By Howard Gottlieb

The Relay for Life is an event that has changed millions of people's lives, and this is not an exaggeration. It has given hope to the hopeless and happiness to the unhappy. Cancer is a scary and hard thing to go through. The Relay for Life cancer fundraiser gives millions the hope that we will find a cure. It has given happiness to the people who are facing this alone. When a team is preparing to go to the Relay for Life, there is some certain Relay for Life gear and equipment that they need to bring in order for the team to perform as best as they can.

One very important thing to remember when packing Relay for Life gear is the weather. The majority of Relay for Life events are done outside. The team needs to watch the weather so they will know how to dress appropriately. Many teams have themes and costumes that they where. If it is raining or snowing, this can be frustrating when putting the costume together. So a good tip to remember is to hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

If your team's costume may be ruined with rain, sleet, or snow, come up with a plan B so that the team will know what to do in case of bad weather. The team also needs to have a tent. There are relays that last overnight and through a weekend. If this is the case, the team should pack sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and toiletries. Sneakers, snacks, and water are also needed. Decorations for your campsite are may be needed depending on your theme. You should also bring items such as flashlights, radios, chairs, and tables. Your team will be very active, so whatever your costume may be, you want to make sure that it is as comfortable as possible.

There are also certain items that you shouldn't bring. Grills, fire logs, or anything flammable should stay at home. Pets may also not be wanted. Every relay is different, so check with the event if you have any questions about Relay for Life gear. Alcohol and tobacco products are also discouraged. This is a fight for cancer, so smoking is probably not the wisest thing to do.

Each relay is different for the requirements for Relay for Life gear. If you do have any questions of what you should and shouldn't bring, contact the head of the event and they should have an answer.

By Howard Gottlieb

There are many events and gatherings that people attend in order to help a greater good. For example, there are charity balls, fun runs, cancer fundraisers, auctions or parties. There are hundreds of ways to help raise money for people in need, but there is one way in particular that is spreading like wild fire. It is the Relay for Life, and it is coming to you. This is an event that not only helps to fight cancer, but brings the people involved closer together. A Relay for Life team theme adds the element of excitement and creativity in every group involved.

The Relay for Life event has always been a reason to celebrate life and family. With a Relay for Life team theme, it allows for the group to dress up and get into another character when they might have never been able to. A theme is not required, but is encouraged. A popular theme is the jungle theme. Each member can dress up like a character in the jungle and the slogan can be "Running Wild for a Cure". People can make their own costumes or rent them from a costume store. Making the costumes is more fun for most because they get to use their creativity and inspirations.

Another common theme is the hunter theme. The team can dress up in camouflage and having hunting gear on. Their slogan can be "Hunting for a Cure." These themes are great, but the team can do whatever they would like. You can have an 80's theme, futuristic theme, presidents theme, clown theme, or anything theme that you can possibly think of. There are teams that do not have themes and still have a great time. Another plus about creating a theme is that you are more likely to raise more money. When people hear that you are dressing up like Mickey Mouse or Cinderella, they are more likely to donate more money. More money creates more research which may create a new cure.

Raising money is what the relay started out as, but it has turned into something much more than that. It is a celebration of life and hope. A Relay for Life team theme is not required, but it more fun, raises more money, and brings people closer together. The Relay for Life is growing faster than wild fire, catch on.

By Howard Gottlieb

Cancer takes the lives of hundreds of thousands of people a year. Cancer is not something that only one type of person can get. There is no way to tell who will and will not get cancer. There are ways to help lower risks, but it is still not 100% effective.

That is why the American Cancer Society is raising millions of dollars each year for new research and new cures. With the Relay for Life cancer walk, the American Cancer Society has raised new money and new hope for cancer patients around the world.

In the American Cancer Society website, they explain what the walk is used for:

Relay for Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

This fundraiser has raised millions of dollars for new cancer research each year. Not only is it a way to find a cure, but it is also a special few days that cancer survivors, families and friends can get together and gather hope from one another. Everyone meets people who share similar stories and this makes them feel that they are not alone. If you or someone that you know is interested in becoming involved, there are four different parts that you can be involved in:

• Become a team captain - Fighting cancer is a team effort. The strength of people coming together for a common cause is greater than the strength of one.

• Donor/Sponsor - Relay for Life is a great way for corporations to demonstrate their commitment to fighting cancer in the community.

• Survivorship Activities - Your strength and courage help the community see that cancer survivorship is real-that we are making progress in the battle against cancer.

• Volunteer - Relay for Life is a community gathering, where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. We need your help before, during, or after Relay.

The Relay for Life cancer walk has affected thousands of people. It has given people some financial help that they may not have received anywhere else, and they have also given them a new hope and outlook on life: You are not alone.

By Roy Max

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in the year 2000 there were more than fifty-six (56) million deaths from all types of cancer worldwide. WHO estimates that the number of new cancer diagnoses will increase by 50% to more than fifteen (15) million new cases every year by the year 2020.

According to "The World Cancer Report" a study authored by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) there is an opportunity to have an impact and reduce the number of future diagnosed cases by taking immediate action today to preserve the health of the population, educate and address risk factors that least to cancer diagnoses. "Action now can prevent one third of cancers, cure another third, and provide good, palliative care to the remaining third who need it," said Dr. Paul Kleihues, Director of IARC.

In addition to preventative measures include lifestyle changes regarding healthy diet and exercise, as well as smoking cessation, education on the early detection of cancer symptoms is critical to positive patient resolution and a reduction in cancer morbidity rates.

Stomach cancer symptoms manifest as digestion issues, conditions of acid reflux and abdominal pain. Clinicians have concluded that a bacterium called a Helicobacter Pylori infection caused an estimated 85% of recorded stomach cancer occurrences.

Bowel cancer symptoms can appear as chronic diarrhea or changes in stool behavior either more frequent (diarrhea) or less frequent (constipation). Bowel cancer symptoms can at times be masked by other conditions such as hemorrhoids or Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and can easily be misdiagnosed.

Throat cancer symptoms present themselves in the pharynx which is the hollow tube structure inside the neck that begins behind the nose and finishes where the airway and stomach esophagus begin. Initial symptoms can include a sore neck and open sores (or lesions) which may or may not bleed. Difficulty swallowing and a noticeable change of tone of voice are two throat cancer symptoms that present themselves at the onset. Mouth cancer symptoms can include large tumor growths in the upper-mouth, and around the lips and tongue.

Testicular cancer can be difficult to detect due to the reluctance of men to discuss problems with their testicles with their physicians. Attitudes toward sexuality and impeding sexual performance can be partly attributed to some of the hesitancies expressed by men to both conduct examinations and seek information and treatment.

Uterine cancer symptoms are the most common of all female reproduction system diagnoses and is the fourth most common cancer found in women worldwide. About 95% of uterine cancer is detected in the endometrial tissues inside the uterus with the other 5% detected in the musculature network outside the uterus. Cancer detected inside the tissue of the uterus is referred to as endometrial cancer and 2.6% of women in North America have a probability of developing this condition in their lifetime.

Pancreatic cancer in the United States alone are responsible for more than 40,000 deaths per year. The death rate from the diagnoses and the rate of confirmed cases of pancreatic cancer symptoms are almost equal, with mortality rates equivalent to new cases each year. Pancreatic cancer has the shortest average patient survival time of all types of cancer, with the average life span of a Stage II or higher diagnoses being less than one year.

Patient self-management is key and empowering individuals to be aware of changes and abnormalities in their own personal health is the best source of early detection and prevention of morbidity in cancer diagnosed populations.

By Laura Ancilli

Our body is a wonderful system and its precision in working to keep us healthy and strong is dependent on a balance of the right nutrients and the right environment.

If our daily diet is too unbalanced, or too harsh or indeed too acidic, our body will act promptly to re-establish the balance by using its own internal resources. In doing this our system might become depleted of some nutrients triggering the onset of an illness which will endure until the right nutrients are reintroduced in the body and the balance is achieved again.

A very common and simple example of this is high blood pressure caused by dehydration (there are also other causes of high blood pressure which will be addressed later). If we don't drink a sufficient quantity of water every day the body will source it from the cells and the blood. This will in turn make our blood thicker and cause a rising of blood pressure. The process that starts cancer seems to be similar, even though a bit more complex.

There is a particular type of cells in our body which is called "trophoblast". About 80% of the trophoblast cells are stored in women's ovaries and men's testes and they play a fundamental role in the conception and pregnancy. The remaining 20% of the trophoblast cells are everywhere else in the body and they are used to start a healing process in case of an injury, trauma or illness.

In 1902, John Beard a Scottish embryologist, found that the trophoblast cells are the ones protecting the implanting foetus against the mother's immune system and that, 9 months later when the birth is imminent, some pancreatic enzymes from the baby and the mother cause the destruction of the trophoblast cells and the consequent expulsion/birth of the new life. Trophoblast cells are also known to be multiplying faster than normal cells and to be immune-resistant.

John Beard also found that trophoblast cells are involved in the cancer process, surrounding the cancer and making it multiply and metastasize rapidly if they are not stopped at the right time by the intervention of enzymes. John Beard's theory, also known as the Trophoblast Theory of Cancer, has been researched and studied by many other scientists and we now know that some pregnancy tests which are based on the presence of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) can actually show the presence of cancer in men and in non pregnant women.

One of the possible causes of cancer is that an injury, or a trauma, or a high concentration of toxicity in the body triggers the formation of a cancerous tumour through the intervention of the healing trophoblast cells, but because of nutritional deficiencies our body does not have the enzymes required to finish the work of the trophoblast cells and expel the cancer. Therefore it seems that the deficiency of important nutrients in our diet weakens and often prevents the ability of our body to react to cancer and get rid of it.

A correct and balanced diet which is mainly based on plenty of fresh, raw and possibly organic fruit and vegetables, increases the amount and strength of enzymes in our body and also keeps the pH alkaline Alkalinity creates an environment in which cancer will not grow and cannot survive. Also, the presence of enzymes ensures the correct functioning of the trophoblast cells and the consequent expulsion of cancer.

A predominantly vegetarian diet, with a very scarce use of meat, is fundamental to achieve and maintain a healthy level of pH (7.4) as well as plenty of good enzymes in our body. First of all fruit and vegies are generally high in anti-oxidants which are one of the first barriers of our body against the free radicals, known to cause several diseases including cancer. Secondly many fruit and vegetables actually contain precious enzymes therefore contributing to the enzyme storage of our body. Papain for example, an enzyme present in papaya, is well known in fighting cancer. On the contrary our body needs a huge amount of enzymes to digest meat and therefore eating meat actually depletes the body of enzymes.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only; it should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his/her health should contact a licensed medical professional.

By Troy A Shanks

In case you are thinking about cutting down excess fat, having your cholesterol level in check and also keeping yourself away from diabetic issues, chlorella could be exactly the ideal super food. Research workers have not too long ago looked into the consequences of Chlorella on people who have high-risk variables for chosen lifestyle conditions and discovered that chlorella impacts a beneficial end result by managing gene manifestation. Some other brand new results also have combined with chlorella's remarkable qualifications.

Chlorella is known as a powerful cancer fighter

Chlorella energizes the disease fighting capability and also the generation of interferon, on the list of human body's finest organic protection in opposition to most cancers. Improved interferon generation is considered to activate macrophages, T-cells as well as tumor necrosis component. This leads to the immune system having the ability to fight foreign intruders whether or not they are infections, microorganisms, chemical substances or foreign amino-acids. Chlorella's DNA restoration system has also long been discussed.

A lot of animal scientific studies have recorded chlorella's performance in opposition to most cancers. One particular research included mice supplied chlorella before getting transplanted with breast cancer growths. The final results showed a 70 % survival rate on the chlorella given crew, and then a control team success rate of absolutely nothing.

In one more research, 15 glioblastoma sufferers have been taken care of using great amounts of chlorella, in some instances coupled with radiation treatment and chemotherapy. Glioblastoma is known as the form of lethal brain tumor not too long ago clinically diagnosed in Senator Kennedy. Their overall health and immune system standing improved right away, and so they encountered a 40 % two-year resistance rate, as opposed to regular two year survival rate of 10 % in this form of cancer.

Chlorella facilitates the stability in the body's pH

It truly is thought by a lot of health specialists that sickness gets going and grows fastest in the acidic human body conditions. Any kind of diet plan which is lacking in vegetables and fruit is going to be acidic in nature. The intake of smooth beverages and highly processed fruit refreshments are specifically acid building much like diet plans loaded with meats and uncultured milk products.

Good pH balance is crucial for health, and the entire body would go to excellent measures to keep up the appropriate pH of the bloodstream, by improving the take in of oxygen and also by pushing alkaline mineral deposits out from the bone tissues to use to barrier any excessive level of acidity. This is the reason why ingestion of smooth beverages is related to osteoporosis.

Chlorella happens to be an alkaline food; this means it displays levels of acidity. This stimulates improved bone mass considering that the human body is not really compromising mineral deposits in the bones to produce appropriate acid/alkaline stability. Metabolic functionality is consequently increased. The intake of alkaline foods has long been related to increased immune system capability, kidney performance, substantial vitality, and decreased allergic reactions.

By James Turner

Cancer when caught early can be treated. There are several cancer treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy. These treatments are usually combined together for a successful treatment of cancer. Most of these treatments are aggressive which usually have side effects. Aside from modern treatments, oriental medicine and alternative medicine practitioners have come up with different alternative cancer treatments. These alternative treatments emphasize the use of Mother Nature in the treatment of cancer. There are many alternative cancer treatment centers these days found in many countries all over the world.

Herbal Treatment:

The use of herbs and other plants in the treatment of different illnesses has been tried and tested. Despite the invention of powerful and modern drugs, many people opt to use herbs because herbs usually do not have side effects and adverse effects. Many researches have been done to create the ultimate cure for cancer. To this end, alternative medicine practitioners are also doing their best to find a cancer cure. A highly recommended alternative cancer treatment is the use of herbs for cancer treatment. Some of the top cancer herbs are garlic, red clover, chaparral and Echinacea. Garlic is a very powerful herb which can be used as an anti-bacterial, anti-parasitical, anti-fungal and anti-viral. Those who have cancer should eat at least 3 to 5 cloves of raw garlic everyday. Those whose cancer is already in its advance stage should increase their garlic intake to eight cloves per day. Chaparrals and red clovers also have anti-cancer properties.

Chaparral in particular is a good liver cancer alternative treatment because it has liver stimulants which can remove the toxins in the liver. Echinacea boosts the immune system which is very important when fighting cancer. For those with stage 4 cancers, a popular cancer alternative treatment is the 'grape cancer cure.' This alternative treatment which was developed by Johanna Brandt focuses on the use of grapes for the treatment of cancer. There are other herbs which can be used to fight cancer.

Holistic Cancer Treatment:

Holistic alternative medicine as a cancer cure is gaining popularity. Holistic healing is a kind of treatment which focuses on the person as a whole. This means that the treatment does not focus on the illness alone but on all aspects of the patient's life. The spiritual, social, emotional, mental and physical aspects are all considered in the treatment of the person. Holistic cancer treatment uses different therapies such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, energy-based therapies, counseling, prayer, exercise and many more. All these treatments or therapies aim to restore balance in the human body. In the treatment of cancer, a person's fighting spirit is important. This is where holistic healing as an alternative cancer treatment comes in. It helps a person stay mentally strong while undergoing cancer treatment.

Complementary Medicine:

Complementary medicine refers to different treatments which are used along side with conventional treatments. Examples of complementary medicines are yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, massage and meditation. Some people say that complementary medicine works in the same way a placebo does. However, studies have shown that people who used complementary techniques along with conventional medicine have a higher chance of successfully beating cancer.

There are many other alternative cancer treatments aside from what has been mentioned. Many doctors and people are skeptical about these treatments. However, many cancer survivors who used alternative medicines are living proofs of the effectiveness of these treatments.

By James Turner

Based on research, there are more than 100 types of cancer these days. These types have different causes and they also have different unique characteristics. They have causes, risk factors and signs and symptoms. All types of this disease are chronic and life-threatening although when they are diagnosed early, the rate of survival is also high. Every year thousands of people die because of this terrible disease. All organs of the body can be affected by cancer.

Common Causes

Each type of cancer has its own manifestation. But there are some risk factors which can be associated with all types. One of the most common risk factor is family history. People with a family history of any kinds of the disease are at risk of developing it. In addition, an unhealthy lifestyle can also cause many kinds of cancer. Eating unhealthy foods, and especially those rich in fat, and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to the development of several kinds. Genetics can also play a role for some kinds of the disease. Changes in certain genes can cause some types. Cigarette smoking and too much alcohol intake can also contribute to the development of the disease.

Most Common Cancer

Based on studies done in the US, there are 12 common types of cancer. Lung cancer, which tops the list of the most common type, is also the leading cause of death among men and women. The other common types are bladder, colon and rectal, kidney, breast, and endometrial cancer. The remaining 6 common cancers are melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma leukemia, prostate, pancreatic and thyroid cancer.

Brain Cancer

Brain cancer can affect both adults and children and they can be benign or malignant. Some types of the disease can be asymptomatic which means that they do not have any signs or symptoms. These kinds of brain diseases are usually diagnosed in their advance stage only. There are 8 kinds of brain cancer. This type, which may occur in childhood are: brain stem glioma, ependymoma, visual pathway and hypothalamic glioma and cerebellar astrocytoma. Brain tumor affects adults.

Breast Cancer

Women are basically the ones affected by breast cancer although these days a very small percentage of men can also develop the disease. Based on studies at least 200,000 women are affected by breast cancer in the US. There are five common kinds of this disease of the breast area. There are inflammatory breast, lobular carcinoma in situ, ductal carninoma in situ, Paget's disease of the nipple and invasive breast cancer.

Digestive and Gastrointestinal Cancers

All the organs of the digestive and gastrointestinal system can be affected by the disease. Examples are anal, colon, liver, bile duct, pancreatic and rectal cancer. Other types of the disease under these systems include gallbladder, stomach, small intestine cancer, esophageal and carcinoid tumor.

There are many more kinds of cancer which affects the different systems of the body. For instance, the endocrine system can be affected by pituitary tumor and parathyroid cancer. The genitourinary system can also develop penile, testicular, urethral and bladder cancer. Thousands of women also suffer from gynecologic cancers every year such as cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, vulvar cancer and endometrial cancer.

By James Turner

Cancer prevention is better than cancer treatment. Although there are several cancer treatments options these days, it is still better to prevent the disease from occurring. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other kinds of cancer treatments are effective when the cancer is diagnosed in its early stage. Even with the most advance medical equipment and powerful drugs, it is very difficult to treat cancer in its advance stage. This is the reason why many doctors recommend everyone especially those with a family history of cancer to watch out for the different cancer symptoms and signs. Early diagnosis is very imperative for a successful treatment of cancer. Those who are at risk for any kind of cancer should have a regular checkup. In addition, everyone should be aware of the different signs and symptoms of cancer.

General Signs and Symptoms

There are more than 200 kinds of cancer and each has different signs and symptoms. There are however some general signs and symptoms for which are associated with all types of cancer. The acronym CAUTION is usually used to help people remember the warning cancer signs and symptoms. The C stands for change in the bowel habits while the A stands for a cut or sore which does not heal. The U means unusual discharge or bleeding and the T is for thickening or lump in any part of the body especially the breast. The I stands for indigestion or difficulties in swallowing. On the other hand, O means obvious changes in a mole or a wart while the N stands for nagging cough or hoarseness. These general cancer symptoms should be remembered by every one. If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, you should go to your doctor immediately.

Lung Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death both in men and women worldwide according to cancer statistics as of 2004. Most of the common lung cancer symptoms do not appear immediately. Hence, those who have a family history of lung cancer and smokers should undergo lung cancer tests regularly. The signs and symptoms of lung cancer are shortness of breath (dyspnea), chronic coughing, pain in the abdomen or chest area and coughing up of blood (hemoptysis). Other symptoms are wheezing, weight loss, fatigue, hoarseness and loss of appetite.

Brain Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Some brain cancer types do not manifest any cancer symptoms or signs which is why it is difficult to diagnose the disease in its early stage. There are some warning signs and symptoms to watch out for. They might be caused by other brain diseases but doctors recommend individuals to watch out for them nonetheless. Brain cancer symptoms are usually caused by the presence of the tumor which can cause swelling and inflammation in the brain. The common brain cancer symptoms and signs are headache, difficulty in walking, seizures, weakness and clumsiness. Another symptom to watch out for is changes in a person's mental status such as changes in memory, attention and concentration. Nausea and vomiting early in the morning, speech difficulties, vision abnormalities and gradual changes in the emotional and intellectual capacity of a person are other signs and symptoms to be aware of.

By James Turner

Cancer is not just a physical disease. It affects all aspects of life which is why it is difficult to treat cancer. Cancer patients do not just suffer physically; they also experience psychological, emotional, mental and social pain. This is the reason why cancer treatment does not focus on the physical manifestations of the illness alone. In fact some doctors think that the psychological aspect of the treatment is as important as the physical. Cancer patients who have no willpower to fight the disease usually do not survive even if they undergo the most advance treatments. The psychological effects of cancer cannot be avoided but if a patient remains psychologically strong, he or she can beat cancer successfully.

Cancer Pain:

Pain is one of the worst physical manifestations of cancer. It can be mild or severe depending on the severity of the disease. Some patients feel the pain for a couple of minutes only but those who have advance stage of cancer usually experience continuous cancer pain. Pain can bring about many of the psychological effects of cancer. When a person is in pain, he or she usually feel stressed, anxious, depressed, sad and fatigued. When cancer patients feel stressed, anxious and fatigued, they cannot enjoy life and they cannot concentrate on doing any physical activity. In addition, they are usually irritable and they might sometimes act inappropriately. In many cancer treatment centers, pain management includes the psychological treatment of pain such as cognitive therapy.

Sleep Disruption:

Many cancer patients also suffer from lack of sleep which can also be a result of the emotional and mental stress caused by cancer. Many cannot sleep because of the pain or because they are thinking of the possible negative effects of the disease on them. Getting enough sleep is important for cancer patients because they need this to strengthen their immune system to fight the disease.

Depression:

According to studies, 15 to 25 percent of cancer patients suffer from depression. Depression among cancer patients is characterized by decreased interest in activities, depression most of the time and feelings of worthlessness. They may also feel excessive guilt, lose their appetite and think of committing suicide. Depression is one of the worst psychological effects of cancer. To address depression doctors often use anti-depressants and they also use cognitive behavioral therapy.

Anxiety:

Anxiety is something that humans normally experience when they do not know the outcome of certain situations especially if the outcome is potentially dangerous or negative. Since cancer has no definite cure, it is understandable for cancer patients to feel anxious. The most common reaction of humans to anxiety is avoidance which is a big problem for cancer patients. Due to anxiety, they might avoid going to their treatments and doctor's appointments. Some even do not go to the doctor for diagnostic purposes because they fear what they might find out. To treat anxiety, many doctors recommend relaxation exercises to cancer patients. It is also good to analyze your anxiety patterns. Know the time when you usually feel anxious and take note of any factors which triggers your anxiety. These things can help you overcome the psychological effects of cancer.

By Janice Swederska

Cancer

Cancer...I might as well of said a four letter word. Cancer is in some cases is a topic less discussed than infidelity in a marriage. It is definitely something most people don't think about until it is to late. For instance the smokers who still smoke even though they know the risk they are putting themselves into. Or the sun worshiping individuals who believe sun block will give them a skin disease. With all the evidence in today's world I still find it surprising most people don't know the basic definition for Cancer, an uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.

While most assume that having cancer means a death sentence there are new and innovative technologies which are paving the way for it just to be a speed bump in the road of life. Even though there are more ways to cure cancer, a huge part of this struggle is to do as much prevention as possible. Not smoking and sun tanning is a great way to start but, you should also focus on what is at home if your refrigerator as well. With a ever increasing mortality rate from cancer in obese men and women, a healthy lifestyle with nutrition and exercise is an extremely important step in to prevention of cancer.

Cancer is something which use to scare me, I assumed it was as bad as the plague. It wasn't until someone very close and helpless was diagnosed with cancer, I decided to stop being afraid of this "disease" and learn how to prevent and beat it! This is what brings me to this class. This is the beginning of my road in helping find a way to prevent and cure cancer with research and development focusing on adolescent cancer and chemo therapy. Even though most childhood cancers are not preventable there are ways to make more success stories and a lower mortality rate from risk of infection. I don't believe when a child survives it is just luck I feel it is someone's hard work and dedication which saved that life. With the ever advancing medical technology I truly feel there is a way to maybe not cure all cancer but to put up a winning fight against it.

By James Turner

Cancer is one of man's most feared diseases because of its devastating effect in all aspects of a patient's life. Until now there is no definite cancer cure. Every year millions of dollars are put into cancer research in hope of finding a cure to the different kinds of cancer. Anti-cancer vaccines and drugs have been created but these vaccines and drugs are not the ultimate cure for cancer. Since the cure for cancer is still ongoing, many doctors and cancer experts are recommending individuals to focus on preventing the occurrence of this disease. After all, as the old adage says 'prevention is better than cure.' Lifestyle changes such as having a healthy diet and an active lifestyle are recommended. Both Western and oriental medicine agree that eating healthy foods will definitely help in the prevention of cancer. In addition, some experts have come up with anti-cancer diets to prevent cancer.

Cancer and diet are closely related because it is believed that many foods can cause cancer especially colon cancer. Hence, many doctors recommend individuals especially those with family history of cancer to have healthy eating habits. Many people think that anti-cancer diets are the same as a vegetarian diet which is why many are reluctant to try them. This is not true. There are many kinds of cancer prevention diets which includes various kinds of food.

One of the best ways to prevent cancer is to limit intake of foods high in saturated fat. Saturated fat has low density lipoproteins (LDL) which can boost the growth of tumor cells. In addition, when a person eats foods rich in fat, the liver produces bile to help digest the fat. Too much bile in the large intestine will be converted into apholic acid which is a known carcinogen. Having a low-fat diet does not mean you should not eat meat and other foods which contains fat. It means that individuals should limit their daily intake of fat. Avoid foods which contain hydrogenated fats such as fast foods because these are carcinogenic because of their high saturated fat content. Many doctors recommend fat intake should only be 20 percent or less of the total food calories. In addition, eat foods which are rich in omega 3 fatty acids because it has been proven that these foods actually have anticancer properties. Seafood, legumes, vegetable oils such as olive oil and canola oil are high in omega 3. These are anti-cancer foods.

Another anticancer diet is the high intake of raw fruits and vegetables. Among the many anti-cancer diets, this is one of the highly recommended cancer fighting diet. It has been established that eating raw fruits and vegetables can decrease the risk of all kinds of cancer. Fruits and vegetables contain natural carcinogen blocking agents such as indols, phenols, isothiocyanates, flavones and cumines. The cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, mustard greens and broccoli should be a part of the diet since they can decrease cancer risk significantly.

Colon cancer is one the most common cancer. To prevent its occurrence, a high fiber diet is advised by many cancer experts. Fiber can promote a faster bowel movement which decreases potential contact between carcinogens and the intestine. Fiber also absorbs bile which can also become a carcinogen when it stays in the large intestines for a long time. In addition, fiber also promotes the growth of good bacteria which can also prevent development of cancer. Foods rich in fiber are legumes, whole wheat, beans, whole grains and prunes. The Breuss cancer diet is also very good for colon cancer. This diet emphasizes the use or raw fruit and vegetable juices. Many people who tried the Breuss cancer diet can attest to its effectiveness.

People who cannot imagine becoming vegetarians should not worry. There are many anti-cancer diets which are not wholly plant-based. Although a plant-based diet is the best diet for cancer prevention, eating meat and seafood is still an option. However, red meat should be avoided. Eat lean meat as much as possible. In addition, if possible avoid red meat and eat seafood instead. Lean meat contains less saturated fat. Sea food as mentioned above is rich in omega 3 which can decrease the risk of cancer and prevent heart diseases as well.

By Terry Mattingly

When I started to research cancer after I started to feel ill a few years ago I noticed a few distinct categories.

The cancer would always fall in four to five categories. They are Leukemia, Lymphomas, Sarcomas and Carcinomas. The fifth is Melanomas or just skin type cancer's. Some will say Adenocarcinoma is on the list instead of the skin cancers, so we will just leave it at these 6 categories.

If you are feeling really ill and weak a definite action to take is to rule out cancer especially if the symptoms last for a lengthy period of time. Symptoms to look for cancer would be weakness, paleness, fever and flu-like symptoms that wont go away. This could be a sign of cancer in your blood or bone marrow which is basically your immune system.

Symptoms for cancer in the bones could be the most obvious, bone pain. Common areas for cancer to start are the thigh bones or long bones. Also in the long bones of the arms which is the forearm area. If the bone pain is not noticeable in normal situations like watching TV or walking but is aggravated when picking something up or when walking up a flight of stairs where the legs have to bend and put stress on the thighs, that is definite sign to get yourself checked.

My thigh bone pain is what set me to investigate the possibilities of cancer in my body. I was hiking to a waterfall on my 40th birthday and the bone pain in my legs was getting worse. I had noticed it before but decided to ignore it. That was the tipping point, the pain was too much for hiking rather than just walking around the house and I decided to get myself to a doctor.

I ignored the pain for 2 years because it was slight and it had a gradual build up as I was too busy working to go to a health provider. That was my first mistake, I almost waited for too long to get myself checked. The cancer discovered was Lymphoma that had spread to my bones. The treatments and procedures I experienced to get well and are currently still doing will be shared in another article. The focus for this article will be for symptoms for cancer so you the reader will not avoid what your body is telling you.

Other symptoms to be aware of also are rectal bleeding, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, constipation alternating with diarrhea, weight loss and weakness with pale complexion. These can be general symptoms for many disease but the difference with cancer is they usually get worse and do not resolve itself like the flu will.

As common sense dictates concerning lumps or masses in any part of the body they must be taken seriously. The masses that do not go away and that have a strange type of pain you have not experienced before must be an area of concern for you. I had a small bump on the side of my head above my ear in the hair that kept getting bigger and had pain involved when touched. After a checkup and biopsy it turned about to be a type of skin cancer and was promptly removed. I also ignored this for about two and half years until it got to about an inch in size.

Cancer is very common today with all the chemicals, heavy metals and dyes used in today's goods and food. Knowing this and knowing some symptoms for cancer it should be imperative to protect yourself and the things around you (cancer causing products). To prevent cancer do a self-diagnoses for symptoms and be aware of the chemicals you use and the foods you eat. You are the one who knows your self the best.

Do research on the internet of your symptoms. Don't be afraid to check with your health care provider even if you have to tell them what you have found on the internet concerning what your body is telling you.

I have a growing list of symptoms for cancer that is available for those who might need a quick list to look over.

By Danny Jaggers

Honeybees are highly disciplined teams dedicated to helping each other survive. They make valuable products like honey, wax and something called propolis. Propolis is a Greek term meaning before the city or pro - polis. Honeybees have tunnels and walkways they go through to get inside their dwellings. These tunnels and walkways are made of a resin, something like hardened tree sap, and that material is called propolis. Bees sweat wax, not sweat like we do. This wax is mixed with their saliva and the sap. At this point it becomes propolis.

Entrance and exit tunnels and walkways are built out of propolis. This propolis has antibiotic properties and is used by bees to trap germs, viruses, fungus, dirt and etc. so that they don't track diseases into their dwelling. People have theorized that if we could eat bee propolis then we could kill the germs and things, which try to kill us. Some people sip drops of liquefied bee propolis throughout the day when they have a sore throat or fever or other infectious illness. Bee propolis is also taken in capsule form to help prevent infection.

Bee Pro Polis is also known to fight free radicals which makes it useful as a defender against the aging process and cancer. Can also be used topically to help repair injury and heal wounds. Recently Bee Pro Polis has been researched for use in the dental field as it may protect against dental caries and oral disease due to its antimicrobial properties.

By Sally Wilson

The following is a list to supplement a previous article published in Ezine by the same author, entitled 'ABC Herbs and Plants Used in the Treatment of Cancer'.

These represent some of the many herbs that have been used in traditional medicine over centuries and remain in use even by modern herbalists of our day.

Other herbs have been successfully employed in production of modern medical drugs. The wholesome properties as nature offered us in the raw plant materials, are far superior to the 'active ingredients' isolated from the plant sources and used in drug manufacture.

Many hundreds of herbs are still being researched for effective use in the treatment of different types of cancer and require further scientific approval before general acceptance by the medical profession. Nevertheless increasing numbers of independent doctors dedicated to their professional healing ethic are motivated by the unsatisfactory methods in common medical practice today and are willing to trial 'alternative' methods.

Echinacea angustifolia Echinacea is Dr Vogel's particular recommendation for its beneficial action on the whole body when under stress of cancer or other serious disease. This medicine is followed by many who wish to follow non-invasive methods of treatment.

Ganoderma lucidum Reishi Mushroom has strong anti inflammatory action. It has been used for centuries in eastern medicine in the treatment of cancer. Modern tests show that the powder from the gills or spores of these mushrooms can give as much relief from inflammation as hydrocortisone and aspirin with none of their side effects, whether administered orally or topically. It is regarded as the most valuable cancer remedy in Chinese medicine. It has equal use as a cancer preventive when incorporated into the regular diet.

Glycyrrhiza glabra Licorice Root, Sweetwood is rated highly by herbalists in treating many diseases including cancerous conditions.

Grifola frondosa Maitake Mushroom or Dancing Mushroom is very large in form and the most potent immunio-stimulant amongst all mushrooms. An adaptogen used for cancer, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, HIV infection. Effective in treatment of lung cancer, breast cancer, skin cancers, prostate cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer. In Chinese medicine it also is used for leukaemia and in treatment of fibroid tumours. Its wonderful properties are valued in research for treatment of HIV and Aids.

Lappa major syn Arctium lappa Burdock Root is favoured as a food when young shorts and roots are used in stir fries and the extract is used as a mild cancer inhibitor.

Larrea divaricata Chaparral is a North American cure for cancer which has very high success rate. Leaves and stems are used to make a tea and this is taken - 3 x per day.

Lentinula edodes Shiitake Mushroom has marked anti-tumour activity and prevents cancer recurrence of metastasis after surgery. Shiitake contains lentinan and is taken as tonic and immune booster. Shiitake is an edible mushroom native to East Asia, which is cultivated and consumed in many Asian countries, fresh as well as being dried.

Lycopersicon esculentum Tomatoes contain nitrosamine blockers. Nitrosamine can negatively encourage cancer. It is understandable that tomatoes are highly valued in our diet both as antioxidants and to inhibit cancer. Some genetically engineered new varieties such as the purple tomato are under trial for special benefits. We await results.

Mandragora officinarium Mandrake - the European herb provides a traditional remedy when used with caution. Not to be confused with the American mandrake, Podophyllum peltatum.

Panax ginseng Oriental Ginseng and P. quinquefolium American Ginseng, Xi Yang Shen
One of the most revered traditional remedies to balance the cells of body and brain and particularly successful in treatment of cancerous conditions.

Petasites officinalis syn P. vulgaris Butterbur is perhaps the most important first consideration of herbalists prescribing for cancer in western communities. The famous Swiss Dr. Vogel claims it has remarkable results, even when merely used in conjunction with an improved and natural lifestyle.

Pfaffia paniculata Pfaffia, Suma, Brazilian Ginseng, Amazon Ginseng from the rainforests of the Matto Grosso region of Brazil is known by many common names. The root is used in medicine for treating cancer amongst other diseases. Its action enhances physical immunity and chronic infections. It is proven to inhibit certain cancerous cells and is used as a reliable traditional remedy.

Scutellaria barbata Scullcap is a plant used in China as in western herbalism when S. lateriflora or Virginia Skullcap is used.

Solanum family has many species that offer healing properties as well as needing caution in their use as medicines. Of these, it is Dogbane - Woody Nightshade and Milkweed extracts that have active-compounds useful in treatment of Cancer.

Symphytum officinale Comfrey provides a soothing herb for those suffering cancer of the gastro-intestinal tract.

Tamus communis Black Bryony is highly toxic although used with care by experienced traditional herbalists.

Taraxacum officinale Dandelion leaves are added to salads and the roots grated or taken as a coffee alternative. It is a cottage remedy for liver problems.

Taxus brevifolia Pacific Yew Tree is the source of the new modern medicinal drug 'taxol'
that seemed to offer great promise as a potential cure for cancer.

Trifolium pratense Red Clover is particularly useful in treatment of irregularities of the blood and gaining recognition as a positive benefit in various cancer treatments.

Triticum aestivum Wheatgrass Juice - a little each day of the juice of common young wheat is claimed as a home cure as proven by Anne Wigmore.

Tylophora indica, T. Asthmatica from India and also Australia is a twining plant has an alkaloid shown to shrink cancer in rats. These species are regularly used in traditional medicine in India. In Australian laboratories two alkaloids have been isolated that would indicate its proven benefits in the treatment of cancer.

Vinca major Periwinkle is well known in the successful treatment of leukaemia and some claim in other forms of cancer also.

Viola odorata Violets of several species are used in cancer cures including the famous Hoxsey remedy. Leaves are made into a tisane and used for external bathing and also as internal tonic. It is an ancient remedy for relieving pain as well as to cure tumours.

Viscum album - Mistletoe is an old traditional European cancer medicine to help balance cell metabolism. It is surrounded with legend and implication that gives almost magical healing when the dose is accurately prescribed. It is commonly given in homoeopathic form.

Zeodary, Curcuma zedoaria and Tumeric, Curcuma longa - anti-mutagens and anti-oxidants - anti cancer agents. These are regularly enjoyed in foods and claimed in India to prevent cancer and reduce tumours.
...................

It is not possible to give details beyond this basic outline of some of the herbs and plants that promise success in the treatment of cancer. Nor have we been able to detail how herbs are best employed in self help when cautions must be strictly observed. We suggest you consult a professional herbalist if you need more practical information.

However there is much we can do to help ourselves. We can become familiar with the vast amount of information available on the Web. We can focus upon a study of the causes and known carcinogens and avoid these factors as much as possible.

We can use our common sense in adding natural plant substances to a diet is based upon a predominance of fresh, natural produce and incorporate the culinary herbs that are specific tonics and preventives.

We can also persevere in attempting to align our physical and psychological attitudes in a positive fashion and will be bound to enjoy positive results.

It is a good idea to keep abreast of the most recent 'new' findings of science and modern medicine as research continues all over the world. For instance, a plant receiving much recent attention is a milkweed plant that is yet to be officially identified, found in Central America. There the villagers have used the plant for centuries, not only as a traditional heart stimulant but as a remedy for cancers, warts and similar growths - they call it "cancerillo"!

Traditional Chinese medicine offers no single word to identify what they consider are the many complex conditions and manifestations of the disease that western medicine includes under the one name 'cancer'. In the ancient system of medicine in China, cancer is seen as a complex disease and treated accordingly. Although this philosophy has been shared by western naturopathy for generations it is only now being seriously considered by modern medicine.

So remember, we do not have to suffer surgery, chemotherapy and other medical procedures that cause us to suffer serious side effects in addition to the symptoms directly related to the disease. We have free will that allows us to seek for alternatives and we can do no better than to look to the natural plant medicines used in the various enduring cultures of the world.

These are best applied in conjunction with your doctor.

By Stuart Ben

Cancer, in its many different forms and types is a disease most of us fear. The different types of treatments are not easy to go through, physically and mentally and their success rates aren't always high. Among factors that can affect the treatment's odds and chances to beat the disease, is the extremely important factor of early detection.

No matter what cancer type it is, early detection always increases the odds to beat the disease and clear one's body from the cancerous cells or remove the tumor. Early detection is sometimes critical while it often leads to the treatments beginning in the early stages of the cancer, when the chances that the cancer has spread are still low and that the tumor hasn't had a lot of time to grow. If the cancer hasn't spread, treatment can be targeted in a better way with any kind of treatment available (surgery, chemotherapy or radiation to name a few) and thus raise the chances to expel the cancer from the body.

To detect a cancer tumor in or on our body in its early stages, we must be alert to possible cancer symptoms and basically be attentive to our body. We mustn't ignore abnormalities in our body and dismiss them as "nothing", as me must look into what's wrong and make sure it is "nothing".

There are many different cancer symptoms, as there are many different types of cancer. But there are a few symptoms that are universal and most cancers share.

One major symptom is of course an abnormal growth or lump that appears anywhere on your body. If the specific part of the body is not supposed to suddenly grow, this may indicate there is a problem. Woman can feel lumps in their breasts that may indicate there is breast cancer; thyroid cancer manifests as a lump under the skin which you can see and feel in the neck area, lymphoma will make your lymph nodes larger than they normally are. In Melanoma, the cancer will appear on your skin as a lump, a brown spot or a mole suddenly changing.

Another very frequent cancer symptom is abnormal bleeding. Different types of cancer manifests in unexpected bleeding. Bladder, kidney and prostate cancer can cause blood to appear in the urine, colorectal cancer causes blood to appear in the stool and endometrial and cervical cancer can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, both during menstrual periods and between them. Lung cancer can cause one to cough up blood or for blood to appear in the sputum and leukemia can cause excessively bleeding. Once one is experiencing unusual bleeding, they should have it checked out.

Different types of cancer also cause the universal symptoms of sudden weight loss or weakness and fatigue. Cancer can cause an unplanned drop in your weight for no apparent reason, as it can be accompanied by a loss of appetite, but not necessarily. Most cancers also can cause unexplained weakness and tiredness and one will not understand why.

In addition to general cancer symptoms as mentioned, there is always the subjective symptom of sudden unexplained pain in a certain area of the body. One may experience pain in the pelvis area from prostate, cervical and endometrial cancer. Bladder cancer can cause pain during urination, colorectal will cause pain in the stomach as will pancreatic cancer, lung cancer can cause chest pain, thyroid Cancer can cause pain in the neck and throat and your leukemia may cause bone and joint pain.

It is important to understand that any of these cancer symptoms mentioned above do not mean that anyone experiencing them necessarily has cancer. These are also symptoms that can be caused by different and other conditions then a cancerous tumor. However, if one of these does appear, it is important not to neglect it and have a doctor examine the problem.

By Stuart Ben

Whenever one hears about 'Cancer Treatments' they immediately think of the words: 'chemotherapy' and 'radiation'. It is unknown to most how a cancer patient's treatment is specifically determined. Patients do not know when will one receive chemotherapy or radiation treatments (or maybe both) and when one will undergo surgery or maybe none of the above as they will be introduced to additional treatment options.

Firstly, it should be known that each cancer patient receives a personal tailored treatment plan, according to his or her cancerous tumor. When an oncologist approaches a patient in order to start planning his treatment regime we will look in to a few different factors including the location of the cancer, the stage of the cancer, has it spread to other organs, the size of the growth and the specific type of the disease. In some cases the oncologist may also take into consideration the age and general health of the patient and in women, the doctor can take into consideration future procreation preferences. Once all this is known, the oncologist will design a treatment plan designated for the patient.

Surgery is one main option for cancer removal, depending on the tumor of course. Not every cancer is operable as it depends on the stage, size and location of the growth. If the cancerous cells are accessible and the tumor is still in its early stages, then the surgeon will prefer to try and remove the whole tumor at once, pending on the fact that the cancer hasn't spread. Sometimes, if the infected organ is not vital to the patient's life (a kidney or the uterus for example) then it is possible the surgeon will want to remove the whole organ that contains the cancer. Sometimes there can be a partial removal of organs with the cancerous cells.

A surgery can be accompanied by additional treatments and may not be enough by itself. These additional treatments can include chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to try and kill the cancerous cells in the patient's body. The drugs are usually given in cycles that are supposed to maximize its affect which is to stop or slow down the growth of the cancer cells in the body. The specific type of chemo drugs is decided based on the type of cancer, whether you've gone through chemotherapy before and other health problems you might have. As stated above, chemotherapy can be the only cancer treatment; however, it will usually be given along with surgery, radiation therapy, or biological therapy.

Radiation therapy describes the use of high-energy radiation (x-rays or gamma rays) to shrink tumors and destroy cancerous cells. The radiation destroys the cell's DNA and cells with damaged DNA stop dividing or die. The rays are delivers by an external machine or from a radioactive device temporarily placed within the patient's body. As with chemotherapy, radiation is often given along with other types of treatments.

Beyond these three most common treatments, there are additional types of cancer treatments. Biological therapy, similar to chemotherapy, fights cancer with the use of drugs. However, biotherapy works with the immune system and helps the immune system cells fight cancer while chemotherapy directly attacks the cancerous cells. Thyroid cancer is treated sometimes with the use of radioactive Iodine I-131 which is absorbed into the bloodstream with the intention to begin destroying the gland's cells and there are also hormonal treatments that are supposed to balance hormones that encourage the growth of cancerous cells in the body

As a final counter measure, cancer patients should always inquire about experimental treatments and try to get in to clinical trials designated for cancer patients.

By Funom Makama

The aim of therapy is to reduce the tumor mass within the shortest possible time and to destroy the remaining cells and prevent them from multiplying and disseminating. This ideal is possibly achieved only in the case of very few cancers but in the majority of cases this is not possible due to:

1. late diagnosis
2. presence of secondaries early in the disease
3. surgical risk, and
4. toxic effects of radiation and chemotherapeutic agents.

Surgery and radiotherapy are most effective to reduce the initial tumor load. These are the prime modalities of treatment in solid tumors. In the case of disseminated neoplasms like leukemia and myeloma and in the case of some rapidly growing tumors like trophoblastic tumors, chemotherapy has to be employed as the first line of treatment.

Radiotherapy
Tumor cells are more radiosensitive as they proliferate faster than normal cells. Radio-therapy may be given as the only modality of treatment or combined with surgery and chemotherapy. With the advent of highly sophisticated equipment such as the linear accelerator, large doses (5000-6000 rads) may be focused on deep seated tumors with only minimal injury to adjacent tissues. Therapeutic efficacy of radiation is enhanced by exposure to hyperbaric oxygen and radiosensitizing drugs such as metronidazole.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the sheet anchor of therapy in leukemia, advanced lymphomas, chorio-carcinoma and other widely disseminated malignancies. It is combined with surgery in embronal tumors and used as the primary treatment in advanced cancers not amenable to surgery or radiation. The effectiveness of cytotoxic drugs is directly proportional to the inversely proportional to the number of cancer cells. Prior reduction of tumor mass by veness of chemotherapy. Cytotoxic drugs are nonselective and affect all cells which are in certain phases of their proliferative activity.

Commonly used anticancer drugs
alkylating agents
They form electrophilic ions making covalent bonds (alkylation) with guanine residues leading to cross-linking of DNA strands and interference in DNA replication.
1. cycclophosphamide, Endoxan, cytoxan: 10-150 mg oral daily or 1g/m2 every 3 weeks. Most important side effects are cystitis and marrow suppression.
2. Nitrogen mustard, mustargen: 6 mg/m2 infusion/intravenous. S.E could be Local inflammation.
3. Phenylalanine mustard, Alkeran Melphalan: 6 mg/m2/d oral for 5-10 days, every 4-6 weeks intravenous or oral.
4. Chlorambucil Leukeran: 0.1 mg/Kg/day.
5. Busulfan Myeleran: 4-12 mg/day oral. Most important side effect is primary fibrosis.
Antifolates
They inhibit dihydrofolate reductase; tetrahydrofolate is not produced; one carbon unit is not available for DNA synthesis. An example of such drugs is Amethopterin Methotrexate. Dosage is 5 mg/day oral or 30 mg/ m2 intravenous twice weekly. S.E could be Marrow suppression; hepatic and renal toxicity.
antipyrimidines
Inhibit thymidylate synthetase and thus DNA synthesis. Example of such is 5-fluorouracil. Dose is 15-20 mg/Kg/ week intravenous; maximum dose is 1g. Important S.E are gastro intestinal disturbance and marrow suppression.
Also inhibit deoxycytidine and DNA synthesis and a good example is Cytosine arabinoside and Cytosar Ara-C cytarabine. Normal does is 100 mg/day intravenously.
Antipurines
Interfere with purine biosynthesis and interconversions.
1. 6-Mercaptopurine Purinethol (Hypoxanthine analogue). Dosage is 2.5 mg/Kg/day Oral. Most important S.E is Hepatoxicity and marrow suppression.
2. 6-Thioguanine (Guanine analogue): 2 mg/Kg/day/oral.
Vinca alkaloids
Derived from periwinkle (Vinca rosea) plant. Interfere with microtubule assembly in mitotic spindle formation.
1. Vinblastine Velban: 5-15 mg/m2 every 1-2 weeks intravenous. Side effects are mental depression, Local inflammation and marrow suppression.
2. Vincristine Oncovin: 0.5-2 mg/m2 every 1-2 weeks intravenous. Side effects are Peripheral and autonomic neuropathy; alopecia and local inflammation.
Antibiotics
Inhibiting DNA directed RNA synthesis.
1. Actinomycin Dactinomycin Cosmegan: 12-15 g/Kg/day for 5 days for 2-4 weeks intravenously. Side effects are Marrow suppression and local inflammation.
2. Bleomycin: 1-5 mg/day intravenous or intramuscular maximum 300 mg/m2. Side effects are: Pulmonary fibrosis with minimal myelo-suppression.
Also can inhibit DNA synthesis. Examples are as follow:
1. Daunomycin, Daunorubicin, Rubidomycin and Adriamycin: 60 mg/m2 intravenous 3-4 weeks. Main side effect is Cardiotoxicity.
2. Mitomycin-C and Mutamycin: 20 mg/m2 intravenous every 4-6 weeks. Local inflammation and marrow suppression are common side effects.
Enzymes
L-asparaginase depletes asparagine availability; inhibits protein synthesis. A good example of a drug under this category is the L-asparaginase. Dosage is 1000 IU/Kg/day intravenous. Common side effect is Allergy-coagulation defects.
Nitrosoureas
Inhibit nucleic acid sythesis. A good example is the Cyclohexyl Chloroethyl nitrosourea (CCNU). Dosage is 100 mg/m2 oral every 4-6 weeks. Delayed marrow suppression is the major side effect. Also, Bis chloroethyl nitrosourea (BCNU): 200 mg/m2/intravenous every 4-6 weeks.
Hydrazine derivatives
Damages DNA through peroxide formation. A good example is Procarbazine methylhydrazine. Dosage is 50-100 mg/m2 daily. Orally for 10-14 days. Side effects are Myelosuppression and CNS depression.
Imidazole derivatives
Mechanism uncertain probably alkylation. Dimethyl triazenoimidazole carbodamide (DTIC) and Dacarpazine. Dosage is 150-250 mg/m2 intravenous for 5 days. Myelosuppression.
Platinum complexes
Inhibit DNA synthesis via crosslinking. Good examples are Cis-diamino dichloroplatinum. Cis-platinum. Dosage is 100 mg intravenous. Once in 3-4 weeks. Side effects are Rnal toxicity and ototoxicity.
Hormones
1. Androgens e.g, Testosterone: 300 mg weekly and intramuscular. Major side effect is virilization.
2. Estrogen e.g, Diethyl stibesterol: 5-15 mg Oral daily. Its side effect is Feminisation.
3. Progestogens e.g, Medroxy progesterone acetate (Provera): 300 mg daily orally. Its side effect is mainly withdrawal bleeding.
4. Anti-estrogens e.g, Tamoxifen (Nolvadex): 20-30 mg daily, Orally.
5. Adrenocorticoids e.g, Prednisone: 40-60 mg/m2 orally per day. Side effect is Cushingoid features.
6. Thyroxine e.g, Eltroxin: 0.1-0.3 mg daily, orally. Major side effect is Hyperthyroidism.

By John Hayes Jr

A cancer diagnosis is terrifying.

The questions, the fear and the concept of facing their own mortality are enough to paralyze even the strongest individual.

In the not so distant past, the standard was surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation or some combination of the three and that was it.

Then the patient played the waiting game to see what, if anything, worked.

What people didn't realize was that the end of a course of chemotherapy was not the end of the healing process. They would be dealing with the lasting effects of chemotherapy long after their hair returned and the nausea ended.

And one of those lasting effects is post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy.

Fortunately for the chiropractic community, cancer patients are quickly learning that chiropractic, nutrition and often the correct forms nerve stimulation when combined in the hands of a skilled chiropractor can help alleviate the symptoms of their post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy.

The post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patient is becoming an enlightened consumer of complementary therapies that go beyond traditional medications and standard medical treatments.

A new-enlightened approach to treating their peripheral neuropathy symptoms gives the chiropractic community an ever-expanding patient population to serve. Treating these patients who have already walked through an experience most people live in fear of can be incredibly rewarding.

To get them in your office though, you need to show them exactly how your chiropractic and specialty care can improve their quality of life. It's not just about marketing the traditional chiropractic care that people associate with whiplash or sports injuries. It's about educating the potential post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patient on a three-pronged approach to their medical issues:

First, Chiropractic- It's Not Just About Adjustments

Chances are that your potential post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patients have never been treated by a chiropractor. They may think they know what a chiropractor does but they may not understand everything that chiropractic can do for managing their condition.

Traditionally, chiropractors have been associated with treatment of injuries and illnesses affecting the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. In educating the post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patient, recognize that they can be dealing with gait problems, muscular weakness or even issues caused by radiation. The stress of dealing with any of these conditions cannot always be addressed by standard chiropractic techniques

Chiropractic by itself cannot prevent or cure cancer, but it can help the post-chemotherapy neuropathy patient deal with the symptoms and pain associated both with their cancer and their course of treatment. Often, by carefully mobilizing the spine and related tissues, we stimulate a healthier nervous system and that's a basic building block for regaining their pre-cancer health and alleviating their nerve pain.

Nutrition

Chemotherapy and other cancer medications can wreck a patient's digestive system. In the process of killing cancer cells, it can also damage healthy cells and that's what brings on the side effects of chemotherapy. This can affect not only affect their ability to eat but also prevent the body from getting the nutrients it needs.

Talk to your post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patients about their nutrition issues. They can be dealing with any number of symptoms ranging from nausea and loss of appetite to dry mouth and changes in their sense of taste and smell. Offering nutrition information and dietary planning services is another way to serve this patient population. Good nutrition will boost the immune system and let it do its job in fighting off illnesses brought on by chemotherapy.

Potential post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patients may not realize that this is an area of their recovery you may help with. So, if you are trained in this specialty, make sure you include nutrition information in your patient education materials. Post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patients need to make sure they're getting nutrients to prevent or reverse nutritional deficiencies, lessen the side effects of treatment and improve their quality of life. Without appropriate, simultaneous nutrition, other treatment protocols have no chance of success.

Appropriate Nerve Stimulation

Once a course of treatment has been designed and a nutrition plan established, the final piece in the overall treatment of the post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patient treatment plan is nerve stimulation.

There are some nerve stimulation techniques to help peripheral neuropathy patients.

But some are potentially harmful. Misapplication is dangerous. Learn the correct ways, and then educate your potential post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patients on the options available to them.

Some patients may have adopted an attitude of "I went through chemotherapy and my cancer is gone. I shouldn't complain about nerve pain. I should just be thankful to be alive".

What they need to know is that they don't always have to just live with sleeplessness, pain, and balance and walking issues secondary to their treatment. Your chiropractic practice, when specially trained and equipped can offer them hope for a more normal life without debilitating pain. Yes, they survived cancer but they can beat their post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy, too.

Precise combinations of chiropractic, nutrition and often nerve stimulation are showing great promise in helping post-chemotherapy peripheral neuropathy patients return to a pain free life, without the debilitating effects of neuropathy.

Serving this courageous patient population can be incredibly rewarding. But it is a subspecialty that takes some study and time to learn.

When you are ready, let them know you're there to help them.

By Asfand Asfi Mudassir

Almost all of the recognized cancer can be avoided by simple change in lifestyle. Diet, physical exercise, and deterrence associated with vices may significantly decrease your risk to using most cancers but for most of us, we are surrounded by great temptations that we frequently regret later in everyday life. But, it is never past too far to change. The following are ways to lower your risk of getting most cancers.

Look at your water and ensure it's strained correctly. Drinking water should be secure and free from chemicals and carcinogens that may later place you in danger of most cancers. Regular alterations in your own water filtration ought to be done.

Drown your own meat with marinate prior to putting them on the surface of the grill. Marinating your meat along with herbal treatments such as thyme assists combat most cancers compounds found on burned meat like hetero-cyclic amines. The actual herbs have antioxidant substances which are most likely to tear down most cancers danger.

Caffeine reduces the risk associated with mind cancer by 40 percent. The actual antioxidants present in coffees help put brain most cancers lower. Research also displays that coffee drinkers tend to be less likely to develop oral cancer too.

Drinking water is the best method to consider toxins and other carcinogens out of the program. Through drinking Eight portions of drinking water every day, a person lessen the power of chemical substances stuffed inside your vesicle making it much easier for the entire body in order to get rid.

Magnesium is crucial towards the formation associated with cells which is an integral part of cancer. Without magnesium, tissue type unmanageable which leads to malignant ones. Have a healthy dosage associated with the mineral magnesium through repairing a greens filled with vegetables.

Block skin cancer through choosing the right color of your clothing. Red-colored as well as blue colored shirts are able to safeguard your much more in the sun's severe rays than additional color. Apply sun blocks as well as skin lotions if you should proceed outdoors.

Whole milk, the very best known supply of calcium, is the ultimate key to preventing colon cancer. Consuming 3 8-ounces glasses of whole milk every day or even 2 to 3 portions of natural yogurt can help reinforce the body against intestinal tract most cancers.

By Diana Jo Rossano

We are a nation that wants a fast fix for everything. Americans eat for face entertainment. We have to keep throwing water on our silverware to keep it from over heating.

But, there is preventative action everyone can practice. The American Cancer Society says to eat five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Do we listen? No.

Here's a dietary suggestion from the Orlando Dancing Doctor - don't eat anything you can't pronounce. The front of the label on foods you eat is the "adver-teasing." The contract on foods in the grocery store is your "ingredient list." The large print giveth, and the small print taketh away. Save your life - read what you are eating.

A popular ingredient in foods today is called, "natural flavor." Okay, what's the meaning of natural? A plastic comb isn't natural because plastic is NOT found in nature - thus unnatural. A wood comb would be natural because wood is found in nature - we call them trees - right? Natural should mean "found in nature" or "no added ingredients" --- right?

Well, the FDA has allowed food manufacturers to be vague when they list their ingredients by name. Food manufacturers are famous to make up their own vocabulary - and that's how they came up with the words, "natural flavoring." Totally fictitious.

All flavoring is a chemical and alters your brain to "think" the food tastes better. Now, think about this for a second, how can you add "natural flavoring?" If you add something, then the food is no longer natural. Right? That would mean that "lemon flavoring" is NOT from a lemon, but from a chemical that tricks your brain into thinking it tastes like a lemon. Believe me....chemicals are a cheaper ingredient than adding real lemon juice. Food manufacturers save a nickel on your food and that could make a difference of millions of dollars to their bottom line.

So, I started this article saying, "the best anti-cancer drug" - what is it? It's the natural drugs found in real food you can identify in the fresh section of your grocery store that have NO labels. Dr. David Besser on Good Morning American said that the new suggestions by the FDA are to eat eight servings of fresh fruits and veggies every day - that up three from the American Cancer Association!

Hey you!! That's the secret weapon, your Creator made it for you. If you believe in evolution, then you evolved with your food - stop eating foods you cannot pronounce. The best cancer weapon is on the end of your fork.

By James Turner

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer which occurs on the cervix of a woman. It usually progresses slowly until it becomes an invasive cancer. An invasive cancer means that the cancer cells can spread to other parts. In the case of cervical cancer, the cancer cells will affect the vagina, rectum, bladder, lungs and liver. This kind of cancer can be treated when caught in its early stage.

1) Causes and Risk Factors

Some of the risk factors for cervical cancer include previous infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), multiple sexual partners, taking oral contraceptives, early sexual contact and cigarette smoking. There have been studies done which establishes a strong link between HPV and the development of cancer in the cervix. Early sexual contact and multiple sexual partners contribute to the development of cancer because HPV is transmitted sexually. Cigarette smoking is also a risk factor because the chemicals in the cigarette can cause precancerous changes in the cells of the cervix.

2) Signs and Symptoms

Many of the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer are often neglected because many women think that they are related to other illnesses. This form of cancer can also be asymptomatic, which means that it does not manifest any signs and symptoms in its early stage. The cervical cancer symptoms to watch out for include unusual heavy discharge and abnormal bleeding. The discharges are usually foul-smelling, thick and watery. Pain during urination is also another symptom but this usually occurs when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Pelvic pain which can be mild or severe is another symptom. Other signs and symptoms to watch out for are bleeding after sexual intercourse and bleeding in between regular menstrual period.

3) Diagnosis

Cervical cancer diagnosis in its early stage is very important for a successful treatment of the cancer. One of the most essential diagnosis method used to detect this cancer is the Papanicolaou test also known as Pap Smear. Other diagnostic procedures include cervical biopsy, colposcopy (examination of the cervix with the use of a specialized microscope) and x-ray.

4) Treatment

Cervical cancer treatment as mentioned above has a high percentage of success when the cancer is detected in its precancerous stage. Hysterectomy or removal of the uterus is the common treatment. A cone biopsy is also an option especially for those who want to remain fertile. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are also done together with other treatments.

5) Prevention

Cervical cancer can be prevented. One preventive measure women should do is to get a regular pap smear. Since the introduction of Pap smear, the occurrence of cancer of the cervix has significantly decreased. Pap smear is available in most cancer clinics and hospitals. If your Pap smear result is abnormal, you should follow-up to ensure that you do not have cancer. Since smoking is one of the risk factors of cervical cancer, women should not smoke and avoid secondhand smoking. Safe sex is also very important in the prevention of this cancer. Sexually active women should always ask their partner to use a condom. In addition, limit your sexual partners. This does not only prevent cervical cancer but other sexually transmitted diseases as well. HPV vaccines are also available these days which is given to women who are 27 years old or below.