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What is a Cancer?
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Nature of the
Disease
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Causes of Cancer
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Detection
and Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Cancer Control
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Cancer Update #1
most
important to read
»
Cancer Update #2 most
important to read
What is a Cancer?
Cancer is a growth of abnormal
cells that invade and destroy other tissues. Cancer is actually a number of
diseases classified according to the tissue and the type of cell of origin.
Nature of the Disease
The cells of a
cancerous growth are descendants of a single cell that reproduces
uncontrolledly. As the cells multiply, they form a mass called a tumor. Not
all tumors are cancerous, or malignant. Most tumors are benign, which means
they are localized and are usually separated from neighboring tissue by a
surrounding capsule. Benign tumors may endanger the patient by obstructing
or compressing nearby tissues.
Malignant tumors are able to spread beyond the site of origin. Cancer may
invade nearby tissues or may spread to distant sites, forming secondary
growths known as metastases. Spreading occurs when cells break away from the
tumor and migrate into body cavities, the lymphatic system, or blood
vessels. Most such cells in the bloodstream die, but some penetrate into
tissue, and a few may grow into a metastasis.
Causes of Cancer
Cancer is basically a
genetic process. Gene abnormalities can be inherited or they can be caused
by outside agents such as chemicals or radiation. It is estimated that no
more than 20 percent of cancers are based on inheritance. Breast, colon, and
prostate cancers, for example, run in families. Viruses can also cause
cancer, such as Burkitt's lymphoma, which is caused by the Epstein-Barr
virus. Certain viruses, known as retroviruses, may contain a kind of gene,
called a viral oncogene, that is capable of transforming normal cells into
malignant cells. Each viral oncogene has a counterpart in the normal human
cell, and proteins produced by cellular oncogenes have been identified as
cell growth factors.
Ionizing radiation, which damages DNA, is a potent cause of cancer (see
Nucleic Acids). Some chemicals also act as initiators, although exposure may
be followed by a long latent period, with cancer occurring only after
exposure to a promoter agent that stimulates the growth of cancer cells.
Tobacco smoke, for example, contains many chemical initiators and promoters.
A damaged or deficient immune system may also be an important factor in the
development of cancer. The immune system is able to recognize malignant
cells and destroy them. A damaged immune system lacks resistance to
malignant cells. Such a lack may result from AIDS (see acquired immune
deficiency syndrome), inherited immune deficiency diseases, or the
administration of immunosuppressive drugs.
What these various cancer-initiating mechanisms have in common may be
oncogenes. A viral oncogene inserted in connection with a cellular oncogene
induces cancer. Oncogenes are often located near the breakpoint on the
chromosome damaged by radiation or chemicals. Malignancy results from the
expression of an oncogene and the release of growth factors that cause cells
to proliferate. A defect in the immune system permits the abnormal cells to
survive.
Detection and Diagnosis
The earlier a cancer
is diagnosed and treated, the greater the chance of cure. Early diagnosis of
those cancers not found by regular examination depends upon recognition of
signs of disease by the patient. The biopsy remains the only definitive
method for the diagnosis of a cancer. In a biopsy, a sample is removed from
the tumor and analyzed. Biopsy allows the doctor and patient to plan for
treatment and possible surgery. Once cancer has been diagnosed, the stage of
the disease's development must be determined.
Treatment
The traditional means
of treating cancer have been surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Studies
of treatment by immunotherapy and biologic response modifiers are under way.
The principal approach to curing cancer is to surgically remove all of the
malignant cells. If a surgical cure is not possible, surgery may help
relieve symptoms or improve the response to subsequent radiation or
chemotherapy. Tumors vary greatly in their sensitivity to radiation. When a
tumor is more sensitive than surrounding normal tissues, it may be curable
by radiation therapy. Because of its relatively sparing effect on normal
tissues, radiation is useful for tumors that cannot be removed without
damaging vital adjacent tissue.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs in the treatment of cancer. Because drugs
are distributed throughout the body by the bloodstream, chemotherapy is
useful for tumors that have spread significantly. Uterine, testicular, and
ovarian cancers, among others, are so sensitive to chemotherapy that a
chemotherapeutic cure is often possible. Problems limiting the usefulness of
chemotherapy are toxicity of the drugs and the cancer's resistance to them.
Combination chemotherapy, which employs several drugs, may avoid these
problems.
Many cancers that arise from hormone-dependent tissues such as the breast
and the thyroid gland are responsive to hormone manipulation, as by the
administration of various hormones and antihormones. Other promising new
biological approaches include use of agents known as biological response
modifiers, which modify the body's response to cancer, and use of agents to
stimulate immune cells that attack the malignant cells.
Cancer Control
The most important
preventive measures in controlling cancer are stopping tobacco use—which
causes about 30 percent of all cancer deaths—and changing dietary habits to
reduce obesity, reduce fat intake, and increase intake of dietary fiber and
protective foods. The use of sunscreens and avoiding exposure to sunlight
are important in preventing skin cancer.
Effective testing is available for many cancers, and people without symptoms
should have a cancer-related checkup every few years. Such measures,
together with full use of present technology for diagnosis and treatment,
may achieve the goal, announced in 1985, of a 50 percent reduction in U.S.
cancer deaths by the year 2000.
Cancer Update #1
Please read very carefully,
it's for you...
Inform your Family & Friends!
CANCER UPDATE
FROM JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL , U.S
Johns Hopkins has recently sent
out this update in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at
Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well.
1. No plastic
containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.
Dioxin chemicals
causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the
cells of our bodies.
Don't freeze your plastic
bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.
Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital,
was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins
and how bad they are for us.
We should not be heating our
food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to
foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and
plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the
body.
Instead, he recommends using
glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food.
You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV
dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container
and heated in something else.
Paper isn't bad but you don't
know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning
Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants
moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of
the reasons.
Also, he pointed out that
plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to
be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes
poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the
food.
Cover food with a paper towel
instead.
Cancer Update #2
Please read very carefully,
it's for you...
Inform your Family & Friends!
ANOTHER CANCER UPDATE
FROM JOHN HOPKINS HOSPITAL , U.S
Years of
telling people, Chemotherapy is the only way to try and eliminate cancer.
But now, John Hopkins is finally starting to tell you, there is an
alternative way...
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Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer
cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a
few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer
cells in their bodies after treatment , it just means the tests are unable
to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable
size.
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Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a
person's lifetime.
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When the person's immune system is strong, the cancer
cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
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When a person has cancer, it indicates the person has
multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic,
environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
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To overcome the multiple
nutritional deficiencies, changing in diet and taking some supplements will
strengthen the immune system.
The Chemotherapy
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Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing
cancer cells but also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone
marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc., and can cause organ damage, like
liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
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Radiation while destroying
cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and
organs.
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Initial treatment with
chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged
use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
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When the body has too much
toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation, the immune system is either
compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of
infections and complications.
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Chemotherapy and radiation can
cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy.
Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
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An effective way to battle cancer is
to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs
to multiply.
Cancer Cells feed on...
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Sugar is a cancer-feeder.
By cutting off sugar, it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer
cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc. are made
with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be
Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts.
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Table salt has a chemical,
added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea
salt.
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Milk causes the body to
produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract and
cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened
soya milk, cancer cells are being starved.
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Cancer cells thrive in an acid
environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat
fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains
livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful,
especially to people with cancer.
Healthy Guidelines...
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A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole
grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline
environment. About 20% can be had from cooked food including beans. Fresh
vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach
down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of
healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and
drink fresh vegetable juice (most
vegetables including bean sprouts)and eat some
raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at
temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
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Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high
caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative
and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water , or
filtered , to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled
water is acidic , avoid it.
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Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot
of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become
purified and leads to more toxic buildup. Cancer cell walls have a tough
protein covering. By refraining from or eating
less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls
of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer
cells.
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Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6,
Florescence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable
the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other
supplements like vitamin E are known to
cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of
disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
Cancer is
a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit
will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and
bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment.
Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to
relax and enjoy life.
Cancer
cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment.
Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more
oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed
to destroy cancer cells.
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