My Happy Cancer Journey
Reagan Houston, MS, PE
About 15 years ago at my annual physical exam, the doctor said my PSA was a little high. PSA, prostate specific antigen, is always present in men but higher if cancer is present. He said to get another PSA test in 6 months. Fortunately I remembered. My PSA had doubled in 6 months to 8.1. Suddenly I had a urologist who repeated the test. A single test is not a reliable basis on which to plan the rest of my life. However, a biopsy gave a Gleason score of 3+3, confirming that I had aggressive but early cancer.
The doctor said “I can get you started on radiation before I go on vacation.” Wrong comment. I am the inquisitive type. As a kid I had a furnace in the basement where I could melt steel and glass. My parents were very understanding. Now I’m a retired chemical engineer who likes information, especially when the rest of my life depends on it. I knew there were two types of radiation: external and implanted radioactive seeds. In my mind I wondered if I had the best doctor for whatever was the best therapy for me.
I asked for temporary hormone therapy while I studied what type of radiation to take. He agreed and asked, “What type hormone therapy do you want?” I said I didn’t know and asked what he recommended. He gave me Lupron, a monthly shot in the fanny in those days, and Eulexin, a pill. I bless Colin Thomas, MD, for giving me hormones, a highly unusual therapy for a patient just diagnosed.
I suddenly changed from a retired chemical engineer experienced in rare gases, molten steel, and specialty chemicals into a patient learning cancer therapy. I had had many job assignments for which I was given a problem and had to find the answer. I needed help. I got into medicine when cancer got into me. At a prostate cancer support group, I found a book by Linus Pauling, PhD. His name was familiar to me because he had a Nobel Prize in chemistry. I bought his book and found out about Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD. Cancer and Vitamin C was written by Ewan Cameron and Pauling while Vitamin C and Cancer was written by Hoffer. I recommend both books as they may have saved my life. Both books recommended high-dose vitamin C for cancer therapy.
The local prostate cancer support group had a facilitator who came to monthly meetings only rarely. I was asked to take his place. To provide speakers, I could ask local doctors, chiropractors, nutritionists, dieticians, and even myself. As I studied and wrote articles on cancer therapies, others became interested. I spoke at cancer and church groups in several states and started my web site: www.cancertherapies.org. Some of my articles were published in Townsend Letters, a monthly magazine.
I was initially interested in controlling my prostate cancer. Gradually I learned that all cancers have much in common, including the wonderful benefit that vitamin C appears to kill all types of cancer at doses completely safe to people. My aim changed from prostate cancer therapy, to cancer in general, and now to helping all cancer patients.
None of the local oncologists ever agreed that vitamin C should be used for cancer therapy. Dr. A is an example. My friend Bill ... was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer, stage III-B. Dr. A estimated 8 months life or 11 months if Bill took chemo. Bill estimated that chemo might give him 3 months of misery to get 8 months of good life. He initially rejected chemo. Bill and his wife asked me, and others, about vitamin C and other therapies. I described Cameron and Pauling’s vitamin C only therapy and Hoffer’s multivitamin therapy. Neither of their therapies required prescription or proprietary medicines . Bill chose Hoffer’s vitamins but did not choose a low sugar diet as emphasized by Hoffer. Bill lived 24 months and had narcotic-type pain pills only during his last two weeks or so. Bill had a high tolerance for pain.
Shortly after Bill’s death, Dr. A spoke at our prostate cancer support group. When asked, he said he could not recommend vitamin C for cancer therapy—it’s not approved by FDA. I asked if he could refer his cancer patients to me (a vitamin C enthusiast). Again he said no, he was the new doctor in the group.
Why don’t most doctors recommend vitamin C for cancer therapy? Dozens of books, including my Vitamins Can Kill Cancer, advocate vitamin C for cancer therapy and give convincing clinical data from thousands of patients. Were the books all wrong, including mine? I had hoped that cancer deaths would greatly decrease. I had to study more. I Googled “state medical boards discipline.” That showed me
why doctors fear FDA and the state medical boards, SMBs, who follow the FDA. ...
As I worked on publicizing vitamin C as a therapy for most all cancers, I found I was again thinking far too small. Vitamin C works by strengthening the immune system, a therapy called immunotherapy. Immunotherapy applies to hundreds of diseases including the big ones: cancer, heart, stroke, lung, influenza, and pneumonia. I have much study yet to do.
Oh, I forgot to tell you. After 14 years, my cancer is in full remission with no radiation of any sort, no surgery, no chemotherapy, and only minor side effects. My happy cancer therapy included short-term hormone therapy plus Hoffer’s regimen with vitamin C and other supplements, all economical and available over the counter. Vitamin C has helped patients with most types and stages of cancer.

Vitamin C can be used before, during and after radiation and most types of chemotherapy. Like me, many patients got well before they ever got sick. Perhaps Hoffer’s therapy is all you need to get well.