Anonymous - 2-21-2004 at 08:46 PM
http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=1639648&nav=9qrxKkPg
The American Cancer Society reports that the number of breast cancer cases in the U.S. continues to go up. In fact more than 211,000 women across the
country were diagnosed in 2003. While doctors continue to search for a cure many cancer patients seek treatment for their condition but you'll be
surprised where they are looking.
This is Avenida Revoluccion in downtown Tijuana. On every corner of this busy street, you'll find nightclubs and pharmacies that sell prescription
medicines at a discount price. Doctors in this popular border city say now more people are coming here from the U.S. in search of a cure.
About 2 miles south of the US/Mexico border, Americans head to a cancer clinic in a middle class Tijuana neighborhood. Man say traveling hundreds of
miles for health care is worth a try.
But why Tijuana? We asked Jerry Sabo. He came to Dr. Salvador's Vargas' clinic from Las Vegas to treat his prostate cancer.
"When it comes to living or dying and you've been told you are over what do you got to lose."
No one would ever imagine this house was a place to treat cancer patients.
"It?s really different than going to a hospital in Chicago or Minneapolis."
Ona Scammon of Rancho Mirage underwent surgery for breast cancer in Palm Springs several months ago. Weeks later, Scammon realized she was in for
another surprise.
"They missed this . . ."
She says doctors in the valley never detected the tumor which had quickly spread to her throat.
"I never had confidence in them."
She says she was disappointed with her doctors in the U.S. That's when she thought about Tijuana clinics. But was that the answer?
"I was scared to death."
At first she says she was skeptical.
"I imagine there's a lot of quackery out here."
Soon after, the doctor discovered her tumor. The treatment got underway. She was surprised that it only took two weeks.
"It?s been radiated. It?s probably not malignant. I will take it out just in case. I will have it done here.?
She says she saved a lot of money. The treatment here cost her $8,500. Doctor Vargas uses traditional medical approaches, the same ones doctors use in
the U.S. But the difference is the dosage. It?s much lower.
"If you lower the dosage of chemo and make it affective to patients, it makes it much more comfortable.?
That's how he's treating Scammon. Critics say Dr. Vargas' approach is radical. Dr. Robert Lemon is a cancer specialist in the valley.
"I call it untested and unproven, potentially dangerous."
But Dr. Vargas says his approach seems to work because it reduces the side affects on his patients.
Critics also say Dr. Vargas should use the same chemo and radiation rules used in the U.S.
"It could be dangerous. If you are going to do something like that get a second opinion."
But Dr. Vargas thinks more isn't necessarily better.
"When you reduce a tumor in size, there?s no need for a large surgery. Just radiate the area and you get better results."
Scammon says she's on her way to recovery. Jerry Sabo is too.
"I was pessimistic, hesitant but I figured, what have I got to lose?"
He, too, gave up on doctors back home.
"I was operated on. I lived in misery for nine months. All I did was sleep."
Soon after he heard about doctors south of the border, he gave it a try.
"If you know you are dying, a million dollars is worth nothing."
Ona Scammon and Jerry Sabo. Both say they have a success story to share with others.
"They don't have to die."
"Dr. Vargas saved my life. I know people he's done the same for."
Jerry Sabo, Ona Scammon and hundreds of other cancer patients will keep seeking out this hidden place in search of one thing ? hope.
This medical treatment may have worked for these two patients you saw in this story. But there are other cancer patients who have sought medical
treatment in Mexico and haven't had such a positive response.