Cancer treatment. How to (wisely) take care of immunity

- It is necessary to prepare for the fight against cancer wisely, based on evidence-based knowledge, not myths," said Dr. n. pharm. Leszek Borkowski during the XV Summer Academy of Oncology. The expert cited a European research report published by the EC in February 2025, which shows that Poles are among the societies most susceptible to anti-scientific myths and fake news. - 45 percent of respondents, for example, give credence to the idea that a cure for cancer already exists, but is being concealed by pharmaceutical companies. This may sound unbelievable, but it is so. I meet such patients myself," admitted the expert, a clinical pharmacologist and president of the Together in Disease Foundation. In his opinion, medical professionals should keep this in mind, already at the stage of pre-hospital care.

A theme that Dr. Borkowski paid particular attention to was the issue of immunity. This is one of the areas around which there are the most myths. - We advise patients not to use any immunity boosters, because a person's natural immunity cannot be boosted, it can only be weakened. Any messages convincing to the contrary miss the truth," the pharmacologist pointed out. This makes it all the more important to protect patients starting oncological treatment with vaccinations. - Cancer treatment activates pathogens in the body. Anticancer drugs can be stimulators of pneumonia, staphylococcal bacteremia, hemiplegia, etc. At the same time, treating infections during therapy is difficult because of drug interactions, Dr. Borkowski said. - Anyone facing a planned hospital stay and anti-cancer treatment should talk to their doctor about a list of vaccinations that are worth doing. This needs to be done fairly early, as the whole process needs to be staggered, which requires organization. However, it is worth the effort, as we are fighting for our lives in this way," he reminded.

On the borderline of "immune enhancement" and "treatment" (or "support") is the entire spectrum of so-called natural medicine. - Another recommendation is not to use any dietary supplements and any medications of Tibetan, Chinese, Indian, Mongolian, etc. medicine. Suffice it to say that people in Mongolia or Tibet are treated with these preparations because, first, they have nothing else, and second, they have a different genotype and diet. We also recommend that patients do not reach for concoctions prepared by neighbors and friends, and do not listen to health advice given by celebrities," he pointed out.