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Posts with tag CancerPrevention
Posted Sep 11th 2007 2:14PM by Brian White
Filed under: Lung Cancer, Prevention
Want to prevent lung cancer? That's great -- just don't rely on vitamins and supplements to get the job done, and lessen those CT scans as well. Those do, after all, use radiation.
Members of the American College of Chest Physicians made both statements in the latest edition of the "Guide to Lung Cancer Prevention" -- and the suggestions go towards smokers and non-smokers alike.
The kicker is the
knockout stat mentioned here: lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., with more dying from it that from colon, breast, prostate and pancreatic cancer combined. Wow.
But the biggest lung cancer prevention tip? Don't smoke, be near smokers and watch that smog intake if at all possible.
Posted Sep 10th 2007 2:29PM by Brian White
Filed under: Research, Cancer prevention foods
It's pretty well known that many natural foods make for great defenses against cancer, regardless of the opposition to this by the medical community. If you're into spicy foods like I am, it may be neat to hear that curry could be added to that battle list.
Indian foods are, in many cases, spicy (and delicious), and that curry powder's curcumin has been found to kill and stops the growth of melanoma skin cancer cells. Although these results were only found in the lab, they are still encouraging.
Cancer prevention foods are incredibly neat to learn about, and with the Internet, the effort is simple and easy. Even if curry is not your thing, there are plenty of other
cancer-fighting foods.
Posted Sep 8th 2007 1:38PM by Brian White
Filed under: Skin Cancer, Prevention
Talk about cancer news that sounds like it comes from the future. In new research, using
high-speed liquid injectors to get light-activated cancer-fighting drugs into the body without the need for needles.
Many patients would probably hooray something like this, and without using the limitations of needles -- some of which don't penetrate tumors effectively -- the targeting increased such a system would have sounds rather intriguing.
Of, and if you don't like needles, that goes away as well. I wonder if this will make it to market anytime soon?
Posted Aug 12th 2007 5:28PM by Patricia Mayville-Cox
Filed under: Diets, Vitamins and nutrients
Postmenopausal women who take calcium and vitamin D supplements may reduce their risk of cancer, according to a
report published in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study was a randomized controlled trial. This is in contrast to many earlier studies that show that vitamin D is protective against cancer, but were only observational trials.
The researchers found that women who took both calcium (1400-1500 mg/day) and vitamin D (1100 IU vitamin D3/day) had a lower incidence of cancer than those who took the placebo. There were 13 cases among the 446 women who took the supplements versus 20 cases among 288 women who took the placebo during the four year period.
Posted Aug 4th 2007 2:16PM by Patricia Mayville-Cox
Filed under: All Cancers, Diets, Nutrition, Cancer prevention foods, Vitamins and nutrients
Dr. Richard Wender, president of the American Cancer Society, took questions from readers as part of the New York Times feature on cancer last week.
Here is an interesting question from a reader about the role of antioxidants. Leanne asks about the use of antioxidants and other supplements during cancer treatment, specifically whether they are harmful and whether they can reduce the effectiveness of some chemotherapies.
Dr. Wender responds that "the same steps that help to prevent diabetes and heart disease also help to reduce your risk of cancer. First, maintain a healthy body weight and engage in regular exercise. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is a good idea, but it is not as effective in preventing cancer as having a normal weight. Avoid tobacco and excess sun exposure."
"Although studies of supplements have hinted at some value for certain cancers, the overall value appears to be much smaller than the lifestyle steps I have listed."
For more Q&As with Dr. Wender, please see
here.
Posted Jul 16th 2007 2:34PM by Brian White
Filed under: All Cancers, Research
Paint derived from scorpion venom does not sound like a likely aid to distinguishing cancer cells from normal tissue, but that is precisely what Seattle researchers are using in quite an
interesting cancer detection development.Even if the tumor is only made of a few cells, the "paint" test can detect it, which could lead to detection of cancerous cell grouping in such small amounts that very early treatment could be a result.
Are better outcomes possible due to a detection method like this? Hopefully, yes -- because catching cancer as it just starts to form is the holy grail of treatment.
Posted Jun 25th 2007 4:33PM by Brian White
Filed under: All Cancers, Politics, Cancer prevention foods
With the connection between harmful chemicals and cancer causes having been made so strong in the last decade or so (and before that), do U.S. states -- in addition to federal regulations -- do enough to keep these substances out of reach of the everyday citizen?
In the state of Alabama, the discharge of certain chemicals directly into the environment that end up in the water supply gives people in that state the distinction of being diagnosed with cancer more often that other states.
But not every party is taking that kind of news sitting down, as 18 environmental and citizen organizations have formally petitioned Alabama's state environmental agency to seek a cancer risk level that should greatly increase the state of human health in that state.
Read more here -- and hope that your state has similar motions in place for the future or even right now.
Posted Jun 16th 2007 6:59AM by Jen Creer
Filed under: Prevention, All Cancers, Thought for the Day
How many of us see our doctors at least once a year? (If you don't, you probably already know that you should... Preventive health care begins with you). I have to see my physician annually, or he won't refill my prescription, and I need my prescription. He says it is for insurance purposes, but I think he just likes to check in with me-- and I am fine with that. We go over my blood pressure, make arrangements to check my cholesterol. I take care of breast exams and my pap with my ob-gyn.
However, one of the things I have been thinking about this summer, as time grows near for my annual appointment, is that I don't always remember to mention things to him at this appointment. It has been a long time since I have seen or talked with my doctor. I just reached out and touched wood, automatically after I typed that. Knock on wood-- that could change on a dime. How many times have you walked out of an appointment, especially your annual, and thought, "I wish I had mentioned this..." Because sometimes it is worth just having things checked out, and making sure your physical exam is truly thorough.
Think about this:
If you know your annual physican is drawing near, start carrying around a little notebook and recording changes you have noticed, or something that may seem minor, but might be worth mentioning.
This year, in my little notebook, I have:
fatigue-- is this normal? I take a lot of naps... I seem to be developing an allergy to milk-- but could it be something else? That isn't a food reaction? Could you look at these spots on my face-- are these acne scars, or something else? I don't remember seeing them last year...
I have had a lot of friends who have gone to the doctor for what seemed to be pretty innocent symptoms-- and they had cancer instead. I think especially with the recent news about some pretty innocuous symptoms that could be
forerunners for ovarian cancer, it's not too much to pay a little extra attention to what our bodies are trying to tell us. And then to tell our doctors, on our bodies' behalves.
Posted Jun 4th 2007 4:56PM by Brian White
Filed under: All Cancers
Can we turn cancer on and off within our bodies? The rates of both prostate and breast cancer have increased in recent times and cancer is the second-largest leading cause of death in the U.S. -- but are Americans doing all they can to prevent all the various types of cancer?
It's hard to argue that since 1971, the $200 billion thrown at "fighting cancer" has given very little to the cause. Why is that? We have more cases of cancer than ever, so something clearly is not working, right?
Can taking charge of one's health and turning to a
completely holistic nutrition and chemical-free lifestyle (as much as possible) lead to one being able to "turn off" cancer? That's hard to say, but with many of the stories I've read (and patients I've talked to), living a holistic lifestyle can indeed have the greatest impact on cancer -- much more than conventional and even cutting-edge medical techniques and drugs. Have your results been in line with this kind of thinking?
Posted May 30th 2007 5:26PM by Brian White
Filed under: Alternative Therapies, All Cancers, Non-toxic alternatives
It's 2007 and the still-predominant way of fighting many types of cancer involves toxic chemotherapy that weakens the body while trying to destroy cancer cells.
Although a better way of cancer treatment has been on the minds of oncologists for decades, the mapping of the human genome recently and the
prevalence of nanotechnology is starting to create possible solutions to health problems that are about as cutting edge as they come.
What would it mean to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to cancer cells without polluting the human body at the same time? That kind of breakthrough is on the minds of an Australian biotechnology firm, which says it can do just that.
The process involved nanotechnology processes that almost sounds like science fiction. The truth is, though -- it is all too real. And, it will get better in the next few decades I'll bet.
Posted Mar 13th 2006 2:22PM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Prostate Cancer, Alternative Therapies, Lung Cancer, Colon and Rectal Cancer, Skin Cancer, Prevention
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center researchers have announced study findings that suggest a higher intake of
selenium may
reduce the risk of advanced
colorectal cancer. Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required only in small amounts.
The antioxidant properties of selenium prevents cellular damage from free radicals. Free radicals contribute to the
development of cancer. Brazil nuts and tuna have the highest levels of selenium.
According to the
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, observational studies
indicate that death from cancer, including lung, colorectal, and prostate cancers, is lower among people with higher
blood levels or intake of selenium. In addition, the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer is significantly higher in
areas of the United States with low soil selenium content. Selenium may also prevent or slow tumor growth. Certain
breakdown products of selenium are believed to prevent tumor growth by enhancing immune cell activity and suppressing
development of blood vessels to the tumor.
Posted Mar 11th 2006 9:54PM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Alternative Therapies, Colon and Rectal Cancer, Prevention
University of Ulster, UU, researchers
discovered compounds in virgin olive oil that may
offer
protection in the prevention of colon cancer. "The beneficial nature of the Mediterranean diet rich in olive
oil is already well documented. Because the colon is one of the major cancer sites thought to be protected by olive
oil, the UU research team studied the potential anti-cancer effects of virgin olive chemical compounds. Olive oil
phenols protected cells from DNA damage," said Dr Chris IR Gill, UU lead researcher.
Extra virgin olive
oil, high in mono-unsaturated fat and a good source of antioxidants, is one of the few oils that can be eaten without
chemical processing. Olive oil has been found to be beneficial in its cancer prevention compounds for almost all
cancers. It is believed that olive oil acts as an anti-inflammatory food. Inflammation is connected to the presence of
cancer in the body. The UU researchers add more evidence to the body of knowledge about the cancer preventative
benefits of olive oil.
Posted Mar 11th 2006 8:00AM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Brain Cancer, Breast Cancer, Prevention
12 members of a girls swim team have
gotten together and published a new cookbook as a cancer fundraiser for research into finding a cure for cancer. Dana
Simms, a member of the swim team, recently lost her uncle Dan Stryer, 41, a doctor and researcher, to brain cancer.
According to Simms,
Cooking For The Cure cookbook editor, "When
we announced the idea of a community cookbook to raise money for cancer, the recipes began coming in immediately. People
would stop us in the street with tears in their eyes, thanking us for doing this project and telling us about a family
member or friend with cancer." Others would send emails.
The girls received over 450 recipes from
people wanting to help with the project. To date, sales from the cookbook has raised in excess of $20,000 dollars. The
money will be donated to cancer a charity for cancer research. The Cooking For The Cure cookbooks are on sale for $15.
If you would like to support a great cause, you can buy one
here.
Posted Mar 10th 2006 4:07PM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Prevention
Want to find out what pollution problems and toxic
cancer-causing chemical risks might be lurking in your neighborhood? And who is responsible for the environmental
pollution putting you and your family at risk for cancer?
Scorecard is a free online
tool for accessing information about pollution problems and toxic chemicals in your area. Scorecard profiles over 11,000
chemical hazards and their potential health effects, including information about Superfund sites and lead hazards, as
well as information on smog and particulates that impact health and air quality, and on the hazardous air pollutants
that pose cancer risks. By simply entering your zip code, you can get an in-depth pollution report for your
neighborhood, covering air, water, chemicals, and more.
Posted Mar 9th 2006 6:36PM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: Prevention
Stop the
Cancer is a Canadian-based web resource with a mission to educate people through the publication of articles from
experts in the cancer fields and personal stories of those who lives have been touched by cancer, and in donations to
research foundations for cancer prevention and cancer cure.
The Grames family has lost several family
members to cancer. Then his wife's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and most recently, his wife had a breast
cancer scare. According to Kevin Grames of Stop the Cancer, "We will continue the fight against cancer for years
to come no matter the expense to us. There is no human life that is not worth saving from this deadly disease. The
worst tragedy is when it suddenly takes the life of an innocent child who has not had the chance to live a full life.
While all deaths attributed to this disease are unfortunate the only way for us to find a cure is to help research
institutes receive the funding they need to accomplish this goal one form of cancer at a time. For this reason we will
maintain our website indefinitely until this goal is accomplished."
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