Do Biopsy Potentiate Cancer? "Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell you!"
This excellent piece of research done by Karl Loren, is a must read for all who are faced with this dilemma. Karl's, resource rich, website goes in much more depth in this specific area (work in progress) is linked on the title below.
See also:
The Depths of Deceit Mammography
X-Rays and Cancers
Politics in Healing : The Suppression & Manipulation of American Medicine
"First I thought that I could search for "spreading cancer through biopsy" in the search engines. To help you avoid the several days I wasted, you need to know that the special word is "seeding." In other words if you use a search engine and search under "biopsy and cancer" and any of several other phrases, you won't find much, but if you search using the phrase "biopsy and seeding," you will suddenly find lots of medical opinions and studies -- studies and opinions that suggest that it is very dangerous to get a biopsy -- despite what many other doctors might say.
Here is an example:
Additionally, doctors and researchers have noted that biopsy of a cancerous tumor can cause spreading or "seeding" of cancer cells along the path or track made by the biopsy needle. This could cause a cancerous condition which had been confined solely to the prostate capsule to spread into surrounding tissues, making a serious health concern even more problematical. (This quote comes from this source.)
[Note the use of the phrase, "prostate capsule." This is a reference to the fact that the body will try to "encase" or "wall off" a cancer. Here the term is "capsule."]
But, then I found many, many more reports of cancer spreading because of biopsy. Click here, for instance, to look at 47 scientific reports of which many described the spreading, or "seeding" of cancer because of a biopsy.
And, click here to find another 73 such reports -- most of which describe a real danger of cancer spreading throughout the body just because of a biopsy.
Final Judgment!
Then I found several individual doctors, or reports, on the web, describing the dangers of biopsy. These are generally described and linked from my summary page on biopsy -- click here.
The decision is final! Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell you!"
Should You Get A Biopsy Of That Lump (the full article is here)?
by Karl Loren
Cancer & Biopsy
Many people get "lumps." Woman find them in a breast and sometimes die of worry!
Have You Ever Found A Lump?
The most common cancer for women is breast cancer. (Note)
The most common form of "treatment" is called "self-examination." Virtually every doctor pounds on you that you MUST do a self-examination of your breasts -- you women. They are saying this because they are aware of the growing hostility toward medical fiddling with your health -- not to say your breasts.
The Wall Street Journal reports that TOO many people get TOO many tests, particularly biopsies.
According to a Harris Interactive poll released last week, nearly 80% of physicians say malpractice fears lead them to order more tests than are medically needed.
More than half said they suggest invasive procedures such as biopsies more often than they would based on their professional judgment alone. (source)....
....Because if there IS cancer there, the biopsy is likely to cause it to start spreading.
It just makes sense. The word "biopsy" comes from "bio-" which means "life," and "-psy" which is from the larger Greek word, "opsis" meaning "vision" -- thus, a "biopsy" is a look at life, or an examination of living tissue. One way or another, a "piece" of your flesh, or of some part of your body, is cut out so that it can be examined under a microscope.
Typically the doctor who does the actual biopsy will place a color stain on the sample tissue -- a stain that makes the cells easy to see. Then he treats the sample with paraffin so that the individual cells won't be moving around, or changed. By this time, of course, the cells are no longer alive. He then SLICES the paraffin into thin slices -- about the thickness of a few cells.
THIS is what he looks at. When it is done this way several people can look at the same sample and come to an agreed conclusion.
Different parts of your body will have different rates of cell division. For instance, brain cells never divide. You got what you got! Other cells might divide every three weeks. Different rates. The biopsy examination looks at the cells of the sample and can detect how many of them are in the process of cell division. If the sample shows that 10% of the cells are in the process of cell division, and that type of cell ought not to show more than 1% of them going through cell division, then that sample shows abnormal growth -- cancer.
Even though cancer is considered abnormal and rapid growth of cells, the entire mass of a cancer is normally rather slow growing -- because it is "encased." It grows inside a wall, or shell. The body is trying to protect itself from the cancer -- because cancer would otherwise spread throughout the body. So, the body tries to protect itself by building a wall around the cancer to keep any of its cells from "leaking out." (Actually, some cancers are very slow-growing [breast and prostate] while others are very fast [liver cancer].)
The least dangerous type of cancer is usually considered "skin cancer," or "basal cell carcinoma." This type of cancer hardly ever spreads through the body. It "spreads" by just affecting the tissue right next to it -- and growing that way. For this reason a biopsy of basal cell carcinoma is not dangerous at all -- but, of course, you don't know it is basal cell carcinoma until you do the biopsy. An experienced doctor can usually tell by inspection and a history from the patient whether or not it is skin cancer. Generally, these are safely removed with simple surgery, and even if some of the cancer cells are "missed" there is no need for radiation or chemotherapy -- just a bit more surgery to get the remaining cancer cells.
When the cancer DOES leak out there is a special word -- the cancer is said to metastasize -- start spreading into other parts of the body. It grows like an octopus -- reaching its tentacles throughout the body.
The doctors all know this, but there is a special reason why they don't tell you that a biopsy is likely to cause the cancer to start spreading.
They will tell you that the biopsy is painless, not expensive, and that it can be done during an office visit. They will tell you that it is covered by insurance.
They will tell you that if there is cancer in this lump, it is vital that you know about it so that you can start treating it quickly. They will tell you that if you start treating it quickly the chances of winning the battle over cancer are tremendously improved.
They will explain, in detail, the "fine needle biopsy," where the needle is tiny, and is inserted through the flesh into the lump, a very small amount of material is withdrawn into the needle, and there will be no scar -- no pain.
If there is cancer there, of course, they will then tell you that you should move VERY quickly to start treatment. You may not realize it, but there are only three legal treatments for cancer in most of the US. The laws of California make it a serious case of "unprofessional conduct" for a doctor to diagnose cancer and then treat it with anything other than the approved methods -- chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. He can lose his license to practice medicine. He could even go to jail.
So, you discover the lump. You go to your doctor. No doctor would ever recommend AGAINST a biopsy -- he must be safe or he can lose his license and perhaps millions of dollars in a malpractice lawsuit. So, he tells you, "You need a biopsy, right away. They are safe and not painful. I can do it right now." or, he says, "Go see Dr. Smith, dermatologist, he can do a biopsy in his office, immediately."
We are all hoping, at this point, that it is NOT cancer. The doctor may even say, "Well it doesn't look malignant to me, I don't think it's cancer, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Get the biopsy to find out."
Here is what he DOES NOT tell you BEFORE the biopsy: "Once you have had the biopsy, if the doctor finds that there is cancer, then you must start your treatment immediately."
Even if he tells you before the biopsy that you would have to start treatment immediately, he won't tell you "WHY." The reason, he will admit if you ask, is that the biopsy, itself, can start the spread of the cancer from the inside of the casing it was in. Remember, the body is protecting itself from having the cancer spread -- it builds a wall around the cancer. Once you penetrate that wall, even with a very tiny needle, the cancer cells (they are certainly smaller than the needle) can leak out through the hole and enter the body. These cancer cells can enter the blood stream and within a few seconds they have been distributed throughout the entire body.
Perhaps your immune system is strong enough to handle these stray cancer cells. Perhaps they just won't find a good place to "live." But, perhaps you have just allowed the doctor to cause the metastasizing of your cancer.
Obviously if the leak continues for only a day or so it is much less dangerous than if the leak of those cancer cells continues for weeks or months. So, the doctor does the biopsy, discovers cancer, and then tells you that you must start treatment immediately. I think it is medical malpractice for a doctor to fail to warn a patient that a biopsy can cause an immediate spreading of the cancer, and that such "spreading" then would appear to
...
There's some "logical fallacies" in that post, but why get into it? Most of us on newsgroups for years, know that john is just trolling here, as he has done, on many newsgroups, since at least 1997. (my apologies to those who have already "plonked" him)
To new readers, know how we can sometimes filter phone callers, such as call block ?
Well, many (not all) newsreader software programs have the same ability to do that with newsgroup posters. Click on his post, then try F1 on your keyboard. That usually gets you to your newreader's "Help" files. If there's "Index" there, it's alphabetical (or search) on the word "filter". Hopefully it will tell you how to filter (plonk) john.
Otherwise, do yourselves a favour and ignore his posts and don't reply to them. . J
> <Good Zeus....1700+ lines of tepid tripe snipped>
> There's some "logical fallacies" in that post, but why get into it? > Most of us on newsgroups for years, know that john is just trolling here, as he has > done, on many newsgroups, since at least 1997. > (my apologies to those who have already "plonked" him)
> To new readers, know how we can sometimes filter phone callers, such as call block ?
> Well, many (not all) newsreader software programs have the same ability to do that > with newsgroup posters. > Click on his post, then try F1 on your keyboard. > That usually gets you to your newreader's "Help" files. > If there's "Index" there, it's alphabetical (or search) on the word "filter". > Hopefully it will tell you how to filter (plonk) john.
> Otherwise, do yourselves a favour and ignore his posts and don't reply to them. > . > J
I wonder if J has read the by laws of the AMA the made purpose is to protect the income of its members and the biggest income is made with cancer patients!!
Never said I was a doctor but also never "SAID I WAS NOT"!!!
> Do Biopsy Potentiate Cancer? > "Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell you!"
> This excellent piece of research done by Karl Loren, is a must read for > all > who are faced with this dilemma. Karl's, resource rich, website goes in > much > more depth in this specific area (work in progress) is linked on the title > below.
Excellent piece of simplistic, puerile ranting.....
>>Do Biopsy Potentiate Cancer? >>"Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell you!"
>>This excellent piece of research done by Karl Loren, is a must read for >>all >>who are faced with this dilemma. Karl's, resource rich, website goes in >>much >>more depth in this specific area (work in progress) is linked on the title >>below.
> Excellent piece of simplistic, puerile ranting.....
I wonder if Steph has read the by laws of the AMA the made purpose is to protect the income of its members and the biggest income is made with cancer patients!! J and Steph are two of the best or is it "worse actors" at alt.support.cancer! They know what they have be programed to do protecting, the income for doctors and big business!!!!!!
Never said I was a doctor but also never "SAID I WAS NOT"!!!
> <Good Zeus....1700+ lines of tepid tripe snipped>
> There's some "logical fallacies" in that post, but why get into it? > Most of us on newsgroups for years, know that john is just trolling here, as he has > done, on many newsgroups, since at least 1997. > (my apologies to those who have already "plonked" him)
I was here way before you about 8 years ago, so stop flaming, a worse sin than trolling
> I wonder if J has read the by laws of the AMA the made purpose is to > protect the income of its members and the biggest income is made with > cancer patients!!
"The American Medical Association is fashioned to prescribe drugs and perform various treatments that although they may be unsuspecting, tend to weed out the weaker species. The Council views the AMA's 'modern medicine' as barbaric. "-Brice Taylor (Thanks For The Memories p 283)[Media July 2004] Study Finds Cough Drugs No Better Than Sugar Syrup http://www.whale.to/a/hoaxpharma.html
> Do Biopsy Potentiate Cancer? > "Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell you!"
Really? So you can tell which lumps and bumps are malignant tumours and which are merely cysts just by looking and feeling, can you? Wow! With that sort of expertise you must be very wealthy by now and in great demand. I'm surprised you've got any spare time left to post in newsgroups.
>>>Do Biopsy Potentiate Cancer? >>>"Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell >>>you!"
>>>This excellent piece of research done by Karl Loren, is a must read for >>>all >>>who are faced with this dilemma. Karl's, resource rich, website goes in >>>much >>>more depth in this specific area (work in progress) is linked on the >>>title >>>below.
>> Excellent piece of simplistic, puerile ranting.....
> I wonder if Steph has read the by laws of the AMA the made purpose is to > protect the income of its members and the biggest income is made with > cancer patients!!
well, I'm not a member of the AMA, but if you could the by (sic) laws you are so concerned about, we'll have a look.
> J and Steph are two of the best or is it "worse actors" at > alt.support.cancer! They know what they have be programed to do > protecting, the income for doctors and big business!!!!!!
Yawn...........
> Never said I was a doctor but also never "SAID I WAS NOT"!!!
You never said you were a psychotic, and never said you were not.
> > I wonder if Steph has read the by laws of the AMA the made purpose is to > > protect the income of its members and the biggest income is made with > > cancer patients!!
> well, I'm not a member of the AMA, but if you could the by (sic) laws you > are so concerned about, we'll have a look.
Funny how so many conspiracy nuts make so much of an organization to which at most 1/3 of physicians belong.
> > J and Steph are two of the best or is it "worse actors" at > > alt.support.cancer! They know what they have be programed to do > > protecting, the income for doctors and big business!!!!!!
> Yawn...........
Indeed.
[Snip]
-- Orac |"A statement of fact cannot be insolent." | |"If you cannot listen to the answers, why do you | inconvenience me with questions?"
>>>Do Biopsy Potentiate Cancer? >>>"Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell you!"
>>>This excellent piece of research done by Karl Loren, is a must read for >>>all >>>who are faced with this dilemma. Karl's, resource rich, website goes in >>>much >>>more depth in this specific area (work in progress) is linked on the title >>>below.
>> Excellent piece of simplistic, puerile ranting.....
>I wonder if Steph has read the by laws of the AMA the made purpose is >to protect the income of its members and the biggest income is made with >cancer patients!! > J and Steph are two of the best or is it "worse actors" at >alt.support.cancer! They know what they have be programed to do >protecting, the income for doctors and big business!!!!!!
>Never said I was a doctor but also never "SAID I WAS NOT"!!!
I doubt that anyone would mistake a person of your extremely low level of literacy for a doctor, so you can rest easy.
-- David Wright :: alphabeta at prodigy.net These are my opinions only, but they're almost always correct. "If I have not seen as far as others, it is because giants were standing on my shoulders." (Hal Abelson, MIT)
> nospamoridi...@vaccine.com said... >> Do Biopsy Potentiate Cancer? >> "Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell >> you!"
> Really? So you can tell which lumps and bumps are malignant > tumours and which are merely cysts just by looking and feeling, > can you? Wow! With that sort of expertise you must be very > wealthy by now and in great demand. I'm surprised you've got any > spare time left to post in newsgroups.
(1) Biopsies spread cancer because they spread cancer cells.. These people don't get biopsied, and they take chemo of whatever and they die. You still hear rants that they should have been biopsied, and that they never had cancer and were burned to death from chemo.
On the other side of the coin.. They got biopsied and this lead to the spread of the cancer, which lead to their death.
Or others...
They didn't get biopsied, took an alternative cancer treatment, got a long term survival/cure then are criticised because they never had cancer as their cancer wasn't biopsied.
Or more..
They got biopsied, took alternative got long term cure but they had 'spontaneous remission' They got biopsied, took mainstream got long term cure, it was the minstream that cured them.
> nospamoridi...@vaccine.com said... >> Do Biopsy Potentiate Cancer? >> "Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell >> you!"
> Really? So you can tell which lumps and bumps are malignant > tumours and which are merely cysts just by looking and feeling, > can you? Wow! With that sort of expertise you must be very > wealthy by now and in great demand. I'm surprised you've got any > spare time left to post in newsgroups.
> "Anth" <a...@anon.com> wrote in message > news:P_-dnUWRhc4xlqncRVn-qQ@nildram.net... >> Steph also advocates 'days off' when he/she could be treating patients. >> Anth
> Meaning what, Anth? > I get some days off. Is that a surprise to you?
>> "Anth" <a...@anon.com> wrote in message >> news:P_-dnUWRhc4xlqncRVn-qQ@nildram.net... >>> Steph also advocates 'days off' when he/she could be treating patients. >>> Anth
>> Meaning what, Anth? >> I get some days off. Is that a surprise to you?
> orac_...@hotmail.com said... >> > well, I'm not a member of the AMA, but if you could the by (sic) laws >> > you >> > are so concerned about, we'll have a look.
>> Funny how so many conspiracy nuts make so much of an organization to >> which at most 1/3 of physicians belong.
> I've never heard of it. Is it a Leftpondian thing? What do the > initials stand for? Let's see: Amateur Medics Association?
AMA American Medical Association BMA British Medical Association CMA Canadian......
> "Emily" <em...@privacy.net> wrote in message > news:MPG.1b9e84daf970d9be98a9b0@news.individual.net... > > orac_...@hotmail.com said... > >> > well, I'm not a member of the AMA, but if you could the by (sic) laws > >> > you > >> > are so concerned about, we'll have a look.
> >> Funny how so many conspiracy nuts make so much of an organization to > >> which at most 1/3 of physicians belong.
> > I've never heard of it. Is it a Leftpondian thing? What do the > > initials stand for? Let's see: Amateur Medics Association?
> AMA American Medical Association > BMA British Medical Association > CMA Canadian......
Ah, I see. Sorry, I was misled by the assertion above that the majority of medics weren't members. Then again, the majority of medics probably aren't American, either...
> (1) > Biopsies spread cancer because they spread cancer cells.. > These people don't get biopsied, and they take chemo of whatever and they > die. > You still hear rants that they should have been biopsied, and that they > never had cancer and were burned to death from chemo.
> On the other side of the coin.. > They got biopsied and this lead to the spread of the cancer, which lead to > their death.
> Or others...
> They didn't get biopsied, took an alternative cancer treatment, got a long > term survival/cure then are criticised because they never had cancer as > their cancer wasn't biopsied.
> Or more..
> They got biopsied, took alternative got long term cure but they had > 'spontaneous remission' > They got biopsied, took mainstream got long term cure, it was the minstream > that cured them.
> Seems you can't win on this?
> Anth
> "Emily" <em...@privacy.net> wrote in message > news:MPG.1b9d97a38b1d719398a99a@news.individual.net... > > nospamoridi...@vaccine.com said... > >> Do Biopsy Potentiate Cancer? > >> "Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell > >> you!"
> > Really? So you can tell which lumps and bumps are malignant > > tumours and which are merely cysts just by looking and feeling, > > can you? Wow! With that sort of expertise you must be very > > wealthy by now and in great demand. I'm surprised you've got any > > spare time left to post in newsgroups.
Dear Anth, I had surgery the cancer cells had spread throughout my abdomen, did a whole year of chemo and today am doing extremely well . No evidence of disease
Susan wrote: > I had surgery the cancer cells had spread throughout my abdomen, did a whole > year of chemo and today am doing extremely well . > No evidence of disease
And happy we are of your treatment success, Susan Hugs J
>> (1) >> Biopsies spread cancer because they spread cancer cells.. >> These people don't get biopsied, and they take chemo of whatever and they >> die. >> You still hear rants that they should have been biopsied, and that they >> never had cancer and were burned to death from chemo.
>> On the other side of the coin.. >> They got biopsied and this lead to the spread of the cancer, which lead >> to >> their death.
>> Or others...
>> They didn't get biopsied, took an alternative cancer treatment, got a >> long >> term survival/cure then are criticised because they never had cancer as >> their cancer wasn't biopsied.
>> Or more..
>> They got biopsied, took alternative got long term cure but they had >> 'spontaneous remission' >> They got biopsied, took mainstream got long term cure, it was the > minstream >> that cured them.
>> Seems you can't win on this?
>> Anth
>> "Emily" <em...@privacy.net> wrote in message >> news:MPG.1b9d97a38b1d719398a99a@news.individual.net... >> > nospamoridi...@vaccine.com said... >> >> Do Biopsy Potentiate Cancer? >> >> "Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell >> >> you!"
>> > Really? So you can tell which lumps and bumps are malignant >> > tumours and which are merely cysts just by looking and feeling, >> > can you? Wow! With that sort of expertise you must be very >> > wealthy by now and in great demand. I'm surprised you've got any >> > spare time left to post in newsgroups.
> Dear Anth, > I had surgery the cancer cells had spread throughout my abdomen, did a > whole > year of chemo and today am doing extremely well . > No evidence of disease
> Do Biopsy Potentiate Cancer?
> "Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your doctor might tell you!"
> This excellent piece of research done by Karl Loren, is a must read for all
> who are faced with this dilemma. Karl's, resource rich, website goes in much
> more depth in this specific area (work in progress) is linked on the title
> below.
> See also:
> The Depths of Deceit Mammography
> X-Rays and Cancers
> Politics in Healing : The Suppression & Manipulation of American Medicine
> "First I thought that I could search for "spreading cancer through biopsy"
> in the search engines. To help you avoid the several days I wasted, you need
> to know that the special word is "seeding." In other words if you use a
> search engine and search under "biopsy and cancer" and any of several other
> phrases, you won't find much, but if you search using the phrase "biopsy and
> seeding," you will suddenly find lots of medical opinions and studies -- > studies and opinions that suggest that it is very dangerous to get a
> biopsy -- despite what many other doctors might say.
> Here is an example:
> Additionally, doctors and researchers have noted that biopsy of a cancerous
> tumor can cause spreading or "seeding" of cancer cells along the path or
> track made by the biopsy needle. This could cause a cancerous condition
> which had been confined solely to the prostate capsule to spread into
> surrounding tissues, making a serious health concern even more
> problematical. (This quote comes from this source.)
> [Note the use of the phrase, "prostate capsule." This is a reference to the
> fact that the body will try to "encase" or "wall off" a cancer. Here the
> term is "capsule."]
> But, then I found many, many more reports of cancer spreading because of
> biopsy. Click here, for instance, to look at 47 scientific reports of which
> many described the spreading, or "seeding" of cancer because of a biopsy.
> And, click here to find another 73 such reports -- most of which describe a
> real danger of cancer spreading throughout the body just because of a
> biopsy.
> Final Judgment!
> Then I found several individual doctors, or reports, on the web, describing
> the dangers of biopsy. These are generally described and linked from my
> summary page on biopsy -- click here.
> The decision is final! Biopsies are often dangerous -- despite what your
> doctor might tell you!"
> Should You Get A Biopsy Of That Lump (the full article is here)?
> by Karl Loren
> Cancer & Biopsy
> Many people get "lumps." Woman find them in a breast and sometimes die of
> worry!
> Have You Ever Found A Lump?
> The most common cancer for women is breast cancer. (Note)
> The most common form of "treatment" is called "self-examination." Virtually
> every doctor pounds on you that you MUST do a self-examination of your
> breasts -- you women. They are saying this because they are aware of the
> growing hostility toward medical fiddling with your health -- not to say
> your breasts.
> The Wall Street Journal reports that TOO many people get TOO many tests,
> particularly biopsies.
> According to a Harris Interactive poll released last week, nearly 80% of
> physicians say malpractice fears lead them to order more tests than are
> medically needed.
> More than half said they suggest invasive procedures such as biopsies more
> often than they would based on their professional judgment alone.
> (source)....
> ....Because if there IS cancer there, the biopsy is likely to cause it to
> start spreading.
> It just makes sense. The word "biopsy" comes from "bio-" which means "life,"
> and "-psy" which is from the larger Greek word, "opsis" meaning "vision" -- > thus, a "biopsy" is a look at life, or an examination of living tissue. One
> way or another, a "piece" of your flesh, or of some part of your body, is
> cut out so that it can be examined under a microscope.
> Typically the doctor who does the actual biopsy will place a color stain on
> the sample tissue -- a stain that makes the cells easy to see. Then he
> treats the sample with paraffin so that the individual cells won't be moving
> around, or changed. By this time, of course, the cells are no longer alive.
> He then SLICES the paraffin into thin slices -- about the thickness of a few
> cells.
> THIS is what he looks at. When it is done this way several people can look
> at the same sample and come to an agreed conclusion.
> Different parts of your body will have different rates of cell division. For
> instance, brain cells never divide. You got what you got! Other cells might
> divide every three weeks. Different rates. The biopsy examination looks at
> the cells of the sample and can detect how many of them are in the process
> of cell division. If the sample shows that 10% of the cells are in the
> process of cell division, and that type of cell ought not to show more than
> 1% of them going through cell division, then that sample shows abnormal
> growth -- cancer.
> Even though cancer is considered abnormal and rapid growth of cells, the
> entire mass of a cancer is normally rather slow growing -- because it is
> "encased." It grows inside a wall, or shell. The body is trying to protect
> itself from the cancer -- because cancer would otherwise spread throughout
> the body. So, the body tries to protect itself by building a wall around the
> cancer to keep any of its cells from "leaking out." (Actually, some cancers
> are very slow-growing [breast and prostate] while others are very fast
> [liver cancer].)
> The least dangerous type of cancer is usually considered "skin cancer," or
> "basal cell carcinoma." This type of cancer hardly ever spreads through the
> body. It "spreads" by just affecting the tissue right next to it -- and
> growing that way. For this reason a biopsy of basal cell carcinoma is not
> dangerous at all -- but, of course, you don't know it is basal cell
> carcinoma until you do the biopsy. An experienced doctor can usually tell by
> inspection and a history from the patient whether or not it is skin cancer.
> Generally, these are safely removed with simple surgery, and even if some of
> the cancer cells are "missed" there is no need for radiation or
> chemotherapy -- just a bit more surgery to get the remaining cancer cells.
> When the cancer DOES leak out there is a special word -- the cancer is said
> to metastasize -- start spreading into other parts of the body. It grows
> like an octopus -- reaching its tentacles throughout the body.
> The doctors all know this, but there is a special reason why they don't tell
> you that a biopsy is likely to cause the cancer to start spreading.
> They will tell you that the biopsy is painless, not expensive, and that it
> can be done during an office visit. They will tell you that it is covered by
> insurance.
> They will tell you that if there is cancer in this lump, it is vital that
> you know about it so that you can start treating it quickly. They will tell
> you that if you start treating it quickly the chances of winning the battle
> over cancer are tremendously improved.
> They will explain, in detail, the "fine needle biopsy," where the needle is
> tiny, and is inserted through the flesh into the lump, a very small amount
> of material is withdrawn into the needle, and there will be no scar -- no
> pain.
> If there is cancer there, of course, they will then tell you that you should
> move VERY quickly to start treatment. You may not realize it, but there are
> only three legal treatments for cancer in most of the US. The laws of
> California make it a serious case of "unprofessional conduct" for a doctor
> to diagnose cancer and then treat it with anything other than the approved
> methods -- chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. He can lose his license to
> practice medicine. He could even go to jail.
> So, you discover the lump. You go to your doctor. No doctor would ever
> recommend AGAINST a biopsy -- he must be safe or he can lose his license and
> perhaps millions of dollars in a malpractice lawsuit. So, he tells you, "You
> need a biopsy, right away. They are safe and not painful. I can do it right
> now." or, he says, "Go see Dr. Smith, dermatologist, he can do a biopsy in
> his office, immediately."
> We are all hoping, at this point, that it is NOT cancer. The doctor may even
> say, "Well it doesn't look malignant to me, I don't think it's cancer, but
> it's better to be safe than sorry. Get the biopsy to find out."
> Here is what he DOES NOT tell you BEFORE the biopsy: "Once you have had the
> biopsy, if the doctor finds that there is cancer, then you must start your
> treatment immediately."
> Even if he tells you before the biopsy that you would have to start
> treatment immediately, he won't tell you "WHY." The reason, he will admit if
> you ask, is that the biopsy, itself, can start the spread of the cancer from
> the inside of the casing it was in. Remember, the body is protecting itself
> from having the cancer spread -- it builds a wall around the cancer. Once
> you penetrate that wall, even with a very tiny needle, the cancer cells
> (they
