The Cure for Breast Cancer May Have Arrived but Big Pharma isn't Interested

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Paul Stamets is one of the world’s foremost experts on fungi and his astonishing work is so groundbreaking that he has even been called “a man who could actually save the world”. In addition to discovering diverse applications for fungi including the cleanup of radioactive contamination, he is also involved in two NIH-funded clinical studies on cancer and HIV treatments using mushrooms as adjunct therapies.

In 2009, Paul’s 84 year old mother was given less than 3 months to live after her breast cancer metastasized (spread) throughout her body. Her doctor said it was one of the most severe cases she had ever seen in 20 years of practice. After radiation treatment and mastectomy were ruled out, doctors said there was nothing else they could do for her and that she should prepare for the end. After trying Taxol (Paclitaxel) (a chemotherapy treatment made from Yew trees) unsuccessfully, they decided to try Herceptin (Trastuzumab), together with Turkey Tail Fungus at 8 capsules per day.

They weren’t exactly hopeful, but turkey tail fungus had shown some remarkable results in lab testing and researchers had noted a “dose-dependent increase in production of natural killer cells” (anticancer cells in the body). So having little to lose, they gave it a try.



After six months – and to this day – Paul Stamets’ mother is completely cancer free. No detectable tumors whatsoever.

This is a MAJOR LEAGUE dramatic cure – absolutely remarkable news!

So – what is Turkey Tail Fungus and what makes researchers think that it has the potential to cure cancer?

What Is Turkey Tail Fungus?

Image: wikipedia.org

Turkey Tail Fungus (Trametes versicolor aka. Coriolus versicolor, Polyporus versicolor, Yun Zhi, Kawaratake) is a common type of polypore mushroom (bracket fungus) that is found in forests (growing on wood) all over the world. [1]

It has been used for thousands of years in China to make a medicinal tea. In recent years, researchers are starting to take notice in a big way and the evidence from animal and lab studies that Turkey Tail Fungus (TTF) strengthens the immune system is sufficient that the FDA has approved clinical trials, allowing its use as an adjunct to chemotherapy in advanced prostate cancer cases. [2]

How Does TTF Fight Against Cancer Cells?

The principal active components in Turkey Tail Fungus are Polysaccharides (a fascinating, complex group of compounds) – such as Polysaccharide-K (aka PSK). There is a significant body of evidence to support PSK’s anticancer activity in in vitro, in vivo and in human clinical trials – for treatment of gastric, esophageal, colorectal, breast and lung cancers. [3]

PSK appears not to be the only active ingredient (another argument for whole plant extracts!) Remarkable results are appearing in several studies for polysaccharopeptide (PSP). [4] In one astonishing study from the Queensland University of Technology, polysaccharopeptide (PSP) extracted from TTF was found to target prostate cancer stem cells and be 100% effective in suppressing tumor formation in mice. [5]


According to Stamets; TTF has an action that boosts the immune system’s response, producing more of the “killer” T-cells and other defense mechanisms that attack cancerous cells and protect the body. To quote one scientific review “The immunomodulating action of mushroom polysaccharides is to stimulate natural killer cells, T-cells, B-cells, neutrophils, and macrophage dependent immune system responses.” [6]

Stamets’ statements about cancer are knowledgeable: “We all have cancer all the time… nature is a numbers game, cancer is a numbers game. How many coefficients can you get on your side of the game that will result in your surviving cancer?” [7] This is accurate according to current thinking: We do in fact always have cancer cells inside us – but the body’s immune response is what keeps them in check under normal circumstances. However should the immune system become weakened or otherwise “outnumbered”, then the cancer cells can take hold and the disease can manifest.

Stamets goes on to explain that the cancer is cloaked from the immune system and that the body’s natural defense “killer cells” cannot find binding sites on the skin of the tumors. The mushroom extracts appear to allow the body’s natural killer cells to invade and destroy the tumors. [8]

Herbalism appears to be one of the forms of medicine with the greatest hopes in the quest for cancer cures. Were you aware that 73% of all accepted cancer medicines are derived from natural products? [9] In addition, hundreds of other studies and lab tests have demonstrated anti-cancer effects of various plants – yet these studies, often underfunded, do not often reach the human trial stage.

Source: herbs-info.com

References:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trametes_versicolor (also includes several links to scientific studies

[2] http://www.bastyr.edu/news/general-news/2012/11/fda-approves-bastyr-turkey-tail-trial-cancer-patients

[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysaccharide-K

[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=polysaccharopeptide

[5] http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-05-mushroom-compound-suppresses-prostate-tumors.html

[6] Ren L, Perera C, Hemar Y. “Antitumor activity of mushroom polysaccharides: a review.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22865023

[7] Paul Stamets – The Future Is Fungi (Video) @ 1:21:40

[8] Paul Stamets – The Future Is Fungi (Video) @ 1:22:29

[9] Paul Stamets – The Future Is Fungi (Video) @ 1:20:30