Cancer Commentary, Cancer Treatments, Cancer News, Cancer Stories, Cancer Research.

Teen Cancer Patient, Abraham Cherrix: Legally Allowed to Forgo Chemotherapy and Pursue Chosen Treatment Option

by Gloria Gamat on August 21st, 2006

Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease (a cancer of the lymphatic system considered very treatable in its early stages), Starchild Abraham Cherrix was so badly incapacitated by three months of chemotherapy that he declined a second, more intensive round that doctors recommended early this year.

Since then he chose an alternative herbal treatment called the Hoxsey method.

The Hoxsey method is an alternative herbal treatment, though the sale of which has been banned in the United States since 1960, but it can be obtained through clinics in Mexico.

After Abraham chose to go on the sugar-free, organic diet and take liquid herbal supplements under the supervision of a Mexican clinic, a social worker asked a juvenile court judge to intervene to protect the teen’s health.

Last month, the judge found Abraham’s parents neglectful and ordered Abraham to report to a hospital for treatment as doctors deem necessary. Lawyers for the family appealed, and an Accomack County Circuit Court judge suspended that order and scheduled a new trial to settle the dispute.

The judge scheduled the trial for two days but has indicated he would like to finish in one, said John Stepanovich, a lawyer for the parents.

Now the 16-year-old cancer patient won his legal fight when his family’s attorneys and social services officials reached an agreement that would allow him to forgo chemotherapy.

The approved decree would allow the teenager to be treated by an oncologist of his choice who is board-certified in radiation therapy and interested in alternative treatments, while his must provide the court updates on Abraham’s treatment and condition every three months until he’s cured or turns 18.

Cherrix’s family affirms that they haven’t ruled out other possible treatments, such as immunotherapy or radiation treatment in small doses, the patient is still under Hoxsey treatment.

The American Cancer Society, however, claims that there is no scientific evidence that Hoxsey is effective in treating cancer in people.

Read the full report on ABC News.

[Photo Credit: AP /Steve Helber]

Share This

Related Stories

Should You Tell During an Interview
Encouraging News For Younger Breast Cancer Patients
Chemo+Radiation is Better than Chemo+Surgery in Some Lung Cancer Patients
To Chemo or Not to Chemo?: A Hypothetical Question
Stem Cells Therapy Improved Child Brain Cancer Outcome, But Not All Experts Agrees

POSTED IN: general commentary