What is PDT?

So, we have read the ethics of Photo Dynamic Therapy. We have accepted that “alternative” means option or choice. This means we have the power to choose which treatment option for cancer treatment we trust. It does not imply that the treatment we choose is better or worse than say chemotherapy, radiotherapy or even mushrooms. It means we have researched our options and are comfortable with our choice.

PDT science is based on PHOTOSYNTHESIS. This is the most important natural phenomenon on our planet, CHLOROPHYLL, the green pigment in leaves, uses the LIGHT energy from the sun to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the roots to make carbohydrates (sugar). The byproduct is OXYGEN. This is our only source of oxygen. Without photosynthesis there would be neither flora nor fauna on Earth.

PDT uses this amazing chemistry. A PHOTOSENSITIZER (derived from natural chlorophyll) is given by mouth. After a prescribed interval the chlorophyll is absorbed into the cancer cells and not in the healthy cells. LASER LIGHT is then shone on the cancer. Like photosynthesis, oxygen is released inside the cancer cells and the cancer is destroyed.

The next blogs will reveal how PDT works, how it is used and what results we may expect.