Iodine
★★★★★
Iodine
★★★★★
Iodine
★★★★★
(Houston, Tx)
04/06/2010
My father is 70yo, very strong and vital as if he is 55. He has a very large BCC lesion on his face that he refuses to have surgically removed. He tried light therapy many years ago to no avail, then tried Black Cohosh (which had worked to eliminate later, smaller lesions he also developed). He has also tried other creams/salves with no improvement to the large lesion, it has continued to grow and is now the size of a large hamburger patty covering one of his cheeks on his face. Does anyone have a realistic suggestion as to the TYPE and/or brand of Iodine or Apple Cider Vinegar that could be applied? My father's diet is fairly good, but he can be a junk food junkie between his usual healthy meals. He also needs significant dental work. Suggestions and HONEST experiences are welcomed.
(Brisbane, Australia)
04/06/2010
Hi Marshall, Cansema is what you are after, google it to find a source. I have used it with 100% success as have friends, my friend had a 30mm cancer fall out of his ear after 3 days. Cansema is nothing short of miraculous. Best of luck and don't forget to treat any other suspicous spots at the same time
(Perth, Wa, Australia)
07/01/2010
Hi all, this is my first post. Alarm bells have rung with this comment on cancema from Cameron from Brisbane. I do agree that cancema works really well, but I've only ever treated small BCC's & sunspots with it (about 15 spots so far & 1 mole)& it has been very successful. Cancema is actually made from bloodroot (please see Susan from Texas's section above about bloodroot). This bloodroot paste is not to be messed with & please, please take Susan's advice & do some research before treatment. It can be very aggressive, but very effective. You can not predict how you will react to this stuff. Given the choice, I would recommend using bloodroot paste over surgery.
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
07/08/2011
Hi. I found this site recently, and I'd like to know about Cansema that Paula and Cameron mention. Is this safe to use on the face? I have a place on the side of my nose that I've been putting h2o2 on (just the kind available in the grocery stores), and I now have a spot at the corner of my mouth. When I put the h2o2 on, it turns white and gets inflamed, then after a few moments it settles down. I've been dealing with the place on my nose for a year; it would shrink down to a pinpoint, then come back. Now the area that turns white is rather large, maybe 3/4 of an inch or more. I would like to get rid of it, obviously, but don't want surgery or anything that would leave a scar. So, has anyone used Cansema on their face successfully? Any other recommendations? I have not had a biopsy, but my doctor told me last summer that it was very likely a bcc and he sent me to a dermatologist. I didn't go, for several reasons. Thank you.
(Sacramento, California)
07/08/2011
Here is a video of a gentleman who used it on his face - It is a short film showing the beginning of the process and then how his skin responded over several days. It is quite impressive.
(Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
07/09/2011
Hi Sue, you should get the skin cancer looked at by the dermatologist as soon as possible. If it was smaller you would have more time to try these remedies like cancema, but it is already too big and you could lose your nose over this. If you insist on using the lotion then I suggest you purchase it right now and don't waste anymore time. If it doesn't work then get to the skin doctor. I have just had one removed from my nose that should have been diagnosed and removed a long time ago and it would have saved me a lot of grief. Best wishes Lily.
(Sacramento, Ca)
08/07/2012
I know this thread is old, but in doing my own research I came across it hoping to find some answers myself. Before applying anything to your possible BCC, you may want to read this evidence-based article about Cansema and other topical agents: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/eschar.html
"In 2002, the Archives of Dermatology published a report of four patients who had used escharotic agents instead of standard treatment for a basal cell cancer [1]. In the first patient, the visible tumor was removed and the skin healed. However, a biopsy several months later showed that cancer remained under the skin. The second patient successfully eradicated his tumors but sustained severe scarring that required surgery to repair."
I am young and, as much as I dont want to, I will continue on with my surgical option in hopes that the scar left behind will be smaller than what could potentially happen if other treatments truly are quackery.
(Texas)
08/10/2018
Quackwatch is not a site to visit if you want reliable information. The guy who runs that site continues to parrot the 1947 hogwash from the National Cancer Society (the richest non-profit in the world) and big pharma phony arguments against the Gerson Therapy, for example, yet according to the cancer surviving doctor in the following video who dedicated a hospital to it in Japan (a country not in the iron grip of AMA, FDA, U.S. hospital and big pharma industry), they enjoy a scientifically verified 50% success rate with Gerson Therapy.
(QLD)
06/02/2023
(Vancouver canada)
08/16/2023
(California)
08/23/2023
Bri,
I tried 5% J Crows iodine on my Basal Cell, but it wasn't strong enough. But what is working is Doc Shillington's Total Draw powder mixed into a paste with equal parts of apple cider vinegar and distilled water. I apply at night, putting a piece of Saran Wrap on top and then secured with skin tape. It is getting smaller and forming a scab. I make enough paste at a time to use for about a week. Keep rest covered tightly in refrigerator.
Lugol's Iodine
Manuka, Baking Soda, Essential Oils
★★★★★
Milk Thistle
★★★★★
I never went to the doctor again for BCCs and I have treated dozens of them over the last 30 years or so using the Milk Thistle. You simply break the stem near the top where it is soft, wait a few seconds for the white sap to rise, and dab it on. Then leave it. After an hour or so it will turn a brown colour and after a few days will turn almost black. It sticks like tar and will not come off, even in the shower, providing you dont scrub it! After a week or so it will gradually wear off and the BCC will be much reduced if not gone altogether. Persistent cases may need a second application. It is painless, does not leave a scar or loss of pigment; it is simple to use and it's free! The whole world should know about the old fashioned "cow-cocky" remedy, but I guess that would put a lot of fancy skin cancer clinics out of business.
(Gold Coast, Australia)
01/23/2013
★★★★★
I believe the thistle you are referring to is actually the Common Sow Thistle (Sonchus Oleraceus).
The sap is white but quickly turns brown on exposure to the air. I too have used it for many years to treat minor skin cancers and sun spots and know it to be safe and effective.
(The Usa)
06/28/2013
(Buffalo, Ny)
09/08/2013
(Sydney, Australia)
06/15/2018
To see images of Common Sow Thistle go to: vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au and search "Common Sow-thistle".
I also found that it is used in traditional aboriginal medicine to treat skin ulcers!
I guess it's called "common" because it is found everywhere on the east coast of Australia.
It just springs up along fences and in even in cracks in the pavement.
(London)
07/09/2015
Hello, I'm originally from Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia and I've had one BCC cut and burnt off (a procedure I'd really rather not repeat)! I've got a second BCC which has appeared just under my left eye on the edge of my nose. I would love to try treating it with Milk Thistle. I wanted to ask for a picture of the plant so I can identify the right one. When I google Milk Thistle a few different images come up and I'm not sure if Australian Milk Thistle is the same as what I would find here in the UK (where I'm currently living). If you could help that would be great. Many thanks, Tian.
(colorado)
11/21/2023
Put in search Sonchus oleraceus- that is how you find the image, I just did.
(Tennessee)
07/09/2015
Dear Tian,
I find that trying to identify herbs from pictures in books and on the internet to be difficult. As you observed, the pictures seem to contradict each other! I usually try to find a person who can easily identify herbs for me in person. (Not easy to find such a person.)
Milk Thistle does grow in Australia, so I wonder if "Australian" Milk Thistle is just identifying the harvest location?
When I am having trouble identifying or obtaining a specific herb for a health condition, I usually just try something else first.
There has also been some recent discussion here at Earth Clinic about using bentonite clay on BCC. It might be something to consider.
~Mama to Many~
(FL)
03/09/2019
(Nsw)
09/26/2020
The proper name for the plant you use for BCC is called euphorbia peplus, radium weed or milk weed. You apply once a day for 3 days. Then leave. It works well for superficial BCC ,but anything deeper ( invasive ) I would have cut out asap.
Oregano Oil
Has anyone successfully used oil of oregano on a basal cell carcinoma? I noticed a red spot on my thigh and thought it was an insect bite (though no pain or itching.) For the past few days, I've applied oregano oil on it and covered it with a band-aid, once a day. It seems to be changing — maybe a bit less red — but today I googled skin cancer and saw photos that made it clear that it is basal cell carcinoma.
My impulse was to make an appointment with my dermatologist, but after reading about BCC on earth clinic, I am thinking Curaderm might be a wise move first, right? But I'm curious as to whether anyone has used oregano oil, and if it was effective.
Thank you!
(Rhode Island)
06/14/2018
Pav tree resin ointment (google and buy online). It is irritating but it works. My husband complains about the itchiness. Use it till skin is no longer irritated by ointment. Usually best to consult doctor to make sure not more serious than basal.
(Waianae, HI)
03/07/2024
★★★★★
I am also using oregano oil. The first time I put it on, the BCC burned sooo bad and then burst and bled out. I have continued putting it on 1-2x a week, and the BCC has shrunk down to basically nothing and is almost flat to my nose. I apply castor oil after the oregano oil and it seems to be working well. I will continue this protocol until the tissue looks healthy and I see no more evidence of cancer.
Petty Spurge
★★★★★
I just discovered this wonderful site so forgive my ignorance if this topic has been extensively covered. I noticed that a lot has been written here about using Petty Spurge (euphorbia peplus) for successfully curing warts but I have been using it for several years now to treat non-melanoma skin cancers. Having grown up on the beaches of Australia, I have suffered most of my adult life from the effects of both basal and squamous cell carcinomas and have had extensive (and invasive) excisions and curettage treatments to remove frequent growths. After intense research I tracked down some Petty Spurge herb seeds from a reputable supplier and I now grow my own treatment. I still return for annual check ups with my local dermatologist (such is my paranoia for keeping this dreaded disease under control) but I have not had any need for traditional surgery since using this wonderful herb. Happy to elaborate if anyone would like more info!
(Somewhere, Europe)
05/02/2016
Ianl, I had used that before I gave up and had them cut the "thing" out (leaving me a nice scar....). But each time I put it on it made the "thing" so red and angry-looking that it scared me. I wasn't sure if it was killing it, or making it worse!
I'd love to hear how you use it, or rather, it's sap.
(Frostburg)
05/02/2016
Hello Ianl, I appreciate your mentioning this little plant.
I've been growing petty spurge around my home since 2009. I also grow bloodroot but of the two I prefer the spurge for ridding those skin maladies that arrive through age and exposure to the face and neck. A tiny drop of the white sap destroys the outer layer of just about any odd growth and the scab peels away in 7-days, revealing fresh new tissue. Sometimes that single droplet is not enough and the critter grows back; however, doing the same three-days in a row effectively gets to the root of deeper growths. It does ache a bit when you go that 'extra mile', in similar to a bloodroot salve.
The spurge will grow and die back at least twice each Summer. It can be grown indoors if needed for the Winter. The tiny seeds are not harmed by the intense Winters hereabouts.
Every year I attempt to harness the chemical within the plant, so as to have it available in a bottle or salve. So far, I have only managed a weak effect requiring numerous applications --the full power derived via that fresh teensy droplet from the living plant yet alludes me.
Mmsg,
Yes, I went through the surgical approach, like you, until they started to run out of areas on my body to add new scars to!
The Petty Spurge sap topical treatments have left me scarless - although the first time I used it, I was concerned it might leave me with rather large pockmarks.
I applied the sap for 3 days straight - at roughly the same time each day. First day was an almost immediate reaction (but not painful), 2nd day was more reactive and definitely sensitive. 3rd day I almost felt I had overdone it! Once you get over the shock (and ignore too much visual contact with family & friends who suspect you might have a communicable disease! ) it really becomes very manageable. The open wounds created by the application will dry out and scabs will drop off (along with the BCC's) in a matter of days. For oversensitive skin a mild application of antiseptic cream after the 3rd day does help.
The key to this is only treating one BCC at a time. Any more than that can become quite irritating.
I have not tried alternative approaches such as black salve, eggplant extract, etc. I'm sure these are all effective in their own right as people on this forum will attest to, but for me, personally, Petty Spurge sap has been extremely effective and has helped me manage my ongoing battle with non-melanoma skin cancers with confidence.
Hi Jim,
Sorry, I'm not familiar with the bloodroot approach but would like to learn more about that if you have time to elaborate?
Like you, I use the Petty Spurge sap for 3 days straight and - like you - find the 3rd day to be the most uncomfortable, albeit a mild discomfort when compared to the surgical "cut & stitch" alternative I endured multiple times over previous years!
I live in Western Australia and have found the plants thrive from the fall through to spring. They don't enjoy our long hot summers very much but seem to endure and self-seed regardless. A truly remarkable herb that seems to need very little care and attention once propagated. I've also had limited success collecting the sap and preserving it.
I did find a cottage business here that seems to have done this - although I think they may have added sorbolene to increase the volume.
Interestingly, I discovered this little plant after being prescribed a topical treatment called "Picato" by my dermatologist. One small tube allowed for 3 treatments and cost me A$140! It worked well, but I figured to treat all my BCC's over time would amount to thousands of dollars, so I researched the key ingredient in Picato and found it to be "ingenol mebutate" - and guess what the key component of Petty Spurge sap happens to be?
I know you can find the plant growing in the wild but as I was not well versed in identifying it, I located a reputable supplier and invested all of A$12 for a healthy batch of seeds. I now have a long term supply growing in my backyard.
(california)
11/11/2023
(Montana, USA)
11/11/2023
(Somewhere, Europe)
05/05/2016
Ianl, thanks so much for the description. That's exactly why I panicked, it was looking worse, but now you say that's good.
Curious what you did after a once-a-day three-day application. Mine was a two year battle so maybe it would have needed more after the initial 3 days.
Just trying to know how this works!
Mmsg,
I think the herb has varying degrees of effectiveness for each user. In a survey they conducted in Australia using ingenol mebutate (produced by Petty Spurge) to treat non-melanoma skin cancers, they had an 85% success rate. That's pretty impressive but still means 15% of users found it to be ineffective. For myself, a 3 day application was ample. I never went beyond that schedule as I didn't need to. If you say it didn't work for you then I guess you might be in that 15% category, but since you had the expected reaction to the initial treatment it does seem strange that you didn't get the desired result.
Maybe someone reading this forum can answer that as I'm a little lost as to why it didn't work for you.
(Australia)
05/06/2016
Thanks Ianl for great post and instruction ..you are legend :)
(Somewhere, Europe)
05/06/2016
Hi Mmsg,
Yes, you can definitely be forgiven for that!
Took me a while to get over the shock too but now it doesn't bother me. Good luck with your next treatment!
(Frostburg)
05/07/2016
Hi IanI,
The fresh dark-red sap from the bloodroot plant is comparatively much weaker than the petty spurge, requiring several applications over the day. The bloodroot sap can be evaporated down to a tar, applied as a blob, then covered by a bandaid to help its effectiveness; or the tar can be combined with glycerine and a skin-softening adjunct, such as zinc chloride, to help its attack against the skin malady. DMSO is added by some who make their own salve. The belief is that DMSO helps the destructive agents penetrate to the 'root' of the nasty. Most formulators buy the dried bloodroot powdered; then add water and the other agents, gently cooking it all down to a 'mud'. Again, you put on a blob and cover it with a bandaid and within about 12 hours you feel the dull but increasing ache of the resultant skin-necrosis. Within a day or so the site of the problem looks so amazingly bad that anyone seeing it will tell you to get to the hospital. But the 'mud' has done it's work and all that redness and hurt will slowly go away as the good surrounding skin expels the necrosis.
Some claim bloodroot will only kill bad skin. It does destry weaker skin first; but given enough time it will also attack 'good' skin.
It is typical to develop actinic or other skin damage spots on the nose. I would advise one never apply a bloodroot salve to the nose, as the actual skin layer is so very thin that the resulting necrosis can produce an actual hole into your nasal cavity. Instead, I use a single drop of petty spurge which will destroy only the outer skin-layer. If the nasty returns, again use only the single application of the spurge. Applying the sap three times in three days can result in a hole, also. One has more 'surgical' control with the spurge.
If you have plenty of Greater Celandine growing nearby then a similarly effective concoction can be gleaned through trial-and-error. The orange sap of the greater celandine contains the same destructive alkaloid as bloodroot.
The dandelion and common milkweed plants (of the USA) also have a caustic effect on damaged skin, but are so much weaker when pitted against that tiny droplet of petty spurge.
I've read where the Picato gel costs nearly $600 in the US.
Hi Jim,
Very much appreciate your detailed explanation of how the bloodroot plant works. You have done a huge amount of research and are obviously and expert in this area. I had no prior knowledge of this process and can see it does seem quite arduous compared to the petty spurge treatment. I wonder if you have found it is as effective, considering the amount of preparation involved? I think I'll stick with the latter as it certainly seems a little more manageable. As per your notes, I did have that issue of a small crater forming on my nose after, perhaps, one too many applications. Thankfully, the skin grew over in a few weeks but definitely something to be careful with.
Picato is extremely expensive and $600 per pack would not surprise me at all! Having treated myself with both the gel and the herb, I can honestly say the results were both positive - the noticeable point of differentiation being that the latter was free!
NB: I did pay $12 for seeds as my initial and one off investment!
(Uk)
06/18/2017
(California)
11/10/2017
Can you provide the name of the "cottage business" that sells a bottled version of the Petty spurge sap? I'm here in the U.S. and Picato gel is well over $600 for a small tube. I have Petty spurge growing here and have tried the sap and a poultice of the plant ground up...Maybe the California species I have is not as strong...it has an effect but nothing like what is described here... I have knocked out some small ones completely but the larger ones are being very resilient though getting ever so slightly smaller.
(Scotland)
10/17/2023
Would love to know how to use this. My husband has had bcc for several years. We have tried many options mentioned here but none has completely resolved this issue.
(Seattle)
10/28/2023
★★★★★
Hello Cathie,
This year, for the first time, I found a patch of Petty Spurge growing wild in my garden. I researched it and found amazing uses for it. It is actually a beautiful "weed". I applied the sap very carefully to a spot on my nose and it worked!
INTERESTING INFO
The botanical name is Euphorbia peplus. Other common names include Cancer Weed, Wart Weed, Milk Weed and Radium Weed.
Petty spurge, and all other Euphorbias, are named for a Greek physician of King Juba II (50 BC), Euphorbus, who discovered the medicinal uses of the Euphorbias. It is the only genus of plants that has all three kinds of photosynthesis, CAM, C3 and C4. "Spurge" is derived from Middle English/Old French, "to purge" due to its use as a purgative. All Euphorbias have a caustic milky sap, "latex", which can cause burning to mucousal tissues.
It has long been used successfully as a traditional remedy to treat sunspots, corns, warts, non-melanoma skin cancers (BCC, SCC), actinic keratosis, waxy growths, skin blemishes, and other common skin lesions. it is also used as a tincture to treat other conditions. It was described by Nicolas Culpeper's Complete Herbalist (1826) as “A good treatment for warts”.
It has always been used for sunspots in Australia.
In 1997, Dr Aylward isolated one of the active ingredients, a diterpene ester called Ingenue mebutate, which he discovered was toxic to rapidly replicating human tissue.
Clinical trials of Picato, a gel derived from milkweed sap, suggests it is effective at stopping lesions turning into skin cancer. And, an Australian company called Peplin Biotech is conducting research and developing a gel from the sap of Euphorbia peplus as a simple topical treatment for certain skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. According to Peplin Biotech, the sap penetrates the skin and destroys the malignant tissue.
There are several ways to use Petty Spurge to treat BCC.
RAW SAP:
Pick a fresh stem and wait for the white sap to exude and apply 1 drop only to the lesion (avoid surrounding skin). Apply 1-2 times daily for 1-7 days, usually 2-4 days. Can cover with a bandaid and leave overnight. Note: some have noted they had to repeat the treatment to completely clear out the infection.
Each day use a fresh stem.
Some people mix it with aloe vera gel (50:50,70:30) in which case it might take longer (weeks to months) to resolve though with much less irritation. Apply a thin layer to the affected area only.
When using the raw sap, if there is abnormal growth, there is a strong reaction to the sap. The area will fester, redden, and scab which eventually falls off leaving fresh pink skin. At this point, aloe vera gel can be applied to aid healing.
There are a few points that need to be applied when using the raw sap:
1. When plucking the stems to extract sap, choose the small stems first. The first time you use it only use a tiny dot of the sap, to see how you react and how the lesion reacts.
2. IMPORTANT
Wear gloves and do not allow the sap to get onto your fingers, lips, eyes, nose, genitals or onto healthy skin. Care must be used not to allow the sap onto unaffected skin or anywhere near the eyes. THIS IS IMPORTANT. The eye can be affected more seriously by inflammation because it is easily scarred and cause loss and clarity of vision. It is toxic if ingested and will cause blistering wherever it is applied. If even a tiny dab gets in your eyes, it can cause excruciating pain, redness, swelling and even blindness. Take care not to inadvertently rub your eye when handling the sap. Sweating, rubbing or washing may inadvertently carry the sap into the mouth or eyes causing causing inflammation and scarring.
Congealed latex is insoluble in water though can be removed with an emulsifier such as soap and milk.
3. Apply the sap only to the most prominent and specific tissue only.
4. The lesion should be cleaned with soap and water and dried before applying the sap.
5. Do not over treat. Once or twice per day is more than enough. If the area starts to bleed discontinue. Most people apply it once daily, usually at bedtime.
6. It is recommended to see a doctor or alternative healthcare specialist before self-treating.
A typical sequence of healing is listed below. Obviously it will vary a lot, depending on what you are treating, the severity, your state of health and age, and other conditions.
Day 1: Redness surrounding the lesion, sometimes mild localised pain.
Days 2-3: Swelling, red area spreads. There may be some level of pain from the lesion.
Days 4-5: lesion may ooze or form a crater.
Day 6. Lesion starts to dry, no pain, there may be some itching.
Day 7. Scab starts to form.
Days 7-14. Scab heals and falls off.
Do not pick at the scab that forms. It will delay healing, may cause infection, and may cause a scar. It is tempting to pick but let it come off on its own.
Keratosis. When treating keratoses, on day 4 erythema (redness), flaking/scaling and crusting may peak.
VARIOUS DIY SALVES
Apply a thin coat to the affected area daily until resolved.
1. Petty Spurge sap, Wheat germ oil, Grapeseed oil, Mango Butter, Vitamin E.
2. Petty Spurge Sap, Sorbolene (emulsified coconut wax).
3. Petty Spurge 3%, aloe leaf juice, coconut oil, almond oil, emulsifying beeswax, Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate), Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate), Vitamin D (ergocalciferol). All ingredients are organic.
COMMERCIAL GELS
There are several companies that make a cream from the sap, some are sold on Amazon (e.g., PhytoMedx Suphorbia Cream). The active ingredient in Euphorbia peplus sap is ingenol mebutate, which has been approved by the FDA in the United States of America for use as a gel on skin lesion. Treatment appears to involve applying the gel 0.05% once daily for two or three consecutive days to the surface of the BCC or SCC lesion.
Study:
Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5.2. Petty Spurge (Euphorbia peplus (L.))
The latex of the lactiferous petty spurge contains toxic diterpene esters such as ingenol mebutate. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of 0.025% and 0.05% ingenol mebutate gel compared to placebo in 200 patients with actinic keratoses. The topical products were applied once daily for three days. Both ingenol mebutate concentrations were highly effective (75% and 100% clearing, versus 0% clearing with placebo). Ingenol mebutate induces a localized necrosis of the treated skin, followed by an inflammatory response, crusting and subsequent clearing of the treated area. Scar formation was not observed [53] (LOE-A). These results were confirmed in another randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study [54] (LOE-A). Ingenol mebutate gel was approved in 2013 as a prescription drug (150 µg/g gel and 500 µg/g gel).
RESEARCH
Recent research into Petty Spurge has shown that a wide range of cancer cells is acutely sensitive to this substance.
In many studies, the Active Ingredient: Ingenol Mebutate -
is an activator of Protein Kinase C which is a key factor in the treatment of cancer.
In laboratory experiments against leukemia cells lines, Ingenol Mebutate (Ingenol-3-angelate) was found to be both selective in targeting leukemia cells and that the leukemia cells are highly sensitive to the small doses being applied.
in laboratory trials with skin cancer in mice, 3 daily topical applications resulted in significant clearance.
intermediate clinical trials (Phase IIa) against Sunspots (Actinic Keratosis) resulted in significant clearance.
Phase I/II clinical trials show that the sap from Petty Spurge resulted in significant clearance of human non-melanoma skin cancers.
Caution: Petty Spurge sap is toxic and should not be used internally.
An interesting study found uses for other cancer types:
Anticancer Drugs. 2007 Mar;18(3):357-62. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0b013e3280149ec5.
Proceedings of the First International Conference on PEP005
Steven M Ogbourne 1, Peter Hampson, Janet M Lord, Peter Parsons, Peter A De Witte, Andreas Suhrbier
PMID: 17264770 DOI: 10.1097/CAD.0b013e3280149ec5
Abstract
The sap of Euphorbia peplus, commonly know as 'petty spurge', 'radium weed' or 'milkweed' has been used for centuries as a traditional treatment for skin conditions, including warts, corns and cancers of the skin. Documentation of its use by medical professionals to treat basal cell carcinoma (BCC) dates from the early 19 century. Individuals who participated in a 1988 survey of home treatments for cancer indicated the sap of E. peplus was an effective cure for actinic lesions leading the investigators to suggest that this potential utility should be further explored in controlled clinical trials. The fractionation of the sap E. peplus using solvents of varying polarity yielded several macrocyclic diterpenes, many of which were found to have cytotoxic activity or the ability to influence cellular differentiation. Ultimately, ingenol 3-angelate (I3A) of PEP005, emerged as a promising potential new anti-cancer treatment. Here we report the proceedings from the First International Conference on PEP005, covering the exciting potential of PEP005 as the therapeutic agent for the treatment of skin cancer, leukemia and bladder cancer.
(Craig alaska)
08/05/2024
Preventing BCC
★★★★★
If you have sun damaged skin there is good evidence now of usage of vitamin B3 and curcumin (both orally and topically), see Sydney Uni studies etc. They may also work on already established BCCs (even my very left brained doctor told me about trying these). My skin cancers have almost halted since I used these and Vit C in past years.
If you are 'told' to use Aldara, PLEASE google it! I have ended up with Parkinson's disease, unfixable vision loss, shingles/ postherpetic neuralgia (excruciating pain through 2/3 of my body), coeliac disease, skin rashes on chest and neck etc. As severe symptoms happened overnight on my last dose, I can connect the dots easily.
I tell the doctors as I don't want others to suffer, they all go into denial and cover it up (as they have prescribed it often for decades for BCC or genital warts). I post this info on medical websites and it does not get posted (they are 'selective'). I don't want others to suffer :) Better to get cut out if need (the surgeons are pretty good stitchers often! ) Otherwise use Aldara minimally. There are class action court cases.
(Cairns, Queensland)
11/09/2016
Hi, unfortunately my doctor put me onto Aldara under its generic name DS. I've had some bad effects and am getting checked out for dementia pre-Alzheimer's because of sudden bad effects, not just low grade of what is like a pre-Alzheimer's it turns out. Parkinsons is in the family and it was suspected that it might he causing previous issues before. However, I'm here about vision. My vision seems to have degraded a bit more. I would like to ask what the vision degregation mechanism is DS? Because if it is because of demylination only, I have in the past treated mine with natural myelination cofactors and much improved my vision back. But if one doesn't treat fast enough the demyelination results in progressive nerve cell death over time that can't be repaired. So while things are better it doesnt get 100% and when it happens again the 100% of what remains can be lower. Worth looking up remyelination. Another warning, the effects seem to come up when my immune system came up.
(Pa)
12/20/2016
Whether you get it cut out or use the natural remedies you are still only addressing the symptons. You need to also treat the causes using diet and lifestyle changes. To develope all the other problems you mentioned sounds like you eat a poor diet and possibly a sedamentary life style. I don't like medicines either but I doubt if you can blame all the problems on a medicine you took. I don't think that can be proven.
(Bellingham, Wa)
02/24/2017
(Los Angeles, Ca)
06/22/2017
Carol,
Nowhere in either of the previous posts did I see any mention of their diet, nor sedentary lifestyle. Sure, everyone ideally should work on themselves to that end. But we don't have to sound so soap boxish about it either.
Margeaux
(Calgary)
10/17/2024
Preventing BCC
(Nj)
09/17/2013
Hi Peter,
there are several video's on youtube about skin cancer cures. I know that anyone can post on youtube but most of them have open comments on them also. A lot of them that I've seen were claiming that the product or products worked. These are not pharmaceuticals, so they are not trying to sell you anything. The reason I responded to your comment was b/c I used to be a big sun worshipper, and I lived on the Jersey Shore beaches all summer long. Now in my 50s, I get a little paranoid if I see a new freckle. I wanted to do some research on my own in case a Dr ever told me that I did have skin cancer. So while I'm not exactly giving you any answers, I'm hoping I was able to help you look into some other options that might help. You may want to search black salve on youtube or one video in particular on there was about BCC and the man documented his progress. You can see it here, http://youtu.be/U2YYYPEcndM
Hope that helps.
Patti
(Jacksonville, Florida)
03/11/2016
Just diagnosed with BCC on the area in between my eyes, just above the bridge of the nose. Its is very small and has been there for about 25 years!! It has not grown bigger and in fact has gotten smaller since applying Vitamin C serum to my face for wrinkles. My concern is that it is nodular BCC and they say that this type of cancer goes deeper and grows roots. If I can use these natural remedies to remove the exposed area, how do I know if the roots are gone? Are there tests that docs can do to see inside??
(Somewhere, Europe)
03/11/2016
Debbie, mine was in the exact place that you describe. I eventually had it removed, leaving a noticeable scar, but I was just "testing" my face with ACV to see if there were any spots that reacted to the ACV. There are none, thank G-d, but I wonder if it's a good test to see what's what. I got the idea from reading the ACV pages and noticing that when people used it for BCC, it went after the tentacles too.
Red Wine Vinegar
★★★★★
Anyone have any suggestions of ridding myself of these things? - other than a doc which is a last resort.
(Somewhere, Europe)
08/02/2015
(Long Beach, Ca)
08/02/2015
Feelings? I don't know about that one, but I guess ones outlook/attitude on life (if that's what you mean by "feelings") can have an effect on health. I have a very negative outlook on life; plus, I rarely exercise. I'm thinking maybe some exercise might help as I was waking up in the middle of the night a few yrs ago caused by a tad of vile wanting to come up from my stomach into my throat. I started jogging (not because I thought it would help, but because I had planned on getting some exercise before the vile). The vile subsided a bit more with every day of jogging until it went 100% away. I stopped jogging after a few weeks, but the vile hasn't returned.
As far as food goes, I don't think I'm eating anything different before the lesions.
Being blond/blue, and now 54 y/o and having many sunburns in the 70/80s I was thinking that may have something to do with the lesions. but most of the sunburns were on my arms, upper shoulders and back. no lesions there.
Thanks for the reply.
(Somewhere, Europe)
08/03/2015
(Arizona, Usa)
07/12/2016
(Pa)
12/20/2016
Cancer is not just a surface problem. I wish everyone could heal as easily as a little Apple Cider Vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Some must go deeper. By that I mean treating what caused the cancer in the first place.
Surgical Spirit
★★★★★
I have had a basal cell carcinoma on my nose for several years. I tried ACV, Hydrogen Peroxide, Manuka honey, and Aloe Vera and some helped but then would stop working. I also tried mushed up raw broccoli with which I had the best results, but even that stopped working. Meanwhile I ended up with a large red lump on my nose, very embarassing and unsightly and so large I could see it when looking forwards.
I was at a loss as to what to do when I thought that not a lot survives surgical spirit, so perhaps it was worth giving it a go, which I did with some trepidation. It took a long while and it was difficult not to try and remove the scablike structure and just let it come off naturally. Whilst it may come back, I am happy to say that I currently have a normal nose. There is just a slight bit of dry skin that needs to repair still. Best of all a cheap remedy.
Vitamin C
★★★★★
The doctor went over options and recommended Aldara. I got it then read the side effects and realized it might mess up my immune system, which is already messed up from longterm Lyme. I decided to go back to the derm and ask about the other options.
Meantime, I got on Earthclinic and learned about using baking soda, coconut oil, and vitamin C, among other things.
I started using those 3 for a few days but after researching studies, switched to only C (ascorbic acid) powder. (Some people say L ascorbic is better. After researching it, I think it doesn't matter, though I am not sure.)
While waiting for the Dr.appointment, did the C for two weeks (including the few days of using the other things as well).
Every day, I am putting the C on as a paste (mixing it with water) and cover it with a Band-Aid to keep light from oxidizing it. keeping it on usually 12 hours but at least 4, as per a study I read.
(I think it is also OK to leave it uncovered and put it on 3x a day.)
Outdoors during the day, I cover it with a Band-Aid whether or not the C is on it.
The C made it sting and turn red; it would fade sometimes, then turn red again with more applications of the paste.
After about a week, it seemed to melt away; a small bit peeled off. Now the area is light pink and smoother, just a little texture, and It no longer turns red from the C, sometimes a little pinker.
When went back to the dermatologist, he asked if I used the Aldara. I said no, just C. He said my skin looks fine, keep using the C, and come back in three months. He said if it is malignant, it will double in thickness during that time. He said if it does not thicken then I am fine, no more to do.
I don't think he was implying it wasn't a cancer to begin with (I am quite sure it is, as I see the "fingers.")
One thing I learned from this is that I had to buy a new bottle of C. I have a really old bottle of it, probably oxidized. As soon as I bought the new bottle, a few days into this process, it had a much stronger effect.
Having studied more, I am concerned that ascorbic acid oxidizes quickly and I may need to replace the bottle every couple weeks, but so far, it seems to still be giving me a sting, and the lesion continues to look better. I'm going to try to find more info on this.
Will update this post after I go back to the dermatologist, or sooner if anything else of note happens.
From the studies it seems that usually the tumors fully go away but in some cases there is some residual cancer even after three months. But with the more "medical" treatments don't always get it all either. This is the main study I was going by. There are a few others online, wish there were more.
https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(16)30032-9/fulltext
(Ca)
10/11/2024
Vitamin C
★★★★★
Vitamin C
★★★★★
I had a very small spot on my nose that started to bleed and wouldn't heal so I'm pretty sure it was a basal cell. I read that some people cured there bcc with Vit C. First I tried Sodium Ascorbate paste made with water and that was going slowly. Finally I went from eating dairy everyday (lactovegetarian) to a vegan diet and tried Ascorbic Acid powder in a paste with Aloe gel. Ascorbic acid will sting unlike sodium ascorbate. The second application it started to bleed and scab, like a small dark purple scab. I think I applied it one more time after that, then I left it alone. A week later the spot is healed with no scar. For almost 3 months that spot had a mind of its own, turning red or bleeding. Now finally it looks like normal skin. Cool!
(San Juan Capistrano, Ca)
10/24/2011
I have been using buffered vitamin c on a cancerous spot. It has taken a few weeks but it is finally scabbing up and shrinking. I emptied out a buffered c capsule into a cup, wet a qtip, dipped it in it until it bubbled and put it on the spot three times a day. At first it itched, then after a week it stung a little and then it started to bleed and scab. Now it is about half the size. I'll let you know if it clears up completely.
(Detroit, Usa)
12/09/2011
(Providence, Ri)
01/25/2012
I'm going to have a biopsy on my face tomorrow. Just because I want to know what I am dealing with.
Afterwards, what do you suggest I put on it to help it heal since it will be freshly opened and 'take' a natural cure better???
I hope to avoid Moh's surgery if it is skin cancer, which I am almost sure it is. I'll have to wait about a month or two between the biopsy and the possible Moh's surgery.
Thank you!
(Asheville, Nc)
03/20/2012
I had a feeling I couldn't have treated my spot enough in my first post but because of work I let it go on for months since it wasn't too noticeable, less than 1mm and flat but then it got a little bloody one day so this is what I did. First, I'm not advising anyone to do this, I'm a DIY junkie. It matched the description for BCC but I didn't have a biopsy (my Dad is always having them burned off). The first day I cleaned it with H2O2 and put a paste of ascorbic acid. This makes the surrounding tissue very red so the second night I switched to Sodium ascorbate. After my showers I also used H202. By the 4th night I had like a raised white scab thing and I was to work on the 6th day so I quit putting vit c on. I used h202 but I didn't try to pull the white scab off because I was afraid it would look worse at work. It was an ugly blemish on the side of my nose.
By the 7th night after work the crust was real hard and I tried to pull it but it started to bleed from under it. The bleeding stopped when I washed it with H202 and I nervously went to bed (what have I done now! ?). On day 8 I took a steamy shower which softened the white dead skin and applying peroxide with an eye dropper I easily debrided the white skin leaving a clean red mark. After that I used peroxide acouple times a day which caused less and less of white exudate and now day 10 I have a non reactive spot of skin that looks pretty fabulous. You can just barely see a slightly redder color of skin where it used to be like a healed scab. I really can't believe it so I will follow up on this post periodically to say whether it comes back.
I also couldn't maintain the vegan diet from last post and had started eating dairy. I did go vegan for 10 days right before I started this treatment again but got too tired at my job and ate some cheese. (lactovegetaian 30 years). I'm gonna attempt to keep the dairy at a minimum. I must say I'm gonna feel relieved at work today that it appears I have not just made something worse! Last time I used Vit C I didn't use peroxide at all so maybe that's the key. You have to get that white bubbly growth of exudate, I don't know unfortunately, I'm just saying so far this is less painful than going to the Dr! Oh yeah, and cost less than a couple bucks. Sodium ascorbate powder is expensive but my jar was like 4 yrs old so I'm not sure it was active but it didn't look oxidized
(Oberlin, Ohio)
07/24/2012
The simplest way to remove a small basal cell carcinoma is with the head of a nail heated on the stove or with a propane torch, it does smart a bit and scars a little more than freezing it out with liquid nitrogen, but it's vastly less expensive. Just use common sense, go slow and easy, and don't thrust it violently into the skin as in some old cowboy movie.
(Nacogdoches, Tx)
04/17/2013
Alcohol and antibiotic ointment have been a successful therapy for a basal cell next to my ear that was removed and returned. Had to be the combo as each by itself was ineffective. Cleared in scalp as well. Please post.
(Hong Kong)
06/16/2014
Hi, I am delighted to hear that you are all having success with your natural treatments. I wish you all luck and health.
However, being a long time sufferer of BCC I have to say that the Mohs and plastics surgery I have had has been amazing and if you can afford it it has been a good option for me. Several of my colleagues have had large BCC removed from their faces and due to the good auspices of an american trained plastic surgeon are good as new.
The only other thing I would add is if you cure yourself please invest some $ in a biopsy to make sure. I have had a bcc "heal up" only to be active underneath requiring a 2" hole in my neck and a skin graft.
On the subject of melanoma please don't delay I have also been down that route and am still here 16 years later and have seen my kids grow up due to surgery. The prognosis isn't great if it gets out and about.
I'd love to try your cures but for me I can't take a chance with the "experiment".
With very best wishes to you all.
(Hotspot, Texas)
06/17/2014
Richard, glad that Moh's surgery has worked well for you. Many of us with BCC/SCCs end up in alt med because of recurrence.
I had a BCC removed by Moh's. The incision ran from the outer corner of my eye to the inner corner and then down my nose to below my upper lip. Caring for such a large open wound near my brain was truly terrifying.
About a month after the surgery, a new growth started up on the opposite side of my nose. Eight months after my surgery, a new growth started up right on the Moh's incision line. This is not unusual for cancer surgery patients to experience.
Moh's surgery does not guarantee skin cancer will not recurr in that spot or other spots. Like black salve, vit C, etc., it is treating the symptom, but not the cause.
My point is that conventional medicine is no better off than we are in keeping cancers from recurring. It is simply a different way of removing cancer growths. Removing them does not necessarily cure the patient of cancer.
(California, US)
10/14/2014
(Carbondale, Co)
11/06/2014
I've been using vit c, frankincense, aldera, baking soda, peroxide, castor oil. My Basal Cell Carcinoma just seems to be getting raw and bigger with little cyst looking particles. The area just seems to be getting larger and worse. Anyone tried bloodroot or have any suggestions? It's on my chin near lip so I'm truing to avoid surgery. Please help if you have any suggestions.
Julie: Try to find a salve w/ Bloodroot as one of the ingredients. I have a salve product called "Tumorgone" that contains bloodroot.
(Ten Mile, Tn.)
11/07/2014
HI U JULIE, , , , , , , , Black salve or blood root will get this but it does not know when to stop eating and will disfigure you. Please investigate Curederm, which is made from the egg plant.
http://www.curederm.com.au/skincancer/actinic.php
If you need confidence, then buy and read the book.
http://www.curadermnetwork.com/curaderm-book.html
It worked for me. =======ORH=======
(WI)
03/25/2023
I heard Bloodroot only attacks cancer cells....not healthy normal cells. This from a Dr.who used it on her breast cancer and healed herself...IDK
(Somewhere, Europe)
11/07/2014
Julie, I've tried all of those things (minus aldara) and more for over a year. Nada. So I've made an appointment for surgery, and am just leaving it alone for now. Lo and behold, it looks a wee bit better, but very crusty and flaky, so I dab on a tiny bit of virgin olive oil once in a while so that it won't look too scary. If there is any significant difference by the time surgery rolls around, I might cancel it.
What I'm thinking is that maybe, just maybe, all those things actually DID work and now it has to heal. Who knows?!
(Wnc)
11/21/2014
O.k. Here is my update. My spot that I had for years on the left side of my nose although looking like a scar where the biopsy was, I knew it wasn't right. My new biopsy came back BCC infiltrative focal pattern. Perhaps I didn't treat myself long enough with the natural treatments or even effudex. I am 9 days post MOHS. I feel very blessed that it hadn't spread further. Still Doc took out probably a centimeter or more and reconstructed the site. I was very lucky to have a skilled MOHS surgeon. she did a fine job as far as I can tell so far. Yeah, so for me for now, I'm probably going to be very vigilant about going to the Dr if something crops up.