Mesothelioma has a poor prognosis, even in earlier stages, but some people survive years with this cancer. One example is Paul Kraus, an Australian man who has relied on holistic medicine, meditation, immune-boosting supplements, and a strict diet to survive a mesothelioma diagnosis for more than 20 years.
Who Is Paul Kraus?
Paul Kraus is a rare mesothelioma survivor. He is believed to be the longest-living survivor of mesothelioma in the world. He has now lived 22 years after his diagnosis. He has lived a fascinating life, and surviving mesothelioma is just a part of it:[1]
- Paul Kraus was born in 1944 in a Nazi labor camp in Austria.
- His mother escaped the camp with Paul and his two-year-old brother.
- The three made it to Budapest, their hometown, and were reunited with Paul’s grandparents.
- He lost many family members to the Holocaust, but his father survived a concentration camp. He was liberated by the U.S. Army and was reunited with his family.
- The Kraus family immigrated to Australia in 1948 and became citizens.
- Kraus eventually became a history teacher and textbook writer.
- He received a diagnosis of metastatic mesothelioma in 1997. He had worked in a factory as a student and was exposed to asbestos during that time.
Kraus and his wife got a devastating prognosis that he should get his affairs in order and expect to live no longer than six months. They did not accept it and instead worked with holistic care providers, practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine, and conventional doctors to develop a more natural treatment plan.[1]
In addition to his natural courses of treatment, Kraus underwent surgeries to remove some of the metastatic tumors. His healing journey took years, and he still engages in many of the holistic practices. He has lived more than 22 years after the initial diagnosis, a feat no one else has achieved with mesothelioma.[1]
Kraus has spent the last several years spreading the message of his natural course of treatment, healthy diet and lifestyle, supplements, positive outlook, and spiritual and mental health practices, to which he attributes his success.
Boosting the Immune System
Discouraged by the limited options for conventional treatment, Kraus began a supplement regimen focused on boosting the immune system. He hoped that this would help fight the cancer from the inside of his body. He relied on experts to plan a course of supplements. He did not select them on his own.[2]
Modifying the Diet
For Kraus, the supplements proved to be an essential part of his holistic treatment, but he and his wife also changed his diet and nutrition. They focused on immune-boosting foods but also healthier foods in general. Some of the most important guidelines they recommend include:[2]
- Avoid raw, white sugar and all products containing it.
- Avoid white, processed flour and any food with it as an ingredient.
- Avoid fats and cook with water instead.
- Eliminate all processed foods and focus on whole foods.
- Make and drink juices to supply enzymes and vitamins.
Healing with the Mind
Kraus went beyond simply the physical in his mesothelioma journey and also focused on spiritual and mental health. He turned to relaxation strategies and meditation, having no prior experience with these techniques.[2]
He believes that peace of mind is essential to healing the body. He found that meditation reduced his anxiety and stress and that this, in turn, allowed his immune system to focus on attacking the cancer cells.[2]
Kraus also used meditation to focus on the present moment and release fears about the future. He found it helpful in managing pain.
Paul Kraus’s Book
Determined to help others diagnosed with mesothelioma or any cancer, Kraus published and offered a free book, Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient Guide. In it, he outlines the supplements he took and other helpful information to help patients make better treatment decisions.
The information here represents an outline of what he provides in the book. Request a free copy to learn more and discuss the method with your doctor.
Should I Try Alternative Cancer Treatments?
Paul Kraus’s story is inspiring and can be exciting to read for anyone newly diagnosed with mesothelioma and uncertain about the future. Before diving into the same methods Kraus used, it is important to know that he did a lot of research first. He listened to a range of experts and made decisions based on his needs.
Everyone is different when it comes to cancer treatment, but most experts, even Kraus, will tell you not to try any diet or supplement without first consulting with your doctor. Alternative treatment strategies, like those Kraus used, may help you, but they could also cause harm.
About Mesothelioma and Survival
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and most often terminal type of cancer. Caused by asbestos exposure, it most commonly forms in the tissue around the lungs. This is called pleural mesothelioma. The second most common is peritoneal mesothelioma, cancer in the abdomen.
Does Anyone Survive Mesothelioma?
Paul Kraus is extremely unusual in having survived mesothelioma for so long. Mesothelioma is considered incurable. Treatment for mesothelioma focuses on extending a patient’s life, managing the disease, and improving the quality of life.
Is Mesothelioma Treatable if Caught Early?
One of the most important factors in life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is the stage at diagnosis. Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed in later stages, which is a major reason for its poor prognosis.
Mesothelioma is rare and difficult to diagnose, so for most patients, treatment options are limited. If you receive a stage 1 diagnosis, the chances of achieving remission are greater.
What Is Standard Treatment for Mesothelioma?
Most patients opt for conventional cancer treatments. For mesothelioma, this means some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.
The exact treatments a patient receives depend on their goals and what they are eligible for. For instance, in some cases, the cancer is too advanced for the patient to qualify for surgery.
Some patients might not want to go through aggressive treatments and instead focus on palliative treatments and their quality of life.
Avoiding conventional treatments for cancer is risky and can lead to the progression of the disease. Talk to your medical team about strategies you can try along with recommended standard treatment. Ultimately, the decision of how to proceed with treatment is the patient’s, but that decision should be well informed.
