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The Eight Important Points of Cancer (9) – Prevention

“The best doctor cures those not yet ill.” This is preventative medicine. You can cure any future illnesses if you receive qualified advice today. Sixty to seventy percent of cancer is self-inflicted through lifestyle—so preventative medicine is the best cure. The following are a few points on preventative medicine.

First, the Classic on Internal Medicine states, “Illness enters through the mouth,” so eat at certain times and in definite amounts—and watch what you eat! The ancients said, “Your meat should not over- come the meal’s substance.n9 Avoid foods that are rich, fatty, sweet, fragrant, or parched; stay away from foods too soft or oily and eliminate snacks! Drink some liquids before going to bed and after waking up; eat foods that help your digestion. Don’t eat more than 70% full at breakfast or dinner—at lunch you may enjoy yourself and eat up to 80%. Liquids benefit our yin while solids benefit your yang. These are the teachings of the wise Chinese men of old. The dietary habits of Americans are totally opposite to this. One should eat more at lunch because movement assists digestion. After dinner we are generally inactive, so a large evening meal confines our digestive system and an illness may slowly accumulate. Such a diet goes against the Tao of proper living. A balanced diet not only strengthens our stomach and spleen systems but also prevents cancer and other illnesses.

Second, the I Ching says, “As nature is always creatively active, so too the noble man constantly improves himself.” This same idea is expressed in the proverb, “A moving hinge doesn’t rust, running water doesn’t smell.” Without proper exercise anyone may quickly become old and infirm. During the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD) the legendary Hua T’o created the Five Animal Frolics, whose main exercises are exhibited in the two postures, The Constant Bear and The Stretching Bird. These movements help us to digest grains. Unfortunately, Hua T’o was innocently executed and left behind a single disciple, who fled into seclusion and reportedly died a youthful 120. It is a shame that their art of longevity was lost to the world. During the later Sung Dynasty (960—1279 AD), Chang San-feng created taichi, an exercise that surpasses even Hua T’o’s exercises.

About forty years ago I contracted tuberculosis and was near death. I began this exercise and not only quickly recovered, but also eliminated a hundred other minor illnesses—my body soon possessed the flexibility of a child. T’aichi relaxes the sinews and vessels and harmonizes the blood with chi. It is impossible for a taichi student to become suppressed, so cancer cannot gain a foothold. These are some of the benefits I have received from taichi, the worlds finest cancer prevention exercise.

Third, the medical classics say that like species can assist one another—but this is not true with the liver; the liver should never be supplemented. This liver is called the General of Fire and easily becomes suppressed. The ancients had other methods for dealing with the liver; separating, scattering, draining, softening, nourishing, comforting, dampening, etc. During spring all vegetation is alive, expanding and diffusing itself. The liver is correlated with the element wood because it too has a nature that enlarges itself. When we butcher a chicken, pig, cow, or lamb, the suppressed ch’i of their body enters the liver. In ancient times, when people were much more in touch with nature, men even died after eating liver in the spring!

Today, many doctors and herbalists prescribe liver remedies to supplement their patient’s blood. This provides quick relief and quick profit, but may actually precipitate an illness. Few are aware of this, and in recent years I’ve seen a daily increase in the number of cases involving inflammation of the liver, cirrhosis of the liver, and liver cancer. I suggest one method of cancer prevention is to stop taking supplementary doses of liver pills indiscriminately.

Fourth, the virtuous and wise men of old all followed the I Ching, “Find peace in nature, trust your fate.” If you possess this inner peace, then my previous three points on preventing cancer can be ignored, as this alone is the greatest and best method. How do you find peace in nature and understand fate? Start by eliminating desires and following what is natural. Trust your fate, for where there is life, there is death—don’t destroy yourself. Follow your original nature and pursue a quiet, reflective life. Then cancer will never harm you.

Summary: In ancient times, the best doctor cured those not yet ill, and the noble man never rested in improving himself.

Q: Does taichi really possess such marvelous application? Does the liver really possess such harmful potential?

A: Taichi is like swimming on dry land; it relaxes the sinews, opens the vessels, harmonizes the ch’i with the blood, and benefits both mind and body. It surpasses the benefits of swimming with none of its harmful side effects. With taichi, eradicating disease and lengthening your life are within reach. Eating liver directly supplements your liver. The Classic on Internal Medicine says, “Like species supplement each other,” and the I Ching says, “Similar ch’i search each other out.” But the Classic on Internal Medicine also says, “Do not supplement the liver.” Liver was aligned with the element wood to show its proclivity to spread or enlarge. Too much fertilizer under the tree hardens the wood; this is similar to cirrhosis of the liver and other disorders we see today.

source: Master of Five Excellences 

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The Eight Important Points of Cancer (7) – Treatment

There are two schools of thought in treating illness—the orthodox and the alternative methods. This distinction arose because of the variety of healing methods, including: acupuncture, acupressure, massage, shaman incantation, stone probe, surgery, breathing exercises, {and many others. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic on Internal Medicine says that herbal prescription is the only orthodox methodology— and this classic expounds the best method for treating the root of any illness. Unfortunately, Chinese medicine is seriously neglected—not only have we yet to recover from attacks by foreign governments, but we must also bear the brunt of our country’s cultural destruction by ignorant compatriots, bringing Chinese medicine to the brink of extinction. Nobody cares that we possess a cure for cancer, and if they did, few would truly accept the treatment in its entirety.

Eradicating the root of an illness combines correct diagnosis with proper herbal administration. Then there must be both a reason and a way to expel the illness. This may include: scattering, dispersing, vomiting, perspiring, purging, supplementing, or draining-each prescription has its own method of attack. With cancer I first calm the patient and revitalize the blood, relaxing any depressed, suppressed ch’i. Externally I apply a medicinal application to scatter the obstructed bumps; this is attacking the enemy from within and without—winning back occupied territory. If I try to subdue the disease or control it by force with harsh medication, or if surgical utensils are used as if I were arming the troops, I will encounter stiff resistance. Surgery is a gamble where everything depends on one roll of the dice.

The doctor who follows the orthodox methodology is like the legendary Yu the Great who instituted a system of canals and waterways to prevent floods; he accomplished his Imperial mission by channeling off the flood waters. If we imitate his father, who tried to control the waters by merely building dams, we too will suffer a shameful defeat.

Summary: Like Yu the Great who channeled the flood waters, the doctor must disperse and lead away the illness. Cancer cannot be controlled with harsh medication.

Q: What are the fundamental principles of orthodox treatment? Did the ancient prescriptions follow such methods? Are these methods effective?

A: Cancer develops gradually, so urgent treatment is ineffective, it must be channeled away and allowed to change its composition. The proper sequence employed in the orthodox methodology is to first lead the illness away from the area and then diminish its power by scattering it. If the illness has developed to where this is no longer possible, try to change it internally; take the wood away from the pot and halt its advance. This will change its purulent composition, and blunt the pain while safely dispelling the lesions.

source: Master of Five Excellences 

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The Eight Important Points of Cancer (6) – From First Sensation to Development and the Mistake of Procrastination

The symptoms of serious abdominal lesions include plain bump which neither hurt nor itch: similar to abdominal swelling due to constipation, phlegmatic lumps, the inner lumps of lymphadentitis, various bone ulcers and their accompanying ulcers, and cancer. All these illnesses have similar symptoms which must be diagnosed quickly and correctly by a qualified physician—procrastination can lead to serious complications. The early symptoms of cancer are usually ignored, and any noticeable development may take anywhere from a few months to a year, possibly ten years—my experience has shown me that cancer has no defined parameter.

Until forty years ago few people had cancer in China—and those who did, experienced only gradual development, whether it was of the stomach, breast, or uterus. Unfortunately, many were told to allow the bumps to grow and to disperse them only after several years. When I was young, my aunt contracted cancer and waited six years before breaking the bumps, causing her great pain. The bumps contained small holes which excreted a thick, foul—smelling pus. My mother told me, “Ninety percent of cancer patients die, that is how difficult it is to cure.” My aunt then went back and forth between various doctors for over two years before the pain gradually decreased. After that she rarely needed help and did not die until twenty years later.

During the war I lived in Chungkin’g where Ts’ai Chi-t’ou and I were studying herbal medicine. When Mr. Ts’ai was young he would follow his mother gathering medicinal herbs, and the stories he told still retain their flavor. His aunt had also contracted breast cancer. A herbal medication was applied to the bumps, which then dispersed. She lived another twenty to thirty years, well into her seventies.

Today, the number of cancer patients is so high and their stage of development so advanced that it is difficult to save even one in a thousand. What is different today from the days when my mother said one in ten could be cured? Although I’ve studied Chinese herbal medicine a long time, I still cannot answer that question. Hua T’o once said, “Any illness can be cured, but you cannot cheat fate.”

Many people fall ill prior to developing cancer due to their suppressed emotions—this energy must be allowed to escape through relaxation and recreation. When cancer is discovered it is vitally important not to worry. A wise man remarked, “Not having to dispense herbs is true Chinese medicine.” Trust your body’s ability to cure itself; this is ten times better than visiting even a famous doctor. Regular diet and exercise can work miracles. Early to bed, early to rise; relax and forget your troubles by the lakes and rivers; place aside preconceived notions of life or death. If we can do this I have no doubt nine out of ten cancer patients can be cured.

In dealing with cancer I use an internist’s approach. Cancer arises from suppression so I prescribe herbs that relax the contained chi and allow the energy to scatter and disperse, stopping the illness’s advance. Failing to advance, it recedes naturally. There is an old saying, “When you view the strange as if it were normal, its peculiarities naturally break down.”” I have cured many patients regardless of their condition, and all that I require is trust. I do not approve of radiation or chemotherapy. I have seen too many treated with far too few results. Many surgeons even undertake exploratory surgery to analyze the condition! But metal instruments should never touch cancer cells. For thousands of years Chinese medicine has recorded illnesses that should not contact metal objects and that worsen once the body is cut. These include lymphadentitis, phlegmal lumps, internal ulcers and their accompanying ulcers, bone ulcers, cancer, “fish eye” boils, carbuncle boils and others—none should contact metallic instruments. These diseases are clearly documented and I mention them only for reference.

Finally, don’t procrastinate! Do shun surgery except in unavoidable conditions. I hope internal medicine can advance as quickly as surgery. I stand to watch its progress.

Summary: The best cure for any illness is found within yourself. If the illness has progressed, follow the internist’s method. Herbs can scatter the suppression.

Q: Why was cancer so rare in ancient time? Why did it progress slower than today? And how did sufferers live longer?

A: Life was simpler and without the stress people feel today. Fame and fortune were not obsessions, nor did the ancient cultures have our modern drive for progress. Dietary and sleeping habits were reg- ular, and social interaction was relaxed. With less to worry about, cancer was rare. When people did contract it, most paid it no atten- tion. It caused no fear and so developed slowly.

Today, many doctors begin exploratory surgery without realizing that cancer is an illness that should not touch metal, and the battlefront becomes ablaze. Afterward radiation and chemotherapy are employed to control its development. After surgery the cancer cells mobilize within the body, and if completely eliminated the patient lives but a few years longer. If there is any metastasis, the patient’s condition worsens immediately and there is nothing left to do.

source: Master of Five Excellences 

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The Eight Important Points of Cancer – Introduction

In the Analects it says, “The Master was cautious in matters religious, military, and medical.” Caution in treating illnesses was deemed more important than sincere prayer or solemn marches. This prudence was mentioned in the Analects: “When K’ang—tzu sent Confucius a present of medicine, Confucius said, ‘If I don’t know what it’s for, I won’t take it. These two examples describe the oncologists responsibilities

Cancer attacks mankind more ferociously than a tiger—what can doctors do to relieve the danger? Vimalakirti said, “If the people are sick, I too am sick. Only when everyone is healthy will I too be healthy.” Such lofty ideals are rarely brought to fruition. Simply empathizing with a patient’s suffering would offer results to make any oncologist feel like a victorious general or a placated spirit. I make no assumption on the universality of my shallow theories but only hope that the specialists will research a cure diligent till death. Many lives may yet be saved.

I wrote this pamphlet for use as a handy reference guide based only on my humble experience. Eastern and Western medicine certainly take different approaches, but I am convinced we can apply each other’s methodology without harmful effects. If we make some mistakes, the wise and intelligent will correct us—this is not just one man’s dream!

Ah! but Western medicine seems to kill more than it cures, and yet more and more people even in the East are relying on it. Many doctors are selfish and remain aloof from the world‘s suffering. They forget that every single person, young and old, is a potential cancer victim—even themselves. Let us erect the banner “Benevolent heart, compassionate art,” and work to keep people alive. Can anyone disregard these ideals and practice medicine with selfish motives, enjoying the pleasures of life and remaining oblivious to suffering? Any oncologist who possesses the talent but lacks the compassion to find a cure for cancer is simply not a man. Hence I say:

Cleanse your mind of grandiose ambition,

with hope lies our inevitable success. Tear down all preconceptions,

embrace ideals as wide as a ravine. Collect all ideas, broaden all benefits,

cool springs lie all around.

I dream of the day when I can set aside my doctor’s responsibilities and the world embraces health, peace, and prosperity.

June, 1964
Cheng Man-ch’ing
New York

source: Master of Five Excellences