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The Eight Important Points of Cancer (10) – Afterword

The manuscript for this pamphlet was written two years ago in New York I’d hoped to publish an English version but could not find a com- < petent translator. This past spring I returned to Taiwan where JDI’. Lee Huan—shen of the National Chinese Medical Research Association read the manuscript and urged me to pubh’sh it. He added, ‘An‘ appendix of herbal prescriptions would certainly help many.” I replied, “This is a painful subject for me. A while back my teacher, Ch’ien Ming-shan wrote the lines:

I have a golden pill to bestow upon the world.

But people see mere dog feces.

Cancer is constantly changing and never limited to a single symptom—static prescriptions never cure an illness in flux, and may even cause some harm.” He replied, “If this is the case, why not first experiment on animals and examine the varying effects? Then you can prove the applications and publish the results.” But animal experiments are useless because their physical make—up is different from man, nor do I agree with laboratory testing of animals. Chinese medicine establishes a relationship between doctor and patient, and mutual assistance is imperative. Its effectiveness lies in attacking, scattering, draining, or supplementing a situation, and it brings the patient m’to proper balance. I trust my methods—they never harm the patient or involve a great expense. If the patient has undergone surgery for stomach or intestinal cancer or has hard part of the uterus or breast removed, and the cancer returns, additional surgery may be prohibitive. The surgeon Will’ be helpless and the patient can only await death. At this pom’t I would tell myself to courageously fight on and treat the patient while dispensing with any monetary profit. If my labors are not totally effective, I Will have at least tried as sincerely as if he were my own family—— nor would I have injured him, either.

From my forty years of experience, I’ve found that 70 to 80 percent of cancer patients can be cured, with 50 percent having complete recovery. If the world could see these results, Chinese medicine would become more acceptable, benefiting not only cancer patients but all mankind.

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 (5) – Causes

The ancients believed cancer resulted from mental anxiety or phys- ical suppression. Not everyone suffers from abnormal anxiety, but suppression is common. I would like to summarize a few points concerning this.

The stomach can easily become suppressed. As “Illness enters through the mouth,” the stomach is the first organ any illness contacts. If you get stomach pains from overeating or eating too fast, the discomfort is easily surmised. Worrying when eating, however, make, your stomach suppressed and you will experience stomach discomfort that seems to spontaneously appear. Foods too rich, fatty, sweet, dry, watery, and oily can cause indigestion, suppressing the stomach and slowly leading to an illness. An improper diet can cause suppression even without mental anxiety. Cancer can come from suppression alone.

What is suppression? Suppression means there is an internally repleting fire, which may exhibit no external manifestation. Imagine a pan full of oil. This oil will burst into flames when the temperature reaches a certain point, which a lid quickly extinguishes. Now, however, the flame is locked inside. The suppressed ch’i fire aroused from your liver can move into any organ and cause suppression. You must vent your anger and relieve your temper or else suppressed containment influences the remaining organs—which slowly causes cancer.

Everybody is talking about nutrition though few understand it. Nutrition is a complicated subject—any misunderstandings can result in serious consequences. Chinese medicine uses the word “supplement” to indicate nutrition. There are many methods of supplementation and all require the advice of an experienced physician. Incorrect supplementation of the chest, abdomen, or the circulatory system could result in serious injury. Today, everyone thinks their nutrition is deficient. many will’ tell you to eat more variety, take supplementary pill’s, even intravenous dietary injections! These people are certainly confused and may eventually fall ill. They are good-will killers and more dangerous than a mediocre doctor. Do not be strung along blindly regardless of their good intentions.

There is another frightening condition which is self-inflicted. It occurs when a person is struck by cancer’s overwhelming fear. This comes from the shadowless regions, is born from nothingness, and instills fear; by day you worry and at night thoughts roam your mind. The fear of cancer must be approached with caution. I will discuss the topic in the chapter concerning cancer prevention. Remember, suppression is the leading cause of cancer and is responsible for more cases than negligent self-examination or mistake doctor’s analysis.

Summary: Suppression alone can cause cancer and other illness. It is like obstructed fire, suppressed within.

Q: Can inappropriate nutrition result in suppression?

A: Suppression resulting from inappropriate nutrition is a minor illness.

source: Master of Five Excellences 

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The Eight Important Points of Cancer (4) – Nature and Composition

Chinese medicine distinguishes every illness by nature, yin or yang, and by composition, depleting (draining) or repleting (filling). A yin—nature illness should be depleting, yang should be repleting.4 When a symptom corresponds to the nature and course of an illness. we say it “moves according to its proper course,” and it is not severe. When they fail to correspond we say the illness “moves contrary to its proper course.” and it will be severe.

Historical medical records show that cancer was rare and unusual. The first symptoms of simple bumps correspond to yin/depleting illnesses such as boils, which when drained cause some pain–sometimes requiring stitches to close the wound. When a cancer bump is opened, however, there is great pain. Inside are small holes which secrete large amounts of vile pus—conditions not evident of yin/ depleting illnesses. After the lesions are broken it is evident the illness is a yang/repleting one. This situation is contrary to the diagnosis prior to rupturing the boil and shows a significant “contrary” illness.

Now we understand some of the doubts and difficulties the physician encounters with this complicated illness. Dr. Yang showed great vision when he created the character for cancer. Cancer belongs to the yang/repleting variety and contains a suppressed energy. This energy is like a closed pot on the stove; when the heat is turned up too high, the fire is locked within, though the pot’s exterior may show no trace of the heat. If the physician can correctly diagnose the signals coming from inside, the nature and composition of the illness will be evident and its cure easier.

Summary: Externally yin and internally yang shows an illness proceeding contrary-wise. When a fire is suppressed inside, the body should not be cut open.

Q: After breaking, how do the nature and composition alter?

A: Exactly opposite—~the external becomes repleting and the internal becomes depleting.

source: Master of Five Excellences 

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The Eight Important Points of Cancer (3) – Symptoms

Cancer can attack any area of the body. During Tang and Sung times, doctors noticed that most men suffered in the abdominal area, while women suffered in breast and uterus. The head, face, and extremities were the least afflicted. Cancer of the blood, or leukemia, of the nervous system, and other areas are modern afflictions and will not be discussed here.

One of the first symptoms of cancer is plain, white bumps which neither hurt nor itch; they have no particular sensation and arouse no suspicion. The patient usually seeks medical attention once these bumps enlarge. This development may take anywhere from a few months to a year or even ten years—individual health and environment prohibit generalizations. These enlarged bumps become painful as they begin to constrict blood vessels, precipitating a slight paralysis or restricted limb movement. The patient Will exhibit an emaciated appearance resulting from diminished appetite—evidence of a critical situation. The bumps may, however, exhibit no sensation until broken. Large amounts of pus drain from the wound and the patient experiences stinging pain. Sleeping and eating diminish, and a painful death is imminent. Anesthetics are administered around the clock and the patient survives but a few days. Cancer is by far the most painful and frightening disease known to man. It is unbearable to watch someone suffer and die from it or even listen to accounts of cancer sufferers.

Summary: When the bumps first develop they are ignored because they neither hurt nor itch. As they enlarge, soreness shows the swelling is constricting blood vessels. At this point the illness is quite serious.

Q: After the lesions are broken, can we just suture the hole?

A: Yes, but only a knowledgeable doctor can suture the wound while draining the pus, all the while supplementing the patient’s ch’i.

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