Cancer Blog and Forum

Cancer Blog and Forum is a place to discuss and keep track of the lastest cancer news and research.

More details to follow soon...

Some at breast-cancer risk get coffee break
Java improves odds for those with rare genetic mutation, Canadian study says

Source

By ANDRÉ PICARD
Friday, January 6, 2006
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTER

Women who drink six or more cups of coffee a day can slash their risk of developing breast cancer by a startling 75 per cent -- but only if they have a genetic mutation that places them at extremely high risk of developing cancer in the first place, according to new Canadian research.

The study shows that women with the BRCA1 mutation, who have about an 80-per-cent risk of developing breast cancer before age 70, saw that risk fall to about 20 per cent if they were heavy coffee drinkers.

"The results are dramatic," said Steven Narod, Canadian Research Chair in Breast Cancer and principal author of the study.

However, in an interview, he cautioned that the findings apply only to a very specific subset of women. About one in 500 women in Canada carry the BRCA1 mutation, and an equal number carry the BRCA2 mutation. (The study results were unclear on whether they, too, benefited from coffee consumption.)

"I wish we saw these effects in every woman, but we don't," Dr. Narod said.

"Still, this provides some important information for women with the mutation," he said.

The new research, published in yesterday's edition of the International Journal of Cancer, involved 1,690 women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

Less than 5 per cent of the women in the study habitually drank six or more cups of coffee daily, but their risk reduction was by far the greatest.

Those who drank four to five cups a day saw their risk fall by 25 per cent, while those who drank one to three cups (the large majority) had a relative risk reduction of 10 per cent compared with women who drank no coffee.

Only women who drank caffeinated coffee derived any benefit. Women with the genetic mutation who drank decaf actually saw their risk increase slightly.

Parviz Ghadirian, a professor in the department of nutrition at the University of Montreal and co-author of the paper, said caffeine has a demonstrated effect on hormones, and the hormone estrogen in particular. (Excessive estrogen is known to cause breast cancer.)

He said caffeine helps the body metabolize (or break down) estrogen. Coffee is also an important source of phytoestrogens, which may have protective effect against cancer.

At the same time, caffeine can rob the bones of important minerals and hasten osteoporosis.

"It's a bizarre situation," Dr. Ghadirian said. "You don't want to suggest that people drink this much coffee -- six cups a day is a lot -- but for gene carriers, this is one thing we can tell them that is beneficial."

Some of these women have undergone mastectomies (and had their estrogen-producing ovaries removed) because they are so worried about getting breast cancer.

A less radical prevention option would likely be welcomed by those who carry the high-risk gene.

At the Centre for Research in Women's Health at Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, where Dr. Narod practices, women with genetic mutations that predispose them to breast cancer are given a long list of dietary and lifestyle practices that can help them reduce risk.

Despite the new data, the researcher said he is unlikely to recommend enormous quantities of coffee.

Rather, Dr. Narod said he will continue to urge women to seek other sources of phytoestrogens (such as green leafy vegetables including broccoli and Brussels sprouts, and soy) and supplements such as DIM (Diindolylmethane, a broccoli extract sold in pill form).

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are seen principally in women of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish heritage who have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with breast or ovarian cancer. Women who are not of Ashkenazi descent, but have a first-degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50 or a male relative with breast cancer, are also at higher likelihood of carrying the breast-cancer gene.

Dr. Narod said all women of Jewish descent should undergo genetic testing, as should anyone with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

In 2005, an estimated 21,600 women and 150 men were diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. An estimated 5,300 women and 45 men died of breast cancer last year.

Source

This article in the Telegraph talks about a new stem cell discovery that may help fight breast cancer. New findings from two research teams -- one in Australia and the other in Canada -- have discovered a "mammary gland stem cell". The article explains the possible benefits of the discovery: "Under normal circumstances, the newly identified breast stem cell will produce healthy tissue. But it is believed that an accumulation of genetic errors, perhaps combined with external influences and a family predisposition, could cause the breast stem cell or a 'daughter' cell to produce faulty cells. The errant breast cell can then become a tumour factory." Like all scientific discoveries, more study is needed. The results from these studies are based on studies using mice, and it will take some time to translate the findings to humans.

The finding may also help explain the recurrence of breast cancer in many patients: "Chemotherapy works by targeting cells that are dividing rapidly, which is typical behaviour of cancer cells. But an errant stem-like cell may be more resistant to chemotherapy because it divides more slowly. So while chemotherapy can eliminate the bulk of cancer cells, the tumour factory itself - a breast cancer stem cell - may survive months or years later."

Read the full article here.

In this article, it talks about recent studies that show that people who excercise regularly prior to diagnosis of bowel cancer, had much higher survival rates compared to those who did not: "The chance of dying for regular exercisers was halved if they had stage two or three tumours - moderately advanced cancer which had not spread to other parts of the body, Dr Haydon said." Doctors were amazed by the magnitude of the survival benefit for bowel cancer patients.

Read the full article here.

A recent study has shown that dogs can be trained to sniff out cancer, and that the results can be more accurate that CT Scans. According to this article, "dogs were able to detect cancer from breath samples with an accuracy rate of between 88 and 97 per cent." The study trained dogs to detect cancer from breath samples, and included a control group of healthly people: "The current study used three Labrador retrievers and two Portuguese water dogs, 7 to 18 months old, who were trained by being given treats as rewards when they lay down in front of the cancer breath samples. In the double-blind study, not even their handlers knew which samples were from cancer patients, so the dogs had to wait until they left the room to be rewarded." In future, the study may lead to earlier detection of some cancers, which means treament can start sooner, possibly soon enough to stop the cancer before it spreads.

Read the full article here.

Drug maker Celgene has completed a trial for use of the drug Thalomid for use by cancer patients. The drug, which is commonly used to treat leprosy, has not yet been approved by the FDA to treat cancer. The recent study was terminated when the study reached statistical significance for treating patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma: The results seem impressive: " In a 270-patient trial, those given Thalomid plus the synthetic steroid dexamethasone went an average of 75.7 weeks before their disease progressed, compared with 27.9 weeks in patients given dexamethasone alone. Patients in the Thalomid group survived an average of 55.7 weeks without disease progression, versus 24.3 weeks in the dexamethasone-only group." This latest study should mean that Thalomid will soon be approved for treating multiple myeloma.

Read the full article.

A recent study has added support to the argument that screening for prostate cancer does not extend the lives of men diagnosed with the disease. The study compared two groups of men, one group has eventually died from prostate cancer with another group with similar ages and other factors. The study found that the group of surviving men with prostate cancer were not more likely to have been screened for prostate cancer prior to diagnosis.

Read the article here.

A recent study has reveal that a protein called alphaB-crystallin can trigger events that may cause breast cancer. This protein normally protects cells from stress damage: "The researchers found that women whose breast tumors express the alphaB-crystallin protein have a shorter survival, suggesting that alphaB-crystallin may be a useful molecular marker to identify women with aggressive breast cancer and to develop new targeted cancer therapies."

Read the article here.

Finding of new studies are showing that a new liquid-based test for cervical cancer is not any more effective than the tradional Pap smear test: " In a review of 56 studies, including more than one million slides, that looked at liquid-based and conventional cytology, Dr. Elizabeth Davey, from the University of Sydney in Australia, and colleagues found little differences in the two approaches. They report in the Lancet this week that the liquid-based tests did not detect any more serious cervical lesions, which could lead to cancer, than the conventional tests. Liquid-based and conventional cytology also produced a similar number of unsatisfactory slides."

Read the article here.

This article discussed a recent connection made between exposure to electric light (at night) and breast cancer. The connection stems from the fact that light exposure during darkness hours interferes with women's ability to produce melatonin, a hormone that manages the body's day and night rhythms.

David Blask, who lead the study, explains: "melatonin puts cancer cells, in particular breast-cancer cells, to sleep at night, but if the levels of this hormone are diminished by exposure to light at night, cancers become insomniacs and grow all the time."

Source

This article discussed a study that shows that tumeric (also known as curcumin) can help prevent prostate cancer. I have read previously about the benefits of tumeric, which is found in most curries (curry is not a spice, but rather a blend of different spices). They also tested phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), commonly found in vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower:

"The bottom line is that PEITC and curcumin, alone or in combination, demonstrate significant cancer-preventive qualities in laboratory mice, and the combination of PEITC and curcumin could be effective in treating established prostate cancers," said Ah-Ng Tony Kong, a professor of pharmaceutics at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Lack of Vitamin D Causes Cancer?
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Cedric Garland and his brother, Frank, proposed that many cases of cancer were caused by lack of vitamin D. The medical community treated these respected epidemiologists as if they were nuts. Vitamin D was discovered in 1922 as the vitamin that prevents and treats rickets, a disease that causes children and adults to have such weak bones that they bend.

The Garland brothers showed that people who live in the northern parts of the United States have more than three times as many colon cancer deaths as those who live in the South. They explained that very few Americans meet their needs for vitamin D from the food, so we have to meet our needs for vitamin D from sunlight. Sunlight is less intense in the northern latitudes, and people in the colder climates often do not go out in the winter; therefore, they often suffer from lack of vitamin D.

Forty-two percent of African American women have low blood levels of vitamin D, compared to only 4.2 percent in Caucasians. That means that African Americans are ten times more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency than Caucasians. Lack of vitamin D interferes with immunity and a person's ability to kill germs and cancer cells. Every day, the human body makes millions of cancer cells. Your immunity then filters out these cells and prevents them from growing. When immunity is impaired, the cancer cells can grow to form solid cancers, such as cancer of the breast, prostate or colon.

All men will develop prostate cancer if they live long enough, but the average Caucasian develops prostate cancer after age 85, while the average African American develops it many years earlier. People of color require far more ultraviolet light to make vitamin D than those who have lighter skins. Lack of vitamin D damages immunity to cause cancers, diabetes and infections.

My advice is for you to think about your vitamin D status. A person with light skin can get enough vitamin D from a few minutes spent in sunlight each day, but the darker your skin, the more sun exposure you need to meet your daily requirements. During the winter months in northern latitudes, even light-skinned people will have difficulty meeting their needs from sunlight. You can get vitamin D from vitamin supplements, fish oils, fish or fortified cereals. (Fortified milk is not a good source because calcium uses up vitamin D.) If you are not sure if you are getting enough vitamin D from food or sunlight, go to your doctor and request a blood test for vitamin D. If your blood level of vitamin D is below 15 micrograms/liter, you should take 400 international units or 5 micrograms of vitamin D each day. I am convinced that you will be protecting yourself from cancer and infections. Women will also be protecting their future babies from infections and possibly birth defects. Don't wait for the medical community to agree on this.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabe_Mirkin,_M.D.

The cancer forum has now been launched. The cancer blog is open anyone who would like to post cancer-related topics (research, news, nutrition, experiences, questions, etc.) Cancer Blog and Forum is a little unique in that it is both a blog and a forum. This means that when you post a new entry, it will appear in blog format on the home page, and in forum format in the cancer forum section.

You can post a new entry by clicking here.

Lack of Muscle Increases Cancer Risk
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

Researchers at the American Cancer Society spent 16 years evaluating 900,000 people who were cancer-free when the study began in 1982. They found that excess fat may account for 14 percent of all cancer deaths in men and 20 percent of those in women. They conclude that losing weight could prevent more than 90,000 deaths from cancer each year. That's one of every six cancer deaths in the United States.

I think the researchers should have concluded that lack of muscle, rather than just having too much fat, causes cancer. Your body produces millions of cancer cells every day that you are alive. However, your immunity should be strong enough to search out every cancer cell and kill them before they can start growing and multiplying in your body. As you age, you lose your ability to kill cancer cells and germs, because of lack of muscle.

When a germ gets into your body, you must make cells and proteins called antibodies to kill these germs. However, antibodies and cells are made from protein and the only place that you can store extra protein is in muscles. When you have large muscles, you have a ready source of protein from muscles to make antibodies and cells. When you have small muscles, you have a very limited source of amino acids to make protein, and your immunity is often inadequate to kill germs.

In the same way, you need antibodies to control cancer cells, so with loss of protein stores in your muscles comes loss of antibodies and increased susceptibility to suffer cancer.

If you are overweight, this study should scare you into exercising more and eating less. This is the largest study ever on the association between obesity and cancer, and it is the most statistically significant. The study has more than 10 times greater statistical significance than the largest previous research on the topic. It agrees with most previous studies that obesity is associated with increased risk for cancers of the breast, uterus, colon, rectum, kidney, esophagus, and gall bladder, and adds new associations between obesity and cancers of the cervix, ovaries, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, pancreas, liver, and in men, the stomach and prostate.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabe_Mirkin,_M.D.

About Mesothelioma, Its Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
By Abhinav Sharma

About Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

The early symptoms of mesothelioma are often ignored, because they may be caused by a variety of ailments. These symptoms include:

pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest

shortness of breath

difficulty swallowing

cough

fever

fatigue

abdominal pain, weight loss, and nausea and vomiting (symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma)

Causes of Mesothelioma

The primary risk factor for developing mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. In the past, asbestos was used as a very effective type of insulation. The use of this material, however, has been declining since the link between asbestos and mesothelioma has become known. It is thought that when the fibers of asbestos are inhaled, some of them reach the ends of the small airways and penetrate into the pleural lining. There the fibers may directly harm mesothelial cells and eventually cause mesothelioma. If the fibers are swallowed, they can reach the abdominal cavity, where they can contribute to the formation of peritoneal mesothelioma.
Exposure to certain types of radiation as well as to a chemical related to asbestos known as zeolite has also been related to incidences of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Treatment

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined. Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

About The Author - Mesothelioma Cancer Support - If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or have been affected by exposure to benzene, beryllium, manganese, asbestos, and other toxic substances, their trial lawyers can help. Finding the right legal representation is likely weighing heavily on your mind. Paul, Hanley & Harley LLP, that fight to win for victims of mesothelioma cancer.
http://www.mesothelioma-cancer-support.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhinav_Sharma

Cancer Treatment
By Skip Freedman

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 1.4 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2005. The victims are fairly evenly divided, with males having a slight lead at 51 percent. The causes are seemingly too complicated to unravel. The effects are unfortunately too obvious.

The rise in cancer patients, combined with new access to medical research and technology, enable cancer victims to take self-education to new heights. Through their efforts, patients are often confused by the nuances between protocols for scientific experiments and the medically accepted protocols for treatment. While the two sound the same, they serve different ends. Experimental protocols are simply mechanisms for following scientific research that can be replicated and compared against an already standardized treatment to prove validity. This process may require several experiments and studies before treatment is sanctioned as a proven method that can be used on patients. Typically, insurance payers will not begin to pay for treatment until protocols have reached the medically proven stage.

The four major types of cancer treatments available today include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and biologic therapies. New treatments, such as hormone therapies with Tamoxifen and transplant options involving bone marrow, are being added to these standard procedures on a regular basis.

This widespread availability of cancer experimentation and treatment options causes confusion not only among the lay community, but among physicians and payers as well. Every day, new options appear on the horizon that show promise, but only a few become treatment protocols. As the literature about cancer research and treatment burgeons, it's increasingly difficult for anyone but an Oncology specialist to stay current with which treatments are sanctioned and which are still considered experimental.

Having access to Board-Certified Oncologists and Hematologists as part of the independent review process can help payers ensure patients receive the best medical care possible as approved by their contracts. AllMed Healthcare Management's panel of Oncology and Hematology specialists know the latest cancer treatment options and can help you, the payer, stay abreast of these advancements—now and in the future.

About AllMed Healthcare Management
Founded in 1995, AllMed (http://www.allmedmd.com, http://www.allmedmd.com/blog/index.htm) is a URAC-accredited Independent Review Organization (IRO) serving insurance payers, providers, TPAs and claims managers nationwide. Reviews are conducted by board-certified physicians in active practice. AllMed's growing customer base includes premier organizations, such as Educator's Mutual Life, IMS Managed Care, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, HealthGuard, several Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Allianz and many other leading healthcare payers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Skip_Freedman

Cancer Fighting Herbs
By Bryan Paulhus

Essiac tea is an alternative cancer remedy dating back to the 1800s. The eight original essiac tea ingredients need to be blended according to a specific ratio for the eight-herb blend to have the desired effect. The eight herbs all have immune-boosting properties that give your body a better chance at fighting off the cancer.

Blessed Thistle. Blessed thistle is used for digestive problems such as gas, constipation, and upset stomach. This herb is also used to treat liver and gallbladder diseases.

Burdock Root. Burdock root is a mild diuretic. It increases the production of both urine and sweat, potentially making it useful in treating swelling and fever. Burdock root might play a role in preventing liver damage caused by alcohol, chemicals, or medications. The exact reason for this protective effect is not known, but it is thought to involve opposition of a chemical process called oxidation, which occurs in the body as a natural function of metabolism. Although oxidation is a natural process, that doesn't mean it isn't harmful to the body! One result of oxidation is the release of oxygen free radicals, which are chemicals that may suppress immune function. Antioxidants such as burdock may protect body cells from damage caused by oxidation.

Kelp. Kelp is a sea vegetable that is a concentrated source of minerals, including: iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Kelp as a source of iodine assists in making the thyroid hormones, which are necessary for maintaining normal metabolism in all cells of the body. This increases energy levels and helps make it easier to maintain a healthy body weight. Kelp is the most nutrient-dense of all the essiac tea ingredients--and it isn't found in four herb formulas.

Red Clover. Red clover is a source of many valuable nutrients, including: calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. Red clover is also one of the richest sources of isoflavones (water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens and are found in many plants). The isoflavones found in red clover have been studied for their effectiveness in treating some forms of cancer. It is thought that the isoflavones prevent the proliferation of cancer cells and that they may even destroy cancer cells.

Sheep Sorrel. Sheep sorrel is a rich source of oxalic acid, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, phosphorous, beta carotene, and vitamin C. This essiac tea ingredient is a mild diuretic, mild antiseptic, and a mild laxative.

Slippery Elm Bark. Slippery elm bark has been used as a poultice for cuts and bruises, and also for aching joints due to gout or other causes. Besides being an essiac tea ingredient, this herb is also used to alleviate sore throats. Slippery elm bark is found in many lozenges that claim to soothe throat irritation. Since a sore throat and a cough are often linked, slippery elm bark has also been used in cough remedies. It also regulates the elimination process of digestion, easing both constipation and diarrhea.

Turkish Rhubarb Root. This detoxifying herb is world-famous for its healing properties. Rhubarb root purges the body of bile, parasites, and stagnating food in the gut by stimulating the gall duct to expel toxic waste matter. It has been shown to alleviate chronic liver problems by cleansing the liver. Rhubarb root improves digestion and helps regulate the appetite. It has also been shown to help heal ulcers, alleviate disorders of the spleen and colon, relieve constipation, and help heal hemorrhoids and bleeding in the upper digestive tract.

Watercress. High in Vitamin C, watercress is used as a general tonic, and its bitter taste is thought to regulate the appetite and improve digestion. It can be used to alleviate nervous conditions, constipation, and liver disorders. Watercress is a popular cough and bronchitis remedy. It contains a remarkable substance called rhein, which appears to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines. It is believed that rhein is also effective against Candida albicans (yeast infection), fever and inflammation, and pain.

Bryan Paulhus has been helping people combat health problems and side effects from traditional treatments for over fourteen years. He accomplishes this using all natural, alternative remedies. Free samples are available, and charitable donations are available as well. Please visit http://www.bulk-essiac-tea.com for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_Paulhus

Fighting Cancer With The Mediterranean Diet: Seven Points to Ponder
By Ray Darken

Over the course of the past three decades, a significant number of scientific studies have demonstrated that a person’s diet can work to prevent some types of cancer. One diet regimen that appears to have beneficial effects at preventing cancer is the Mediterranean diet plan.

If you are interested in developing health eating routines and want to engage a diet program that can work to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, you should take a look at the Mediterranean diet. In this regard, there are seven points that you should ponder when it comes to the impact of the Mediterranean diet on reducing the risk of cancer.

Seven Points to Ponder: The Mediterranean Diet and Cancer Risks

1. A Trans-European study undertaken by the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition demonstrated that people who closely adhere to Mediterranean dietary schemes were significantly less likely to succumb to cancer than were people who followed other diet programs. In fact, the study suggests that the mortality rate from cancer of men and women who follow the Mediterranean diet is an astonishing twenty-five percent less than the mortality rate of people who are involved in other dietary practices.

2. A significant number of people participated in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. In fact, there were 22,000 people enrolled in the study in Greece alone.

3. While it is not conclusively demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet is effective at reducing the risks of all types of cancer, preliminary results of various research studies suggest that there may be no types of cancer that are left unaffected by this diet scheme. Indeed, historical evidence suggests that the incidents of all types of cancer in the Mediterranean Sea region is less than what is found in other areas around the world.

4. In order to enjoy the cancer reduction benefits of the Mediterranean diet, it is important that a person follow all of the dining regiments of the program. In other words, a person can not pick and choose the components of the Mediterranean diet that he or she might favor or enjoy. Rather, in order to obtain the full cancer reduction benefits of the Mediterranean diet, a person need to embrace all aspects of the regimen.

5. Statistics and research suggest that the longer a person follows the Mediterranean diet, the less of a risk of developing cancer such a person will face. In other words, the Mediterranean diet appears to have a cumulative effect on a person’s health.

6. While researchers believe that it is the combination of elements that comprise the Mediterranean diet that reduce the risk of cancer, the program is particularly helpful in reducing the risk of this disease because it is low in saturated fat, high in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in fatty, red meats.

7. Keep in mind that while diet is proven to impact the incidence of cancer, other healthy living practices are also important. In this regard, a person should exercise regularly. Additionally, if you are a smoker, you need to quit.

Conclusion

By understanding the interrelationship between diet and disease, a person can take steps that may effectively reduce his or her risk of cancer, heart disease and other serious ailments. The Mediterranean diet is proving itself an effective method of reducing the risks of a number of different diseases, including various types of cancer.

Site Owner & Publisher Ray Darken - You can gain much more detail from Ray's sites along with other relevant information at The Mediterranean Diet or http://www.safe-and-easy-weightloss.com/wordpress/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_Darken

Hospice: It Saved Our Lives
By Susan Ryder

My father was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in the spring of 2002. He'd never smoked a day in his life, but he spent most of his years breathing Southern California air, and shared an office for many years with smokers before the hazard of second-hand smoke was realized. His doctors prescribed chemotherapy, not to cure him but to give him more time, as they considered his condition terminal and predicted he would only live another six to eighteen months, depending on how he responded to the chemo.

Our family was devastated by the news of course. He was a good man - a loving husband for 53 years, a wonderful father and grandfather to his three children and three grandchildren, and a supportive friend. He was too young to die at 75, and we couldn't face the idea of a future without him. So we practiced positive thinking and prayed for a miracle.

But we weren't going to get a miracle, and by summer it was obvious that the chemotherapy wasn't helping him. The doctors had hoped the chemo would buy him some more time, but it was actually causing us to lose time with him as it made him sick and weak, and the anti-nausea and pain medication caused him to sleep most of the time. He was in and out of the hospital four times in four months, and losing ground steadily. So by the end of the summer, during his last hospital stay, it was decided that he would discontinue the chemotherapy and begin home hospice care. The doctors had done the best they could for him, but it wasn't working, and it was time to let him rest.

My parents still lived in Southern California, and I had moved to the Midwest - but I visited as often as I could during those final months of his life. I flew out within a month of his diagnosis, and then again in mid-summer to celebrate his 75th birthday. Each time I visited his condition deteriorated - he lost weight, he lost his hair, he lost the twinkle in his blue eyes. He slept a lot, and was in quite a bit of pain and discomfort. It was devastating for all who loved him to see him suffer so much. So it was with a sense of relief tinged with sadness that I received the call from my sister letting me know that he had chosen home hospice care and would be going home to die.

I flew out in early September to help my mother and sister care for my father at home. Hospice personnel had set things up the day before I arrived - a hospital bed in my parents’ room and IV medication to ease his pain and make him comfortable. My mother, sister, and I fell into an easy routine of caring for my father, much to our surprise. Someone from hospice came every day during the week - a nurse three days a week, a nursing aide the other two days, and a social worker visited every couple of weeks. When they weren't there in person they were available by phone, and would come for extra visits if a need arose (which happened a few times). In between their visits we cared for my father, which proved easier than we imagined because of how well hospice had set things up to manage his care.

It became apparent early on that hospice care wasn't just limited to the patient - family members and other caregivers benefit from hospice care as well. The social worker met with us several times, and spent quite a bit of time offering emotional support to my mother. She was also available by phone any time one of us needed to talk. A chaplain also visited, but my mother had already connected emotionally with the social worker and had her own pastor, so that was one service we didn't really need. They also arranged for medications to be delivered to our door so that we didn't have to go out and fill prescriptions.

One of the most amazing things to me was how well the nurses took care of all of us, not just Dad. I knew the social worker and chaplain would be a good support system, but I hadn't realized that the nurses would be such loving caregivers for us as well. We had one regular nurse, Pat, who came most of the time, and a back-up nurse, Joy, who was a family friend. When Pat arrived at our door she greeted us all with a hug, asked how we were doing, and then went immediately to see my father. She changed his IV bags, checked his vitals, talked to him about pain management and other issues of concern. And then before she left, it became routine for us to all sit and talk with her in the living room. She'd ask how we were, answer questions, offer support and care, and make sure we were taking good care of ourselves. She became our lifeline in more ways than one.

A couple of times we had emergencies in the middle of the night, and we met other hospice staff - one time my father's pain got so severe we needed assistance to help him (hospice wants a patient to be as comfortable as possible, with minimal pain, and so they will come any time, day or night, to make adjustments so that the patient experiences relief). Another time my father tried to pull out his catheter and an on-call nurse came right away to remedy the situation, treating us with patience and kindness even though we'd never met, and even though it was 2:00 a.m.

The last day of my father's life his breathing became more ragged, and we suspected the end was near. We called Pat who said she'd be there as soon as she could, but that she was on another case and it would be a while before she could make it. She suggested we call Joy to see if she could come over, and of course she came right away, even though she'd been out of town on vacation and literally had just stepped off a plane. When she came into his room she spoke softly to him (even though he'd not been conscious for four days, she spoke to him as if he could hear her, which perhaps he could). She let him know she was there and that she was going to take his blood pressure. Within moments of her arrival he was gone, as if he'd been waiting for her to get there so that she could take care of us after he passed. Pat arrived shortly thereafter, and together they helped us make the necessary final arrangements - they called the coroner’s office to get a death certificate issued, the funeral home to arrange pick-up of his body, etc. We didn't have to do anything other than say goodbye, and before they left, they shared tears and laughter with us in a sort of informal "wake" as we shared stories of those final weeks with Dad.

The hardest thing I've ever had to face in my life was the death of my father - and even now after three years, I still miss him terribly. But every time I recall those final weeks of his life, I also remember the loving care given to all of us by hospice. My father was only a hospice patient for a month before he died, but the benefits of their care for him, and for us, linger still, and I will be forever grateful for what they did for our family.

In situation where a loved one is dying, I cannot recommend hospice highly enough.

Susan Ryder is an author on Writing.Com
which is located at (http://www.Writing.Com/) and is accessible by anyone. You can see more of her work at (http://www.sophie.Writing.Com/).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Ryder

Cancer and Carbs - Is There A Relationship?
By Gene D. Millen

The National Brain Tumor Foundation in Oakland, California is so convinced by the studies linking carbohydrate and insulin to cancer growth they recently revised their dietary guidelines in a dramatic way.

In the group's published dietary guideline entitled The Healing Power of Your Fork: A Brain Tumor Survivor's Eating Plan, they advise brain cancer patients to avoid low fat diets and to cut out sugar and refined carbohydrate instead. They warn patients that eating refined carbohydrate not only feeds cancer cells it suppresses the immune system as well.

Another study From Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2002: A Harvard research team used 18 years of data from 88,000 women who were participating in the famous Nurses Health Study to investigate whether a diet high in foods that easily raise blood glucose levels increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

They found that women who were overweight, sedentary, and had the highest glycemic load increased their risk of pancreatic cancer by 250%.

And there's more. As reported recently by the Associated Press, a Mexican study of nearly 200 women showed that those who consumed a high-carb diet (more than 60% of calories from carbohydrates) were MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY to develop breast cancer as women who adopted a lower-carb approach to eating.

This study supports a similar body of research from last year that linked a greater risk of breast cancer among women to a diet high in sugar (especially soft drinks and desserts), the most damaging of all carbohydrates.

Scientists who believe in the carb/cancer link hypothesize that the extra insulin released to process the simple carbs and sugars we ingest far too much of causes cells to divide and also leads to higher levels of estrogen in the blood. Both of these factors (cellular division and blood estrogen) can contribute to cancer.

As for me and my tribe we are minimizing our sugar consumption and staying with the slow digesting carbohydrates such as whole grains, vegetables and especially beans.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gene_D._Millen

Report on Carcinogens
By Lisa Ginger

To help regulate chemicals, the National Toxicology Program issues the annual Report on Carcinogens (abbreviated ROC). This report was ordered by Congress in 1978. By 1978, it was becoming obvious to scientists that both man-made and natural chemicals found in food, drugs and the environment were to blame for many cancers.

The report is put together by scientific experts, who consider all the relevant information about a potential toxin. The information in the report is used by several organizations to regulate potential human carcinogens. A few such organizations include the U.S. Congress, Federal and State agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, private businesses, unions and the general public. As you can imagine, these reports are highly regarded by scientists and government officials alike.

The carcinogens in the report are classified as either “known to be human carcinogens” or as “reasonably anticipated to cause cancer and to which a significant number of Americans are exposed”. The report defines substances “known to be human carcinogens” as compounds directly linked to human cancer. Since actual human studies are not ethical for this determination, scientists rely on human epidemiology and/or studies testing carcinogens on human tissues. If the report refers to a substance as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” that means scientists have seen some evidence in humans and/or enough evidence of carcinogenity in experimental animals.

One of the latest editions of the Report on Carcinogens (9th edition) listed several "commonplace" items. This report listed alcoholic beverages, smoking and chewing tobacco, exposure to second hand tobacco smoke and exhaust from cars fueled by diesel as human carcinogens. In addition, sunlight and the use of sun lamps and sunbeds were also listed as carcinogens.

There are several widely used substances under review for future editions of the report (which may already be out). Beryllium and beryllium compounds have been suggested as “known human carcinogens”. These substances are used in cell phones and fiber optics.

Also under review at the time of this writing is a widely used antibiotic called Chloramphenicol. This antibiotic has been commonly prescribed since the 1950’s. A link between Chloramphenicol and leukemia has been thought to be shown in several human and animal cases. Steroidal estrogens are also on the list. These are used to make oral contraceptives (i.e. “The Pill”) and post-menopausal therapy. A virus that is linked to cervical cancer will also most likely be placed on the list. The virus is called human papilloma virus (HPV). About 95% of all women diagnosed with cervical cancer have been found to test positive for HPV.

Lisa Ginger is a molecular biologist specializing in cancer research. Please take the time to review more cancer prevention articles written by knowledgeable experts at… Cancer Prevention Report -- Our health is our most precious asset.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Ginger

Cancer Risk Affected By Your Lifestyle Choices
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

One in three of the seven million cancer death worldwide is caused by nine potentially modifiable risk factors, according to a study from Harvard Medical School (Lancet, November 19, 2005.) Being overweight causes your full fat cells to release chemicals that cause inflammation that can lead to cancer. Lack of exercise increases inflammation that causes cancer by the same mechanism as full fat cells.

Lack of fruit and vegetables deprives you of antioxidants that prevent cancer. Phytochemicals are substances found in plants that have been identified by researchers as beneficial to humans. We have identified only a few of the thousands of phytochemicals, and we do not fully understand how they work, but many have been linked to cancer prevention, such as capsaicin in peppers, lycopene in tomatoes, sulforophe in the cabbage family, allicin in onions and garlic, and genistein in soybeans.

Smoking exposes you to nicotine that causes blood vessels to grow and nourish cancer cells. Excess alcohol dehydrates cells, which can cause cancer. Unprotected sex exposes you to cancer-causing viruses. Urban air pollution and indoor smoke from solid fuels expose you to carcinogens in the air, and contaminated injections expose you to viruses and other agents that cause cancer. Excessive sun exposure or sunburns increase skin cancer risk.

You can improve your odds against cancer by avoiding overweight, eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, exercising, avoiding smoking and alcohol, practicing safe sex, and avoiding indoor and outdoor air pollution whenever possible. Avoid injections unless they are necessary for health.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabe_Mirkin,_M.D.

Staying in Touch with Joy During Cancer
By Norma Schmidt

I've never met anyone who was sitting around with a bunch of extra time on their hands when they found out they had cancer.

Getting second opinions, researching treatment options, going for treatment and testing, dealing with treatment side-effects -- all these things take time. Cancer disrupts whatever rhythm we had between "getting things done" and taking time for delight.

Yet now more than ever, there's a need for time to stay in touch with the things that refresh us and give us joy.

Traditionally in the West, this time for delight has gone by the name of Sabbath. It involves ceasing from labor and feasting on being and loving, appreciation and delight.

For example, Stage 4 cancer survivor Agi Lidle, one of my radio co- hosts, used her "good days" after her diagnosis to go hiking. Another woman with advanced cancer loved to visit her local casino with her husband during "good" periods.

But even 5 minutes of Sabbath time can brighten a day. You might spend the time praying, meditating, reading, cuddling a pet, listening to music, phoning a friend, journaling, drawing, sitting in a chapel or beautiful outdoor space, or savoring a cup of fragrant tea.

Taking time for joy is a powerful spiritual tool during cancer. If it isn't part of your "spiritual toolbox" yet, why not give it a try today?

TIP: When our schedule is very tight or our physical condition limits our activities, it's fine to start small. Any time we can give to activities that feed our joy will be valuable.

(c) Norma Schmidt, LLC (limited liability corporation)

Pesticides and the Link to Cancer
By Lisa Ginger

Of all the toxic, man-made chemicals found in the environment, pesticides are probably the most widespread. These compounds are used on a large scale by farmers to keep insects from eating their crops and by the everyday suburbanite trying to keep his little patch of lawn as green as his neighbors.

We have the military to thank for the development of the first pesticides. These were derived from compounds such as agent orange and sarin gas. Originally, these chemicals were used as nerve gases, sprayed on enemy troops.

Scientists recognized that at really low doses, nerve gases wiped out insects, but did not seem to affect people or animals. The only problem is, when pesticides are sprayed in the environment they begin to build up and eventually reach toxic concentrations in our water supplies and in the tissues of animals, fish and people too. Over time, these toxins (some of which are carcinogenic) have negative affects on the animal or individual who has ingested them.

As you can imagine, it has been hard to prove that long term, low dose exposures to pesticides cause cancer. It usually takes decades after the exposures for cancer to develop. However, over time, a solid case has been built linking pesticides with cancer and their use has been reduced. There is also an abundance of evidence showing that people who worked with certain pesticides and did not take appropriate precautions became gravely sick (examples; increase risk in worker’s at DDT plants and farmers).

Lisa Ginger is a molecular biologist specializing in cancer research. Please take the time to review more cancer prevention articles written by knowledgeable experts at … Cancer Prevention Report -- Our health is our most precious asset.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Ginger