Cancer often strikes fear in the hearts of anyone who even hears the word. This is largely due to a lack of knowledge about natural, non-toxic treatments coupled with the abysmal failure of the “Big 3” conventional treatments (chemo, radiation, and surgery). It pays to know everything you possibly can about cancer.
Due to an amazing immune system, our bodies control cancer on a daily basis. But when the immune system is compromised, cancer can gain a foothold.
The term “cancer” describes more than one hundred diseases. A particular form is diagnosed based on where it occurs, the speed of growth, and how it “behaves” in your body. Understanding your risks, knowing how to fight pre-cancerous or cancer cells, and providing your body with proper nutrition to prevent and control the disease are what we’re all about here at The Truth About Cancer.
Doctors use “stages” of cancer to determine and describe the severity of your particular case. No matter how many forms of cancer there are, they share common characteristics that make standard classification possible. Knowing the stage of the cancer found in your body enables your health care provider to formulate a more effective treatment plan and helps you understand your case more clearly. It also helps your loved ones understand the scope of your fight against the disease.
The 4 Stages of Cancer
The 4 stages of cancer can be broken down as follows: Stage 0 means the cancer is in one place. Stage 1 means a small tumor spread to nearby tissue. Stage 2 means the tumor is larger and may have spread. Stage 3 means the cancer may have started to spread to surrounding tissue or lymph nodes in the area. Stage 4 cancer, or metastatic cancer, means it has spread to other organs or areas of the body.
1. Stage 0: This is used to describe cancer in situ, which literally means “in place.” Cancers at this stage are identified according to the location where they initially emerged and multiplied. However, the resulting tumor has not yet spread to nearby tissue. The good news is prognosis for Stage 0 cancer is very high. Natural treatments couples with clean eating (no processed food), and taking steps to boost your immune system are often all that’s needed at this stage to reverse the cancer.
2. Stage 1: This describes a small cancerous tumor that has spread to nearby tissue but not beyond – such as the blood stream or lymph system. Doctors may refer to this as “early stage” cancer and insist on implementing immediate treatment protocol since, at this stage the prognosis is very good using traditional care. Nevertheless, complementary and alternative treatment options should be given top priority at this time as well as healthy changes to diet and personal habits to fight the cancer and prevent its return.
3. Stage 2 and 3: These stages are known as “regional spread” cancers. They indicate that the cancer has expanded and will have embedded itself more deeply into the surrounding tissue. At these stages, cancer cells have entered the blood stream which may lead to detection in the lymph system since cancer cells can get “caught” in the nodes as they travel. Boosting your immune system is crucial at this level since the invasion of your lymph system is likely to trigger an immune response which should in turn shut down the mutations. Stage 2 and 3 indicate a serious cause for concern, but the cancer has not spread to the other organs in the body, so there is still hope.
4. Stage 4: When cancer spreads from the initial site to other organs or areas of the body, it is referred to as “distant spread” cancer, advanced cancer, or metastatic cancer. This type of cancer is more difficult to treat, but not impossible! Attention to complementary modalities, alternative treatments, and healthy changes to your entire lifestyle from habits to diet is critical at this stage for a better chance of survival.
Many forms of cancer can be life threatening, but just as you would defend yourself in a physical altercation, you must be prepared to do the same with cancer.
Understanding your opponent and educating yourself on the best treatments – all available treatments (not just the traditional “Big 3”) – will give you the tools you need to fight, win, and keep cancer at bay.
According to the experts, prevention is more than half the battle. They estimate that at least 50% of all diagnosed cancer treatments could be prevented with a focus on healthy lifestyle choices.
The best way to control cancer is to refuse to allow it to take hold in the first place.
At The Truth About Cancer, we do not believe in giving up hope at any stage of cancer. We believe that as long as you are breathing, your body is able to overcome cancer. Do everything you can to strengthen your defenses. There is always hope. Cancer does NOT have to be a death sentence!
Live your life without the threat of cancer. Go here to be notified each week about new, cutting-edge information that impacts your health.
This article was originally published in February 2015 and has been updated in February 2020.
I just wanted to thank you for all your time and effort spent finding the truth about cancer. It has truly blessed my life and the people around me because I have shared with them what I’ve learned through you. Is there anything I can do to help get the information out? You have truly changed my life and many many others you’re such a blessing and I thank you.
I just want to add what happened to my sister. She had been dealing with melanoma for 14 years, then she had her annual mammogram followed with a biopsy, which gave her the news that she had stage 4 melanoma in her right breast. We had everyone praying, and when she had her next PET scan, it was gone, however her doctor wanted to do something so she agreed to immunotherapy. It was to be 1 infusion for three months. She was okay with the first , but after the second infusion everything changed, she woke up one day with blurred vision, and after that she fell on her back hit the glass slider with her head, I called 911, who said she had to go to hospital, once there the docs said she needed a pacemaker, she had never had heart problems. Her second day in the hospital, she could not speak except gibberish I couldn’t even understand her. It also affected her hearing and cognitive abilities. She was hospitalized for 80 days, no one knew what was wrong they transferred her to a SNF for therapy, she was there for 96 days. After I brought her home she seen the doctor who agreed that all she had been through was due to the immunotherapy. He ordered another PET scan, the next appt he said she had melanoma in both breasts, both lungs, stomach and leg, it had caused the cancer to explode in her body. He put her in hospice at home. This all started in October 2019 and on August 6, 2020 she passed away. I lost the only living relative I had, she was also my best friend. I am still struggling through the grief. The immunotherapy drug was “Opdivo”, she had been given the immunotherapy one other time and did fine with it, that drug was Yervoy. So be careful what drug you take.
Is there a point at which a cancer tumor will begin to spread exponentially? In the series the point was made that if you discover a lump there is no nee to rush to surgery tomorrow as it has taken several years to manifest.
Hi TY, I was surprised to read in the above article that for stage 0 you mention surgery as a good option and for stage 1, traditional treatment options, which I take to mean chemo, radiation and surgery. I thought I have previously read on your site or heard from doctors you have interviewed that surgery was not a good idea and neither were the other two traditional options normally offered by the nmedical community. Your feedback would be appreciated. Thanks
??? do you have eye cancer what are you reading ???
I feel the same as Cindy. I would like feedback too.
Very good point Cindy, I am somewhat confused about that statement now too seeing as it states surgery as being one of the abysmal big 3.
Thank you Cindy, Linda, and Krystel — The information under Stage 0 was not correct. We have updated that. Thanks for bringing that to our attention!
First and foremost cancer is a mutation of the cells. When you get exposed to poisons, they create free radical ions that leads to oxidative stress. This strong oxidation is stealing electrons from the cells and they start to die. But because it’s not their time yet, they try to survive by connecting to healthy cells. This is how it spreads. So the only way to neutralize this strong oxidation is get in even stronger anti-oxidation program. Since the cell is 80% water, it would make sense start drinking a strong anti-oxidant water to restore cellular voltage. The only way to get this water is by ionization.
Oooooo you know what your talking about!!! Wish I could talk to you somehow.
Hi Ty, what is the main solution to pains caused by cancer, right now I am treating lung cancer with the sodium bicarbonate therapy (Dr. Simoncini way). The pains I get really disturbs my rests, especially at night when sleeping. I am presently on codein based pain killers but they seem not to be working. Your feedback woiod be highly appreciated
Hi Sunie,
The best advice we can give you for specific medical questions is to consult with your own healthcare provider or one of the doctors we interviewed in our docu-series. We’ve created a page with the experts contact info as it was available to us. Here’s the link to get their info: http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
I am looking forward to Ty’s response to Cindy’s comments as I feel the same way.
I appreciate you, your wife, and family very much. I am not doing the dreaded 3, was diagnosed with 3b SCLC back in Jan of this year. I have totally rocked my world! From spiritual, to diet, to healthy living and Mother Nature, the Universe, all connected to my God. I am now dealing with a leision in my brain, which is disheartening, but not impossible!! Please think of me as im on my journey, thanks in advance <3 to all
Thank you Ty Bollinger for helping us deal with Cancer, my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in April 2015 and Drs told him that he only had 6 months to a year, he needed to have massive doses of chemo and they were going to remove 1/2 of his lung, our friend got us the Truth About Cancer DVD and the book, we changed our live style and he’s feeling better that ever, we’re doing an immunotherapy trial, but no chemo, radiation or surgery, we visited 10 oncologist and they don’t believe that nutrition, vitamins and minerals work, they are so wrong. Friends keep asking us what are we doing for him to feel so good, and the ones that did traditional protocol unfortunately are gone.
My wife has the same thing just found out 1 month ago she had 1 chemo treatment i want the best for her.what diet is he on there are so many im confused. Thanks so much
Best wishes Mary – hope all continues in a positive way.
Mary Santana Edge what immunotherapy are doctors treating you with?
The metastasis rate of cancer is entirely dependent upon the degree of compromise of the immune system combined with the availability of fuel for cancer cells. For late-stage cancers, an effective tool for resetting the metabolism and starving cancer cells is an extended period of fasting and calorie restriction that forces ketogenesis to provide fuel for the body. Fasting and calorie restriction can help to reverse a trend wherein tumors are beginning to aggressively take hold. When we engage in diet, lifestyle and spiritual practices that enhance our immune response, even a serious cancer can see a return of normal cellular fueling, apoposis and replication.
In all cases, take the situation to heart and make all required changes immediately. The sooner one implements healthful corrections, the better the chance of recovering one’s balance and natural function.
Sir my father is suffering frm brain tumour and this is his four th stage of cancer doctors said it is very difficult how can we save his life
Ty, I want to get your opinion on the Budwig protocol? How do you think this is benifical, say at the stage 4?
Thank you thank you thank. As a result of applying lots of new healthy habits I am regaining my health after rigorous attention to a clean diet, exercise, whole food supplements, and avoiding environmental toxins. I’m a Christian and I believe God used your material to heal me from many severe problems
You might do some research about canabis oil.
What is early pre cancerous stage mean? Is it between 0 and1?
taxifolin / biodihydroquercetin is a poweful natural antioxidant
Hello Mr. Bollinger. First and most of all, I like to thank you so very much for taking this the time and the courage to work in this issue about cancer quest so profoundly and personal, and sharing it with millions of people. I am a mourning mother who lost my son to lymphoma. My wounds are so fresh, and I phase back and ford trying to make sense as per why my son was diagnosed when he was a t stage 4? What could have triggered it to blow up so fast, how long could he have it for, and none of us realized about it till it was so late. I keep banging my head on the wall looking for answers that I provably will never have an answer.
First of all, prevent, cut out all animal product, special meat and dairy, they are so dangerous to the body, I went through some health problems my self, than I cut out all the animal products, now, 1.5 year later, I am healthy and strong like zo never was before, please, go in a plant based diet, whole food is the solution to so many illnesses, doctors don’t learn a lesson t about nutritions, they only learn how to treat a patient with medication!
Is it possible to find out for how long a person have had cancer if the the person was diagnosed at stage 4 (terminal cancer) and died after 10 days of being diagnosed?
Hiii,
My mother is detected with lung cancer, and it is sprdded. V don’t know what to do , whether to give chemo or start with ayurvedic. Which will b good. Dr says its between 3-4 the stage. Need ur best advice.
Shabana,
The best advice we can give you is to consult with one of the doctors/experts that we interviewed in our Global Quest Series. Here is a link to get their information: https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
Wishing you all the best!
What stage or how can a tumor outside for example in liver be. The cancer is outside the liver as a cyst. Chemo is what treatment is given. The treatment is once a week.
I went from 340LBS to under 200 now in about 12 months. Way too much weight loss due to muscle wasting, but eventually it was fat. Over 100 LBS of it. Not the way to diet, but given the alternative of ever being above 300 again, I’ll take it as a consolation prize. I’m wearing skinny jeans for the first time in my life. I was over 6FT tall when I was in 7th grade and weighed like 250 as the lead of the wrestling squad! The Hulk.
Very Nice Article friend of mine has cancer, he works with me at BMW dealer, this site really help understand what cancer is
How can a person discontinue receiving info?
Hi Pauline – thanks for sharing your question with us.
Are you inquiring about how to unsubscribe from receiving our info via emails? If so, please open one of the emails and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the link that reads “Manage Subscription.”
There you’ll find the button to unsubscribe.
Please let me know if you need further assistance.
Thank you! I hope you have a good day!
Many of us have had or know someone who has experienced Cancer.
This article helps one understand thios horrid disease.
I know if I had read it before I wouldn’t have got myself into a rush of panic and failure to understanf what was going on around me.
I think I’ll try to find a place that can help treat my father’s stage 4 pancreatic cancer since I don’t want him to pass away too soon. Thanks for informing me that despite him having this condition, it’s not impossible to treat it as long as we can find the right people to help us out. He’s having a hard time living life normally because of this, but since he has yet to meet his grandchild in two months, I have to find a way to save him while it’s not yet too late.
No matter what stage your cancer is whether it is stage 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. The big C is a frightening word because of feat that the doctor is going to say that you will die soon.
Hi Ty and Charlene,
Please, who can I turn to for information to help a 2 year old beat DIPG. According to the doctors, this dear, sweet girl has little time to live. The child is located in Los Angles but I am certain the parents will do whatever it takes or go wherever they can, to save their precious angel. I am seeking a prompt rely. Please anything!
Thank you for all that you do and for getting the truth out there.
great info diagnosed with breast cancer goes under stage 0. Done the surgery. They want to give me chemo, radiotherapy, medication ….. will not be taking any of that. plant based diet , exercise, ….. change life style… will be my healing process. Thank you for this life saving information.
Hello Ty,
I survived 2 cancers, I have the third in progress, supposedly a stage 4 metastasized lung cancer from the breast cancer I had in 2000. My breast cancer, was caused by the medical industrial complex by aggravation by yearly mammogram on an extreme fibrous breast! With my 3.5 cm tumor and a supposedly feeding line into the other breast, I had a double mastectomy. NO radiation, No Chemotherapy. The right side was a radical one, removed the lymph nodes too.
2019 January my oncologist told me, no need to go back only once a year, because seemingly by the results of CT and blood test I`m totally cancer free.
In 2014 I was diagnosed with brain cancer in the left lower quadrant in my brain. 3.5 cm almost touching my spinal cord. After the contrast MRI next day I had a surgery. The tumor was in a water bubble, and by the surgeon it was completely removed, no cancer cells remained behind, so No radiation, No chemotherapy was needed. This happened January, 2014 in Hungary. After returning to the USA, I was told to have regular check ups, so I was referred to an oncologist. He requested my hospital about the nature of the cancer, and find out that it was estrogen fed, same as my breast cancer, but the 2 cancers are not related! It was not metastasized from the breast cancer. Ct, MRI and blood test confirmed, that in June. 2015 I was cancer free. He requested to see me every 6 months. All the way till January 2019 I was declared cancer free.
In December 2018 I had a pneumonia. Diagnosed by an X-ray. But because of my previous cancer record, and the pneumonia (with fever, what I did not have for 15 years) the smart ass doctor requested a CT, The CT recovered 2 spots on each lungs in the lower section. They were there since I was 20 years old, remnant of a very serious, deadly pneumonia, what I survived with this 2 spots. Than I was 20 years old. The 2 spots were noticed in Hungary too, but the doctors said, that if something is there this long, better not bother it. Hungarian saying: do not bother the poop, when does not smell:) I was born in September, 1947. I was than 66 years old. Now I`m 73.The trigger happy and money hungry doctors insisted to do a bronchoscopy, and picked the 2 spots with biopsy. The result: My left lung started to collapse. I was told by the pulmonologist, that the pathological result of the biopsy is Cancer. I was referred to the oncologist, the one I was seeing before. this was March 2019. I told him, that he is not the best doctor, because for years I was cancer free, and now, even though after the pneumonia was gone, my blood test of the red and white cells were perfect, so was everything else. Inflammation, virus infection, fever show abnormal white blood cell counts, So I was diagnosed with cancer. The pulmonoligst told me that it is not a small cell cancer, it is operable, and than I can have the chemotherapy and radiation, and sure I will be fine. I told him: No thank you.
The oncologist said different thing. He said, that surgery is not an option, because this is a stage 4 metastasized cancer. Only chemotherapy or radiation:( I told him, if he like it so much have it himself, but I refuse every form of chemotherapy or radiation, even in tablets form! (the newest right with the side effect drug with it.) I told him, that I will approach the problem holistically with faith and natural remedies. So that is what I did. I was at first drinking Essiac tea, took extra 2200 mcg Best quality Selenium, EpiCor 500 mg a day, 5000 IU Vitamin D3, and the Natures Way Alive! Multivitamin Max 3 a day, and 2000 mg Vitamin C a day.
Since than, my left lung totally collapsed, but my Oxygen saturation steady 95. My blood test PERFECT, my tumor marker was first time 2.3, but that is not necessarily cancer, slight intestinal problem (IBS flare up) can cause it. Research says, that Essiac Tea not targets quite effectively lung cancer, so I started to take Turkey Tale mushrooms Mycalium extract from Host Defense 550 mg polysaccharides 4 capsules in the morning, and from an another American company same mushroom 4 capsules in the afternoon or evening, and an anther mushroom combo from Host Defense 4 capsules a day. Since I switched to this, I take 10000 IU D3, because the lock up. My Oxygen concentration stable 96-97 and first time went up only for an hour 98. I`m still a light smoker, diabetic on insulin, and control my carbohydrate and gluten intake. Fresh greens does not work, because I have no upper molters 1.5 years, because retard dentist. With God willing I will have my teeth next week and will eat fresh greens and vegetables too. In my life I had constant bad experience with the medical industrial complex.
I find a new pulmonologist (the first fired me, for refusing his advice), the new will perform a new broncoscopy in March 2021. No invasion, only checking the reason of the collapsed lung, the blockage and reason of not being able to inflate.
Cancer is a nasty thing. I live in WV quite a backward state, no holistic medicine, or practitioners are available. I dosing my mushroom extracts by instinct, and planning to add Chaga to it daily 4 capsules. I was hoping to find some REAL advice here…..
And I hope that with this last one my cancer adventure is over!
In my life GOD IS IN CHARGE!
Hi Katalin! Thank you for sharing your journey to wellness and life! We’re so glad to hear about your success with natural remedies. Keep up the good work! Blessings,
Brianna