Questions About Cancer
Cancer, a powerful word that nobody wants to hear in connection to anyone they know, let alone themselves. Most of us don’t want to think about it feeling confident that it won’t connect with us. The truth is all of us are affected by cancer, with a good chunk of us having a form of it at some point in our own lives. Prevention then becomes a matter of education and understHow do you prevent it? How to do you help others deal with their cancer? What to do when you hear the words in connection to yourself? Those questions are answered below, along with regularly updated information from our newsletter to keep you posted of well informed good remedies and preventive measures.
What is cancer?
Our whole body is made up of cells, in a healthy body cells divide at a controlled rate to replenish dying or damaged cells. Cells divide and multiply, when they are produced at an accelerated rate a mass or tumor is formed, a tumor is either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A benign tumor is usually treated or removed due to pain it may cause or interference in body function. A malignant tumor can grow slowly without any possible sign or symptom or can grow very quickly and can be very painful. Either way a malignant growth can spread to other organs and is life-threatening if left treated.
Normally when DNA is damaged or abnormal, our bodies have the ability to deal with it, it will destroy and removed these abnormal cells before it is ever a problem. When cancer grows it is because the healthy DNA has been destroyed. This abnormal cell will then keep multiplying and quickly metastasize. We don't know exactly what it is that sets off this chain of reactions and everybody’s body responds uniquely, many different combinations will attribute to cancer forming. It is it's own recipe of genetics, behavioral, environmental, mental and lifestyle factors that are involved. Things that have contributing affect on cancer are either inhibitors (things found in fruits and vegetables) that are believed to slow the process while promoters (smoking, obesity, drug use) that speed up the process. Possible contributors are divided up into three categories:
External - Unhealthy living, work or recreational environment, exposure to pollution, chemicals, pesticides and herbicides.
Internal - This would be your genetics, infections, disease or current health conditions.
Lifestyle - The very thing we personally can most readily control and are what doctors and scientist account for the largest portion of cancers, with 65% of cancer deaths from having an unhealthy lifestyle. This includes poor diet and obesity, smoking, drinking, sun exposure, lack of exercise and other unhealthy lifestyle elements.
Research shows these three things (external, internal and lifestyle promoters) have in common, increased exposure to free radicals. Factors in our lifestyle can increase our exposure to free radicals, things like smoking and poor dietary habits impair our immune system. The result of these promoters is cancer, however cancer is not just one common condition, there are many, and most cancers will fall into one of the following categories:
Carcinoma - Cancer that affects the skin, mucous membranes, glands and internal organs.
Leukemia - Cancer of the blood and their forming tissues.
Sarcoma - Cancer that affects the muscle, connective tissues and bones.
Lymphoma - All cancer of the lymphatic system.
What are symptoms of cancer?
There are more than 200 different types of cancer, all are unique to what causes them and their symptoms. It is difficult to pinpoint any one symptom to any one disease or cancer. However if you find you are experiencing anything that is abnormal for you personally, you need to contact your doctor immediately. Some of the early warning signs can include but are not limited to the following:
A sore that does not heal
Change in bowel or bladder habits
Change in mental and cognative function
Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
Nagging cough or hoarseness
Obvious change in a wart or mole
Thickening or lump in breast or under the skin
Unusual bleeding or discharge
What can I do?
According to the American Cancer Society, half of all men and one third of all women in the United States will develop some form of cancer in their life. The ability of to decrease that chance and for methods to treat cancer are on the move today. Millions of people are able to live with, are survivors of or have reduced their risk of cancer by developing a healthy lifestyle. A good nutritional and supplement program is recommended to help increase the chances of preventing, recuperating and remission. Diet, nutrients and supplements are discussed under the Nutrients & Diet for Cancer & Prevention tab.
How can I prevent cancer from forming?
With all the threats and concerns in the world, the last thing you want to affect your life is the internal disease of cancer. If you don't already have cancer or know those who are looking for ways to stay away from it, here are 8 keys to cancer prevention;
#1 Don't smoke - 87% are lung cancer deaths, and about a third of all cancer are caused by smoking in some way shape or form. In addition to lung cancer, smoking increases the risk of other cancers, such as; cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas, uterus, bladder, cervix and kidneys.
#2 Eat your fruits and veggies - Cutting down meat reduces your risk of cancer. About a third of cancers are caused by the 'All American Diet', which contains lots of meat, high fat foods, animal products and sugar. Your fruits and veggies are chalked full of antioxidants which prevent free-radical damage.
#3 Get more exercise - Obesity is a huge player in all kinds of diseases, including cancer. Getting regular exercise reduces body weight and helps maintain healthy weight, organs, bones and burns off stagnation.
# 4 Take your vitamins - Supplements are not to be used instead of good nutritious foods, they are used in addition to a healthy diet. Get only good quality supplements. Yes, you may have to pay a little more for less, but your body and health are at stake if you really want to take that gamble... it's your call.
# 5 Avoid over exposure to the sun - True there are certain vitamins we get from the sun that are beneficial, such as vitamin D, and our mental function works better when the sun is out. However, if you work out in the elements, play outside for hours on end or even tend to the yard for an afternoon, wear some sort of sun protection.
# 6 Be informed, don't be in the dark - Become a researcher of your environment. Read food labels, health and nutritional information, and life stories of those who battle cancer. Know and understand what it is about before it happens and hopefully you will be able to support others when it happens to them.
# 7 Avoid exposure to environmental toxins - Chemicals, toxic waste, drugs, pesticides, radiation from nuclear power plants can all contribute to cancer. Make note of where you live, what you work around and make necessary changes in your life to get as far away from these things as you can.
# 8 Limit your alcohol consumption - Alcohol no matter what its form contributes to cancer of the mouth, esophagus and breast. If alcohol is kept in moderation and drank on occasion instead of part of your daily diet, it can have a safe place in your life. A glass of red wine is used to raise your good cholesterol, and can have benefits for the stomach. However the over use of alcohol is detrimental to the body as a result, cancer lives in those environments.
I know I have cancer what do I do?
Getting the news that you've just been diagnosed with cancer is like driving your car into a cement wall, you have just received the worst news that you ever want to hear, you are bound to be numb, afraid, angry, terrified and scared. First of all, take a deep breath. Do so by taking a walk, getting a good nap, do something that will help you relax to the point that you can regain some sort of clear thinking. Having your wits about you is so important to your success. This may not happen the same hour, day or within a couple days. Yes you will need to make some important choices, but you will most likely not need to make a life altering decision in 1 hours time.
Don't rush out for the first treatment offered there are many options, gather information on every possible thing that you can do, and have others help doing so. You are going to have lots of people insisting on the best possible way to treat your cancer. Be informed of all possilble options and make the decision for yourself.
Try making a list of people you want to talk to about the situation. Don't be intimidated or overwhelmed by what you find and who responds to your needs. Close friends or relatives tend to be kind help but at times may be the most intimidating individuals. So carefully select those you want in your decision making group. These people will be able to be objective, resourceful and support your decisions. Once you gather the information you need from reliable resources, read all the information carefully. Then make your plan of action. Once the plan is set, write it down, make copies and give a copy to everyone involved, including all your doctors, so that they are clear of how you wish to proceed.
Set your limits, you can only do so much and you will only feel well enough to do all that you can do. This will also help you keep a clear mind, calm spirit and less tension with fewer awkward situations. For more information on Nutirients & Diet for Cancer & Prevention or for self help items see Try This for Cancer, under the heading for cancer. Also see Alternative Therapy to find ways to assist you with your treatment plan.
Look for answers to these questions and more in our upcoming newsletters:
Who do I trust to make my decisions?
What kind of treatment should I do I choose?
Who should I have in my personal support group?
Our whole body is made up of cells, in a healthy body cells divide at a controlled rate to replenish dying or damaged cells. Cells divide and multiply, when they are produced at an accelerated rate a mass or tumor is formed, a tumor is either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A benign tumor is usually treated or removed due to pain it may cause or interference in body function. A malignant tumor can grow slowly without any possible sign or symptom or can grow very quickly and can be very painful. Either way a malignant growth can spread to other organs and is life-threatening if left treated.
Normally when DNA is damaged or abnormal, our bodies have the ability to deal with it, it will destroy and removed these abnormal cells before it is ever a problem. When cancer grows it is because the healthy DNA has been destroyed. This abnormal cell will then keep multiplying and quickly metastasize. We don't know exactly what it is that sets off this chain of reactions and everybody’s body responds uniquely, many different combinations will attribute to cancer forming. It is it's own recipe of genetics, behavioral, environmental, mental and lifestyle factors that are involved. Things that have contributing affect on cancer are either inhibitors (things found in fruits and vegetables) that are believed to slow the process while promoters (smoking, obesity, drug use) that speed up the process. Possible contributors are divided up into three categories:
External - Unhealthy living, work or recreational environment, exposure to pollution, chemicals, pesticides and herbicides.
Internal - This would be your genetics, infections, disease or current health conditions.
Lifestyle - The very thing we personally can most readily control and are what doctors and scientist account for the largest portion of cancers, with 65% of cancer deaths from having an unhealthy lifestyle. This includes poor diet and obesity, smoking, drinking, sun exposure, lack of exercise and other unhealthy lifestyle elements.
Research shows these three things (external, internal and lifestyle promoters) have in common, increased exposure to free radicals. Factors in our lifestyle can increase our exposure to free radicals, things like smoking and poor dietary habits impair our immune system. The result of these promoters is cancer, however cancer is not just one common condition, there are many, and most cancers will fall into one of the following categories:
Carcinoma - Cancer that affects the skin, mucous membranes, glands and internal organs.
Leukemia - Cancer of the blood and their forming tissues.
Sarcoma - Cancer that affects the muscle, connective tissues and bones.
Lymphoma - All cancer of the lymphatic system.
What are symptoms of cancer?
There are more than 200 different types of cancer, all are unique to what causes them and their symptoms. It is difficult to pinpoint any one symptom to any one disease or cancer. However if you find you are experiencing anything that is abnormal for you personally, you need to contact your doctor immediately. Some of the early warning signs can include but are not limited to the following:
A sore that does not heal
Change in bowel or bladder habits
Change in mental and cognative function
Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
Nagging cough or hoarseness
Obvious change in a wart or mole
Thickening or lump in breast or under the skin
Unusual bleeding or discharge
What can I do?
According to the American Cancer Society, half of all men and one third of all women in the United States will develop some form of cancer in their life. The ability of to decrease that chance and for methods to treat cancer are on the move today. Millions of people are able to live with, are survivors of or have reduced their risk of cancer by developing a healthy lifestyle. A good nutritional and supplement program is recommended to help increase the chances of preventing, recuperating and remission. Diet, nutrients and supplements are discussed under the Nutrients & Diet for Cancer & Prevention tab.
How can I prevent cancer from forming?
With all the threats and concerns in the world, the last thing you want to affect your life is the internal disease of cancer. If you don't already have cancer or know those who are looking for ways to stay away from it, here are 8 keys to cancer prevention;
#1 Don't smoke - 87% are lung cancer deaths, and about a third of all cancer are caused by smoking in some way shape or form. In addition to lung cancer, smoking increases the risk of other cancers, such as; cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas, uterus, bladder, cervix and kidneys.
#2 Eat your fruits and veggies - Cutting down meat reduces your risk of cancer. About a third of cancers are caused by the 'All American Diet', which contains lots of meat, high fat foods, animal products and sugar. Your fruits and veggies are chalked full of antioxidants which prevent free-radical damage.
#3 Get more exercise - Obesity is a huge player in all kinds of diseases, including cancer. Getting regular exercise reduces body weight and helps maintain healthy weight, organs, bones and burns off stagnation.
# 4 Take your vitamins - Supplements are not to be used instead of good nutritious foods, they are used in addition to a healthy diet. Get only good quality supplements. Yes, you may have to pay a little more for less, but your body and health are at stake if you really want to take that gamble... it's your call.
# 5 Avoid over exposure to the sun - True there are certain vitamins we get from the sun that are beneficial, such as vitamin D, and our mental function works better when the sun is out. However, if you work out in the elements, play outside for hours on end or even tend to the yard for an afternoon, wear some sort of sun protection.
# 6 Be informed, don't be in the dark - Become a researcher of your environment. Read food labels, health and nutritional information, and life stories of those who battle cancer. Know and understand what it is about before it happens and hopefully you will be able to support others when it happens to them.
# 7 Avoid exposure to environmental toxins - Chemicals, toxic waste, drugs, pesticides, radiation from nuclear power plants can all contribute to cancer. Make note of where you live, what you work around and make necessary changes in your life to get as far away from these things as you can.
# 8 Limit your alcohol consumption - Alcohol no matter what its form contributes to cancer of the mouth, esophagus and breast. If alcohol is kept in moderation and drank on occasion instead of part of your daily diet, it can have a safe place in your life. A glass of red wine is used to raise your good cholesterol, and can have benefits for the stomach. However the over use of alcohol is detrimental to the body as a result, cancer lives in those environments.
I know I have cancer what do I do?
Getting the news that you've just been diagnosed with cancer is like driving your car into a cement wall, you have just received the worst news that you ever want to hear, you are bound to be numb, afraid, angry, terrified and scared. First of all, take a deep breath. Do so by taking a walk, getting a good nap, do something that will help you relax to the point that you can regain some sort of clear thinking. Having your wits about you is so important to your success. This may not happen the same hour, day or within a couple days. Yes you will need to make some important choices, but you will most likely not need to make a life altering decision in 1 hours time.
Don't rush out for the first treatment offered there are many options, gather information on every possible thing that you can do, and have others help doing so. You are going to have lots of people insisting on the best possible way to treat your cancer. Be informed of all possilble options and make the decision for yourself.
Try making a list of people you want to talk to about the situation. Don't be intimidated or overwhelmed by what you find and who responds to your needs. Close friends or relatives tend to be kind help but at times may be the most intimidating individuals. So carefully select those you want in your decision making group. These people will be able to be objective, resourceful and support your decisions. Once you gather the information you need from reliable resources, read all the information carefully. Then make your plan of action. Once the plan is set, write it down, make copies and give a copy to everyone involved, including all your doctors, so that they are clear of how you wish to proceed.
Set your limits, you can only do so much and you will only feel well enough to do all that you can do. This will also help you keep a clear mind, calm spirit and less tension with fewer awkward situations. For more information on Nutirients & Diet for Cancer & Prevention or for self help items see Try This for Cancer, under the heading for cancer. Also see Alternative Therapy to find ways to assist you with your treatment plan.
Look for answers to these questions and more in our upcoming newsletters:
Who do I trust to make my decisions?
What kind of treatment should I do I choose?
Who should I have in my personal support group?
