Informed and conscientious patients want to know more about their cancer treatment options. Sadly, most have only heard one side of the story. The truth of the matter is that there are many options when it comes to cancer treatment, and I believe that patients should have the freedom to choose the treatments which they feel are best for their specific situation. I offer what I consider to be the best option for many patients.
Below is a Q&A with me which appears in the 2015-2016 edition of the Medical Answer Book, a yearly
publication here in Atlanta. I was one of the featured experts, and answered questions including “what is integrative oncology?” and “why do people choose alternative cancer treatment?”
Q: What is integrative cancer treatment?
A: Integrative cancer treatment combines the best aspects of modern medicine with the best natural and evidence-based alternative therapies. This combination is safe and effective, and is personalized to the needs of each patient.
Q: What is your treatment philosophy?
A: I developed my Four Pillars of Cancer Care to create a comprehensive, whole-person approach to treatment. This four-pronged approach addresses the cancer itself, and also works on improving the immune system while protecting and nourishing the body’s healthy cells. All of this is done in the context of addressing the emotional and spiritual components of a scary diagnosis such as cancer.
Q: How does the low dose chemotherapy you provide compare to the high dose chemotherapy used by most conventional oncologists?
A: I only give low dose chemotherapy through a delivery system known as insulin potentiation therapy (IPT). This innovative approach allow us to use about 10-20% of the typical chemo doses. The strategic use of insulin allows us to safely and effectively use much lower doses of chemotherapy because the drugs are believed to be more targeted to the cancer cells. A major advantage of this approach is that the body’s healthy cells are relatively spared, so the toxic effects of high dose chemotherapy are reduced. Another benefit to this approach is that unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and hair loss occur at a much lower rate, if at all.
Q: What other therapies do you typically use in your protocols?
A: My protocols focus on high quality nutrition. My eating plan, The Stegall Protocol, is the culmination of years of research into cancer cells’ unique physiology. In addition, I use intravenous (IV) vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants which allow for high absorption into the cells. I administer other IV treatments which are designed to enhance the immune system. I also develop a personalized supplement protocol, using physician grade supplements which have been shown to be beneficial against cancer.
Q: Why do people choose this form of cancer care?
A: Many of my patients have tried conventional oncology treatment such as high dose chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery with little to no benefit for their cancer. Others simply want a more natural approach with fewer side effects. We have patients who come to us from throughout the country to receive this innovative cancer care.
Q: Why don’t more doctors treat cancer this way?
A: Our understanding of cancer is changing very quickly. Unfortunately, many doctors find it difficult to stay on top of the latest research, especially since many promising therapies are found in smaller journals or through anecdotal reports which aren’t widely available. In addition, these therapies are not a focus of conventional oncology training programs. As a result, patients often do not hear about them unless they seek them out themselves.
Q: What advice would you give to patients investigating treatment options for cancer?
A: I would tell them to be their own advocate, and research various treatments for themselves as much as possible. The amount of information out there can be overwhelming, so I have complied resources on my website at drstegall.wpengine.com which many patients find helpful. Call (770) 551-2730 for more information.