Cancer Treatment Research

Cancer diseases are common subplots of many soap operas. This is perhaps because of the dramatic effect of cancer in the otherwise very formulaic storylines of soap operas. In reality, however, cancer is not as glamorous or as clinically convenient heroic struggle of the protagonists. The miseries that are brought by cancer to real people are almost indescribable. It is seldom in real life that miracles happen to good people. Like diabetes mellitus disease, cancer does not recognize the moral difference between an innocent child and a recidivist. Cancer does not recognize the value of wealth. Both the poor and the rich are equally vulnerable to cancer.

The hope for a normal healthy life of some cancer patient is sometimes reduced to regular injections of pain killers. Cancer, in its advance stage, does not anymore respond to treatment. Hence, the only option is the relief from pain. However, waiting for death is not the only realistic option for cancer patients. There are instances wherein cancer remission does happen even in terminal cases. You may call it miraculous. You may call it co-incidence. Nonetheless, the reality of the situation is that we still know very little about the mechanism of cancer. Hence, we cannot yet find any effective cure for all forms of cancer.

On the other hand, cancer prevention is much easier than finding a cure. Even though all of us have cancer predisposition, not all of us develops cancer. This is because of our different lifestyles which include diet and social vices such as alcohol-drinking and cigarette-smoking.

Cancer is different from other genetically-linked diseases such as diabetes mellitus disease or hemophilia. Cancer may be lethal, but it is a disease that can be treated completely and effectively in its early stage. Cancer is also unlike microbial or viral infections such as herpes and HIV infection. Cancer is not contagious, although some virus such as HIV may lead to a type of skin cancer. Cancer is caused by both genetic and environmental factors. All of us are actually vulnerable to cancer disease. One environmental factor that can lead to cancer may include radiation over-exposure such as the ultraviolet rays from the sun. Hence, sunbathing may be a good idea of getting a tan, but risking your health for an attractive skin is not very wise. Cancer may also be developed from exposure to harmful chemicals such as acids or alkaloids.

One type of skin cancer is called melanoma. This cancer is the malignancy of the pigment-producing cells of the skin, which are called melanocytes. Melanoma is common in adult but can also be found in children. Melanoma generally develops from mole or pigmentation of the skin. Melanoma then grows as a tumor. Melanoma growth can be characterized by asymmetry and color variability. Melanoma coloration is uneven. The color may range from black, brown, blue and pink. Melanoma usually grows in the most expose area of the face such as the face, neck, and arms.

Aside from talking about what foods to eat, let us discuss the foods that you need to avoid if you have cancer. Generally, foods that make you fat can worsen your illness or increase the chances of you getting cancer.

Meats that are high in fat can cause cancer as much as worsen it. These types of food are not ideal to eat especially when it is deep fried. Actually, anything deep fried is bad for a cancer patient's health. This is because anything fatty is not advisable if you want to get cured. Stay away from red meat. Red meat has carcinogens that can increase your risk of cancer. Cheese, yogurt, butter, margarine and sauces are all high in fats so you'd better stay away from them.

It is also proven that eating cooked food may also worsen your health. Subjecting food to heat may create mutagenic substances in our food that can cause cancer through continuous consumption. It is suggested that cancer patients or those who want to prevent cancer, take a little or none of cooked food, plenty of fruits and vegetables and some raw food from animals that doesn't need to be cooked, like sashimi or egg yolk.

Be sure to be cautious about what you intake as it might determine whether you live long enough to see your grandchildren.

Admittedly, the advancements made in modern medicine have greatly improved our quality of life and expanded our lifespan. The former menace of microbial and viral infections such as tetanus, polio, influenza and chicken pox are virtually wiped-out. Disease diagnoses are now more accurate than ever. Thus, diseases can be controlled and even halted in their early stages. Instruments such as x-ray machines, MRI, and CAT scan have greatly extended the capacity of doctors to detect and treat certain ailments. However, after discovering cures and vaccines for some dreaded diseases, newer diseases arose such as the human immunodeficiency virus. Other old diseases such as herpes infection and the common cold remain incurable.

Cancer is one of the ancient mortal health enemies of man. However, unlike other diseases, cancer is the body turning against itself. Ironically, cancer cells can live and multiply indefinitely. In this sense, cancer cells are immortal. Cancer knows no social class or age. Virtually everyone is vulnerable to cancer.

One common type of cancer is leukemia. Leukemia is commonly known as the cancer of the blood but it is also a cancer of the bone marrow. This cancer is characterized by the abnormal production of white blood cells or leukocytes. One early symptom of leukemia is anemia or deficiency of red blood cell. Anemia is caused by the damage in the bone marrow, which is the site of red blood production. Anemia may lead to shortness of breath and fatigue. Other symptoms of leukemia are enlarged lymph nodes or splenomegaly and bone or joint pain.

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells which reverted back to their undifferentiated state. All body cells came from a single cell which was the fertilized ovum. All body cells, therefore, are genetically identical. How come then that bone tissue is different from neurons? Why is the cardiac cell capable of independent movement whereas skeletal cell muscles do not have the rhythm of the heart? Why is it that the structure of skin is totally different from the cells of the liver? The answer to all these questions is cell-differentiation. During the development stage of an embryo, cells multiply exponentially. The genetic cascade of information, turning on and off at certain stages, programmed some cells to die while some are programmed to specialize. This cell death and specialization are absent in cancer cells.

One diet that has some significant effect in the treatment of cancer is seafood diet. Seafood such as fish, lobster, squids, clams, oysters, octopuses, shrimps, crabs and seaweeds all contain 72 natural trace elements that are essential in cellular metabolism. These trace elements such as zinc, magnesium and selenium can be found in salt forms in the seafood. A daily dietary routine of including at least 4 oz. of seafood serving may have some significant effect in treating early forms of breast cancer, prostrate cancer, leukemia, colon cancer, diabetes Mellitus disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, arthritis and other diseases. The trace elements, in the form of salt compounds, help boosting the immune system in getting rid of the said diseases.

The common perception regarding cancer is that it is always lethal and totally untreatable. Although the cure for cancer is yet to be discovered, it can be effectively treated in its initial stage. Similar to diabetes Mellitus disease, cancer therapy is long-term and holistic. The cells of the body continuously grow and die everyday. Millions of blood corpuscles are destroyed in the liver everyday to be replaced by new blood cells. Skin is shed and another layer grows. Only the neuron cells of the brain are replaced during the entire lifetime of a person. This life and death process that occurs in the cellular level is a mechanism designed to maintain the overall wellbeing of individuals. Cancer cell is actually an immortal cell that reverted into it original undifferentiated state.

There are two types of cancer. The first type is benign cancer or cancer cells that is localized and do not metastasize. Benign cancer or tumor is not very life-threatening and can be treated by simply surgically removing the tumor. The real life threats from this type of cancer are blocking the blood vessels and obstructing organ functions because of its uncontrolled growth. The second type of cancer is malignant cancer. This type of cancer can spread throughout the body through metastasis. Malignant cancer cells may travel through the blood stream and affect other parts of the body. Metastasized cancer is hard to treat. It may require a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy along with surgery.

Medical science advancement has brought new hope and new promises for mankind. The lifespan and the quality of life of human beings today have improved tremendously. Plagues such as the bubonic plague of the Middle-Ages and Influenza Pandemic of the early twentieth century all seem to be just part of a nightmare. Global epidemic seems now more controllable. Nonetheless, medical science still has fallen short of expectations. There are still diseases and global epidemic that still have no cure such as the sexually transmitted human immune deficiency virus that cause AIDS and herpes simplex virus. Medical science might have controlled some diseases but we are still far from creating a Utopian society devoid of ailments.

Cancer treatment is one failure of medical science. Knowledge in cancer treatment today is perhaps comparable to the knowledge of leprosy treatment during biblical times. Some people are even convinced that the only real cure for cancer would be a miracle. The present method of cancer treatment is still crude and sometimes ineffective. Restoring the total health of a cancer patient is not entirely dependent on the physical treatment such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Restoring health is a combination of mind and body treatment. The support of love ones, friends and church is also vital in the well-being and recovery of a cancer patient. Cancer treatment should be holistic in approach.

Asbestos is used in homes to keep in heat and resist fire. It is usually mixed with cement to be used in walls that are set up in houses. It is scientifically described as a fibrous metamorphic mineral of the hydrogen silicate variety.

It was used in burial clothing of Egyptians. There is also an old story about it being used in Charlemagne's tablecloth. Charlemagne threw it in a fire to be cleaned.

Asbestos is a very effective tool in insulating homes. Unfortunately, if asbestos is inhaled and is kept in a home for a long time, it can cause several illnesses, cancer being one of them.

The type of cancer that is caused by asbestos inhalation is called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the cancer of the cells that is around the lining of the lungs, inside the ribs and around the abdominal organs.

Years ago, in the United States, construction workers were exposed to asbestos fibers even when the manufacturers knew it could cause cancer. This incident triggered lawsuits and deaths of many workers. There is now a law that regulates the use of asbestos. It also states that workers should know if they are working near any asbestos fibers or materials.

To prevent yourself or your family from getting mesothelioma, ask your real estate agent if the house you are looking into buying has asbestos on walls. If you know your home has asbestos in its walls, immediately renovate or move to another house.

Mesothelioma, like other types of cancers, can be treated by medical or alternative therapies.

Cancer is a disease that can be successfully treated in its initial stage. Similar to diabetes Mellitus disease, cancer can be prevented through lifestyle modification. Lifestyle modification may include avoiding vices such as tobacco, alcohol and fatty food. Studies have shown that free radicals in salty and high fat diets such as fast food can cause genetic mutations in cells which lead to cancer. Cancer is really a disease that is caused by the uncontrolled replication of cells. This uncontrolled cell replication kills healthy cells. Cancer cells are generally deformed and undifferentiated. They also lack cellular cohesion. This lack of cohesion leads to metastasis or the transfer of a cancer cell from one location to another. The degree of metastasis is also one indicator of patient’s chance of recovery.

Presently, there is still no known cure for cancer. Nonetheless, cancer can be prevented by proper nutrition rich in anti-oxidants. Citrus fruits and green vegetables are rich in anti-oxidants that can prevent cancer. All of us are potential cancer victims. However, the risk of having the disease increases as we grow older. Cancer survival chance during old age is also relatively low. The present approach of treating cancer can be characterized as crude and inaccurate. The three main types of cancer treatment are radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Radiation therapy tries to eliminate cancer by killing cancer cells using focused radiation such as x-ray. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells by binding chemical compounds to cancer cells and preventing their metabolism. Surgery is the more direct approach of cancer treatment. Surgery works by removing cancerous tumors.

Cancer strikes both the young and the old. No matter what is your social status, you are still vulnerable to cancer. Cancer is genetically and environmentally determined. Environmental factors may include everyday food diet. However, there are common risks factors involved in the development of cancer that can be controlled. One risk factor is tobacco or cigarette smoking. Those who are addicted to smoking are more at risk of developing lung cancer than the non-smokers. There are at least one-hundred carcinogens that can be found in cigarette smoke. Carcinogens act by distorting the genetic codes of the cells. When the genes of the cell are modified, they may instruct the cell to multiply exponentially without dying. Hence, cellular growth becomes uncontrollable. This may lead to the developments of tumors which kill healthy cells.

Cancer cells can also travel to the other parts of the body similar to a viral cellular infection. This is termed as metastasis. A metastasized cancer cell can hijack the normal genetic functions of the healthy cells. When this happens, the cancer is said to be already in the advance stage. Advance or terminal stage of cancer has very low probability of treatment response and cancer patient survival. Although cancer may affect all ages there are certain types of cancer that specifically affect either the old or the young. One type of age-related cancer is prostrate cancer. Prostrate cancer commonly affects males aging from 50 years old and above. This type of cancer is incurable although the survival rate of patients is longer as compared to other types of cancer. Prostrate cancer has a slow growth pattern. Usually it may take at least twenty years before the prostrate tumor become life-threatening.

Modern medicine is sometimes called Western medicine. The approach of modern medicine is scientific and specific. On the other hand, we call Eastern medicine as alternative medicine. The approach of alternative medicine is more spiritual and holistic. Modern medicine emphasize is on synthetic aids such as drugs. Alternative medicine recognizes the potency of natural remedies such as herbs. Most doctors will simply dismiss Eastern medicine as simply an outdated and superstitious form of treating diseases.

The success and effectiveness of modern medicine cannot be denied. Nonetheless, there are still diseases that modern medicine cannot cure. When hope for health recovery becomes dim, most people resort to alternative healing. Surprisingly, some alternative healing techniques do work miracles. This is largely because of the principle of alternative medicine of helping the body heal itself rather than directly combating the disease.

Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases. Cancer occurs when the cells of the body stop to die. Cancer cells grow exponentially and also invade neighboring cells. Cancer cells kill healthy cells. This is like the body turning against itself.

Cancer is incurable in its advance stage but can be treated when it is still beginning to develop. The modern medicine strategies to combat cancer are surgery, x-ray radiation treatment and chemo therapy. Meanwhile, alternative medicine’s approach to cancer treatment is usually immune system boosting through proper nutrition and herbal supplements. Meditation is also utilized to condition the mind to will the self-healing of the body. Some therapists may also use acupuncture to relieve pain.

Thyroid cancer is not a contagious disease. One can't get it from another who is inflicted with the illness. However, it doesn't mean that one should ignore any ailments that might be bothering him/her.

Symptoms of having thyroid cancer include pain in one's neck or throat. He/she may also have difficulties in breathing or swallowing. Other things that may be felt by someone with thyroid cancer could include hoaseness of one's voice. It will be difficult for the person to talk in his/her normal voice. He/she may find that a lump has grown in front of his/her neck located near the apple. Lastly, there are swollen nymph nodes by the neck area.

Those with the aforementioned symptoms are advised to see their doctors. The physicians are the only ones who can treat and diagnose thyroid cancer.

Long thought to have no symptoms, ovarian cancer kills about half of the 21,000 who will develop it each year. A new study has focused that early warning signs do not exist and knowing what they are can lead to a cancer diagnosis while the disease is in its first stages, when the cure rate is around 90%. The top 3 signs that say that there's a possibility that you have ovarian cancer are chronic abdominal cramping.

Next is a constant urge to pee. Third one is sudden loss of bladder control. These are early signs of ovarian cancer and there are more signs that lead to ovarian cancer. The best thing to do is not to miss visiting your gynecologist and let him/her know everything that you feel. These early, you should recognize the signs that could save your life

The hard fact (or more like the paradox) of having chemotherapy is that, while it helps patients fight their disease, it nevertheless drains them of their energy. The harder fact is that the situation is not always a break-even battle, and often, patients find themselves in the losing end.

This is where yoga comes to the rescue, that ancient Hindu discipline of proper breathing, myriad postures, and self-meditations to free the mind and expand the consciousness. While it is not likely to boast of being an ultimate panacea for cancer, it can help patients in managing their disease though. Yoga classes can help ease their tensions, galvanize all their spiritual and emotional resources, find purpose in their lives, and at the same time connect with their fellows.

Armed with such inner peace and a determination not to surrender one’s body but to connect with it, in the end it IS the patient who emerges really triumphant after all.

We all know about carcinogenic substances or substances that promote cancer cell growth and we also know that there are some ingredients in our food that can help prevent cancer. An Australian researcher, however, has gone a step farther, claiming that eating too much in itself can directly affect the DNA.

A researcher from CSIRO, the scientific research body of Australia, told a conference of nutrigenomics in Singapore that over-abundance of food can alter the genetic code in humans. Over-eating is a normal in human beings who compensate for lack of food at other times. Too much food can damage one's genes, David Topping said. It is also responsible for other diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease being widespread. Too much nutrition causes production of a type of oxygen that can damage DNA.

Meat is one of the main culprits. Early humans didn't have a regular source for this type of food. The high dietary protein in meat products has been shown to be linked with genetic damage that causes cancer. However, seafood is more attuned to the genetic information of human beings. They are a healthier as well as a more ecological source of protein.

Many people, in a bid to quit smoking, often turn to other alternative smoking products, often with the hope and the promise that these products have less nicotine, tar and smoke than regular cigarettes. However, this might not seem to be the case here.

Bidis are long, hand rolled cigars from India, and they often come in a variety of flavors, from chocolate to root beer. But don't be fooled by their natural appearance, as they contain up to 3 times the nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide of regular cigarettes. Being a long-burning cigar, bidi smokers have greater exposure to these materials than regular cigarettes.

Clove cigarettes come from Indonesia and are either filtered or non-filtered. Although they have lesser nicotine and tar, the porosity of the paper, and the lack of ventilation holes make smoking clove cigarettes as bad as, or even worse than, smoking regular cigarettes.

Hookahs are smoking water pipes that originated in the Middle East. Here, tobacco is filtered through the water and inhaled through the nose. While the water does filter the tobacco, it still does not make it safe to smoke. Nicotine is not filtered, and can become addictive. In addition, gum disease and several cancers have been linked with hookah smoking.

Just when you thought you have gotten rid of HIVs and other sexually transmitted diseases, another possible disease can strike you from behind. I am talking about anal cancer or a cancer that affects the rectal area of the body. Frankly speaking, this is the first time I have heard of such a thing. However, when you come to think about it, is there still a portion of our bodies that cannot be affected by cancer?

Like with any cancer, this anal disease has many symptoms that might be common with other illnesses. Here is a rundown of these indications:

- Occurrence of lump
- Unusual anal bleeding
- Abnormal discharge
- Pain or itching in rectum area
- Bowel movement changes

If you are experiencing any or a combination of these symptoms, it is advisable to consult with your doctor to determine if you have anal cancer or not.

Regarded as a traitor disease, prostate cancer takes its effects even before men notice it. Statistics suggest that prostate cancer ranks only second to lung cancer as the killer of men. What is ironic about this disease is that men who consider themselves as fit are still vulnerable to the disease.

Prostate cancer in its late stages causes a lot of problems to men. The initial symptoms would indicate pain and mild erectile dysfunction. Another symptom is the premature ejaculation even when there are no sexual drives. This type of cancer tends to affect men who are already past their prime. However, there are possible instances when prostate cancer could affect young men.

Although this cancer is curable, certain measures have to done for this to be prevented. A lot of treatment methods would help, but awareness and knowledge of the disease are still the important factors that will lead men to avoid having prostate cancer.

There are many herbal medicines that have been introduced to a lot of cancer patients and who have also been promising them cure from their ailments. There have not been many clinical tests to prove that these all work. One example of these herbal medicines claiming to be able to cure cancer is Chaparral.

This desert shrub is native to Mexico and Southwestern US. The ability of this plant to suppress the growth of other seeds it considers as possible threat to its own growth is perhaps the reason why some people consider it a possible cure for cancer. It might be able to inhibit the growth of tumors inside the body. Chaparral is believed to contain ingredients that might be able to strengthen a person's immune system with polysaccharides.

Although there haven't been much clinical tests to prove that this can actually prevent the growth of tumors in the body, there are still people who ingest this plant in the hopes of curing their diseases.

The colon is the last exit sluice gate for the waste matter but should be the first to be cleansed: this is a protocol for every person wishing to enjoy a cancer-free life. This is because even if you purge your liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, and blood the body's waste will still be lodged in the colon if it is not free of encrusted excretions.

Some of the more common ways to cleanse the bowel system is to take the lemonade diet, use enemas (salt water or coffee enemas), ingest bentonite, work on bowel massage, hydrate the colon (colonics therapy) and take in herbal formulas.

A lemonade diet being the bowel's master cleanser is composed of organic lemons, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and cold water.

CAM stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine which is usually given to cancer patients or to certain serious diseases. Of course there are standard treatment options for all sorts of illnesses specifically cancer. However, CAM is administered at the same time in order to help relieve the pains and symptoms of cancer. They are done, nevertheless, after a careful evaluation of a patient's state and with the permission of a doctor. The following are some of the commonly used complementary and alternative medicines:

Raditional. This employs oriental methods of healing such as homeopathy, acupuncture, ayuverda, naturopathy, Chinese medicine.

Body. This form of therapy is based on the belief that human touch can heal. Examples of this are massage, tai chi, chipropractic, and body movement.

Diet and herbs. Many of the diseases arise due to nutritional imbalance. Hence, aside from medicine, another best way to overcome them is through proper nutrition by eating a healthy and balanced diet.