Review by Cazrichmond -- Winning the War on Cancer

[Caroline Anne Richmond]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Winning the War on Cancer" by Sylvie Beljanski.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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The Beljanski foundation was created to further the research of the French biologist, Dr. Mirko Beljanski. After his death, his daughter, Sylvie Beljanski, promised to continue his legacy by continuing his pioneering work involving natural, botanical extracts being alternatives and combined therapies in the treatment of several cancers. Sylvie has written a non-fiction memoir describing her family’s work and her own lifelong commitment to further this research called Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure.

In 1971, Richard Nixon declared a commitment to wage a war on cancer, and in the forty years that have followed, billions of dollars have been spent in this pursuit. Although some progress has been made in early detection, progress in treatment does not compare favorably. Dr. Mirko Beljanski and his wife were natural product developers, who discovered the complimentary powers of Pao Pereira, a native Amazonian tree, and Rauvolfia Vomitoria, an African tree bark. His monumental finding that these natural extracts can inhibit reverse transcriptase and block cancer stem cells, made this a natural treatment for cancer patients that can work in synergy with the traditional medical conventions of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 

The French president, Francois Mitterrand, used these natural remedies. Suffering from prostate cancer, he sought the help of Dr. Beljanski. With little chance of recovery, he began taking these plant extracts and his health improved, allowing him to serve a second term of presidency. With these positive and encouraging results, the Beljanski’s were shocked to experience persecution from French government officials and the military. Unexpectedly, their lab was raided, their equipment destroyed, products confiscated, and they were placed under arrest. With these suspicious circumstances and the following death of Mirko Beljanski, his daughter, Sylvie, promised she would carry on this important work for the greater good of humankind and carry on her father’s legacy. The book describes this huge undertaking of creating the Beljanski Foundation and all the work and dedication in bringing these natural plant extracts into the medical treatment mainstream.

What I most appreciated about this memoir was the clarification of how these natural extracts are designed to be used in harmony with traditional medical therapies. On picking this book to review I wondered if it would be negative in content to the cancer treatment protocol, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This was not the case at all, and it was very interesting to read how the two approaches can work hand in hand. It was fascinating and encouraging to learn that these extracts could be important in prevention. It was also disheartening to learn about how prevention isn’t at the forefront of the pharmaceutical company’s agenda, because of the economic consequences. The author explains that we cannot patent natural products, as they are from nature and belong to everybody, unlike synthetic pharmaceuticals that can be patented, branded and create billion-dollar industries. It’s discouraging to know that vast conglomerates are more motivated by profits than the prevention of disease.

As well as the scientific parts of the book, there is some great content regarding the author’s life, her feelings and the adventures that she has had in her pursuit to harvest these natural extracts. My favorite part of the novel is the descriptions of her trip to the Amazon to hunt for the Pao Pereira tree. This was a huge undertaking into an inhospitable jungle. With basic accommodation, exotic wildlife and an unplanned dip into the Rio Negro, this was a journey of an explorer on a mission to find a hidden treasure.

The book contains scientific information which is not complex and could be extra information for a reader who doesn’t have any background in biology and medical science. The author has done an outstanding job in making this information reader-friendly and some explanations are repeated, such as how carcinogens disrupt DNA. I felt some things didn’t need to be repeated as often, but I can see the advantage to clarify information.

With all things considered, I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. It was informative, and I found myself interested in its content. The repetition did not spoil the experience for me, and there wasn’t anything else I disliked. I experienced the book on audible, read by Jane M. Stafford and I didn’t find any errors in her narration. There isn’t any profanity or sexual themes included, but a lot of medical and scientific content, so I think it is suited to adults and younger students who may have interests in this area. I would advise readers not be put off by the serious subject of the book; it is very interesting and puts a different light on the cancer industry as well as including thought-provoking content regarding health, disease prevention and finding a better path to help the future of the planet.

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Winning the War on Cancer
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[Sanju Lali]

This one is a great attempt by the author to help others in case that are facing the similar problems. Alternate medicines is interesting. Thanks for your honest review.

[Caroline Anne Richmond]

This one is a great attempt by the author to help others in case that are facing the similar problems. Alternate medicines is interesting. Thanks for your honest review.

Thank you for your comments. I found this book really interesting and is certainly thought provoking.

[Chizioboli]

The journey of finding a cure to cancer is one yet to be won. There are several methods being pursued and the list could become endless as the day goes by. However, this book from your excellent review point shows that there is hope to anticipate especially through alternative remedies. I love your review and I look forward to seeing the books content the way you did, someday.

[Caroline Anne Richmond]

The journey of finding a cure to cancer is one yet to be won. There are several methods being pursued and the list could become endless as the day goes by. However, this book from your excellent review point shows that there is hope to anticipate especially through alternative remedies. I love your review and I look forward to seeing the books content the way you did, someday.

Thank you for your kind comments. I liked this book as it didn’t set out to dismiss therapies currently used, but questioned other natural therapies to be used in addition, providing some more hope for the future.