Nearly three years ago, I was diagnosed as having prostate cancer. What a shock this was to a holistic medical doctor who had been practicing complementary medicine in Alaska for 12 years and before that was a full-time tenured professor of preventive medicine for a decade. Why me? I was supposed to help others prevent cancer... not have it myself!

In truth, the news was so traumatic to me that I didn't want to tell anyone for two years. I didn't even tell my children. I was concerned about people's attitude toward cancer. Would people put me in a category of someone who didn't have much time to live? Would they feel sorry for me? As a doctor specializing in preventive medicine, I felt an element of shame.

I am pleased to report that I have now survived three years and am in good health with no symptoms or signs related to prostate cancer. Although my PSA (Prostatic Specific Antigen test, a serological test that screens for prostate cancer) is still elevated, it is static. I'm looking forward to many more years of teaching and assisting others. In fact, I expect to outlive Linus Pauling who, at age 94, died with cancer in his prostate, which he had been managing for several years. It is believed that more men die with cancer in their prostate than from it.

I found out about my cancer months after a routine physical, which included blood tests and a PSA. At the usual follow-up visit to the physical, three months later, the doctor pronounced me healthy and my blood tests all within the normal range. About a week later I decided to review my copy of the lab results and compare them with the previous tests. Low and behold, on the last page, standing all alone, was my PSA result. It was elevated to a level that indicated that I might have prostate cancer. I was stunned and angry. The doctor or his staff should have noticed this abnormality over three months ago, when the blood tests first came back, and notified me then. Not only had my doctor missed this positive test twice, but also I had lost three month's time in dealing with a possible cancer.

I had a repeat PSA done. As it was still high, I had a needle biopsy performed on my prostate gland. The biopsy was positive for cancer. Because of the degree of positivity, I was advised to have immediate surgery or at least consider chemotherapy or radiation. I turned these down and chose to follow a nutritional and herbal approach instead.

I want to be clear that even though I decided not to utilize conventional treatments, I do not recommend this for everyone. In my opinion, the conventional therapies of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy do have their place for some people and some cancers. The individual choice depends upon many factors. The most important of these is that the individual with cancer and his or her family actively seek out information on both conventional and alternative methods of treatment and only then decide what is best for them. Ultimately, the decision is yours: it's your life. A perfect doctor with a perfect solution is a rarity. I found this out when my own doctor didn't tell me about my positive PSA; I had to find it myself.

So how does a patient, or family, choose who is to be on the treatment team? How do you decide which treatment is best for you? The shock of a cancer diagnosis throws many people into turmoil, and clear thinking is often difficult. Because of this, an advisor in the form of a book or knowledgeable individual is very helpful. Everyone will benefit from a support team of trusted family, friends and empathetic health advisors.

One book I recommend is Complementary Cancer Therapies by Dan Labriola, N.D. (Prima Publishing; see www.primahealth.com). This book will answer many of your questions, and will provide you with a structure to find your answers. Another source of great hope, especially for those interested in nutritional therapies, is Dr. Lorraine Day. This orthopedic surgeon was given only three weeks to live; her cancer recovery story is amazing. Anyone with cancer could benefit from viewing her inspiring videos or audiotapes. Check out her website at www.drday.com.

Above all, find health care professionals who are positive and optimistic; avoid those who are not. A healthy friend about age fifty was recently diagnosed as having bowel cancer with secondary spread. What a traumatic pronouncement! The doctor made it worse by stating that the patient had only three months to live. This is atrocious! Any doctor with that attitude, using those words, I would fire immediately.

Hope is very important. The doctor could have truthfully said that although the biopsy findings indicate a very serious condition, people have survived from this and worse conditions, and we can't predict who the survivors will be. Miracles or unexplainable events do happen. Dr. Lorraine Day is a living example of this!

One final word of advice: It is important that your treatment team includes a health professional who has detailed and specific knowledge about nutrition and supplements that are supportive to the particular therapy you are receiving. Some supplements can interfere if taken at the same time as radiation and chemotherapy, though they may be helpful before and after.

When I ask myself why did I get cancer, why me, I think I have an answer. Perhaps I had a part in allowing this cancer to manifest so that I could use the knowledge acquired in my forty years of practice as a general practitioner, medical schoolteacher, researcher and epidemiologist to help others and myself. From this, a new career is developing. I will now lecture to groups and advise individuals on the rational management of cancer. My theme will always be that each individual has the knowledge and ability to find answers for his or her own particular situation. My role may be as a coach to assist others in finding their answers.

My lecture series on Self-Help for Cancer will be launched in Anchorage on Thursday, November 16, 7 p.m., at the Wilda Marston theater. I will also be writing additional articles on other aspects of cancer management. You are welcome to view these articles on my website and in future issues of Alaska Wellness. Dr. Russell Manuel retired from medical practice in Alaska in 1996 and now lectures and presents workshops throughout the U.S.A. and Canada. Contact information: website: www.holisticMDadvisor.com; e-mail: docmanuel@home.com; voice mail: 888-WHOLE44