Aretha Franklin Has Pancreatic Cancer

UPDATE: WJBK FOX 2 News in Detroit confirms that Franklin has cancer. A family insider told the station that she's doing, "OK," but they ask for the public's prayers.

PREVIOUSLY:
A week after undergoing surgery for a mystery illness, the National Enquirer reports (via PopCrunch) that famed singer Aretha Franklin has incurable pancreatic cancer.

The surgery, labeled a success, came under mysterious circumstances. This is the first time this illness has been reported. In November, she canceled all concerts through May 2011 due to "medical reasons."

The Enquirer's report lists pancreatic survival rates at 5-10%, and even lower for someone of Franklin's age and weight.

Comments

[juliaschopick]

12:33 PM on 01/04/2011

In his comment to this post about Aretha Franklin's pancreatic cancer, George Adams pointed out that Dr. Burt Berkson has had excellent results treating this usually fatal form of cancer with a combination of intravenous alpha lipoic acid and oral low dose naltrexone.

My just-published book, HONEST MEDICINE: "Effective, Time-Tested, Inexpensive Treatments for Life-Threatening Diseases," features both of these treatments. In fact, Dr. Berkson wrote the preface for my book, as well as his own chapter. AND, another chapter was written by Paul Marez, the first pancreatic cancer patient Dr. Berkson treated. Paul is alive and well EIGHT YEARS LATER.

My book is on Amazon now: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982969007/. I hope it will help more people to know about these innovative (yet, little known) treatments.

I also hope that someone will get a copy of my book to Ms. Franklin, so that she can learn about this valuable treatment before she is subjected to the toxic (and usually futile) drugs most oncologists prescribe for pancreatic cancer.

(I would be glad to send her a copy. If anyone knows where to send it, so that she will actually get it, please write to me at [e-mail], and I will send her a copy.)

Thanks so much.
Julia Schopick
www.HonestMedicine.com

[George Adams]

11:23 AM on 12/28/2010

I have read most of the comments and I can't believe no one has spoken about Low Dose Naltrexone as it has a 56% success rate with even stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. I lost my wife to Pancreatic Cancer and researched other treatments too late for her. Chemo will not work.
There is a patient driven movement across the world to promote this drug that super charges your own immune system to stop many cancers, MS and Chrones disease. One Patient had stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer with only weeks to live and went back to work in 3 months and is alive and well eight years later. All cases are proven and documented in the New England Journals of Medicine. Originally Dr. Behari had a 79% success rate with his 375 cancer trial Patients.
I've done 300 hours of research so please have her look into this as otherwise there is no hope at all. Everyone should check this out as we all know someone with many of these Auto Immune Diseases.
Lowdosenaltrexone.org
Honest Medicine Berkson...Audio Download
You Tube... Berkson LDN
You Tube... lowdosenaltrexone
I found there is a cure that big Pharma is trying to suppress as its cheap and effective. Dr. Berkson is a scientist, professor and an MD with 16 years of medical training and 23 years with the FDA, so this is all true and is the only Doctor who can save this womans life.
Check it out. George Adams

[juliaschopick]

12:24 PM on 01/04/2011

George: Thanks for leading people to my interview with Dr. Burt Berkson. As you point out, he has had excellent results treating pancreatic cancer with a combination of intravenous alpha lipoic acid and oral low dose naltrexone.

My just-published book, HONEST MEDICINE: "Effective, Time-Tested, Inexpensive Treatments for Life-Threatening Diseases," features both LDN and IV ALA. There is lots of information about both treatments, and, in fact, Dr. Berkson wrote the preface and his own chapter. AND, another chapter was written by Paul Marez, the first pancreatic cancer patient Dr. Berkson treated. Paul is alive and well EIGHT YEARS LATER. My book is on Amazon now: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982969007/. I hope it will help more people to know about these innovative (yet, little known) treatments.

PS: Dr. Bihari's widow, Jackie Young, wrote a wonderful testimonial for my book!
Julia Schopick
www.HonestMedicine.com

[Marsena Cook]

02:40 PM on 12/15/2010

This is such sad news to hear of a phenomenal artist. I grew up hearing Aretha's "Amazing Grace" gospel album as a child. I pray that the Lord will guide her through this situation. My great-grandmother died in 1993 of pancreatic cancer.

I also pray that this will be a wake-up call to all of us to live healthier lifestyles. Obesity is killing so many of us. Let's make the change!

[Donna McGregor]

08:34 PM on 12/13/2010

I love Aretha. God Bless!

[Pegi]

07:03 PM on 12/13/2010

THE QUEEN OF SOUL will forever be in my prayers! God bless honey!!

[murphysgirl]

09:36 PM on 12/12/2010

What sad and terrible news.

[onetruelove]

07:07 PM on 12/12/2010

My thoughts and prayers go out to"the queen of Soul".

[junito65]

01:15 AM on 12/12/2010

You are in my prayers....

[MJinCanada]

08:35 PM on 12/11/2010

"According to the American Cancer Society, for all stages of pancreatic cancer combined, the one-year relative survival rate is 20%, and the five-year rate is 4%. These low survival rates are attributable to the fact that fewer than 10% of patients' tumors are confined to the pancreas at the time of diagnosis; in most cases, the malignancy has already progressed to the point where surgical removal is impossible.

In those cases where resection can be performed, the average survival rate is 18 to 20 months. The overall five-year survival rate is about 10%, although this can rise as high as 20% to 25% if the tumor is removed completely and when cancer has not spread to lymph nodes."
http://www.pancreatic.org/site/c.htJYJ8MPIwE/b.891917/k.5123/Prognosis_of_Pancreatic_Cancer.htm

With luck, she'll at least have time to hear from the people who love her, via cards, Facebook, etc.

[Tharine Robinson]

12:19 PM on 12/27/2010

a/f hang i ther fan

[chicagurl]

03:31 PM on 12/11/2010

It's amazing how much money has been put into cancer research and yet every day people die of this. I read the obitituaries the other day and the first 4 individuals I looked at had all died of different forms of cancer. I know they've made great strides in research, etc., but it's still disheartening. My thoughts and prayers go out to Ms. Franklin and her family.

[JenniferEccles]

05:33 AM on 12/12/2010

Seems to me that as long as people make alot of money researching cancer, the "research" will continue.

[makemesmile]

12:10 AM on 12/13/2010

I agree with you. Curing cancer would mean a significant decrease in funds for the medical and health insurance business.

[jhtrain]

02:49 PM on 12/11/2010

Weighed down with the news. Talented people upset by health crises far to premature. Life is hard. Where do we find respite? Health can vicariously translate us into a life of rest as we find an escape from harsh treatments often used and endured in attempt to restore health. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/08/aretha-franklin-cancer-_n_793812.html#

[planetmondo]

02:44 PM on 12/11/2010

:( May God bless you as you have blessed us Aretha.

[jutsee]

02:16 PM on 12/11/2010

This is so upsetting, I love Aretha I need better confirmation.

[jack27]

01:58 PM on 12/11/2010

When VH-1 did a countdown of the 50 top female singers of all time, no one had any doubt who #1 would be. The Queen of Soul has given us a musical legacy that will never be equaled.

[chanparker33]

01:50 PM on 12/11/2010

Send an email, FB, Tweet it etc.

Calll for a NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING when ARETHA dies!
We owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude!
Do it for Re Re. She did so much for us.