Cancer and Healthy

2008-10-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

The bad news about cervical cancer is that it is one of the most common cancers affecting the female reproductive organs. But cheer up! It's a slow-growing cancer and 100 percent curable if detected early.

Cervical cancer usually affects women between 30 and 55 years old. The National Cancer Institute said there are over 11,000 cases discovered every year.

Who gets cervical cancer? Naturally, any woman with a cervix is prone to the disease, but there are certain risk factors to consider. Sexual promiscuity is one of them.

Women who begin having sex before age 18 are more likely to get the disease. The cervix simply can't stand numerous penile thrusts from different men who may carry a variety of infections. These include the papilloma virus (which is responsible for warts), genital herpes, the chlamydia organism, and other cancer-causing agents.

It you have had many pregnancies which started at a tender age, that puts you at risk for cervical cancer as well. On a positive side, women who use barrier methods of contraception, namely, the cervical cap, diaphragm, or let their partners wear a condom, which in all cases protect the cervix, have a lower cancer rate.For some reason, smoking affects the cervix and the nicotine buildup in that organ can trigger the disease. Passive smokers face the same risk. So stop smoking now and avoid those who do. A diet rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and folacin is believed to be protective against cervical cancer. So it's probably wise to eat your veggies.

Circumcision was once thought to protect women from cervical cancer but we now know that this is not true. This painful procedure has no medical benefit and should be discouraged except in special cases.

There are usually no symptoms in the early stage of the disease. Warning signals include bleeding after intercourse, bleeding between periods or after menopause. In some, there is a watery, bloody discharge from the vagina. A dull backache may be felt later.

With early detection, cervical cancer is highly curable provided it has not spread beyond the uterus. A yearly pelvic exam and a routine Pap test can save you a lot of trouble.

Since the 1940s, the Pap smear has reduced cervical cancer death rates by 70 percent. Today, only about three percent of women die from the disease thanks to this valuable test.

"A Pap smear is the best screening procedure for cervical cancer. It can detect early lesions as well as pre-malignant lesions of the cervix. Aside from that, a Pap smear can also detect infection," according to Dr. Rey de los Reyes, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the United Doctors Medical Center in the Philippines.

The Pap smear is named after Dr. G.N. Papanicolaou who developed it. In this test, the doctor gathers cell samples from the surface of the cervix by means of scraping it with a wooden spatula, brush, or cotton swab. The cell samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis.

"A negative result means that your cervix is normal; positive result indicates some abnormal cells. A positive result does not prove that you have cancer or even dysplasia, a precancerous condition, but it usually does mean you should have further evaluation, such as colposcopic examination and biopsy,'' said Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book."

A colposcope is an instrument with a magnifying lens which helps the physician examine the cervix. While doing so, he removes a bit of the cervix (biopsy) for analysis.

"Once you have a suspicious lesion on the cervix that should be biopsied. Since some lesions of the cervix and even an infection can look like cervical cancer, a biopsy can accurately detect the disease," De los Reyes said. (Next: When should you have a Pap test?)

A Brief Overview of Ovarian Cancer

2008-10-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

According to statistics, ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer among women and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed this year, and approximately 15,000 women will die from ovarian cancer this year.

Ovarian cancer is often called the silent killer because its symptoms can be subtle, leading to a delayed diagnosis and poorer outcome. However, if ovarian cancer is detected early, approximately nine out of ten women will live for at least five years with the disease.

Ovarian cancer starts in the cells of the ovary or ovaries. The ovaries are two small, oval-shaped organs that lie deep in the pelvis on either side of the uterus (womb), close to the end of the Fallopian tubes. The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system.
Each month, in women of childbearing age, one of the ovaries releases an egg (ovum). This is called ovulation. The egg travels down the Fallopian tube to the uterus, where it may be fertilized by a sperm and develop into a fetus. If the egg is not fertilized, it is shed as part of your monthly period.

The ovaries also produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone help control reproduction and sexual development. As a woman ages and reaches menopause, the ovaries make less of these hormones and periods gradually stop.

If left undetected and untreated, ovarian cancer can spread from the ovaries to other organs in the pelvis, such as the Fallopian tubes, uterus, rectum, colon or bladder.

In the most advanced form, ovarian cancer can spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs.

Learn About the Stages of Ovarian Cancer Part II

2008-10-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

In a previous article, we took a look at the first two stages of ovarian cancer. We can now turn our attention to the last two.

In stage III, the cancer is becoming more advanced as in addition to being in one or both ovaries, the cancer has spread past the pelvis to the abdominal lining and may have also spread to the nearby lymph nodes. Stage III is also divided into IIIA, B, and C.

In stage IIIA, cancer cells are present in small amounts in parts of the abdomen as well as one or both ovaries.

In stage IIIB, cancer cells are also present in amounts less than two centimeters (three-fourths of an inch) in parts of the abdomen.

In the final subsection of stage III, IIIC, ovarian cancer has either spread to the nearby lymph nodes or cancer cells are present in amounts greater than two centimeters (three-fourths of an inch) in parts of the abdomen.

The last and most advanced stage of ovarian cancer that I would like to discuss is stage IV. In this stage, the cancerous cells are present in one or both ovaries and have spread to other organs in the body, such as the liver or lungs.

These are the main stages of ovarian cancer. It should be noted that there can be one final stage and that is where the cancer is recurrent. This is when the cancer comes back in one of the organs of the body after it has already been treated.

Laura Guthrie is a former cancer patient who successfully recovered. She now shares her best of the best information to give back.

Learn About the Side Effects of Cervical Cancer Treatment

2008-10-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Once treatment has concluded, depending on the type of treatment and the stage that the cervical cancer was in, you will most likely feel some side effects. Here are a few, based on the three most common treatments: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery:

It takes time to heal after surgery, and the recovery time is different for each woman. You may be uncomfortable for the first few days. However, medicine can usually control the pain. Before surgery, you should discuss the plan for pain relief with your doctor or nurse. After surgery, your doctor can adjust the plan if you need more pain relief.

If you have surgery to remove a small tumor on the surface of the cervix, you may have cramping or other pain, bleeding, or a watery discharge.

If you have a hysterectomy, the length of the hospital stay may vary from several days to a week. You may also experience hot flashes and menopause occurs immediately.

It is common to feel tired or weak for a while, you may also have bladder and bowel problems. The doctor may restrict your diet to liquids at first, with a gradual return to solid food. Most women return to their normal activities within 4 to 8 weeks after surgery.

Radiation therapy:

Side effects depend mainly on the dose of radiation and the part of your body that is treated. Radiation to the abdomen and pelvis may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or urinary problems. You may lose hair in your genital area. Also, your skin in the treated area may become red, dry, and tender.

You may have dryness, itching, or burning in your vagina. The radiation may also make your vagina narrower.

Although the side effects of radiation therapy can be distressing, your doctor can usually find ways to relieve them.

Chemotherapy:

The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the specific drugs and the dose. The drugs affect cancer cells and other cells that divide rapidly:

Chemotherapy can cause a poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth and lip sores. Chemotherapy can cause you to lose your hair. The hair will grow back, but it may be somewhat different in color and texture.

Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer

2008-10-15T03:12:00.000-07:00

cojeyqtTypically, the form of cancer to strike people than any other is skin Cancer. All skin types can develop this but it is predominately found in fair-skinned people. Too much time spent in the sun is the main cause of skin cancer due to the ultraviolet radiation. Avoiding overexposure to the sun and identifying the signs early are the two best ways to prevent skin cancer. The three major causes are environment, heredity, and ultraviolet light damage to the skin. This occurs mostly in children and teenagers. Studies show adults receive half of their lifetime ultraviolet exposure when they are 20 years old.

Our skin is the largest organ of our body. It protects our internal organs from injury, acts as a barrier between those organs and bacteria, and prevents the loss of valuable fluid from our body. It also regulated body temperature and communicates to the brain to allow for temperature, touch, and pain sensations. You can see why it is important to keep our skin healthy and free from any signs or symptoms. The majority of skin cancers are classified as non-melanoma or melanoma.

Non-melanoma will develop on those areas of the body that are the most exposed to the sun. The early signs appear on the body, face, ears, neck, lips, and the backs of our hands is where it would be found. These signs rarely spread to another part of the body.

Signs can be one extreme to the next, either the cancer can be slow growing or grow at a rapid rate.

Melanoma, which is common, begins in the cells that produce the skin pigment or coloring known as melanin. Melanin also protects the deepest layers of the skin from harmful radiation from the sun. Melanoma accounts for a small percentage, but it is far more dangerous and life threatening than non-melanoma. The chances of surviving melanoma skin cancer are better if it is caught in the earliest stage.

The signs include family history of skin cancer, multiple moles, a fair complexion, exposure to coal tar, pitch, creosote, arsenic compounds, and radium, and severe sunburn as a child.

Your body will show early signs of symptoms, and both patients and doctors play an important role in finding signs of skin cancer. If you believe you have signs or have any change on the skin, consult your doctor. Any change can be a sign of skin cancer, like the size and color of a mole, or a growth that is darkly pigmented, or a new growth on the skin. If you have a change in the appearance of any bump or nodule, or if you have oozing, bleeding or scaling of the skin you should contact your doctor. Another sign to look for is if the color of the pigmentation spreads beyond the border of a mole or mark. Another sign would be a change in sensations to your skin, for example, itchiness, tenderness, or pain, it's time to go to your doctor.

What is important to know is it can be prevented by watching for any of these signs. Avoid the sun for extended periods of time and make sure to practice sun safety. If you fear that you have signs of skin cancer symptoms, avoid the sun altogether between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. Try to stay in the shade especially when rays are the strongest. To protect your skin from the sun rays it is helpful to wear a long sleeved shirt.

If you show any of the signs, using sunscreen is important when you are going to be in the sun. Using a sunscreen of SPF 15 or above when outdoors will help you protect your skin from skin cancer. Use sunscreen generously and always reapply if you have been in the water, are heavily perspiring, or have recently toweled off.

For prevention of developing signs wear a hat this will keep your face, ears, and neck shaded and provide some protection. A wide-brimmed hat is the best choice but if you are wearing a baseball cap, remember to protect your ears and neck with sunscreen.

Your eyes also need protection from developing signs. The best protection for the eyes and surrounding skin is to wear sunglasses. Sunglasses with 99-100 percent UV absorption are recommended when you are in the sun.

Protect yourself, and alert your doctor if you think you may be developing any signs of skin cancer.

Melanoma Skin Cancer

2008-10-15T03:11:00.000-07:00

Most people will have heard of Melanoma, and automatically link it with skin cancer. This though is often the limit of most people's knowledge. Surprisingly enough it is one of the rarest forms of skin cancer but is also one of the most deadly forms.

Melanoma comes about from an unwanted growth of melanocytes, which are pigment cells. It is an especially dangerous form of skin cancer as it makes up three quarters of all skin cancer deaths each and every year. This equates to about fifty thousand deaths every year, out of one hundred and sixty thousand cases diagnosed globally each year. Melanoma is predominantly found in Caucasian males, especially those who live in sunny climates, although it is not unknown for it to be diagnosed in other racial groups.

Even amongst Caucasian males it is possible to minimize risks of having Melanoma, and is as simple as avoiding ultraviolet forms of radiation, be it from direct sunlight or the use of sun beds. If out in the sun then plenty of sun screens should be applied and protective clothing should be worn, things like long sleeve t-shirts and trousers.

It is possible to undertake a limited form of self diagnosis if you feel that there is a chance that you have Melanoma. This normally involves the following of an ABCDE mnemonic; Asymmetrical mole (irregular shaped), Border irregular, Color - multiple colored mole, Diameter - large moles over half a centimeter are considered to be at greater risk, Evolution - the changing shape and color of a mole.

If you think you may have Melanoma then a trip to the doctors is recommended, as surgery to remove the cells can be scheduled if required. Most doctors will have some training in identifying Melanoma and will pass you to a specialist if needed.

The treatment for Melanoma is normally the removal of the tumor and then some form of chemo or radiation therapy to kill off any remaining cancerous cells. Melanoma isn't just a form of skin cancer though as it can also be found as a tumor of melanocytes in the eye or bowel as well.

It is something that should have more publicity and many annual deaths from Melanoma could be avoided with early diagnosis. There has been much done in recent year to highlight the dangers of sunbathing without providing information about what the actual signs are. Early diagnosis of Melanoma, as with any disease, is the best way to prevent any serious consequences.

Skin Cancer

2008-10-15T03:10:00.001-07:00

Many people fear the words skin cancer, and with good reason as it the fastest growing type of cancer. In recent years it has surged past lung, prostate and breast cancers as the most common type. Even in the United States alone it is estimated that over a million people will be diagnosed with skin cancer each year.

Skin cancer is in essence a malignant growth in the epidermis layer of skin. The fact that a tumor of some sort grows makes it one of the more easily identifiable forms of cancer, and should be caught early enough to treat because of it. There are three main forms of skin cancer; basel cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Of the three types malignant melanoma is the most serious, and accounts for almost fifty thousand deaths around the world each year, this is in no small part due to the fact that it can spread to other bodily organs.

Basel cell carcinoma is normally identified by a small and smooth lump in the skin, and crusty red spots. Squamous cell carcinoma symptoms include a firm red lump. Both versions are relatively easy to treat although malignant melanoma does require surgery to remove discolored moles, as well as chemo and radiation treatments. Treatment though is not without dangers and is no guarantee that skin cancer will not return at some future date.

It is evident that there has been an increase in the number of cases of skin cancer being diagnosed in recent years. This has been put down to an increase in the number of people wishing to tan themselves in artificial booths and in the more natural surrounds of the hot holiday destinations. It should be fairly easy to reduce the numbers of diagnosed skin cancer, reversing trends back to the figures of even twenty years ago. It could happen with simple education and warning people about the dangers of ultraviolet radiation. The dangers of the sun can be easily avoided with the wearing of appropriate clothing and the use of sun screen.

Skin cancer has the possibility to become a major killer worldwide, and a great deal of education needs to occur in the next few years otherwise it could overtake many any other diseases as a major killer. Like many disease though it can be prevented to a large degree and as long as identified early enough it can be successfully treated.

Are Sunbeds Healthy?

2008-10-15T03:08:00.000-07:00

It was only in the middle of the last century that having a tan became desirable. Up until this point, people did not see tanned skin as a positive look but more than likely an indication that the person worked outdoors and was exposed to too much sunlight.

As people became more prosperous in the 1950's, leisure time became more of a lifestyle choice. People would spend time at the beach or have social activities outdoors. They had money and vacation time to go to warmer and sunnier climates.

Pretty soon an all over tan could indicate affluence or a healthy lifestyle (which is not completely untrue). Looking tanned became desirable to the extent that people would go to the beach or spend time outdoors purely to get a sun tan.

People wanted to look suntanned all year round regardless of the time of year. Others wanted to look tanned before they went on vacation. With these attitudes prevalent, the development of the sunbed began.

Since this time, sunbeds and tanning salons have proved to be extremely popular. Strangely enough they are even more popular than a regular suntan in regions where there is plenty of Sun (I guess there is no sand or wind to deal with).

But the question that many people that regularly use sunbeds often consider is are sunbeds healthy ?

The answer is very simple. Current research suggests that any kind of tanning, be it in the Sun or being exposed to ultra violet radiation in some other way will eventually lead to skin cancer. The level or duration of exposure to UV rays before a skin cancer develops will vary from person to person depending on their skin type and other genetic factors.

Many sunbed owners or tanning salon proprietors may point out that most sunbeds use UVA radiation to tan the skin. Whereas the UV rays that can cause sunburn are UVB radiation. Whilst it is true that sunbeds will use UVA radiation, research suggests that UVA radiation is just as likely to cause skin cancer as UVB radiation even if the skin is not burned.

The salient point to all this is that any form of tanning of the skin will lead to skin cancer at some point. Maybe you will be fortunate and never reach that point during your life but the aim of skin cancer prevention is to limit a persons exposure to the cause of skin cancer - ultraviolet radiation. That is why people should always wear sunscreen when outdoors. They should try to cover their skin with clothing and wear a hat and sunglasses when out in the Sun.

Lying on a sunbed once a week is like going in the sun with none of this protection. Under the circumstances, it seems like a potentially high price to pay to have a 'healthy' tan.

Mesothelioma - Asbestos - Where to Turn

2008-10-15T03:07:00.000-07:00

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium, a membrane that covers most of the body's internal organs. The disease causes the cells of the mesothelium to divide without control, damaging nearby organs. These cells can also travel to other parts of the body. More often than not, mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum which is the tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. Mesothelioma is still considered a rare disease even though cases have been reported more frequently over the last 20 years. The disease is more common in men, as many men work in factories where they could have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a commonly used group of minerals that can be found in roof shingles, brake lines, insulation, and other products. It's important to avoid inhaling the asbestos dust or particles at all costs. 70 to 80% of all mesothelioma cases are a result of asbestos being inhaled.

What are the Symptoms?

Symptoms of mesothelioma can appear after many years of exposure to asbestos. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, abnormal blood clotting, bowel obstruction, and anemia. Since these symptoms can be a result of other health problems, it is difficult to diagnose mesothelioma. Given this fact, it is very important to get a diagnosis from a doctor. CAT scan, MRI, and x-rays of the chest and abdominal area can help identify mesothelioma, but ultimately a biopsy will be needed to confirm the disease.

Treatments for Mesothelioma

The most common treatment is surgery, but it depends upon the stage of the disease, age of the patient, and general health of the patient. The surgical procedure often involves removal of part of the chest or abdomen lining, and some of the tissue surrounding the lining. If a patient has been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a lung may have to be removed, along with part of the diaphragm which is the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing. Radiation therapy is also a common treatment . Radiation therapy involves the use of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors that may have grown. Radiation therapy only treats the area where the radiation has been applied. Chemotherapy is another form of treatment in which anti cancer drugs are used to kill cancerous cells in the body. Most chemotherapy drugs are given intravenously. Removal of fluid from the chest and abdomen have also been used to treat mesothelioma.

Where to find Help

There are many doctors, lawyers and websites that can lead you in the right direction if you suspect you may have mesothelioma. Many law firms will take your case on a no win no fee basis. There are many resources on the web that can give you more in depth information about treatments, and can put you in touch with the right doctor or lawyer who can help.

Pericardial Mesothelioma Treatment and Information

2008-10-15T03:06:00.002-07:00

Pericardial mesothelioma is the cancer that affects the pericardium of the heart. The disease is mostly associated with those that are exposed to asbestos-related environment. It is not known exactly how the asbestos particles get embedded on the membranous lining of heart. But believed that asbestos particles mostly travel from lungs through the bloodstream into the heart. Once these particles get embedded, it becomes difficult to remove them from body. These particles affect changes inside the pericardium eventually causing uncontrolled cell growth. With the growth of cancerous cells inside the pericardial membrane, the membrane gets filled with excess fluid exerting pressure on the heart and creating various symptoms and also intervenes with the function of heart.

Common warning symptoms of a pericardial mesothelioma:

* Intense chest pain

* Irregular heartbeat and palpitations

* Difficulty in breathing

* Continuous coughing

* Fatigue with little exertion

However, the symptoms vary with patients as well as with the stages of this disease. A thorough history of the patient is essential to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

Tests and Diagnoses:

It is difficult to have correct diagnosis of the pericardial mesothelioma as the symptoms coincide with other conditions as well. Apart from medical history, some examinations need to be undertaken such as series of imaging tests to determine the exact location and nature of the pericardial mesothelioma. However, the final stage of this cancer is only determined by a biopsy. Either fluid is removed from the pericardium or some tissue is taken and studied under lens.

Treatment Of Pericardial Mesothelioma

If the Pericardial Mesothelioma is in its early stages, then surgical removal of localized tumors is opted. However, it is associated with greater risk because of its proximity with heart. However, not all cases can be treated with surgery. In most cases, due to advanced stages of this disease, palliative treatment remains the only option. This approach helps to improve the quality of living of those enduring pericardial mesothelioma. Chemotherapy is not a viable option in this case.

Latest Treatment

Research is still underway to find cure for this deadly disease. Several studies and clinical trials are in progress to find ways to increase the lifespan of the cancer patients. Alternative therapies such as yoga, massage, acupuncture, nutritional supplements and meditation coupled with either gene therapy or immunotherapy can be beneficial.

Mesothelioma on the Rise in the UK

2008-10-15T03:06:00.001-07:00

It is a rare cancer disease with cases that has been increasing significantly in the UK every year. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. A person contracts the disease either through contact with the skin or cloth or, worst, through direct inhalation. It has been diagnosed that it takes years and years before the disease eventually manifests and starts destroying the body. Upon contracting the disease, the malignant cells start lining the chest cavities, abdominal region, and the surrounding areas of the heart.

It takes years - sometimes decades - before the cancer patient shows indications of suffering from mesothelioma. The progression from diagnosis to a chain of eventual degeneration is quiet long and very erratic. This is the reason why experts find it difficult to get accurate data concerning this disease.

Asbestos exposure of one single member in the family can already be detrimental because the disease could quickly contaminate all other household members. No matter how small the contamination is, the percentage of infection would still be very higher. At present, it is reported that about 3000 patients have been confirmed as having the disease and about 1,700 mesothelioma cancer patients die every year.

Smokers are more susceptible to mesothelioma. However, there are those who contract the disease who are declared to be smokers even if they are not. The signs and symptoms of mesothelioma are very common. Chances are at the very first time that symptoms manifest, they are ignored or simply dismissed as those of an ordinary illness. The reason why a patient's health could decline quickly is the lack of proper and immediate treatment owing to this.

The typical symptoms that denote the severity of a patient's condition are: dyspnea, pleuritic pain, lingering cough, unreasonable weight loss, frequent collapse of strength. Not all mesothelioma victims exhibit symptoms before the terminal stage is reached. But it is a must that a thorough check up must be done by an expert to get an accurate assessment.

Three Forms of Mesothelioma - How Serious is Each?

2008-10-15T03:05:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is not a disease of this decade but has its roots as back as the beginning of 19th century. But it came into limelight in the recent past. Mesothelioma results in tumours in and around vital organs of the body. The word mesothelioma literally means cancer of the mesothelium (oma is a medical term for cancer). The mesothelium is the sac that protects vital organs of our body and this disease affects the cells of the lining and makes them malevolent.

Mesothelioma exists in three forms:

Pleural Mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma that affects the pleura of the lungs and ribs. Due to this disease pleura gets thickened. Some of the common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are regular coughing, difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, facial swelling, and weight loss, fever, rasping and coughing up blood.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen. It starts in the abdominal area and spread to other parts of the body. The sufferers may show some or all of the following symptoms: pain and swelling in abdomen, loss of appetite, problem in breathing, chest pain, bowel obstruction, anemia and blood clotting abnormalities.

Pericardial Mesothelioma, the rarest of all affects the heart and the cavity that surrounds the heart. The following symptoms are generally seen: pain in chest, shortness of breath, trouble in breathing, persistent coughing, and palpitations.

The symptoms for all three types of mesothelioma are non-specific, which means that there exist various other diseases with the same symptoms. Hence it becomes very difficult to diagnose any form of mesothelioma. There is a great possibility that a doctor might not found that a patient has mesothelioma and the disease is often mistaken for something else. Moreover long latency period also makes it very much difficult for the doctors to diagnose the same and it becomes too late for them to do any constructive treatment. Hence it advisable to people to let their doctors know if you are exposed to asbestos or any other similar substances regularly. Otherwise they are likely to look at other options before even contemplating mesothelioma.

How is Mesothelioma Diagnosed? - An Analysis

2008-10-15T03:03:00.000-07:00

Diagnosing mesothelioma is not an easy job. In fact many doctors are still unfamiliar with the symptoms that can to be attributed to this cancer. Moreover the symptoms of the disease do not generally manifest for several years after contraction. This makes this disease even more difficult to be diagnosed at a proper time and often it becomes too late for any doctor to do anything really constructive. So the first thing that you should do is to inform your doctor in advance if you are regularly exposed to asbestos. Otherwise after seeing the symptoms he may put those down to some other disease before testing for mesothelioma.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma begins with a CT or MRI scan to detect its presence and if the results show any positive sign then a biopsy is conducted. The initial scans help the doctor to view the affected area so that he can prepare a suitable plan to counter it. The doctor may do a minor operation to get a tissue sample of your lungs or other body part and run a biopsy on that. This is known as open pleural biopsy. While there are many other techniques to find the evidences of mesotheliom, experts consider pleural biopsy to be the most convincing way of diagnosing mesothelioma.

There are more than a few ways in which the doctor can perform a tissue biopsy in order to test for mesothelioma. A thoracoscopy or laparoscopy involves making a small cut and then keeping an eye over the infected area with the help of a tiny camera. Your doctor may do a needle biopsy in which a hollow needle is inserted into the chest cavity in order to collect a tissue sample which is then examined by the pathologist.

However, with open biopsy the doctor can collect a bigger tissue sample which makes diagnosis easier and even more precise which is why most physicians adhere to this technique. Once the tissue samples have been collected, a detailed examination of the cells is performed to check for malignant cells in the tissue. When all of this has been done, some more tests are performed to determine the extent of mesothelioma so that treatment can be done accordingly.

Abiraterone - The Best Hope For Prostate Cancer?

2008-10-15T03:02:00.002-07:00

As the results of the early stage trials were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, abiraterone instantly gained rave reviews as the miracle drug to treat prostate cancer. The mainstream media immediately pounced on the story during the middle of July 2008, hailing the drug as the most significant development in the field of prostate cancer therapy in 70 years. Despite the promising results during its early trials, abiraterone might have rightfully earned its bragging rights. Given that in the history of prostate cancer research shows that on a worldwide basis, almost a third of men diagnosed with the disease die from it.

Prostate cancer usually affects men who have reached their fifties, and the risk increases the older they get. To detect or examine suspected prostate cancer cases, the doctor usually starts with a prostate specific antigen or PSA bloodwork then a biopsy when a check up shows positive indicators for the disease. At present, only early detection guarantees recovery in most prostate cancer cases.

The male hormone testosterone - even though it performs a vital function in the male anatomy - stimulates prostate cancer tumors to grow. Current therapeutic methods used to cure prostate cancer usually involve stopping the body making testosterone. This method can slow down the growth of preexisting tumors, or even shrink it. Most of the testosterone in the male anatomy is made by the testes but a significant - though small amount - is synthesized by other tissues in the body, including the cancer itself. To synthesize or create testosterone, the body needs an enzyme called cytochrome P17, usually referred to as CYP17 in the research's "White Paper".

Abiraterone, whose chemical name is abiraterone acetate, also known as CB7630 works differently in comparison to other current hormone treatments for prostate cancer. Abiraterone acetate has a broad-spectrum effect in blocking the enzyme CYP17, thus preventing the testes and other tissues in the body from synthesizing testosterone. Abiraterone has just been recently used on clinical trials as an experimental treatment for prostate cancer. These early clinical trials focused on men with advanced prostate cancer whose previous treatments no longer works and also men with advanced prostate cancer that has spread or metastasized beyond the prostate gland.

Results of the phase 1 trial have recently been published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. During the abiraterone trials, 80% of the men had a fall in their levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in their blood accompanied by tumor shrinkage. A fall in PSA levels usually that the number of cancerous cells had gone down. Some of the men who were suffering from chronic pain resulting from their prostate cancer tumors were able to take much lower doses of painkillers, a sure sign of improvement. PSA level reduction lasted from just over two months in some men while on other subjects, level reductions lasted for 18 months.

Side effects were generally mild but are reminiscent of patients under hormone replacement therapy. These include a change in the levels of sodium and potassium in the blood, a build-up of fluid in the ankles / joint edema, a rise in blood pressure, headaches, loss of appetite, fatigue, and hot flushes.

Phase 2 trials are currently being carried out but the results are yet to be published. It focused on the men whose previous hormone therapy no longer works. These men were given abiraterone and when the abiraterone no longer worked, they were then given a steroid called dexamethasone. The early results were announced in June 2008, and because they looked promising, were hailed by the media as the greatest advance in prostate cancer research. Men who were taking abiraterone alone - most of them - show a fall in their PSA levels. A sure sign of the treatment stopped the cancer from growing or developing. In 50% of the men with tumors could be measured on the scan, the cancer shrank or didn't grow further. The PSA levels were cut in half in almost 70% of the men taking part in the clinical trials even though the PSA levels of the men taking part rose again after 7 months. Despite the promising results, abiraterone is currently only available to men who will take part in a clinical trial.

Based on early tentative results, the latest abiraterone trial participants must be screened as a precaution. Because the drug changes the levels of sodium and potassium in the blood and raises blood pressure, men with a history of heart disease and high-blood pressure are not allowed to participate in abiraterone trials. So do men who had undergone treatment using a drug called ketoconazole, have history of liver disease or currently have another type of cancer and /or secondary cancer in the brain. Experts say that all hormone-based therapy to cure prostate cancer - including abiraterone - carries the risk of impotence, urinary tract problems and incontinence.

In the past, prostate cancer awareness was usually spearheaded when someone famous overcame the disease helped only by the existing treatment regimen of the period. Back in November 1987, then US President Ronald Reagan underwent transurethral prostate surgery because of benign prostatic hypertropy, thus causing a flurry of prostate cancer awareness. In the entertainment world, Bill "The Fox" Foster emcee of Comedy Central's "The Man Show" died of prostate cancer in May 10, 2000. His family asks that we (The Man Show fans) honor his memory by urging male viewers to get their prostates examined regularly by their doctor. Many opined that with early detection, Bill "The Fox" Foster's death could have been prevented.

Sex After Prostate Cancer - How to Deal With the Frustrations of Additional Medical Complications

2008-10-15T03:02:00.001-07:00

Just surviving Cancer or medical problems is something to be thankful for. Yet, most of us want to experience some sort of sexuality or sensuality in our lives. For many Cancer survivors, so much depends on what they've been through and what their body can handle. What happens when depression is a result of experiencing more medical complications? We're human.

If we are depressed, and remember, I'm not a doctor, we don't feel happy. If we're not happy and not excited we can impact our ability to have sexual experiences or other sensual positive experiences. If we feel badly, somehow, everything seems even worse. If one person is depressed, it has an effect on the partner and the relationship. The partner may feel helpless. If you don't feel excited and your partner isn't excited, tell me what's going to happen. Probably nothing.

How do we break away and make progress towards sex, at whatever level our bodies can provide, or sexuality with other experiences besides just intercourse that can make us happy or satisfied? If we're the partner of a person who is trying to cope with surviving Cancer and other medical complications, we have to take a step back and work on ourselves. Two miserable people is really miserable. Most people ask me what do I do and I do as much as I have to so that I make progress instead of fall behind. Sitting on the couch and just waiting for things to get better is something I do not do... I take actions.

Actions most me forward. One tiny little step every day and in a month's time, I've come a long way. I try to have some movement of my body that will feel good. It can be anything from taking a walk to get my blood flowing and my circulation going. Circulation is a good thing. I will stretch and try to add flexibility to my body. Flexibility is great for sex. Whenever sex will be.

I have to get out of the path of depression so I will do whatever it takes. Sometimes I can just soak in an aromatherapy hot bath. The water is comforting and the aromatherapy scents can be whatever mood I need to create from sensual, to love, to calmness, to energy. I can change my bath to fit what I need.

It is amazing that just when we thought we could do more together or make things better in the relations about sex, medical complications made the body uncooperative and we had to be more patient. I encourage you to laugh, listen to comedy or music, whatever you like. I encourage you to find any activities that can get you more ready for sex or sensuality from baths, to good feeling or smelling soaps, to massage oils, to exercise, or even going somewhere new.

Medical complications can interfere with your best of intentions, your mind, and your body, so take action to improve your possibilities. I'm glad you've been reading my articles and I hope I have offered some encouragement . We all have challenges.We're not alone.

Some Prostate Cancer Treatments

2008-10-15T03:01:00.001-07:00

Prostate cancer is a disease that develops in the male reproductive system; specifically in the gland called the prostate. How does prostate cancer develop? Prostate cancer occurs when the cells of the gland mutate and begin to multiply out of control. They can spread to other parts of the body including the lymph nodes and the bones. Most sufferers of prostate cancer have difficulty when they urinate, develop erectile dysfunction among other symptoms. One of the major side effects of the disease is a discomfort in the area or severe pain in the groin.

Prostate cancer is most common amongst men in the United States and is least common in South and East Asia. The disease occurs most frequently in men over the age of 50. It is the second leading cancer killer among United States men aside from lung cancer. Two factors that cause prostate cancer are genetics and a person's diet. The most common way to discover prostate cancer is by a screening and not usually by physical detection. Just like lung cancer, prostate cancer is confirmed with a biopsy and then examining that biopsy with a microscope. CT scans and bone scans are used to see if the cancer has spread to any other areas of the body.

Some treatments for prostate cancer are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, proton therapy, and hormonal therapy.

What is the prostate? The prostate is a gland that makes and stores seminal fluid. It is located in the pelvis area under the urinary bladder. When prostate cancer develops men suffer from urination and ejaculation problems. It is difficult to pinpoint prostate cancer in the early stages because there are practically no symptoms. Most cases are discovered via tests during a routine checkup. If prostate cancer does cause symptoms, which is rare, they are frequent urination, increased urination at night, difficulty maintaining a steady stream of urine, blood in the urine and painful urination.

Some protective measures against prostate cancer are a healthy diet that includes a high volume of Vitamin D, vitamin E, lycopene and soy foods. Some studies suggest that drinking a large amount of Green Tea will also help prevent prostate cancer because of the polyphenol in its ingredients. The National Cancer Institute advises men not to take more than the suggested level of multivitamins in the span of a week because this could increase the risk of contracting the disease.

Doctors recommend that men over the age of 50 begin to get screened for prostate cancer at their yearly checkups. Most men who die when suffering from prostate cancer usually don't die from the cancer itself. The disease takes so long to progress that the man usually dies from other health related issues such as heart disease, pneumonia, or old age.

Prostate cancer can be treated with watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and cryosurgery. Determining which treatment method to use depends on which stage the cancer is in. Hormonal therapy and chemotherapy are usually used for treatment when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Calcium Hazard and Prostate Cancer

2008-10-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

According to a new study, male adults who have excess calcium in their bloodstreams are at a greater jeopardy of developing deadly prostate cancer.

Fundamentally, calcium is the source which operates various parts of a human body. Calcium plays a significant role in the process of electrical, nerve muscle, and heart muscle transference.

The imbalance in the level of calcium in blood can lead to various ailments. If the level of calcium in blood is less than 7 milligrams per deciliter, it can induce hysterical muscular upheaval or reductions. And, excess of calcium by more than 14 milligrams per deciliter can lead to coma. Hence, it is strongly recommended to control the level of serum calcium in the blood.

There is a small connection between calcium in the diet and calcium in the blood serum. But, doctors have recommended that people shouldn't trim down their normal nutritional consumption of calcium.

Studies also show that adult males who consume more than the standard amount of serum calcium are more inclined towards the jeopardy of lethal prostate cancer. This fallout holds the theory that high consumption of serum calcium such as high serum parathyroid hormone adds to the hazard of deadly prostate cancer.

Both calcium and parathyroid hormones are identified to prop up the increase of prostate cancer cells.

Various drugs are used by patients suffering from high level of parathyroid hormones and chronic kidney diseases and thus, can be utilized to cut down the level of calcium and parathyroid hormones in the blood.

Prostate Cancer - Overall

2008-10-15T02:52:00.000-07:00

Device external radiation treatment

Example of an ultrasound affected by prostate cancer (ultrasound can be used to guide a biopsy). Cancer develops from the tissues of the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system when cells will mutate to spread so uncontrollably.

These can spread (metastasize is) in migrating from the prostate to other parts of the body (especially bones and lymph nodes).

Prostate cancer occurs regardless of benign prostatic hypertrophy (or prostate adenoma). It is in the vast majority of cases adenocarcinoma.

Prostate cancer can cause pain, difficulty urinating, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms. Treatment is by surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and sometimes chemotherapy, or combination of these methods.

Frequency

The rate of breast cancer varies widely throughout the world. It is less widespread in South Asia and Far East, more common in Europe and even the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is rare among Asians and more prevalent among blacks (high rates may also be influenced by the increased effort detection).

Prostate cancer develops most often in men over fifty years. This is the type of cancer most common in men, where he is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer (except lung cancer). However, many men who develop prostate cancer symptoms do not, do not undergo any therapy and die for other reasons. Many factors of genetic origin, toxicological and diet-related seem involved in the development of this cancer.

We find outbreaks of cancer cells in 30 to 70% of cases in studies performed in autopsies of men 70 to 80 years; prostate cancer remains the most often asymptomatic: the probability of a man 50 years know a diagnosis of prostate cancer is only 10%. In 3% of cases, this cancer will be fatal.

Geography of Prostate Cancer

There are significant differences in the expression of this cancer, which seems more common among the black man, or where the family has a history pathological with this condition. From 1983-2002, while deaths from cancer were generally higher in the Caribbean city, deaths from prostate cancer and stomach were twice as common in the Caribbean in the mainland (while colorectal cancer and lung cancer were three times less frequent). This could be explained by both genetic reasons and food (green tea and / or soybeans or other foods rich in selenium) which appear to protect most Japanese living in Japan (while living in the United States is not).

Causes

They are not known with precision.

There is a genetic predisposition and the presence of certain genes seems slightly correlated with the onset of the disease. In particular, a mutation on chromosome 8 might explain the higher incidence of this cancer in black American.

Nutritional causes were discussed with a potentially protective role of lycopene. Similarly, exercise may have a slightly protective effect and tobacco a deleterious effect.

Symptomatology and detection

In most cases, prostate cancer is asymptomatic, ie it is discovered when it does not own event to it. It is most often found:

During blood tests, including investigation of the PSA (specific antigen for prostate, whose predictive value and use, without proven benefit to public health, has recently been called into question). The PSA is a protein normally secreted by prostate cells, but cancer cells secrete 10 times more than a normal cell. This property has raised many hopes in terms of screening. The blood level of PSA can be increased by many other factors (the prostate volume, infections and / or inflammation, the mechanical (digital rectal other)...) or decreased by certain treatments for benign hypertrophy (ministered). The thresholds of significance are therefore difficult to establish. It is recognized, however, rates of PSA between 4 and 10 ng / ml are doubtful, but it is clearly significant beyond. Some authors have proposed to bring the rate to its actual weight of the prostate, or assess the free PSA / total PSA, or the kinetic growth rate over 2 years. Scorer still uncertain for screening, the PSA level is, however, a key indicator for monitoring and treatment of cancers reported.

During a rectal examination, conducted as systematic or because of symptoms related to another illness (especially benign prostatic hypertrophy) incidentally, on parts of resection of the prostate during surgical treatment of prostate adenoma.

When it is symptomatic prostate cancer is most often at an advanced stage. It can lead to: acute retention of urine, hematuria, sexual impotence, impaired general condition pain and / or malfunction or failure of other organs associated with the presence of metastases

Diagnosis

The diagnostic orientation based on two key elements: the digital rectal examination and determination of PSA blood. The abnormality of one or both leaves suspect prostate cancer. It will be confirmed or not, by taking a sample of the prostate (biopsy) for examination under a microscope. Only the positivity of these biopsies permits to plan and begin treatment of this cancer. Once confirmed the diagnosis of prostate cancer, we conduct a bone scan in search of bone metastases and abdomino-pelvic CT or MRI abdomino-pelvic to clarify the extension of the tumor in the prostate and houses of possible pelvic lymph node metastases, retroperitoneal or liver.

Clinique

Clinical examination is the fundamental digital rectal exam.

The most specific induration of the gland. This induration may be nodular, it may also involve an entire lobe or the entire gland palpable. A heterogeneous consistency or asymmetry are much less specific signs, which can also translate a simple adenoma, particularly when the prostate is larger.

Ultrasound trans-rectal biopsies

There is currently no consideration imaging practice that could only detect an outbreak of prostate adenocarcinoma with a sensitivity and specificity satisfactory.

Contrary to popular belief still widespread, and although this review and is still often prescribed endorectal ultrasound alone has no relevance to the positive diagnosis of prostate cancer, under the inconvenience it is likely to cause. It shall, however, when its interest is used to guide prostate biopsies. Other imaging modalities (scan, MRI) have an interest in the balance sheet expansion.

Technique

An endorectal ultrasound probe equipped with a guide needle is inserted into the rectum. Biopsies were performed with needles fitted with a notched mandrel. The mandrel penetrates the first. The needle just cover, and decide to imprison and the fragment of prostate located in the notch. The movement of chuck and the needle are automated by a system of springs and the taking is a few hundredths of a second. The screen of the ultrasound, with a landmark representing the path of the needle, permits, thus firing biopsy very precise.

The number of biopsies, and where they should be, are not well codified and many protocols have been proposed: the aim is to obtain a sample as representative as possible. Currently, it is frequently performed 5 to 6 samples per lobe, or 10 to 12 in total. These numbers may be reduced or increased depending on the size of the prostate, tolerance of the patient, or if a second set of biopsies.

Preparation and conduct

This is a frequently performed as an outpatient, ie without hospitalization, or during hospitalization "for days". A rectal preparation (enemas) is often advocated. Many centers now offer systematic antibiotic (short antibiotic treatment to reduce infectious complications). The concomitant anticoagulation is in principle against inappropriate and that any treatment can be subject to arrest or a temporary modification.

Tolerance

Acceptance of the review is particularly variable from one patient to another. Each biopsy is shooting itself very painful. However, their repetition, and especially the presence and movement of the probe are the main factors of discomfort. The inconvenience of this review may justify the use of local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia with a gel anesthetic (lidocaine gel) has never demonstrated its effectiveness. Local anesthesia by injection of lidocaine on each side of the prostate (nerves pudendaux) has shown in many studies improved tolerance of the examination, however incomplete, because of its low efficiency discomfort associated with the presence of the probe. Anesthesia "general" Mild equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide ( "MEOPA") has recently been evaluated and appears very effective in this indication. It is even more interesting that easy to implement because does not require an anesthetist and seems almost devoid of side effects. General anesthesia "classic" is rarely used, reserved for patients who have suffered greatly during the first of a series of prostate biopsies.

Suites

Any pain disappear in a few tens of minutes. Can occur fairly frequent small bleeding through the anus and in urine for 24 to 72 hours without gravity. Small nets blood may also interfere with sperm for several days, again without any consequences.

Anatomopathologie

Cancer begins peripheral portion of the gland, unlike benign prostatic hypertrophy of interest to the central area, périurétrale.

The diagnosis is focused on the examination of the biopsy or surgical specimen.

The seriousness of evolution is correlated with the microscopic appearance (Gleason score), the level of PSA and the spread of the disease.

Bilan extension

The spread of the disease when the disease must be determined in order to better tailor therapy. Therefore the presence of bone metastases, lung and liver, knowing that bone metastases are most frequent. We must look for lymph node metastases in the pelvis and the retrograde (around the abdominal aorta). it must finally try to clarify the extension of the tumor in the prostate, particularly whether the latter exceeds the prostate capsule or not.

The means of imaging used in routine generally low ability to show (ultrasound scan, MRI) or to precisely locate (scan) the original prostate lesions, owing to the low blood of breast cancer. MRI is the least bad review to determine the local extension.

MRI scanners or new generation (volume) are used to search the achievement of lymph nodes, but only nodes whose size is increased are detected. New products in contrast MRI, so-called "super-para-magnetic" could improve the detection of lymph nodes affected.

The positron emission tomography (PET camera, PET-scan) did not indicate however, because of very little or no hypermetabolism prostate cancer.

a blood test can check the status of kidney and liver functions.

Treatment

The age, overall health of humans as well as the extent of spread, appearance under the microscope and the response of cancer to initial treatment are important to predict the outcome of the disease.

As prostate cancer is a disease of elderly men, many will die for other reasons before the prostate cancer could spread or cause symptoms. This makes the difficult choice of treatment. Decide whether or not we treat localized cancer of the prostate (a tumor confined within the prostate) with intent to heal is that arbitration must be made between the positive and negative expected to point of view of patient survival and quality of life.

The treatment should be discussed on a case by case basis following the extension of cancer, the patient's general condition and related diseases. A simple monitoring may be recommended in the elderly or among holders of a very localized.

Medical treatment

Hormone

There is a correlation between the production of testosterone (male hormone) and the multiplication of cancer cells. A blocking or greatly reducing the production of this hormone can effectively curb the disease. Some drugs are administered as a subcutaneous injection every 3 months. Others are administered orally. Side effects are, however numerous, but rarely serious. The hormone, which was the treatment of advanced forms, or metastatic, saw its indications extended to the treatment of tumors rejected for surgery (because of the size of the tumor, the risk of surgery not complete ,...) and why the rate of relapse after radiotherapy remained important. The overall control of the disease, adding radiotherapy and hormone therapy for 3 years, can improve significantly the number of patients for whom the disease remains undetectable. The pulpectomy (testicular tissue ablation) is no longer used since the 90s.

Chemotherapy

Until the early 2000s, the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy in metastatic prostate cancer, and whose usual treatment hormonotherapy by becoming ineffective (tried in particular on increasing PSA despite repeated androgen suppression) 's has proved a failure. The advent of docetaxel (Taxotere °) amended the therapeutic possibilities, Entr'ouvert by mitoxantrone (Novantrone °) some years earlier. For the first time, a drug used in advanced stages of the disease, managed to improve survival and quality of life of patients. Three controlled studies confirm these results. Others are underway to integrate chemotherapy early in the history of the disease for locally advanced tumors, where organic growth but before the onset of metastases, and why not, immediately after surgery to treat possible micro-metastases.

Surgery

It is based on the prostatectomy, known as radical or total. It involves the removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles and may be preceded by a levy of lymph drainage of the prostate. The surgery can be done through open (surgical incision in the abdomen or at the perineum) or by abdominal Coelioscopy; surgery is reserved for cancer localized to the prostate and offers great chance of cure if the cancer is actually located and slightly or moderately aggressive (aggressiveness estimated by the Gleason score), and may lead to urinary incontinence, most often temporary and erectile dysfunction. Currently, there is no superiority of one technique over another with regard to cancer outcomes and results urinary and sexual function.

Coelioscopy

Coelioscopy prostatectomy was used by an American team which published it abandoned in 1997 after 8 cases as the intervention was difficult. It is the French teams that end 1997 and early 1998 took the torch and showed that this technique was feasible. Gaston de Bordeaux, and VALLANCIEN Guillonneau Paris and developed the technical standardization. VALLANCIEN and his team published the technique by transpéritonéale then through peritoneal under which seems simpler. It is now recognized worldwide. With an experience of almost 3,000 transactions, the surgical team Montsouris Institute in Paris has shown the benefits of prostatectomy Coelioscopy: we must retain the shorter hospital stay (5 days against 8 in average according to statistics PMSI 2004, the post operative pain near zero even lower, the rate of transfusion of about 2 to 3% against an average of 15% for open surgery. The strictures of the suture between the bladder and urethra canal are more rare (1.5%). The resumption of activity is fast after about a week.

Cryoablation

The prostate cancer tissue may be destroyed by local application of a very cold gas. The cryoprobe (most often cooled with liquid nitrogen) is introduced in endourétral until the prostate, the correct position of cryode can be verified by various techniques including endoscopy conducted by a pubic trocard addition, transvésical. A cycle of freezing and thawing will be implemented for a few minutes and repeated if necessary, a probe is placed urétrovésicale end technology and allow the evacuation progressive tissue nécrosés by applying the cold, some practicing Transurethral resection of tissue mortified by cryotherapy to accelerate the process. Another technique involves placing special needles through perineal ultrasound and under control.

Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer

2008-10-15T02:50:00.000-07:00

This article focuses on the use of PhotoDynamic Therapy (PDT) for illnesses and diseases. This treatment by light, unlike ultraviolet, infrared and the highly concentrated light of the laser, is said to offer a unique solution for those suffering from cancer as it does not require hospitalization, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or immunotherapy.

The types of cancer currently being treated by PDT in clinics around the world include Melanoma, Brain, Head, Neck, Oesophagus, Lung, breast, Stomach, Pancreas, Liver, Colon, Ovarian and Prostrate. Pre-cancerous lesions (actinic keratoses) are also said to be treatable using PDT. This therapy can be used to treat not only superficial tumours but large tumours as well and is not contraindicated if other therapies, such as chemo, radiation, etc…are utilized concurrently with it.

According to the author, there is on-going research into the possibility of addressing other types of cancer. Research into other new types of photosensitizing agents is also being carried by Russian pharmaceutical company Radapharma which has developed Radachlorin (Photostem, PhotoFlora), which is a chemically treated form of Spirulina. And in places like the Ukraine, where PDT is well-accepted, herbs like St John's Wort are proving to be of particular research interest.

Closer to home, The Leeds Centre for Photobiology and PDT and the National Medical Laser Centre at the University College of London. PDT is also being studied in non-oncology related illnesses including the treatment of atherosclerosis and both rheumatoid and inflammatory arthritis, among other diseases.

The author concludes that a study for the treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with PDT was performed in 22 centres in Europe and the US resulted in stable or improved vision in 61% of patients treated with PDT with virtually no side-effects.

Complementary Therapies for Hormone Refractory Prostrate Cancer

2008-10-15T02:49:00.000-07:00

There is an ever-increasing demand for complementary therapies by patients with prostate cancer. Often, patients' expectations of such treatments are too high. In particular, complementary treatment cannot replace the potentially curative methods such as radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy. During the early stages of the disease, when cancer growth is still confined to the prostate, complementary treatments are primarily intended to enhance recognized standard therapy practices. During the hormone refractory stage of the disease, however, complementary treatment has gained significance due to its low toxicity.

Prostate Cancer – Where do we Stand Today?

Prostate cancer is today the most frequent malignant tumour in men – more frequent than lung cancer. In the UK, 32,000 new cases are registered each year. In about 50% of these cases it can be expected that the disease progresses to an incurable stage and that in ten percent to 20% of the cases metastases can already be verified at the time of primary diagnosis.[1] More than 10,000 men die each year from prostate cancer in the UK, the disease representing around 13% of the approximately 77,000 male deaths from cancer in this country. The prevalence of the disease is, however, much higher, since only a small number of prostate cancer cases is ever diagnosed due to slow growth and late appearance of the tumour. The increase in incidence can mainly be considered the result of improved screening procedure by means of prostate specific antigen (PSA). Since mainly older men are affected by prostate cancer, and the age structure of most West European industrial societies continues to move towards longer life expectancy, the number of new cases of the most frequent type of cancer in men will also continue to increase. This trend is alarming; as we presently cannot offer any treatment for this disease which we know for sure will lead to cure, prolong life expectancy, or at least do the patient more good than evil. Demands will be made by increasingly better informed and critical patients on urologists, radiologists and oncologists to provide competent and objective information on the advantages and disadvantages of the therapeutic options available. This also includes complementary therapies, as more and more patients today are looking for less traumatic and less toxic treatment.[2-6]

Present day potentially curative therapies, such as radical prostatectomy and radiation treatment, only make sense as long as the cancer is confined to the prostate and metastases have not developed. Unfortunately, these treatment methods lead in a high percentage of cases to unacceptable and permanent side-effects, e.g. erectile impotency in 60%-100%, rectal disorders in 15%-40% and urinary incontinence in 10%-30% of patients.[7-11] Furthermore, with regard to 'cure', the results of treatment by these invasive methods are still unsatisfactory; recurrence rates of between 20%- 50% are reported.[12-17] The curative effect of local treatment methods, such as radical operation and radiation therapy, are largely dependent on correct patient selection. Current customary diagnostic procedures, however, often underestimate the extent of the disease, so that patients receiving surgery or radiation treatment are in reality no longer candidates for these methods of treatment, because their prostate cancer has spread from the organ and has already formed micrometastases.

There is presently still no cure for metastatic prostate cancer,[18][,][19] and the testosterone ablating therapies such as orchidectomy or the administration of LHRH agonists and anti-androgens frequently only achieve short-term tumour control (months to a few years). Long-term results are unsatisfactory and most prostate cancer patients become hormone refractory. At this stage there is often fast progression of the disease and metastases develop. Various lines of initial treatment, such as newer combinations of chemotherapy, use of radioisotopes (e.g. samarium-153), blocking of growth factors by monoclonal antibodies, immune therapies (e.g. dendritic cell vaccines), angiogenesis blocking strategies, re-differentiation of cancer cells by means of retinoids and vitamin D analogues and finally gene therapy, are presently undergoing clinical trials for this particular situation, but up to now none of these measures has brought patients significant advantages.

Complementary Treatment Methods

Due especially to the unpleasant and often permanent side-effects and the high rate of treatment failure, many patients with prostate cancer seek alternative or complementary treatment methods. Their expectations are often unrealistic, as many complementary treatment methods are advocated without proof of efficacy regarding inhibition of cancer growth or prolongation of life. During the early stages of the disease (cancerous growth limited to the prostate) complementary therapies are primarily intended to enhance recognized standard practices. For patients with metastases and the development of a hormone refractory stage, the situation is somewhat different. An increasing number of patients are requesting solely complementary treatment to avoid the frequently toxic effects of chemotherapy. The following treatment consisting of a combination of phytotherapy, immune therapy and antioxidative/orthomolecular therapy has proven for us to be exceptionally effective:

Phytotherapy with Prostasol and Curcumin complex

Prostasol is available in the UK, on the European market and in the US as a food supplement. It consists of various sitosterols (camptosterol, stimgasterol, brassicasterol), Quercetin (phytooestrogen, flavonoid), Pygeum africanum (pygeum), Serenoa repens (saw palmetto), Panax pseudoginseng (ginseng), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Urtica diotica (stinging nettle), Scutellaria (scull cap) and Ganoderma lucidum (filamentous fungi). Laboratory tests on Prostasol in two independent laboratories in Switzerland detected neither synthetic ingredients, such as oestrogens, anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids or narcotics, nor any heavy metal pollutants or pesticides.[20] Following oral intake of 900 to 2800 mg of Prostasol there is a > 50% drop within a few months in the PSA reading in approximately 70% of hormone refractory prostate cancer patients (see Fig. 1 and 3). This sort of decrease is often associated with a decline in metastatic pain and a general improvement in quality of life.[21] In about one third of the patients there is a decrease in tumour mass in the primary tumour and/or the metastases (see Figs. 4a,b-5a,b). Blood count, coagulation parameters, serum electrolytes, serum enzymes (SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase, gamma GT), as well as bilirubin, creatine and uric acid levels remain unchanged during the intake of Prostasol. There are few side-effects on the whole and these consist of increased sensitivity of the breast nipples during the first two months of intake in about 40% of the patients, bloating in about ten percent and short-term diarrhoea in about five percent of the cases. Superficial leg vein thrombosis is reported in less than one percent of patients,[22] although a causal connection here is unclear, since the disease itself increases the risk of thrombosis.

Experimental research has proven that most constituents of Prostasol can block cancer growth and are capable of inducing apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Phytosterols such as camptosterol and beta-sitosterol, which occur in large quantities in vegetables and fruit, do in fact have strong antioxidative effects and increase the apoptosis rate in human prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) fourfold.[23] In animal experiments, these phytosterols prevented both growth and metastases of transplanted human prostate cancer cells.[24] An immune stimulating effect in humans by phytosterols has been verified with an increase in T and NK cells in peripheral blood following intake during four weeks.[25] Recently, Chan et al[26] showed that extracts of scutellaria contain the flavonoid baicalin which at lowest concentrations already causes 50% apoptosis in DU145 prostate cancer cells. Stinging nettle extracts are known to suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells. Lichius et al[27] were able to determine that the polysaccharide fraction of a 20% methanol extraction of stinging nettle root blocked the growth of prostate carcinoma cells from lymph gland metastases by 50%. Other components of Prostasol are known to possess anti-tumour properties. For example, ganoderma is described as developing its anti-tumour effect by releasing cytokines such as TNF-alpha and INF-gamma.[28] Knowles, et al[29] have reported that already 100 micromoles of quercetin lead to a complete growth inhibition in hormone resistant prostate cancer cells (PC-3 cell culture). Surh[30] made known that the phenols 6-ginerol and 6-paradol that are present in ginger have a distinct anti-tumour effect. Liu, et al[31] have proved that saponin and ginsenosid (Rg-3), extracted from ginseng, bring about a significant decline in prostate cancer cells associated with a reduction in PSA and androgen-receptor expression. Furthermore, ginseng extracts also caused classical apoptosis by inhibition of bcl-2 gene activity, and also significantly reduced the metastatic potential of prostate cancer cells. Iguchi and co-workers also described a similarly strong apoptic effect of Serenoa repens extract, which at least in part is based on the cytotoxic properties of myristoleic acid.[32]

Curcumin complex consists of a standardized quantity of curcumin, bioperin and resveratrol. Curcumin is an extract of the turmeric root and known as a tyrosin kinase inhibitor with documented efficacy against cancer cells in general[33,34] and against prostate cancer cells in-vitro and in-vivo in particular.[35-39] By suppressing the cell 'survival' factors NF-kappaB and the so-called Akt factor (signal protein kinase) and by influencing growth factors, curcumin can apparently intervene in the cell cycle of prostate cancer cells and thus lead to inhibition of cell division and apoptosis. Bioperin, a black pepper extract, is a known inhibitor of glucoronidase in the gastrointestinal tract and in the liver. This substance improves the absorption of curcumin and its bioavailability in humans by over 2,000% without producing side-effects.[40] Resveratrol is found in grapes and is a phytoalexin with pronounced antioxidative and cancer inhibiting properties. Even at micromolar concentrations, it inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in hormone sensitive as well as hormone refractory prostate cancer cells.[41-43] In particular, a combination of resveratrol and beta-sitosterol (main component of Prostasol) triggers distinct inhibition of cancer growth, possibly by inducing apoptosis, directly blocking cell division and affecting prostaglandin synthesis.[44]

Antioxidative/Orthomolecular Therapy with IMUPROS

IMUPROS™ is available in Europe and the UK as a food supplement. It contains an antioxidative combination of vitamins and trace elements, as well as a proprietary mixture of genistein, lycopene and epigallocatechin gallate. The manufacturer claims that the single active ingredients are from natural sources only. A special manufacturing process (time-release coatings) ensures that the single active ingredients do not interact within the capsule. The single ingredients are released at varying times into the gastrointestinal tract, allowing undisturbed reabsorbtion into the blood and improving bioavailability. Selenium and vitamin E are two important components of this combination of agents. Selenium activates the phase 2 enzyme glutathione peroxidase in the cell and thus boosts the elimination of free oxygen radicals.[45] The recently published results of the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer (NPC) Trial in the US have shown a distinct reduction in the frequency of prostate cancer by selenium substitution with 0.2 mg per day.[46] Similar effects were shown in earlier studies where selenium substitution versus placebo reduced the risk of prostate cancer by approximately 60%.[47-49] The preventive effect of vitamin E was investigated in the Alpha tocopherol, Beta-carotene Cancer Prevention Study. Here, among almost 30,000 men at the age of 50-69 years, a daily intake of 50 mg of alpha tocopherol reduced prostate cancer incidence by 32% and prostate-related mortality by 41%.[50] These results, however, were from patients with low initial plasma selenium values who were smokers. Whether men with normal selenium levels who are non-smokers would benefit from selenium and vitamin E substitution remains unclear.[51] The worldwide largest prostate cancer prevention study 'SELECT',[52] which started in August 2001 in the US, should now resolve this doubt and reveal whether selenium and vitamin E guard against prostate cancer. A total of 32,400 men are to take part in this double-blind, randomized and placebo controlled study over a period of 12 years. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol in green tea (Camellia sinensis), has stronger antioxidative properties than vitamin E and C. Experimental investigations have shown that EGCG can modulate the androgen effect,[53] intervene at various points in the prostate cancer cell cycle,[54,55] and induce apoptosis both in androgen-sensitive and androgen-refractory prostate cancer cell cultures.[56] Furthermore, ECGC retards the angiogenesis by decreasing interleucin-8 and VE-cadherin production and acts anti-metastatically in animal models with transplanted prostate cancer.[57,58] Lycopene, a carotenoid with particularly strong antioxidative effects has become very popular in recent years in the prevention of prostate cancer. Dosage-related suppression of growth by lycopene in prostate cancer cell cultures has been verified.[59] A diet rich in lycopene reduces DNA damage caused by oxidative stress and decreases PSA values by approximately 17% in patients with prostate cancer.[60] IMUPROS™ has no side-effects and is well tolerated.

As an added advantage it allows a drastic reduction in the daily amount of tablets or capsules otherwise required if the above mentioned active ingredients are designed as preventive or supportive therapy for prostate cancer. Whilst previously patients had to take approximately 20-30 tablets or capsules of the active ingredients daily, three to six tablets of IMUPROS™ per day already provide a comparable dosage of active ingredient for complementary therapy.

Immunotherapy with Biobran and Mistletoe Extract

The stimulation of specific immune system functions is a sensible treatment strategy with prostate cancer. Experimental studies in active and passive immunotherapy, especially the use of so-called dendritic cell vaccines, have not only confirmed the basic theoretical approach,[61-63] but have also led to clinical results.[64-65] The aim of immunological therapies is to improve the immune response of cytotoxic T cells to prostate cancer. Arabinoxylan, the immunostimulant in Biobran, causes a significant rise in the number and activity of T and B cells, as well as natural killer cells (NK cells). This has been proved in both animal experiments[66,67] and prostate cancer patients (see Fig. 2). Furthermore, Biobran increases macrophage activity, leading to a consecutive increase in TNF alpha and IL 6.[68] Therefore, through the increased activity by arabinoxylan in both the humeral and cellular immune systems, an improved immune response is achieved.

We use Biobran on patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer in a dosage of 15-30 mg/kg/day, not only in combination with the above described phytotherapy, but also together with chemotherapy or radiation treatment in the hope of improving immune defence mechanisms and decreasing therapy-related side-effects. At present, however, no placebo-controlled studies exist on the efficacy of Biobran in prostate carcinoma.

The administration of mistletoe extract is today the most frequent complementary measure in oncological practice. At present, both standardized mistletoe extract and lectin preparations are in use. Mistletoe therapy causes unspecific stimulation of the immune system by activation of macrophages, neutrophile granulocytes and NK cells, as well as the release of TNF-alpha, GM-CSF and various interleukins. In addition, mistletoe lectins have a certain cytotoxic effect by inhibiting ribosomal protein synthesis (similar to ricin and abrin). Finally, mistletoe lectins increase the release of beta-endorphins, which possibly could account for the improvement in wellbeing (increased appetite, better sleep, less pain, improved performance) experienced under mistletoe therapy.[69-70] Although mistletoe alone cannot decrease the PSA value with either androgen sensitive or androgen refractory prostate cancer, it can be presumed that both the immune defense functions and the quality of life for patients with prostate cancer can be enhanced as has been proven for colorectal carcinomas[71] and gliomas.[72] More recent studies confer new values on lectin standardized mistletoe therapy in the area of evidence based medicine. A retrolective cohort study on 689 patients with breast cancer was able to establish a significant reduction in tumour and therapy-related disorders (e.g. nausea and vomiting, weakness, loss of appetite), as well as a trend towards prolongation of the recurrence-free survival time.[73]

Dietary Measures

It is estimated that about 35%- 40% of all cancers are partly caused by poor or insufficient nutrition.[74] Nutritional consultation and education, therefore, seems a sensible measure within the framework of primary and secondary prevention of cancer in general, as well as in the specific example of complementary therapy for prostate cancer. Too high a calorie intake per day, and the obesity often associated with it, will not only increase the risk of prostate cancer, but also increase the death rate of this disease.[75-77] Restricting calorie intake in animal experiments can prevent the development of cancer and arrest its growth.[78] Asian men have a much lower incidence of prostate cancer than men living in western cultures.[79] Vegetarians also seem to suffer less from prostate cancer.[80] Both Asians and vegetarians consume less fat but a greater share of plant foods, which as a preventive measure and during treatment for prostate cancer can certainly be regarded as a desirable dietary directive. The role of fat intake in prostate cancer genesis remains controversial.[81,82] In particular, saturated fats in meat, milk and cheese are however linked with an increased risk of prostate cancer.[83,84] An increase in the testosterone level of the blood following fat intake,[85] and the direct influence on the activity of nuclear receptors in the prostate cell do in all probability play a role in this process. Arachidonic acid, linolenic acid and alpha-linolenic acid are those polysaturated fats occurring in margarine and salad oils which are considered possible risk factors for the development of prostate cancer. In particular arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, presents a potential risk due to its possible conversion into 5-HETE and 12-HETE, as these biologically active fats stimulate both the growth and survival of prostate cancer cells and also increase the invasive capability of these cells and angiogenesis in the tumour region.[86] A change of diet from meat, milk and cheese to a mainly vegetarian diet can reduce the blood level of arachidonic acid by 80%-90% within a period of two to three months. Restricting the consumption of dairy products and the ensuing decrease in the daily intake of calcium also helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer.[87] Apart from an appropriate decrease in excessive calorie intake and a reduction in the proportion of animal fats in the diet, the abundant intake of fresh fruit and vegetables plays a role in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. Although on the whole, evidence of the protective effect of fruit and vegetables is weak, a recent multicentric study on over 1,600 patients showed that in particular, peas, beans, lentils and soya beans, together with yellow and orange-coloured vegetables, will provide a protective effect with regard to prostate cancer.[88] Is it possible to derive and recommend a workable 'prostate diet' from what has just been discussed? We think so, and recommend to our patients a reduction in their total calorie intake and in animal fats in their diet. Furthermore, we also recommend restricting the intake of dairy products and at the same time increasing their intake of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Critical Evaluation

The complementary therapeutic measures for patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer presented here are the subject of controversial discussion in urological and oncological circles, primarily because definite evidence of the clinical efficacy of many of the preparations and treatment methods mentioned here is not yet available. Phytotherapy with Prostasol and Curcumin complex, the antioxidative and dietary measures and the immune support programme described cannot replace recognized standard therapies for prostate cancer, in particular for patients in the initial stages of the disease. However, since at present, no effective standard therapy for the hormone refractory stage of prostate cancer exists, and previous clinical experience with these complementary measures has led to a biochemical and clinical response in two-thirds of the patients, we consider the implementation of the complementary measures described here for this patient group to be fully justifiable. The systematic investigation in controlled clinical studies of the effect of these therapeutic measures with regard to quality of life and prolongation of life is a highly desirable objective.

Ellagic Acid: A Potent Anticarcinogen

2008-10-15T02:48:00.000-07:00

Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States, second only to heart disease. One-third of the 556,500 cancer deaths expected to occur in 2003 will be related to lifestyle factors, such as nutrition, obesity, and physical activity.[1] Epidemiologic data from humans and experimental data from animal model studies indicate that a strong relationship between diet and cancer incidence exists. Today's consumers are more aware of that link than ever and are seeking to minimize risk and treat disease states through diet.

Many of the health benefits associated with the consumption of plant-based foods are attributed to the presence of phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are biologically active components that impart health benefits beyond basic nutrition when consumed in typical or optimal servings. To date, literally hundreds of phytochemicals have been identified and are being evaluated as potential anticarcinogens. Ellagic acid is one such compound. It has been under investigation for the last three decades and is only beginning to receive the well-deserved attention of the scientific community. In their book, Complementary and Alternative Cancer Methods Handbook, as well as on their website (www.cancer.org), the American Cancer Society acknowledges that ellagic acid induces apoptosis in cancerous cells. They also note that ellagic acid "prevents the binding of carcinogens to DNA, and strengthens connective tissue, which may keep cancer cells from spreading".

Sources and Structure

Ellagic acid has been shown to be an effective antimutagen, anticarcinogen, and, in some cases, cancer inhibitor. Ellagic acid is the dilactone of hexahydroxydiphenic acid, derived from the hydrolysis of ellagatannins. It is plentiful in the food supply regularly consumed by humans. It is present in plants, fruits, and nuts in its free form, as a series of ellagitannins, or as a glucoside. The highest content of ellagic acid has been identified in raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, blackberries and nuts[2] (Table 1). Daily consumption of as little as 150g of red raspberries, or about 1 cup, has been shown to slow the growth of abnormal colon cells in humans and prevent human papilloma virus (HPV)-infected cells from developing.

Ellagic acid is an extremely stable polyphenol (Figure 1). Its polycyclic aromatic structure allows for charge-transfer complexes. Rossi et al.[3] used x-ray diffraction techniques to study the crystal and molecular structure of ellagic acid dehydrate. Ellagic acid is a complex planar compound that forms a strong hydrogen-bonding network with surrounding water molecules. The crystalline molecules stack in planes, such that the center of one of the six-member rings in one molecule lies above and below an atom in other molecules. The four hydroxyl and two lactone functional groups act as hydrogen bond acceptors and donors, enabling ellagic acid to participate in a number of reactions.

Mechanisms of Anticarginogen Action

The antitumour activity of ellagic acid has proven an effective inhibitor of chemically induced cancer in the pulmonary and hepatic systems, as well as in the epidermis of mice.[[2,4-5] Several mechanisms by which phytochemicals, such as ellagic acid, can alter carcinogenesis have been identified. Potential mechanisms include the inhibition of Phase I enzymes; modification of carcinogen detoxification through Phase II pathways; antioxidation activities, including scavenging DNA reactive agents; suppressing abnormal proliferation of early preneoplastic lesions; and inhibiting certain properties of the cancer cell.[6]

Ellagic acid decreases the rate of carcinogen metabolism by Phase I enzymes by directly inhibiting the catalytic activity and frequency of gene expression.[4] The inhibitory effect of ellagic acid on the arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity exemplifies this action. Arylamines are extremely potent carcinogens, inducing tumours in humans. Cystolic arylamine NAT catalyzes the acetylation of arylamine, thereby activating the procarcinogen. Growth studies of H. pylori demonstrated inhibition by ellagic acid in a dose-dependant relationship.[7] Ellagic acid appears to act as a noncompetitive inhibitor, as evidenced by decreases in kinetic constants of cytosol and intact bacteria examinations.

NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (QR) is a phase II detoxification enzyme. It functions to prevent the formation of superoxide radicals and detoxify a variety of foreign compounds. Barch and Rundhaugen[8] found that ellagic acid induced QR expression through activation of the antioxidant responsive element of the QR gene. Dietary ellagic acid significantly increased pulmonary and hepatic QR activity by 9- and 2-fold, respectively. An 8-fold increase in hepatic QR mRNA was associated with an increase in hepatic QR activity. In this way, ellagic acid effectively increases detoxification of carcinogens and reduces mutagenesis and tumourigenesis. Further studies of the structure-function relationship indicate an interaction between the lactones of ellagic acid and antioxidant responsive elements of the 5´ regulatory region induces NAD(P):
QR activation.[[9]

The inhibitory effect of ellagic acid on aflatoxin-induced mutagenicity is most likely related to its antioxidant property. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent carcinogen and fungal metabolite produced by Aspergillus parasiticus and A. flavus. Cytochrome P450 metabolizes AFB1 to it 2,3-epoxide, which readily forms adducts with DNA. Ellagic acid inhibits the activation of AFB1, thereby reducing its mutagenicity.[10] Loarca-Pina et al.[11] observed similar antimutagenic effects of ellagic acid against AFB1 using a Salmonella microsuspension assay. The results of this study indicated that in addition to antioxidant effect of ellagic acid, two additional mechanisms may also come into play. Ellagic acid may act directly to form an extracellular complex with AFB1, and/or interact with DNA to reduce the number of binding sites available for the activation of AFB[1].

Perchellet, et al.[5] demonstrated the inhibitory effects of ellagic acid on biochemical markers of skin tumour promotion. Epidermal tumourigenesis progresses in 3 defined stages; initiation, propagation and promotion. Tumour initiation results in alterations in programme of grown and differentiation, as well as resistance to cytotoxic agents. Stage 2 propagation is marked by accelerated 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate(TPA)-induced ornithine decarboxylase activity, increased hydrogen peroxide production and altered DNA synthesis. Topically applied ellagic acid significantly inhibited carcinogenesis, as determined by reduced activity of Stage 2 biochemical markers. Although the mechanism of inhibition is unclear, it was concluded that ellagic acid inhibits the biochemistry and biology of tumour promotion beyond its antioxidant effects.

Clinical Studies

Clinical studies are underway to substantiate the positive findings of the anticarcinogenic effects of ellagic acid in humans. The Hollings Cancer Center at the University of South Carolina is conducting a double blind study on cervical cancer patients (n=500). Women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance will ingest ellagic acid at dosages providing detectable tissue levels in the cervix over a two year period. Preceding studies associated with the Hollings Center have found that ellagic acid at a concentration of 10-5 M induced G arrest within 48 hours, inhibited overall cell growth, and induced apoptosis in cervical carcinoma cells after 72 hours of treatment.[12

Flaming Cancers

2008-10-15T02:46:00.000-07:00

Patient Profile

Early in 1996, I was diagnosed as having cervical cancer and underwent radiotherapy treatment in June. At my Christmas checkup that year, I was told that I was retaining fluid in the womb and that the cancer may not be cured.

In June 1997, whilst attending outpatients clinic to see what could be done, the fluid erupted and I discharged about a litre of blood. Until this happened, I had felt reasonably well, but within a couple of days of this haemorrhage I was an invalid, hardly able to drag myself around. I was told that cervical cancer does take you down quickly and I must attend outpatients every two months and the main concern was had I had any pain.

A friend asked if I was interested in alternative medicine, and put me in touch with a hypnotherapist and as I had absolutely nothing to lose, I said yes and made an appointment with Mr Benest in October. He asked how I saw my cancer, which to me appeared as a large black lump. He then showed me how to go into a trance-like state and visualise my cancer on a sheet of paper, and as I enjoy painting as a pastime, he suggested that I try to paint it to a nice healthy pink colour. I did this every day and finally had a plain sheet of paper.

After a little while, I noticed my jaundice was improving and my water was a better colour. In mid December last year, I was doing my visualisation and as the paper appeared, thinking I must try to colour the lump pink, a match appeared and set the paper on fire, which seemed strange.

When I attended the outpatients' clinic on the 6th February 1998, the doctor told me that he could not find my cancer, and although I do not yet feel my old self, I feel that I am getting there and I am convinced that the mind can help to heal the body if you will let it.

Name and address withheld.
Our most grateful thanks go to her for
allowing us to print her story

A Therapist Overview

Mrs X, who is in her seventies, came to see me in September 1997. She had previously received radiotherapy for cancer of the cervix. She was now receiving no treatment from her doctor and had been put in touch with the Hospice and Macmillan nurses. She told me that she was not ready to die yet and had declined to fill in the Social Security application form for immediate personal care as it required her to state that she had under six months to live.

After I had treated her by correcting her natural energy field I asked her how she visualised her cancer. She saw it as a black lump in her pelvis. Using hypnosis I helped her to visualise the cancer as pink healthy flesh and gave her the Relax & Let Go tape to use at home. I suggested she practise the visualisation daily.

At the end of October 1997 she informed me that the black lump had changed to grey with red spots in it. A month later she said she could now only "see" a sheet of blank white paper. Then a match appeared and set fire to the paper. I suggested that she check her inner vision weekly but not mentally put anything there.
In early January 1998 she attended hospital and her consultant said that now he could not find the cancer and he would like to see her in two month's time.

When she came to see me for a checkup I noticed a great improvement in her skin colour although she said she still did not have much energy. It is interesting to theorise how her inner mind was aware of the healing that was taking place in her body and what part it played in the healing process.

Cancer Detoxification Approaches

2008-10-15T02:45:00.000-07:00

This has been our experience as well. We will state at the outset that we do not treat or diagnose cancer patients. We develop strategies and advise those with cancer to help them gather the weapons to defeat cancer themselves, as this is the only method by which this or any other chronic condition, can be beaten. Patients come to us, either as a result of the failure of conventional therapy, or having already decided on alternative course of action.

The Nature of Cancer Treatment

Cancer is the sudden symptom of long-term exposure to the toxins of our modern world. We subscribe to the theory of Dr Beard who 100 years ago claimed cancer was a result of the cellular repair mechanisms going haywire as the cells were constantly being injured. Modern research is pointing in this direction as well, even though it is contrary to the modern paradigm of cancer theories. The vast majority of cancers are anaerobic i.e. live without oxygen. So common sense would indicate that a successful detoxification program, enhancing the immune system and supplying the body with oxygen, should have a positive effect on the cancer patient. So it has turned out.

Whilst there is common ground in this approach, every cancer patient is unique. What would be suitable for one patient with a particular cancer might not be suitable for another person with a similar cancer. We will clarify this later on in the article but it is very much an 'outline only' in the space provided.

Components of Cancer Treatment

Therapy should consist of physical. psychological and spiritual elements. The physical we shall describe, the psychological is positive thoughts with laughter, and the spiritual is completely up to the individual. Suffice it to say, all three elements are needed for a successful outcome and the aim of the spiritual is to displace fear with love.

A diagnosis of cancer is always panic inducing and this fear element is used by both conventional medicine and some alternative groups to force a patient into a particular course of action. Some Alternative Clinics claim nutritional supplements are useless and going their particular way is the only method that works. We disagree. Talking to Alternative Clinics all over the world using a variety of techniques, the message is the same. What used to work ten years ago is longer so effective in cancer therapy.

The Gerson Therapy is a good starting point in most cases, but you have to adapt it now for good results. This is most likely due to the fact that we are more polluted than ever before, our immune systems are more tilted out of balance by heavy metals and vaccinations. The vitamin and mineral quality of food has declined by up to 50% in the last 40 years. With our defences down, exposed to greater and more complex toxins than ever before – most of us being nutrient deficient, it is little wonder that the forecasts of cancer rates are up to 1 in 2 of the population.

This means intelligent supplementation is vital.

Diagnostic Tests

Whatever approach is used, constant monitoring is needed. Monitoring can tell not only if a strategy is working, but what needs to change for more positive results.

Depending on the nature of the cancer, the monitoring may encompass conventional blood tests and x-rays but, more likely, tests that have yet to gain wide acceptance in conventional medicine. These may include thermal imaging, blood and urine tests and hormonal tests depending on what type of condition is under review. For instance Thermal Imaging is no good for a leukaemia-type condition but excellent for breast cancer. A positive pregnancy test on a man will mean cancer is present but on a women it can have an altogether happier meaning. The blood tests can indicate tumour activity, whether there are invasive actions going on or secondaries being produced, whether the tumour is active or static or regressing. Imbalanced neurological pathways can show up along with an indication as to the presence of a viral, bacterial, fungal or mixed infection. Immune system function can be assessed, Natural Killer cells function, for example, as well as inflammation in the body and oxygen utilization. These tests are repeated normally at three monthly intervals. This would be an actual report informing us that the tumour is small, still active but not invasive; thus the strategy being taken is effective so far.

It would appear from the report overleaf, that there is a growing population of abnormal cells and this cell population is localized. It is not characterized by a high level of transformations or mutations. Also, as is indicated by the Neurological Profile, there is no extremely high activity of dopamine, which is one of the significant features of Patient X.

There is a suggestion that the elimination of the negative factors (fungal/ yeast and bacterial infections as well as the toxic substance) which has been revealed by the Neurological Profile has been beneficial for the normalization of the brain activity, the prevention of mutations and the delocalization of any transformed cells.

Detoxification

This is not a guide to alternative cancer therapies. There is much that we do which is not contained in this article. We have concentrated here on the most important aspect of any treatment, detoxification. The detoxification route is pH dependent. This means the acidity or alkalinity of the patient is the determining factor in deciding the sequence of events in a detoxification program. Broadly speaking, patients are split into two groups; 80% in one group and 20% in the other group. pH is measured in the blood, saliva and urine. There are non-invasive ways of determining blood pH.

We will stick to the 80% group and describe a typical program requiring a high pH strategy and speeding up of the metabolic rate. Be aware that this is not a one size fits all, but is tailored to the individual.

Physical therapy is important. This can consist of all or some of the following: infra-red saunas, lymph drainage, Raindrop massage technique with essential oils, alternating hot and cold showers, skin brushing, Kneip water treatment, hot castor oil packs over the tumour site and of course enemas. Coffee enemas are essential – at least three a day. B17 or laetrile can also be effective in an enema as can wheatgrass. Coffee enemas help the liver dump its toxic load via the portal vein and they are not that hard to do once the initial squeamishness is overcome.

Diet

Forbidden is all refined flour and sugar as well as salt, dairy, grapefruit juice and meat products. Vegetables are steamed and a non-centrifugal juicing regime started with extensive supplementation. Sodium is out and potassium is in. The reason for this is not the usual explanation of sodium/potassium membrane pumps but the fact that glucose free potassium can enter a cancer cell raising the pH high enough to kill the cell and sodium cannot do this. Potassium citrate is a good source of potassium with the added bonus that it can buffer excess acidity in the body as well. Most, but not all, cancers cells are acidic and are vulnerable to a rise in pH, unlike healthy cells. Green tea is in and coffee is out. Herbal teas are in, especially those containing uva ursi, juniper berry, cornsilk, parsley root, dandelion and hydrangea root. These herbs help stimulate liver and kidney function. High quantities of flax oil mixed with quark are excellent at reducing inflammation. The oil produces ligands when mixed with quark which, together with the anti-inflammatory effect of the omega 3 flax oil, have a very beneficial effect on cancer patients and other inflammatory conditions.

A typical daily regime would consist of juices:
• Green and carrot
• Beta-Carotene 30mg
• Vitamin E 400mg
• Vitamin B complex 50mg
• Evening Primrose Oil 500mg
• Ascorbic Acid 8g
• Vitamin A & D emulsion and Q10 400 mg.

Add to this list Glutathione and N-Acetyl Cysteine means increased detoxification and a positive sense of well being. The immune system is targeted by taking MGN3, a Japanese mushroom extract, Vitamin B15 and the live gut bacteria from Probi AB. This gut bacteria is gaining acceptance as an adjunctive treatment for cancer in Scandinavia where it has a proven track record. Thyroxin 50mcg daily is also a possibility to speed up metabolism and detoxification. Digestive Enzymes to Dr Krebs original formula are essential and to our mind, as are Laetrile or B17 along with Apricot seeds, 1 seed per 10lbs body weight per day. A word about Laetrile or B17 as it sometimes referred to… It is commonly thought to work by poisoning a cancer cell with the cyanide it contains. Cancer cells lack the enzyme that healthy cells have to protect themselves from cyanide in this form. This may be true, but chemically the cyanide will adsorb onto a cell membrane increasing the electron donor or antioxidant capacity of the cell. This will allow the cells pH to rise rapidly to a point of cancer cell death especially in the presence of an electron donor such as vitamin C. This is why historically vitamin C and laetrile have such good reputations in managing cancer.

Intravenous Infusions

Vitamin C is administered intravenously in high doses, 50g to 100g/day. It is a potent, effective and safe detoxifying agent. It is especially effective in removing heavy metals from the body such as mercury and palladium. It does this by simulating the body's own detoxification system of oxidation/reduction. When intravenous vitamin C is given, mixed with 600mg glutathione the heavy metals are bound to the glutathione and dumped in the stool. The glutathione is recycled by vitamin C to bind more toxins instead of being degraded as normally happens. A virtuous detoxification circle if ever there was one.

We begin with intravenous vitamin C daily for one week but we have programs in urgent cases for 30 and 100 days if need be. Nothing comes close to the beneficial effects of intravenous vitamin C. We cannot sing its praises too highly. It re-hydrates the body, destroys viruses, bacteria and fungal infestations, and removes toxins from body stores. It is safe if properly applied. We have used it over 6000 times with no ill effects. The bugbear of all intensive detoxification therapies is the so-called 'Healing Crisis'. A 'Healing Crisis' is when the patient is affected by the sudden and massive release of toxins. Intravenous vitamin C will prevent any such 'Healing Crisis' because it is so effective in neutralizing and eliminating toxins.

To add oxygen to the body we use intravenous vitamin C and a Leva Quell Water Levitator. This is a German device that spins water while oxygen is forced through it. This has a claimed detoxifying and oxygenating effect. In practice it works well and we would not be without it. I experimented on my 81 year old father (what else are relatives for?) and it raised his blood oxygen 2 points in 2 days.

Dental Toxins

If a patient is strong enough, we suggest that all dental metals are removed from the mouth and replaced with an non-oestrogen releasing substitute at the very beginning. Consider removing toxic root fillings and cleaning out bone infections after the fillings have gone. Bone infections or cavitations can be detected using an ultrasound device called a Cavitat. Cavitations are full of anaerobic bacteria and only surgical intervention will deal with them properly. There are 2 Cavitats in the country, one with us, and the other on the south coast. If the patient is too weak to consider any dental treatment when we see him, we would wait until the patient has regained strength and vitality before embarking on extensive dental intervention. If within 18 months – 2 years at most – the hoped for result is not reached, then the wrong strategy is being used.

Ever mindful of the 1938 Cancer Act we make no claims. We cure nothing. All we do is help eliminate the toxins to allow the body to obtain the tools it needs to heal itself.

Whichever therapy you decide to use to treat any condition, the therapy will work quicker and more effectively if the patient is safely and successfully detoxified first.

Cancer Chemosensitivity Testing

2008-10-15T02:44:00.000-07:00

When a patient has an infection, doctors often send a sample of infected blood or tissue to a lab where they can grow the bacteria and see which antibiotics are most effective (called Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity Testing).

Chemosensitivity testing is an attempt to do something similar for cancer; fresh samples of the patient's tumour from surgery or a biopsy are grown in test tubes and tested with various drugs. Drugs that are most effective in killing the cultured cells are recommended for treatment. It is highly desirable to know what drugs are effective against your particular cancer cells before highly-toxic agents are systemically administered to your body.

Assay-testing is based on a biological principle that when a drug is effective, it will induce cell-death (apoptosis) in the cancer cell (this is the new technology). If the cancer cell is resistant to a drug, apoptosis will not occur. Assay-testing for apoptosis will determine whether a drug kills the tumour. Chemosensitivity testing (assay-testing) can take the guesswork out of cancer treatment. Currently, physicians select a drug and must wait about six months to see whether it is effective on a particular patient.

These cell-culture assay-tests provide much more powerful prognostic information. They tell you that a given form of treatment has an above-average probability of being associated with a clinical response and/or with being associated with above-average survival. Likewise, they indicate that given treatment is associated with a below average probability of response and/or survival.

One approach to individualizing patient therapy is Chemosensitivity Testing. Chemosensitivity assay is a laboratory test that determines how effective specific chemotherapy agents are against an individual patient's cancer cells. Often, results are obtained before the patient begins treatment. This kind of testing can assist in individualizing cancer therapy by providing information about the likely response of an individual patient's tumour to proposed therapy. Chemosensitivity testing may have utility at the time of initial therapy, and in instances of severe drug hypersensitivity, failed therapy, recurrent disease, and metastatic disease, by providing assistance in selecting optimal chemotherapy regimens.

All available chemosensitivity assays are able to report drug 'resistance' information. Resistance implies that when a patient's cancer cells are exposed to a particular chemotherapy agent in the laboratory, the cancer cells will continue to live and grow. Some chemosensitivity assays also are able to report drug 'sensitivity' information. Sensitivity implies that when a patient's cancer cells are treated with a particular chemotherapy agent in the laboratory, that agent will kill the cancer cells or inhibit their proliferation.

The goal of all chemosensitivity tests is to determine the response of a patient's cancer cells to proposed chemotherapy agents. Knowing which chemotherapy agents the patient's cancer cells are resistant to is important. Then, these options can be eliminated, thereby avoiding the toxicity of ineffective agents. In addition, some chemosensitivity assays predict tumour cell sensitivity, or which agent would be most effective. Choosing the most effective agent can help patients to avoid the physical, emotional, and financial costs of failed therapy and experience an increased quality of life.

Fresh samples of the patient's tumour from surgery or a biopsy are grown in test tubes and tested with various drugs. Drugs that are most effective in killing the cultured cells are recommended for treatment. Chemosensitivity testing does have predictive value, especially in predicting what 'won't' work. Patients who have been through several chemotherapy regimens and are running out of options might want to consider chemosensitivity testing. It might help you find the best option or save you from fruitless additional treatment. Today, chemosensitivity testing has progressed to the point where it is 85%-90% effective.

Conventionally, oncologists rely on clinical trials in choosing chemotherapy regimens. But the statistical results of these population-based studies might not apply to an individual. For many cancers, especially after a relapse, more than one standard treatment exists. There is rarely a situation where you would get everyone to agree that there's only one form of therapy. Physicians select drugs based on their personal experience, possible side effects and the patient's condition, among other factors. The system is overloaded with drugs and underloaded with wisdom and expertise for using them.

Chemosensitivity testing might help you find the best option, or save you from fruitless additional treatment. Another situation where chemosensitivity testing might make particularly good sense is in rare cancers where there may not be enough experience or previous ideas of which drugs might be most effective.

Finally, there has been a veritable deluge of new approvals of cytotoxic drugs in recent years as the tortuous FDA process has been speeded and liberalized. In many cases a new drug has been approved on the basis of a single very, very narrow indication. But these drugs may have many useful applications – and it's going to take years to find out. Chemosensitivity testing offers a way of seeing if any of these new drugs might apply to your specific cancer.

Laboratory Tests Assays

Cell Culture Drug Resistance Testing (CCDRT) or Chemotherapy Sensitivity and Resistance Assays (CSRAs) refers to laboratory testing of a patient's own cancer cells with drugs that may be used to treat the patient's cancer. A group of lab tests known as Human Tumour Assay Systems (HTAS) can aid oncologists in deciding which chemotherapies work best in battling an individual patient's form of cancer. The assay is a lab test performed on a biopsy specimen containing living cancer cells. It's used to determine the sensitivity or resistance of malignant cells to individual chemotherapy agents. Depending on how well the tumour cells respond to each chemotherapy agent, they are rated as sensitive, resistant or intermediate to chemotherapy. The concept is that you are better off using a chemotherapy drug that your tumour reacts to strongly than one your tumour resists.

There have been over 40 publications in peer-reviewed medical literature showing correlations between cell-death assay test results and the results of clinical chemotherapy in more than 2,000 patients. In every single study, patients treated with drugs active in the assays had a higher response rate than the entire group of patients as a whole. In every single study, patients treated with drugs inactive in the assays had lower response rates than the entire group of patients. In every single study, patients treated with active drugs were much more likely to respond than patients treated with inactive drugs, with assay-active drugs being 7 to 9 times more likely to work than assay-inactive drugs. A large number of peer-review publications also reported that patients treated with assay-tested 'active' drugs enjoyed significantly longer survival of cancer than patients with assay-tested 'negative' drugs.

Progress Among Medical Professionals

The fact that some doctors don't agree isn't stopping many cancer patients from taking this matter into their own hands, and sending their live path specimens off to one of the above private labs for assay-testing to be done. In fact, approximately 10,000 individual patient specimens are currently being submitted for testing by more than 1,000 clinical oncologists, surgeons and pathologists annually in the United States. It seems probable that a self-educated oncologist, genuinely on the cutting-edge would tend to be aggressive in actual treatment beyond mere rhetoric and make use of running tests on the biopsy before selecting a chemotherapy option.

Dr Ian Cree, Director, Translational Oncology Research Centre, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth UK performed the very first prospective, randomized clinical trial of physician's choice chemotherapy versus ATP assay-directed chemotherapy in non-surgically debulked, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and presented it at the May, 2005 American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) meeting in Orlando, Florida.

The results were highly suggestive of an effect due to the assay, and the most successful drug regimens used were nearly all developed using the assay. UK results in cancer are always lower than in the US for a variety of reasons. Part of this is probably lead time bias, but data on surgical debulking may be part of the explanation. Patients in the US get a whole lot more surgery along the way than in Europe.

According to Dr Ian A. Cree, "… There certainly is resistance to this approach from some oncologists, but no one has ever shown that harm could result from the use of these technologies, and there is a considerable body of evidence to support their use. The tests provide a valuable research resource and have been used to develop new drugs for cancer."

In 1983, medical publications introduced assays based on 'cell-death' (not cell-growth). This was a good five years before understanding the concept of apoptosis (apoptosis is a genetically programmed cell death pathway which exists in all cells, which is supposed to cause them to commit suicide if they become functionally deranged, but doesn't function properly in cancer cells, allowing them to grow abnormally without committing suicide, which can be triggered to occur by effective anti-cancer drugs).

Because clinical oncologists did not understand apoptosis then, these pioneering publications with 'cell-death' (instead of cell growth) endpoints were ignored, and neither clinical trials nor the application of cell death drug resistance assays were supported by academic and private practice clinical oncologists. The clinical utility and clinical accuracy of cell culture drug resistance testing with cell-death endpoints has now been proven.

There has been much discussion about whether assay (in vitro) tests are of any use, as the in vivo response to a drug may very well be different in the body than in the petri dish. But they said the same for Bacterial Culture and Sensitivity Testing. Doctors cannot remember a time when they didn't have this technology. It is a 'gold' standard. So will Chemosensitivity Testing. After all, cutting-edge techniques can often provide superior results over tried-and-true methods that have been around for many years.

In the US, the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) has decided to move forward with a study in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, utilizing a different assay called EDR, to direct chemotherapy. However, this assay is specifically designed to identify 'inactive' rather than 'active' drugs. In this light, the EDR assay has the advantage of telling you who will 'not respond' but cannot in any way change the negative outcome by selecting an 'active' alternative. At least here in the US, it's a start!

There are other medical oncologists in the US, headed up by Drs Larry Weisenthal and Robert Nagourney, that are making proposals for a separate study, a front-line randomized trial with head to head comparison of several assays (EDR, ATP, DISC, MTT, as well as Caspase 3/7). These assays correlate very well with each other on direct comparisons of different methods. Different methods of assay results should be applied in choosing a particular drug regimen to be used in treating an individual patient's cancer.

Breast Cancer � Naturopathic Approaches

2008-10-15T02:43:00.000-07:00

Each individual has a very specific relationship with nature that is exclusive to that being, and when that relationship is broken, or not honoured for that individual, disease will occur. Much like a plant, some plants flourish in the shade while others need direct sunlight. The responsibility of each of us is to listen to our bodies, so that we may discover how we best function, which would then introduce us to our specific relationship with nature. Wellness and healing come with the awareness of one's inner state and the outward manifestations of healthy, active, interesting lifestyles.

This perspective does not at all inhibit us from being a complementary adjunct to any medical treatment the cancer patient may be undertaking. It will, however, mean the client has to modify their diet and be willing to include various natural remedies in the form of homeopathy, nutritional supplementation and herbs, as well as detoxifying baths, detoxifying breath exercises and lymphatic exercises. When the client has undergone surgery, and is going through treatments of chemotherapy and possibly radiation therapy, there are some specific things that can be of much benefit.

During chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the organs of detoxification are being extremely overloaded and overworked. They can become so fatigued from the toxic load that many of the functions shut down and they are unable to do what they need to do. The kidneys and the liver are particularly affected. The patient can also experience discomfort in many forms, as well as experiencing great fear and isolation. The body can be assisted greatly in this process with just a few simple adjustments to the person's diet and lifestyle, and with the assistance of homeopathic, herbal and nutrition remedies. But first let me explain the philosophy and principles of naturopathy.

The Principles of Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a philosophy of health care, whose ideas about disease and healing are built upon many years of investigation and research into the nature and cause of disease. This philosophy is based on three fundamental principles. These principles are logical deductions and conclusions arrived at from centuries of effective therapeutic treatment of disease, from the Orient, Europe and the United States. Naturopathy recommends only the simplest, most natural and non-invasive measures to bring about its results. These treatments have been tested and proved over and over again by the results obtained.

In this article we are dealing with the first principle only. The first and most fundamental principle of naturopathy is that all forms of disease are due to the same fundamental cause. This is (from the physical perspective), the accumulation in the system of waste materials and toxic refuse, which has been steadily building up in the body of the individual concerned through years of incorrect living habits. From this principle, then, it follows that the only way in which disease is eliminated at the physical level is by introduction of various methods that will enable the system to throw off these toxic accumulations – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual – which are clogging the wheels of the human machine.

• The first principle: All disease has the same fundamental cause.
• The second principle: The body is always striving for the ultimate good of the individual.
• The third principle: The body/mind heals itself.

In naturopathy and complementary health care, one of the first steps is to identify various toxins that the person is unable to throw off correctly. These toxins could be in the form of chemicals; heavy metals; radiation; water; geopathic stress; electro-magnetic fields; processed and refined foods; bacteria; viruses; fungi; parasites; weather; air; noise; injury; emotional trauma; excess of body chemicals; and cumulative life experiences.

All synthetic chemicals in the form of medication are extremely toxic to the individual. This of course puts the patient in a quandary: the treatments needed to kill the cancer are in themselves creating a further toxic problem. A positive solution is to start the detoxification process as soon as possible to assist the patient in their recovery. It is advised that this be done very gently and slowly.

First let us clarify what is meant by toxins and detoxification.

Definition of Detoxification

Detoxification is a cornerstone of both healing and the prevention of disease. Detoxification covers the sum total of therapeutic means available to ensure the elimination of toxins that debase or deplete the organism of the patient requiring treatment, through natural channels and with natural substances.

Definition of Drainage

The general term 'drainage', that is to say, draining or flowing away from, is vital in the process of detoxification. Drainage is a major component of detoxification, but not necessarily detoxification itself. In other words, one might be detoxifying the cells and the tissues but, if the organs to be detoxified are not draining properly, there can be much discomfort for the client.

Definition of Toxins and Toxaemia

We can classify the various sources of the toxins that afflict us into three different categories that are distinct from one another, but can be found concurrently in the same client.

Exogenous Toxins

This means that the toxins are extended to the subject. In other words, the toxins are entering the system from the outside, such as food additives, x-ray, ELF waves, chemicals, industrial pollutants, pesticides, herbicides, viruses, fungi, bacteria, parasites, etc. The toxins could also come from excess stimulants, such as tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, medicines, injury, accidents, over-exercise, etc.

Endogenous Toxins

These toxins are found within the subject themselves: microbial viruses and toxins associated with tuberculosis, syphilis or other diseases due to microbes; the inability to throw off dead cells correctly in the catabolic phase; excess hormone secretions due to stress that are not correctly processed; and emotional activity that renders the person out of control with the inability to quiet the system.

Autogenous Toxins

These toxins are generated by the subject as a result of miasm (a genetic tendency towards), as well as their constitution and temperament. They affect the organism primarily by inhibiting a good immune response and lowering its resistance. According to Samuel Hahnemann 'arthritis' comes under the miasmic term of 'Psora'.

How Does the Body Detoxify Itself?

There are two phases of detoxification.

Phase 1

This phase aims to do two things: firstly it wants to make the toxins less poisonous; and secondly it wants to excrete them. This is important, for if you allow a poison to go directly to the kidneys for excretion without first changing it to a less toxic form, it will damage the kidney as it passes through. The body has three types of reactions to choose from: oxidation (burning off); reduction; and hydrolysis (conversion or changing). Usually this is all the body needs to do to change the compound or metabolite, so that it can be safely excreted through the kidneys.

Phase 2

This phase of the detoxification process is nature's back-up system. In this phase an amino acid hooks onto the metabolite or compound to make it larger, more electrically charged and more polar. This makes it more soluble in water, enabling it to be excreted through the bile to pass into the stool. This reduces the workload on the kidneys and provides a way to get rid of more difficult compounds. This phase is called conjugation, which means the coupling with another compound to make it easier to be drained or washed out. Glutathione is a major conjugator that helps the body detoxify foreign chemicals or xenobiotics.

Toxins enter the body by four major pathways:

• They are in the air and we breathe them, so the lungs are a major pathway;
• They are in the water and we drink them which makes the kidneys major pathways;
• They are in our foods and we eat them and those toxins get processed through the liver and exit through the bowel, which makes the liver and bowel major pathways;
• They are absorbed through the skin.

We also eliminate toxins through the same pathways. These are known as the organs of detoxification.

How Can Detoxification Help the Breast Cancer Patient who is Undergoing Allopathic Care?

When patients have made the decision to cleanse the system gently while undergoing therapy, they discover that they are not as fatigued as they were, their thinking is much less foggy, they experience far fewer side effects and, best of all, they feel they have some control over their own well-being.

When the toxins have been identified, the appropriate detoxification programme is designed. We first need to deal with the specific toxins due to the cancer therapy itself; then we can deal with the specific toxins due to the patient's lifestyle. There is a group of homeopathic remedies called zenobiotics, which assist the body to detoxify at the cellular level. These are designed to detoxify the specific toxin you are working with, such as, radiation, synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, food additives, etc. We would then look at herbal detoxifiers, such as, cat's claw, chlorella, chlorophyll, black walnut, Spanish black radish and Mitake mushroom. Nutritional supplements, such as glutathione and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), inositol hexaphosphate, anti-oxidants and bio-flavonoids may also be appropriate. Post-surgery, homeopathic remedies, such as arnica and bellis, are extremely helpful for bruising and shock.

Within natural therapies there are many remedies for each specific organ and function, so, which do we choose? That is where the professional can help by being able to assess the energy field of the client's body and then recommend specific treatments for each individual. That is best done through energy testing such as kinesiology, or a form of testing called EAV testing. The client may need only some of the above-mentioned remedies at a time, perhaps one from each category. It is important that the individual is tested by a competent practitioner to see which products match their system for maximum results.

As I mentioned earlier, we need to make sure the organs of detoxification are draining and supported. There are specific programmes to do this, for example:

• black walnut, wormwood and cloves to detoxify the liver;
• hydrangea root, marsh mallow root, goldenrod and parsley to detoxify the kidney;
• baking soda and salt baths, ginger baths and vinegar baths to detoxify the skin, as well as doing skin brushing before the bath;
• slippery elm, cascara segrada and senna, along with fibre and betonite to assist in detoxifying the colon;
• mullein, fenugreek, yerba santa and deep breathing exercises for the lungs;
• trampoline bouncing and using the Chi machine to assist the lymph system in carrying away the waste.

What Sort of Foods Should the Cancer Patient Eat along with their Detoxification Programme?

Again there are wonderful foods that support the normal function of the organs of detoxification, such as watermelon and asparagus for the kidneys; for the liver, endive, collard greens, dock and dandelion greens (the bitter taste activates the flow of bile), lemon water (the sour taste cools and cleanses the liver); flax seed oil and olive oil are of great benefit to the large intestines; and good old chicken soup can benefit the lungs. When it comes to diet people also need to take into consideration their blood type, whether they are a slow or fast oxidizer and whether they are sympathetic or parasympathetic dominant. Cleansing and detoxification have been major aspects of healing throughout history. It is only in this age, ironically, when we have more toxins in our environment than ever before, that mainstream thinking does not seem to see the need for this wonderful healing modality at all.

Detoxifying the Mind

We have been talking about detoxifying the physical body, but what about the mind, do we detoxify the mind, and should we? This is a huge topic. Does how you think have anything to do with disease and how your body works? There is enough evidence today to show the power of the mind over our physical well-being. As an example, do we believe our function is to fight disease as opposed to the belief that our function is to love and promote health and a healthy lifestyle? Hating disease is not the same thing as loving health. The vibration of 'hate' is born of 'fear' and fear is disease promoting; by contrast, the vibration of 'love' and is health promoting. Attitudes such as fear, anger, hate, ingratitude, impatience, prejudice, lack of joy, dishonesty, lack of tolerance, meanness and attack are all attitudes that are against our nature. We are designed to be healthy and happy; we are designed only to express love for all. Loving attitudes sush as gratitude, joyfulness, patience and tolerance, gentleness, faithfulness, defenselessness, honesty, generosity, and open-mindedness are all attitudes that promote health.

Emotional, mental and spiritual work has to be utmost in the client's programme, as it may be necessary to change the way the client thinks and acts in order to optimize the healing process.