I'll pass on the Chemo, Pass the apricots

An austrailian paper carried the story of Paul Reid last week, who was diagnosed with incurable lymphoma over a decade ago.

He's still alive today. According to him, the secret to his success is apricot kernels - thirty a day.

Reid turned down chemotherapy, vowing to eat himself well. Today, after over 13 years in remission, it's hard to argue the point. He's 68-years old and believes that ''cancer-killing'' properties in the kernels he still eats daily, coupled with a strict vegan diet and prayer, have cured him.

Reid isn't alone. There are a growing number of cancer patients who are looking toward food or other alternative treatments as the key to their survival. The trend is a worrisome one for medical professionals.

That's the party line, fo course, and I don't blame them. Some people are risking their lives by choosing to embark on unproven diets.
Actually, it's not the diets that worry them. Thirty apricot kernals a day isn't going to hurt anyone. Well, unless they choke. But it's the patients who are turning down medical treatment and putting their faith in ''anti-cancer'' diets tht has health care providers running scared.

To naysayers, Reid argues simply this point: ''So what if there's no scientific proof? What has a person to lose by going on an organic diet?'' he asks. ''I don't think my journey has been unscientific, it's just that there's been no science in a big way applied to it.''

It's an interesting argument. And while I am huge supporter of the many wonderful advances in oncology, I also respect each person's right to choose what seem like the best course of treatment for themselves.