Mesothelioma Cancer Patient Helped by Herb Pawpaw
Marie Augustine was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma cancer three years ago and given a prognosis of six months to live. Too weak for chemotherapy and radiation her family investigated various alternative modalities. Today she is alive, thanks in part to the holistic therapies that she tried and the support of her family. According to her story as reported in the Lake Cowichan Gazette, Marie used Chinese medicine, an herb called Pawpaw, and various other “alternative health programs” to help manage her mesothelioma. In discussing her improvement with Pawpaw, Marie is quoted as saying, “Within a month I noticed the difference. It was slow, but noticeable.”
Pawpaw (Asimina) is a genus of small clustered trees with large leaves and fruit, native to North America. Its edible fruits (sometimes referred to as “Indiana Bananas”) have been used for food for centuries. Recently, stem bark extracts have been shown to have potent antitumor effects in the laboratory. According to studies performed at Purdue University, “Extracts of paw paw are among the most potent of the 3,500 species of higher plants screened for bioactive compounds in our laboratories…[they have] powerful cytotoxicity, in vivo antitumor, pesticidal, antimalarial, anthelmintic, piscicidal, antiviral, and antimicrobial effects…encapsulated extract has been effectively used by certain cancer patients as a botanical supplement product.” To date there have been no published studies on the use of Pawpaw in mesothelioma.
Other long-term mesothelioma survivors like Rhio O’Connor and Paul Kraus have used various herbs as part of their healing regimen including Astragalus, Cat’s Claw, and Pawpaw.
Marie Augustine reminds fellow mesothelioma survivors that “I would like people to know there is hope. Just don’t give up.”
Sources:
Lake Cowichan Gazette, “Just how important is family?” by Doug Marner
McLaughlin JL. Paw paw and cancer
