MAX Devereaux is fighting skin cancer HIS way.

The 36-year-old has turned his back on conventional medicines and treatment regimes and focused all his attentions on an organic diet. It is the food he eats and the enemas he gives himself daily which Max believes have helped him defy all the medical odds. Max was diagnosed as having melanoma is September, 1993. The early warning signs of a birthmark on his left shoulder blade beginning to change character were initially dismissed.

But on the third visit to his GP it had changed beyond all recognition, and within a short space of time Max was admitted to Withington Hospital for surgery.

At this time Max was told the cancer had been removed and to go out and get on with his life.

It was at this time that Max first started to investigate the links between health and diet and swiftly became vegetarian.

In December, 1995, however Max, who lives in Tonge Fold, woke up to discover a series of small lumps within his left armpit.

Surgery again followed and 16 of the 20 lymph nodes discovered were removed.

After this surgery Max swiftly became convinced there had to be something which he could do himself.

"I accessed the internet, I looked at the alternative therapies there and a whole new world opened up for me," explained the bachelor.

He cut out proteins and coffee from his diet and turned his attentions firmly towards organic foodstuffs.

But, a further blow came in February, 1996, when Max was re-admitted to hospital for further surgery after a scan revealed further tumours.

On this occasion 32 were removed. And it was while he was in hospital on this third occasion that Max felt the very real benefits of his alternative lifestyle. When I went to the Christie Hospital for chemotherapy I was told I had three weeks to live," said Max "I firmly believe I am here because of the way in which I have changed my diet."

A second cycle of chemotherapy was abandoned because it was not working, but still Max is managing to survive a cancer which has already claimed many hundreds of lives.

A firm advocate of the Gerson diet which was formulated by a German, Max's lifestyle revolves around these teachings.

"My diet is based on that of my ancestors." he said "It is without additives or supplements. I spend up to eight hours each day in my kitchen and between two to three hours every day in the bathroom."

At the heart of this daily regime are basic foodstuffs and organic vegetables.

Juices, too, form an integral part of Max's diet and, using one of the most powerful juicers on the market, he is able to make a series of drinks which he maintains gives him the energy to continue his fight.

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