The term “spiral cancer” does not refer to a diagnosis recognized by medical science, but to a belief system within alternative medicine. This framework explains diseases like cancer as the direct result of specific types of internal turmoil. The concept posits a direct and predictable link between the psyche and the body’s cellular processes, which is distinct from conventional biomedical understanding.
The Origin and Theory of Spiral Cancer
The concept of “spiral cancer” is embedded within an alternative framework called German New Medicine (GNM), developed by former physician Ryke Geerd Hamer in the 1980s. After his son’s unexpected death, Hamer was diagnosed with testicular cancer and hypothesized the disease was a direct physical manifestation of that traumatic shock. He named this type of event a “Dirk Hamer Syndrome” (DHS), proposing it as the origin point for nearly all diseases.
According to the theory, a DHS is not just any stress but a highly acute, unexpected, and isolating conflict shock experienced simultaneously on the level of the psyche, the brain, and a corresponding organ. GNM asserts that the specific nature of the emotional conflict determines which organ will be affected. For instance, a “self-devaluation” conflict might manifest in the bones, while a “separation” conflict could affect the skin. Hamer claimed these connections are hardwired and can be mapped precisely.
The “spiral” aspect of the theory relates to GNM’s “Two-Phased Nature of Disease.” The first phase is the “conflict-active” phase, which begins at the moment of the DHS. During this time, the body initiates a biological program, such as cell proliferation (a tumor), to help resolve the conflict. If the conflict is resolved, the body enters the second “healing phase,” where the process reverses with symptoms like inflammation and pain as the body repairs itself.
This two-phase process is considered a “Significant Biological Special Program” within GNM, viewed not as a malfunction but as a meaningful survival mechanism. Hamer claimed that evidence of these programs could be seen as ring-shaped lesions on brain CT scans, which he called “Hamer Foci.” He contended these brain lesions directly correlate with the emotional conflict and the affected organ, forming a psyche-brain-organ axis.
Mainstream Medical and Scientific Perspective
The principles of German New Medicine are in direct opposition to established scientific and medical knowledge, and the mainstream medical community does not recognize GNM as valid. A central point of contention is the claim that a “conflict shock” can predictably trigger cell growth in a predetermined organ. This concept is inconsistent with the scientific understanding of cancer, which involves genetic mutations, environmental factors, and complex cellular pathways.
The evidence base for GNM is nonexistent by scientific standards. Hamer’s research has not been published in credible, peer-reviewed medical journals, and his claims have not been independently verified or reproduced. His post-doctoral thesis on the subject was rejected by the University of Tübingen, which concluded his work lacked scientific methodology and that his arguments did not support his theories.
The idea of “Hamer Foci” visible on brain scans is a misinterpretation of medical imaging. The ring-shaped artifacts he identified are common findings on CT scans and are known to be caused by a variety of recognized medical conditions or technical aspects of the scanning process. They are not accepted by radiologists or oncologists as evidence of a psyche-brain-organ link. The Swiss Cancer League has explicitly described Hamer’s approach as dangerous.
Risks of Adhering to Unproven Theories
Adherence to the “spiral cancer” theory and German New Medicine carries significant risks because the framework actively discourages conventional medical treatments. Hamer taught that therapies like chemotherapy and radiation were unnecessary and harmful, viewing them as interruptions of the natural “healing phase.” This advice can lead patients to delay or refuse proven medical interventions.
Forgoing effective treatment can have serious consequences. Cancers that are highly treatable in their early stages can progress and metastasize if left unaddressed. This delay can move a cancer from a curable stage to an incurable one. Followers of the theory may also interpret symptoms of disease progression, such as pain or tumor growth, as positive signs of the “healing phase,” reinforcing their decision to avoid medical care.
While managing emotional stress is a recognized component of comprehensive cancer care, known as psycho-oncology, it is a supportive measure, not a replacement for medical treatment. The danger of GNM lies in its positioning as a complete alternative. Hamer himself faced legal consequences for his practices, including being jailed for fraud and practicing medicine without a license after his was revoked, underscoring the harm caused by his methods.