Saunas and cancer

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, June, 2004 by Lawrence Wilson

Showering after each sauna session is important. Some people do not want to take the time to shower. However, one will reabsorb some toxins if they remain on the skin too long. Use a skin brush each time one showers and reduce soap and shampoo use as much as possible.

Frequency of sauna use. In cases of cancer it is best to use a sauna three times a day, rather than the usual once or twice a day. Each session may need to be shorter, such as 20-30 minutes, especially if one is debilitated.

Duration of sauna therapy. On average, at least two years of continuous sauna therapy are recommended for cancer cases. One will often feel better much sooner. However, since cancer is an end-stage illness, two years are best to prevent a recurrence. After two years, assuming health has returned and tests are normal, I recommend maintenance therapy with one to three sauna sessions per week.

Cleaning the sauna. More frequent cleaning of the sauna may be required for a cancer patient. Place a towel on the floor and wash as needed in the washing machine. Walls of a wooden enclosure can be washed with Oxi-clean or another non-toxic cleaner. If one is using a frame enclosure covered with blankets or fabric, wash the covering and frame once a month or more.

More information about sauna therapy is found in the Manual of Sauna Therapy. (10)

References

1. Yamazaki, T., Infrared Therapy, Man and History Co., Tokyo, 1987.

2. Beard, J., Embriological aspects and etiology of carcinoma, The Lancet, 1902;1:1758

3. The Townsend Letter, #240, July 2003, pp. 34-35.

4. Nature, August 2003.

5. Kelley, W.D., One Answer To Cancer 1975.

6. Coley, W.B., A Preliminary Note on the Treatment of Inoperable Sarcoma by the Toxic Product of Erysipelas, Post-Graduate Medicine, 8:278-86, 1893.

7. Guyton, A., Textbook of Medical Physiology, 6th edition, W.B. Saunders Company, 1981, p.892.

8. Kukreja, R.C., ed, Heat Shock Proteins in Myocardial Protection, Landes Bioscience, 2000. Also see Verlag, S., Heat Shock, 1991.

9. Dennis, C., Colorology, Rainbows Unlimited, Clearwater, Florida, 1994.

10. Wilson, L, Manual of Sauna Therapy, 2003.

by Lawrence Wilson, MD

Correspondence:

Lawrence Wilson, MD

P.O. Box 54

Prescott, Arizona 86302-0054 USA

928-445-7690

Larry@drlwilson.com

www.drlwilson.com