Anonymous

Sixty-year-old MS experienced his first signs of prostate cancer in the late 1990s. The results of an annual physical examination showed a stable level below one. Under “watchful waiting” the level remained stable until 1997 when it increased to just under 4. In January of 1999, however, the level increased to 7.5. This rapid increase was an ominous sign.

MS was then referred to a urologist for a biopsy of the gland. MS believes that the referral was delayed by a year because of pressure by his HMO to keep down costs. The urologist recommended surgery, and a  second opinion at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center in Albuquerque confirmed that recommendation.

MS had long been a subscriber—10 years—to Dr. Whitaker’s newsletter and had been taking basic supplements purchased from Dr. Whitaker. One article in particular stood out in MS's mind (November 1995), in which Dr. Whitaker addressed what he would do if he were diagnosed with cancer. MS took Dr. Whitaker’s advice and called the Burzynski Clinic in Houston, Texas, to find out about the clinical trial on prostate cancer. Because he had not had surgery, however, he was not eligible to participate in the trial.

As a result, on June 10, 1999, MS underwent a modified radical, nerve-sparing, prostatectomy. After surgery, his PSA level decreased to zero. Subsequently, the level was tested about every 4 weeks.

In late August, the PSA levels again began to increase. MS found out that there had been just one lymph node that showed tumor cells. Also, a bone scan showed tumors on the lung, skull, and spine. The urologist wanted to do radiation treatments.

Fortunately, MS did his homework while recuperating from surgery. He knew that the survival rate  for stage IV prostate cancer were dismal—only a 25% chance of living for 5 years. But now MS was eligible for treatment with antineoplastons.

In late September of 1999, MS began antineoplaston therapy. He takes 60 capsules of sodium  phenylbutyrate a day and is on a low-fat diet specially designed by the Burzynski Clinic. He has no side effects and has worked full-time since he began treatment. After 90 days of treatment, his PSA level was back down to less than 0.1.

The metastases are almost undetectable at this point. The last bone scan was performed in April 2000. The doctors at the Burzynski Clinic advised MS to continue treatment to remove the remaining spots.  The next bone scan will be performed in August 2000 and forwarded to the Burzynski Clinic.

If it were not for antineoplaston therapy and Dr. Burzynski, MS feels he would not be here to enjoy life with his wife, three children, and two grandchildren. He expects to live well into his 80s as both his parents and grandparents have before him.

MS asked not to be identified by name.

July 2000