Synopsis: This article discusses the extreme importance of an optimistic attitude in the successful treatment of cancer.

I have dealt with many people who had cancer. Those who overcame had optimistic and aggressive attitudes. Those who did not survive were weakly motivated and vacillated regarding what and how they would do to fight the cancer. I know that this generalization is unkind and even cruel to those who were weak and fought the best they could to the end. I am not speaking of them. The ones that I reference are those who were reasonably strong who “decided” that the fight was not worth the effort, or who had no confidence in an alternative program. I saw them die without trying. We have the popular notion that people are entitled to their opinion. If this is true, then we must consider that we are also obligated to receive the consequences of our actions, including those brought about by our attitude.

In March 2000, I met a man who sat slumped on his sofa with an oxygen tube at his nose. “Emphysema?” I asked. “Lung cancer.” he responded. He then went on to tell me that he had received his last chemotherapy treatment and he was waiting to die. I asked him if he had considered an alternative treatment. He said that he had heard of alternative cancer treatments. I asked him, point blank, “Do you think that your life is not worth saving?” He was very angry and said, “That’s a #### of a thing to say!” I asked him, “Well, it’s true isn’t it?” I meant no offense. I can’t understand that why, in the face of certain death, he would not actively pursue an alternative treatment protocol.

Hospitals that specialize in alternative cancer treatment can predict who will succeed and who will fail by the attitude that is expressed by the patient. Success requires a strong, optimistic and dedicated attitude. One must be tolerant of inconvenience and some distress. Recognize that things will be different in your life for a while or even for the rest of your life. You may have to give up some favorite things. So what, do you want to survive? I have seen so may complain because they can’t have their favorite food. In the words of Dr. Phil McGraw, “They just don’t get it”.

One person who overcame cancer with an effective diet program, said to me: “I will never go back to the way I lived and ate before”. This is a winning attitude.

Patient, strive to be optimistic. Caregiver, encourage the patient. Attitude can determine your success.