Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 1/26/2008

Question
I have a sister with stage IV metastatic breast cancer.  She has had surgery, chemo,and radiation. Recently she was to start a clinical trial but then ended up in the hospital for blood transfusions and iv fluids. The trial has been cancelled and she is receiving a less aggressive chemo as long as her blood levels don't go crazy again.  If she can not take this she was told there was really nothing else they could do.  A second sister also diagnosed at about the same time was Her2 and received herceptin.  She however, took the chemo but refused radiation and started doing some alternative things.  She is a firm believer in a technology called BEAM RAY (light and sound). Right now she is doing great.  Are you familiar with this and if so what is your impression.  Both have BRACA1 gene.   Thank you for your time

Answer
I am not familiar with this particular thing. On the other hand I have received many similar questions with regards to other non coventional methods. My answer is always the same. If this particular method (whatever) works as well as it is claimed to do it would be such a sensation that 1. Everyone would have heard of it! And 2. Everybody would be using it! Since that is not the case I do not have much (if any) trust in it and am rather suspicious of its claims! That your other sister seems to be doing well right now is probably due to the fact that cancers like patients are individuals not clones/copies (in spite of having the same cancer gene) and that HER particular cancer at least for the time being answers well to her chemo therapy. But of course your sisters are free to try anything they want!