Imagine being in the fight of your life, feeling the weight of a cancer diagnosis. I know that feeling all too well. When I was faced with the conventional options of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery after my Stage 4 Melanoma diagnosis, it didn’t take long before I realized that wasn’t the path I wanted to take. I was looking for something less invasive, something more holistic that addressed the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.

One of the many tools I use to stay healthy and keep cancer at bay is the Far Infrared Sauna (FIR). Dr. Lawrence Wilson once said in the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, “If I were to single out one method to combat cancer, it is the sauna. It assists the removal of chemical toxins and heavy metals, increases oxygenation, enhances the immune system, and reduces the radiation burden in the body.”

The benefits of sweating are well-documented, and FIR therapy offers a safe, soothing way to clear toxins, boost immunity, and reduce treatment side effects. If you haven’t experienced it yet, I urge you to read on—you might find it to be a valuable addition to your healing journey.

Detoxification and Cancer Treatment

One of the primary benefits of sweating is its ability to help the body eliminate toxins. For cancer patients undergoing treatment, this is especially important. Chemotherapy and radiation introduce a variety of chemicals into the body to fight cancer cells, but they also leave behind residues and metabolic byproducts that can overwhelm the system. Sweat helps purge these unwanted toxins, offering relief to the liver and kidneys, which may be working overtime during treatment.

Cancer Cells Are No Match for Excessive Heat

Cancer cells are much more sensitive to higher temperatures than normal cells. Because they are weaker, cancer cells are selectively killed by heat, while normal cells remain unaffected. In fact, a 2009 study published in the Journal of Cancer Science and Therapy showed that far infrared (FIR) therapy slashed tumor volumes by a staggering 86% in just 30 days.

How Does Far Infrared (FIR) Sauna Therapy Work?

Far infrared saunas emit a specific bandwidth of energy that resonates with the body’s water molecules, causing them to vibrate and raise the core temperature. This stimulation activates the lymphatic system and helps flush out toxins—like heavy metals, chemicals, and even bacteria and viruses—through the skin via sweating. FIR saunas are particularly effective, as studies show that sweat from these saunas contains 15-20% toxins, compared to just 3% from traditional saunas.
Not only does FIR sauna therapy support detoxification, but it also boosts circulation, improves the transport of oxygen and nutrients to cells, and stimulates the immune system. For cancer patients, this combination of effects helps counteract the negative impacts of conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which often suppress the body’s natural defenses.

Boosting Immune Function

Sweating doesn’t just help detoxify the body—it also plays a role in boosting immune function. When you sweat, your body’s core temperature rises, mimicking a fever, which stimulates the immune system to work more efficiently. This “artificial fever” effect can help the body fight off infections and support overall health during cancer treatment. Strengthening the immune system is especially crucial for cancer patients, who often struggle with weakened immunity due to their illness and treatments.

Stress Reduction and Healing

Cancer treatment is not only physically exhausting but emotionally draining as well. Activities that induce sweating, such as sauna therapy, gentle exercise, or even hot baths, can help reduce stress levels. Sweating promotes the release of endorphins—your body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals—which can help improve mood, reduce anxiety, and foster a sense of well-being. For cancer patients, this stress relief is an important part of the healing process.

Enhancing Circulation

Another major benefit of sweating is improved circulation. When you sweat, your heart rate increases, boosting blood flow throughout the body. This increased circulation helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells more efficiently, which is especially helpful for cancer patients as their bodies repair and recover from treatment. Enhanced circulation also aids in transporting waste products out of the body, further supporting detoxification.

Recommended Saunas

Far infrared saunas offer a comfortable, soothing experience while encouraging detoxification, immune support, and relaxation. They are easy to use and can be done in the comfort of your own home. I personally use and recommend the Relax Far Infrared Sauna for its superior technology and effectiveness. In an interview with Phil Wilson, an expert in far infrared technology, we discussed the science behind Relax Saunas and how they differ from other systems.

You can watch the full interview here, and listen for a special coupon code offering $100 off the Relax Sauna using promo code JamesT or TEMPLE.  Please note, The Templeton Wellness Foundation receives no financial benefit from this discount—it’s provided independently by the company to make purchasing more affordable.

Resources:

Bill Akpinar, MD DDS PhD, No Sweat, Know Sweat: The Definitive Guide to Reclaim Your Health. 2007.
Lee Euler, Ed., “The Incredible Healing Power of Infrared Saunas,” Cancer Defeated (Newsletter #51). http://www.cancerdefeated.com/newsletters/Infrared-Saunas-A-Fun-Relaxing-Way-to-Detox.html.

T. Ishikawa, J. Ishibashi, K. Yamashita, S. Dalkhsuren, K. Sumicida, T. Masui, S. Kitamural, “Non-Thermal Effects of Far-Infrared Ray (FIR) on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells HepG2 and their Tumors,” Journal of Cancer Science & Therapy (Vol. 1 Issue 2). doi:10.4172/1948-5956.1000012.
T. Kihara, S. Biro, M. Imamura, et al., “Repeated sauna treatment improves vascular endothelial and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure,” Journal of American College of Cardiology (March 2002) 39(5):754-759. doi:10.1016/S0735-1097(01)01824-1.

K. Matsushita, A. Masuda, C. Tei, Internal Medicine (Tokyo) The First Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima University Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan. (Aug 15, 2008).

Sherry A. Rogers, MD, Detoxify Or Die. SandKey Company, Inc., 2002.

van der Zee, “Heating the patient: a promising approach?” Annals of Oncology (August 2002);13(8):1173-84.doi:10.1093/annonc/mdf280.
“Hyperthermia to Treat Cancer,” National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/hyperthermia.

“Whole-body hyperthermia helps kill cancer cells,” The Complementary Cancer Charity (September 28, 2016). https://www.canceractive.com/article/whole-body-hyperthermia-helps-kill-cancer-cells.

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