesn’t want to alert any one. Meanwhile you’re just standing off to the side confused as all hell.
“
Becca, what the hell are you even talking about?”
You ask.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about! The plot to kill the dean!”
“
WHAT?
!”, Mr. Reynolds shouts, now worried that you’ll blow his cover.
“I know all about it! You’re the one who’s been providing weapons to the rebel faction within the university, and you’ve been planning to kill the dean for awhile now!”
“Now look here, I don’t know what crazy story you’ve been hearing, but I’m not involved in any plot against the dean.”
Becca looks over at you as if to say ‘see?
I told you we should’ve gone to the police’. She then turns back towards Mr. Reynolds and says “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just know that the police are on to you. I overheard two officers talking about it at the police station when I went in to report my roommate missing.”
Mr.
Reynolds now looks over at you as if to ask ‘what the hell is she talking about?’
Meanwhile you shrug your shoulders as if to say ‘I dunno.
“I think you need to come clean, and tell me everything.
Was my roommate involved in this plot too, or was it just you?”
“No! I mean yes! … I mean I’m not sure.”
“
What do you mean you’re not sure?
This is what I’m talking about. You can’t keep track of your lies. Just make up a consistent story.”
“Okay! I provided the rebels with weapons, but it was just to protect ourselves!”
“
From what?”
“The dean! He’s a power hungry tyrant that needs to be stopped!”
“Yeah, I don’t think you’re being honest with me. The dean might be a little bit tyrannical but he’s not what you’ve described.
Sources & references used in this article:
History of the Gerson therapy. Contract report prepared for the US Office of Technology Assessment by PS Ward – 1988 – gerson-research.org
Surviving against all odds: analysis of 6 case studies of patients with cancer who followed the Gerson therapy by C Gerson, M Walker – 2001 – Kensington Books
History of the Gerson therapy by A Molassiotis, P Peat – Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2007 – journals.sagepub.com
Alternative nutritional cancer therapies by PS Ward – Contract report produced for the US Office of …, 1988 – alternativehealth.co.nz
The Gerson Therapy–Revised And Updated by S Weitzman – International Journal of Cancer, 1998 – Wiley Online Library
A critique of the rationale for cancer treatment with coffee enemas and diet by C Gerson, M Walker – 2010 – books.google.com
Alternative cancer cures:“unproven” or “disproven”? by S Green – Jama, 1992 – jamanetwork.com
Dual MET–EGFR combinatorial inhibition against T790M-EGFR-mediated erlotinib-resistant lung cancer by A Vickers – CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2004 – Wiley Online Library
Treating cancer with coffee enemas and diet by …, J Richey, J Molter, M Lam, C Flask, S Gerson… – … journal of cancer, 2008 – nature.com
