There Must Be a Way to Relieve Cancer Pain?

Thursday, March 27, 2008 by Strid3r

Who would have thought that someone healed from cancer would still have pain years later?

Ten years ago, Gerty was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph system. She received cancer treatment that included chemotherapy and had pain in her back ever since. She didn't know what to do about it and told herself she was happy to be alive and went on through life, enduring the 'cancer pain'.

Did you know that statistics report that 30-45% of people with a cancer diagnosis experience moderate to severe 'cancer pain'? The incidence increases to 70 to 90% for those with advanced cancer. Studies show that even cancer survivors of 10 years or more are still suffering from 'cancer pain' including back and neck pain, just like what happened to Gerty.

What are the options for someone in such pain?

There's always Vicodin. Gerty, like many others, was prescribed Vicodin that she used regularly. The problem was that as time went on, the pain really didn't decrease much and she found herself dependent on it for the little pain control she received for the cancer pain. And even medical doctors report that the more prescription drugs a person takes, the lower the quality of a person's life.

Until recently there have been few options for the relief of cancer pain. Although there are herbs and herbal combinations that have been created for building muscles, recovery from illnesses, eliminate infections, and stress relief herbs, the formulas on the market for natural pain relief made from herbs is limited to ones using predominantly arnica. However, arnica is not potent enough to relieve cancer pain.

One company took the problem to heart and started researching what really could be done to improve the quality of life of cancer patients. With a strong herbal research background, they knew that if they combined enough of the right herbs together in the right dosages, they could eventually assist people in the natural pain relief with herbs for cancer pain. Cancer fighting herbs take the form of herbs that boost the immune system, increase the body's detoxification ability, support the body by providing nutrients; why not herbs that fought against cancer pain?

After much research, the scientists created a formula of 14 different herbs that resulted in cancer pain relief for those with mild to moderate pain. Some of those herbs include red sage, red peony, notoginseng root, white peony, cnidium and lotus node. The reasons why cancer pain is decreased becomes obvious when one reviews the actions of the natural herbs themselves.

Notoginseng helps control bleeding and reduces swelling and pain. Whenever any area of the body swells, there is pain because pressure and pain receptors send pain messages to the brain. That's when we start to perceive the pain. For example, did you ever sprain your ankle? How much pain did you have from that injury? The swelling from the tissue damage contributes to the amount of pain you feel. In cancer patients, the pain can be from tissue damage as bones, muscles, and organs are destroyed by the cancer.

Red sage is used to treat abdominal pain and pain from stagnant blood. Red peony is a specific Chinese herb used for abdominal pain, rib pain, hernia, swelling and produces a tranquilizing effect. White peony is an herb that is specifically used by Chinese herbalists for pain in the chest, abdomen and ribs.

Cnidium is an interesting herb because it is known for its ability to control pain, improve blood circulation and promote the flow of life energy throughout the body. The herb contains the active ingredient ferulic acid which may contribute to its effectiveness in treating cancer pain. Cnidium has been used traditionally to treat headache, abdominal pain, and menstrual disorders.

The herbal gurus then found that not only did the combination of herbs help diminish cancer pain, but also it was quite effective for nerve pain, pain in the muscles and bones, migraine headache pain, stomach ache pain, and PMS pain. They ended up achieving their goal, that of natural pain relief using herbs, for pain.

If you are experiencing cancer pain or watching one of your loved ones experience pain, it's good to know that now there is the possibility of relief from the world of all natural herbs.
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Sweet-Tasting Astragalus for Chemotherapy Patients

by Strid3r

Astragalus is a very sweet-tasting herb found to be high in silicon, zinc, magnesium, and iron.

It's possible that the bitterness of a diagnosis of cancer can be relieved with the sweetness of this Chinese herb that has been used medicinally for thousands of years. One of the properties of Astragalus is that it enhances the body's natural defense mechanisms.

Scientists have discovered that the antioxidant, antiviral, and immune modulator activity of Astragalus are primary ways that the all natural herb helps alleviate the negative side effects of chemotherapy drugs. Immune modulators are substances that affect the immune system in some way to make it more active. By using immune modulators, a cancer patient on chemotherapy feels less toxic side effects and experiences a greater quality of life.

The big problem with chemotherapy is that it depresses the immune system, leaving cancer patients prone to infections that can become opportunistic. By using immune system modulators, such as the herb Astragalus, a cancer patient can become less prone to infections.

Herbalists consider Astragalus an herb great for not only the immune system, but also helpful as an adaptogen. An adaptogen helps the body adapt well to external circumstances, encouraging the system to function correctly.

The Research Studies Show Positive Benefits

One clinical study of 115 patients receiving various forms of chemotherapy found 83% higher white blood cell counts from the use of Astragalus, exactly what is needed to fight the battle of cancer. When white blood cell counts are higher, then it is possible to strongly ward off infections.

In another study, Astragalus was added to a petri dish containing white blood cells and tumor cells. The white blood cells began attacking the tumor cells. This is an important finding because tumor cells usually produce chemicals that turn off the white blood cells' ability to attack tumors. Astragalus clearly helps the white blood cells become faster and more efficient at fighting the tumor cells.

One study showed that lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy who were given Astragalus improved their overall response rate to all four treatments. In another study, patients with small cell lung cancer who took standard chemotherapy drugs like vincristine, carmustine and cyclophosphamide along with Astragalus and ginseng survived as long as 17 years from the combined therapy.

Astragalus was also found to stop the spread of cancers known to respond to the p53 gene, a tumor-suppressing gene that keeps defective cells from multiplying.

The fact that Astragalus is helpful, either with or without chemotherapy, makes this sweet-tasting herb an herb that should be considered in many cancer cases. If the toxic side effects of chemotherapy can be lessened by the addition of a simple herb, why not consider it?

Herbalists are finding though that the mixture of several herbs together, one of them Astragalus, can make even more impact than with Astragalus by itself! It's exciting research that will only benefit chemotherapy patients who wish to add an all natural approach to cancer treatment.
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Epigenetics - An Individualized, Future Approach to Cancer Treatment

Tuesday, March 25, 2008 by Strid3r

Trivial findings are immense in the scientific community, especially in the field of oncology. Much emphasis is aimed at building upon previous laboratory discoveries; let's use the treatment of cancer as a broad example. As many of you know, it is now common to combine independently discovered chemotherapy treatments, with or without radiation and/or surgical intervention. The heart of cancer breakthroughs have stemmed from this methodical combination. In recent news, a new and stirring foundation for future therapeutic combinations has surfaced.

The discovery can be attributed to vigilant scrutiny of biological processes within the tumor cell. The review, in the March issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, focuses on a specialty known as epigenetics. Epigenetics is associated with inheritable disparity in gene expression while retaining the same base sequence of DNA. This essentially allows the cells, while stably maintaining the same DNA sequence, to assume different characteristics. Epigenetics is most commonly associated with x-chromosome inactivation in females, gene silencing, and post-transcriptional modification of amino acids.

Tumor cells are identifiable by numerous intracellular processes. For relevance and simplicity, I will only briefly discuss DNA methylation. Epigenetic processes can be marked by this methylation, which is vital to proper cellular function. Upon observing a metastatic tumor cell, one would find an increasing degree of hypomethylation as the tumor became more invasive. The actual comparison of DNA methylation (normal cells) and hypomethylation (tumor cells) was originally observed in 1983 during the research of colon cancer. Dr. Manel Esteller, who authored the more recent review, explained that the tumor cells were in a DNA methylation paradox depending on the location of the nucleic acid in question. The varying locations of DNA methylation directly contribute to the disturbance of chromosomes, or mutations, and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, hence the abnormal behavior of tumor cells. How can this be related to future treatment options though?

Methylation can actually predict one's response to therapeutic treatment via protein analyzation. The targeted protein is MGMT, also known as O6-Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, which is known to be significant in DNA repair. Observing MGMT for its degree of methylation allows the scientist a unique look at their prognosis with respect to certain DNA damaging drugs. For example: if MGMT is found to be hypermethylated, one can deduce the benefit of introducing DNA damaging drugs because the tumor cell will not be able to repair the DNA, leading to its death.

In conclusion, epigenetic markers can provide great insight into the potential of certain chemotherapeutic treatments: stepping away from mere protocol steps and into more individualized medicine. After all, it is the building upon minute discoveries and postulated treatments that will lead to the next breakthrough in cancer treatment.
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Cure Cancer Naturally - Alternative Cancer Treatments

Thursday, March 20, 2008 by Strid3r

Cancer is talked about more and more each day. Everyone probably knows someone who has or had cancer. It is something that can devastate an entire family. It takes a lot to battle it and even hearing words like surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can make a person feel worse. This has resulted in millions of dollars in researching alternative cancer treatments. There are several options available to a patient if he or she doesn't want to use the normal but yet toxic methods to battle the illness.

The fact of the matter is that tradition cancer methods are both expensive and can be harmful to the body and often leaves the patient feeling terrible and weak. There are certain alternative ways to fight cancer that are being tested. One of the main ones is homeopathy. With homeopathy, trace amounts of the harmful cancer causing agents are introduced in the body in an attempt to trigger the body to defend against the harmful agents.

Physical touch methods are also being looked at as possible options in cancer treatments. Acupuncture falls under this method. The basis of acupuncture is putting needles in key spots on the body that unclog "flows of energy" in the body in hopes to balance it. Although it isn't proven to be a cancer remedy, it is known to reduce pain. Along the same lines, chiropractic therapy is known to boost the immune system of someone who is battling cancer. Massages are another physical touch method, but again it is mainly used to relieve pain and help a cancer patient to relax.

Possible one of the most talked about natural cancer treatments is nutritional therapy. It's a known fact that eating a healthy diet can be the difference between a healthy and non-healthy person. However, aside from keeping your body healthy, there are some foods that are known to prevent and cure certain types of cancer like breast cancer. These cancer-battling agents are often found in fruits like berries and pomegranates.
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Decrease Your Chances Of Getting Cancer,Increase Your Chances Of Beating It

by Strid3r

Natural cancer remedies are being utilized by many cancer sufferers, either as a sole treatment, or as an adjunct to traditional remedies . If you would like to read more about avoiding and treating cancer in a non-toxic way, then read on.

The main problem with the current system

Heres one of the key issues for most people: If you need to unearth genuine alternative cancer treatments , many traditional doctors will not help you determine which of the alternative cancer treatments to take. In fact, some doctors are highly skilled at talking patients out of using alternative cancer treatments.

Body's natural defense's

Your immune system is comprised of mainly fast-growing cells. This is precisely the sort of cells that traditional chemotherapy targets. The worst action to take when you are unwell is to attack your immune system. Your immune system is designed to destroy foreign entities. If the immune system can be augmented enough to clear out toxins, the cause of the cancer, the toxins can be removed quickly. So strengthening the immune system can stop new cancer cells from growing, but much more than immune system strengthening is needed to overcome cancer.

Toxic

As you might suspect, the medical industry studies on orthodox therapies do not uncover any issues with orthodox cancer therapies (how can you find an issue by comparing the old toxic sludge with the "new" toxic sludge). Theres promising new methods of treating cancer in a non-toxic, alternative and often inexpensive manner. The food we eat is beginning to be highlighted as a key contributor to cancer. For the top 10 reasons to look at traditional cancer therapies critically, click here.

Reduce risk

It can be fast to learn straightforward techniques to lower your risk of getting of cancer. Researchers interviewed 1,866 women aged 20 to 75 in Mexico City about their diets and found that breast cancer incidences rose with carbohydrate consumption. Women who ate the most carbohydrates had over double the chances of suffering from breast cancer compared to women who ate the least amount of carbohydrates. However, Walter Willet, MD, MPH, DrPH, of the Harvard School of Public Health, says that we shouldn't jump to conclusions and that more research is needed. For other simple steps you can take to lower your risk of getting cancer or increasing your chances of beating it, you can check my blog.
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Successful Treatment for Cancer

by Strid3r

What exactly is successful? There are so many definitions when it comes to success; probably as many definitions as there are people. One's idea of success may be to have a billion dollars while another's may be to have safe drinking water. The difference in medical success for cancer treatment is probably just as vast in scope as these are. If you have gone through cancer treatment, you may have a different outlook on success than someone who doesn't even know where the hospitals in Illinois are located, let alone where you can get specific treatment for prostate cancer. You can bet someone who has had prostate cancer and lives in Illinois can probably tell you not only what is offered in the various hospitals in Illinois but also what is offered in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and maybe even nationally. They may even be able to tell you the different techniques offered at the different cancer centers.

One such technique they will probably have heard about is the one offered at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee Illinois. It's state of the art and will probably cause you to pause when you hear what it is. It's a robot that assists the doctors in an operation called a da Vinci™ Prostatectomy. That's right; you can now have a robot operate on you, along with extremely skilled doctors, to remove the cancer from your prostate. Of course, it doesn't do anything by itself; it is dependent entirely on the surgeon operating it. It just provides the surgeon a more precise, less invasive way to do the same thing he/she could do without it. Just like any robot, it is only as smart as the person who is operating it or who programmed it, only this one can't be programmed. A robot offers a precise repeatable movement that also magnifies the view of the surgical area, decreases the likelihood of damaging delicate nerves and tissues and, since it uses a tiny incision, it reduces blood loss, pain, infection and scarring. Now that would probably fall into the definition of success in anybody's book that has to go through this type of surgery.

Another view of success would be "less is more" when it comes to radiation for cancer treatment. For those who have been through radiation treatment, you know it is not the burning and destruction of the tumor or cancer cells that is painful and sometimes debilitating, it is the destruction of the healthy cells around the tumor. With the latest in technology offered at one of the leading hospitals in the Chicago area it is possible now to get the most concentrated beam of radiation to your tumor without taking out the cells surrounding it. At Riverside they have the Varian 21 EX Linear Accelerator to deliver Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). That means they can deliver a beam with greater precision and accuracy to just the tumor, reducing the incidence of side effects. For those who are getting radiation to the neck and head, that can mean a great deal in your quality of life after treatment. For anybody who is getting radiation treatments, it can change your viewpoint on your definition of success.
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Power of Change Takes Knowledge and Action

by Strid3r

What do you think is the No. 1 health concern among Americans today. You guessed it Cancer! The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) states that Americans believe cancer and other diseases are impossible to prevent and blame factors they cannot control.

I find this fatalistic mindset upsetting. I know many who have lived an intentional life of wellness and have experienced health and long life. There is also ample research that links cancer risk to things we can control , such as diet, physical activity and weight gain.

The World Cancer Research Fund and (AICR) issued an encouraging report titled: Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective. A few of their findings:

1. Excess body fat increases the risk of many forms of cancer including pancreas, colon, kidney, endometrium, and postmemopausal breast cancer. The report urges us to limit our intake of processed foods especially those high in sugar and fat and low in fiber. We are urged to consume five or more servings of vegetables and fruits daily and involve ourselves in physical activity at least 30 minutes daily.

2. Red meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer: Researchers recommend limiting consumption to 18 onces (cooked) per week. I believe it is important to reduce red meat consumption to less than 3 ounces. month and continue reducing the amount until you are rarely consuming red meat. Researchers say beyond the 18 ounces every 1.7 ounces or red meat you consume daily increases your cancer risk by 15 percent. Highly discouraged are process meats such as ham, bacon, sausage, and lunch meat and for every 1.7 ounces of processed meat consumed per day you increase your risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent. This is not on the front page of your local newspaper because of the money behind the meat. We must take this seriously if we expect to stay healthy and improve the health of our country. Send this article to others you care about.

3. Alcohol is linked to many cancers as well in both men and women. The panel recommended limiting rather than avoiding consumption of alcohol because small amounts of alcohol can protect against heart disease. Research has shown there are many beneficial fruits and vegetables that provide the same benefits of wine and it is unnecessary to include the risk of regular alcohol consumption in order to protect our hearts.

These are a few of the many things we all have control over. Start today improving your dietary choices and experience a life of long health and options. Making lifestyle choices that reduce your health risk are no guarantee but this and other research is showing we can do a whole lot to improve our risk factor.

I will agree these choices require personal commitment and follow threw that require dedication. Everyone is not committed to the work until the diagnosis is brought down. I have talked to many individuals diagnosed with cancer and they all say they knew they could have made better choices but just did not do it.

Today if you do not have cancer or some other degenerative disease such as heart disease, liver disease or hardening of the arteries you have options and you are still in control. Knowing what is right is only one step in the process. Having a reason to live comes before knowledge so your first step is your personal reason.

I wanted to be healthy and raise healthy children 30 years ago when I choose to commit to life long health. I wanted to feel good and free to live a long life of joy and contribution. That is how I am wired. How are you wired? What motivates you? What would you like to do?

I read all that was available at the time and went out searching for answers to health and wellness. This knowledge is not new it is easier to find these days so why do we have so many falling to disease?

Find you inspiration, make you plans, commit to a lifelong goal and find a supportive group of friends to journey through life with. There are health supportive groups is most cities and on line forums as well. It is said we must finish the race, fight a good fight and stay the course. A life of health and wellness is necessary if you want any other pleasures of life.
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Battling Bone Cancer

by Strid3r

Myeloma is a type of cancer in which abnormal cells destroy normal tissue. This results in extremely fragile bones and intense pain.

This condition, which is also known as Kahler's disease, is common in adults between the ages of 50 and 70. More men than women suffer from the disease.

There are many kinds of myeloma. But the tumor is often grayish red and appears in the ribs, pelvic bones, and the bones of the skull.

"The main symptom is bone pain, which seems to worsen at night. Back pain is often present. Bone fractures may occur. Abnormal bleeding, difficulty in urination, anemia, a tired feeling, painful swelling on the ribs, and susceptibility to infections are all possible symptoms," according to Marion Morra & Eve Potts in "Choices: Realistic Alternatives in Cancer Treatment."

"Since the bone marrow is producing fewer oxygen-carrying red blood cells and disease-fighting white blood cells, myeloma patients are often anemic and susceptible to infections such as pneumonia. As the plasma cells act against the bone tissue, calcium is released sometimes in amounts exceeding the kidney's capacity to dispose of it. The patient may become weak, nauseated, and disoriented," they added.

To diagnose myeloma, the doctor may require x-ray studies to reveal destroyed bone parts. Blood and urine tests can detect abnormal proteins that indicate the presence of the disease.

Treatment of multiple myeloma depends on the extent of the disease. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often used to relieve symptoms and repair bone damage. Exercise and adequate fluid intake are important to prevent immobilization and calcium imbalance. Back braces may help keep the patient active.

"Radiation therapy may be used on specific parts of the back and neck to relieve pain and help repair bone damage. The tumor cells usually decrease in number at a rapid rate during the first few months of treatment, and the patient may go into remission. When a complete remission occurs, there is a complete return to a state of normal good health. The symptoms disappear, the physical findings become normal, and abnormal cells are no longer found in the bone marrow and blood," Morra and Potts said.

Sometimes the remission is only partial, and one or more signs of myeloma may not disappear completely. Examination of the blood, urine, and bone marrow at regular intervals allows the doctor to follow the course of the disease and to select the proper treatment," they concluded.
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Prevent Cancer with Diet and Lifestyle change

by Strid3r

had uterine cancer last summer. Luckily it was Stage 1A and surgery took care of everything. I didn't need chemo or radiation. I tell people I had cancer for two weeks, because by the time they found it, I had surgery and waited the 6 days it took for the "all clear" pathology results to come back - only 2 weeks had passed!

It was just kind of a blip in my summer. Part of the reason it was only that was I am fit and in excellent health and do a lot of things right. My cancer usually happens to people who are obese (I'm not even close) or diabetic (not that either). The 3rd cause is making too much estrogen.

The purpose of this article is to share a few "cancer prevention" tips I've learned, because as easy as I had it, I'm not planning on getting it again!

I've always taken a ton of vitamins. A lot, I've recently discovered, are recommended by cancer researchers to prevent cancer or help fight it if you have cancer. Take this combination daily:

Beta-Carotene - 25,000 iu

Folic Acid - 400 mcg

Selenium - 200 mcg

Vitamin C - 3000 mg (divided)

Vitamin E - 400 iu (slows tumor growth and the spread of malignancies)

Multi Vitamin

1 B Complex

Calcium - 1500 (divided)

NAC - 600 mg

You should also cut out red meat and trans fats and way back on sugar, salt, soda, alcohol, fat and artificial sweeteners. Fill up on fruits, vegetables, beans and especially: tomatoes, grapes, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, cauliflower, kale, Chinese mushrooms, onion (best raw), citrus fruits, carrots, cabbage and green beans.

Drink lots of green tea, carrot juice (it has anti cancer carotenes) and green juice.

Eat 100% whole-wheat pasta, whole grain breads and brown rice. Have a half teaspoon of rosemary per day and use olive oil.

Do something every day to de-stress and think happy, thankful and positive thoughts. Meditate or use guided imagery to picture a healthy body. Cooking healthy meals at home and sharing them with family while unwinding at the end of each day will also add much to a healthy lifestyle.
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Your pH and Cancer

by Strid3r

In 1931, Otto Warburg, a German scientist won the Nobel Prize medicine for his discovery that the primary cause of all cancer was the lack of oxygen getting into the cells of the body,- a condition known as anaerobism. He discovered that anytime a cell was deprived of at least 35% of it's oxygen requirement, a normal cell could convert into a cancerous cell within 48 hours. He was able to prove this by inducing cancer in 40 different species of animals within 3 days. He said that acids in the body fluids (acidosis) expels oxygen from the body, therby inducing cancer.

Cancer above all other diseases has many secondary causes. Almost anything can cause cancer, but in every case of the cancer development, two factors are always present with cancer no matter what else may be present. Those two factors are acid pH and the lack of oxygen.

pH: What does it mean? pH is the abbreviation for potential hydrogen. The pH of any solution is the measure of it's hydrogen-ion concentraton. The higher the pH reading, the more alkaline and oxygen rich the fluid is. The lower the pH reading is, the more acidic and oxygen deprivehe fluid is. The pH scale is from 0 to 14, with 7.0 being the neutral. Anything above 7.0 is alkaline, anything below 7.0 is considered acidic.

If you have a health problem, including cancer, most likely you are aidic. Research shows that unless the body's pH level is slightly alkaline, the body cannot heal itself. So, it means that means that no matter what type of treatment or modality you use to take care of your health problem, it won't be effective unless the pH level is up. If your body's pH is not balanced, you cannot effectively assimilate vitamins, minerals and food supplements. Your body pH affects everything.

If your body pH is around 7.4, it's in the normal range, but if it's between 6.5 and 5.5, you are already developing a degenerative disease.
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The Law of Attraction and Cancer

by Strid3r

The "law of attraction" is the hottest topic in spiritual development talked about in The Secret and by talk show host Oprah Winfrey, writer Louise Hay, producer/publicist Rhonda Byrne, and many others.

The basic idea of the law of attraction is that on a conscious or subconscious level, we invite people, objects, experiences, and even cancer into our lives. What we give our attention, the idea goes, we experience in our lives. That's true whether we welcome it or we fear it. If we think about it, it comes into being for us.

So if you have cancer you must have brought it on yourself, huh.

That's what you can hear from a lot of New Age Fundamentalists. I have a different take on the law of attraction and cancer.

Let's assume that the law of attraction is a valid expression of a life truth, and consider visualizing a shiny red convertible and getting it.

You imagine getting a shiny red convertible. You're enthused about the possibility of getting a shiny red convertible. You chant "Shiny Red Convertible, Shiny Red Convertible" 250 times a day for a year, and one day you hear a knock at the door and Publisher's Clearing House has delivered you a shiny red convertible.

So how do we explain this?

Well, obviously, one expert on the law of attraction might say you had been inviting red things into your life. You bought Rome apples on sale at the store, you invested in a red ski hat, and you got a paper cut when you filled out your tax return. All that concentration on redness brought something else red into your life, a shiny red convertible.

And another expert on the law of attraction would say, no that's all wrong, you have been bringing shiny things into your life. You had a shiny nose, you stocked up on Windex, you bought a new mirror, it was only natural that you would get a new shiny red convertible.

And yet another expert on the law of attraction would say, balderdash, it's all about convertibility, things that roll up and down. You cleaned the blinds and boom, you get a convertible.

And, sure as my name is Robert Rister, they'd all be wrong.

If you believe in the law of attraction, and I'm not discouraging that, and you have cancer, look beyond the cancer to see what's coming with it. That may be the experience you are bringing into your life.

And whether it's a blessing or a curse to you, accept it, rejoice in it, and move on from it. According to the law of attraction, that's how you move on from cancer.
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Could Curcumin Be Beneficial In Pancreatic Cancer?

by Strid3r

There are few more dreaded diagnoses than cancer of the pancreas. Although some people actually survive pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and there are things you can do to increase your chances of being a survivor of pancreatic cancer, many patients and their doctors treat the diagnosis as if were a death sentence.

It doesn't have to be.

If you are the patient, no single medical intervention and no single holistic health practice is likely to save your life, but small efforts add up. Each and every doctor-directed treatment and each and every change in diet, addition to natural therapy, or nutritional supplement just might be the one intervention that makes remission possible.

Curcumin, the versatile and potent antioxidant extracted from the orange-yellow curry spice turmeric, is a nutritional supplement that may help in advanced pancreatic cancer. A daily dose of 8,000 mg of curcumin has been tried for up to two months. Two months, as you may know, is a very long time to be treating the condition in an advanced stage. And this result in people is completely consistent with the results of investigations in the laboratory.

Scientists at the University of Texas at El Paso have found that the compound "untangles" DNA that may have been distorted in a precancerous cell. And researchers at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom discovered that tetrahydrocurcuminoids "recharge" the outer membranes of pancreatic cells so that they can attract the regulatory hormones, amino acids, and glucose they need to move into the cell so it can stay healthy.

You can't go "completely natural" and get enough curcumin to do you any good. The only way to get enough of this antioxidant to have an effect on cancer is to take a supplement. You should not take it without letting your doctor know first, and it is not advised if you take any kind of blood thinning agent or agent to stimulate the production of white or red blood cells.
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How Alkaline Water Can Combat Cancer Cell Formation

by Strid3r

You have cancer!

Even though I was expecting it, that was still the most dreadful moment of my life. The surgeon went on to tell me that "these days it isn't necessarily terminal". My ears heard him... but I didn't take it in. I was simply too overwhelmed with what seemed the enormity of the situation. Regardless of what he said, I knew that my death was imminent.

But perhaps I have been good in another life... it was prostate cancer and I was lucky... we caught it in time! I had the surgery and seven years later there is no sign of its return. But the worry is still there in the back of my mind. My father died from prostate cancer complications so that creates a higher genetic risk for me. I am very much aware that I must do everything I can to protect my body from a return visit in some other organ.

I didn't know much about cancer seven years ago, I don't know much about it now; but these days I'm hyper-vigilant... I'm always open to exploring alternative ideas and therapies.

I began a program of high quality anti-oxidant food supplements as a first defense. But what I didn't know and what doesn't seem to be common knowledge, is that Alkaline Water produced in a High Quality Ion Generator can have as much as eight times the anti-oxidant power of Vitamin C if drank within a few hours of production.

But even then ...when "ionized alkaline water" came into my life a few months ago I was not looking to it to have any beneficial effects in regard to cancer. It completely relieved my wife of long term (30 years) acid reflux symptoms and it healed a vicious skin rash I had had for 8 years. Medical science had brought minimal relief to either of those conditions.

But back to cancer and alkaline water... here's what I found:

Dr. Otto Warburg, a well known cancer researcher, wrote about oxygen's relationship to the pH of the internal environment of cancer cells. Since fermentation was a major metabolic pathway of cancer cells, Warburg reported that cancer cells maintain a lower pH, as low as 6.0 (acidic), due to lactic acid production and elevated carbon dioxide. He firmly believed that there was a direct relationship between pH and oxygen. Higher pH (i.e. higher alkalinity) means higher concentration of oxygen molecules while lower pH (more acidity) means lower concentrations of oxygen.

In 1931 Dr. Otto Weinberg was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the nature and mode of action of the respiratory enzyme. He showed, among other things, that cancerous cells can live and develop, even in the absence of oxygen.

In a published lecture he stated: "Cancer, above all other diseases, has countless secondary causes. Almost anything can cause cancer. But, even for cancer, there is only one prime cause. The prime cause of cancer is the replacement of the respiration of oxygen ... in normal body cells by fermentation of sugar".

What does this mean to you?

Drink alkaline water and you will reduce the acidity of your body, combat the action of free radicals and create an environment where it is difficult for cancer to thrive.
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Detoxify the Liver to Enhance Cancer Recovery

by Strid3r

Often times, as part of cancer recovery, western holistic detoxification methods emphasize the use of herbs and foods that deplete energy significantly as toxins are released.

While this approach may work well for individuals who are healthy and strong, it can create additional fatigue and weakness for individuals who are already deficient in energy due to chronic illness, chemotherapy or radiation therapies.

The Chinese approach to balancing the liver and releasing toxins is much more gentle and less depleting. It also does not involve:

* fasting
* extreme dietary shifts
* a predominant use of energetically cooling green supplements such as alfalfa, seaweed, and chlorophyll.

Instead, the Chinese medicine approach considers the overall constitution of the individual to create a custom formulation of herbs that not only detoxifies the liver but also facilitates building strength of the liver and other internal organs.

This two prong approach of detoxifying and strengthening is important for people who have serious chronic conditions such as cancer, fibromyalgia, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, endocrine imbalances and other conditions that involve internal weakness of the organs.

A trained herbalist might include the following gentle detoxifying herbs:

* chai hu
* chrysanthemum
* mai men dong
* bai shao
* huang qin

Gentle tonic herbs such as

* di huang
* dang gui
* shan zha
* gu ya
* rou cong rong

An effective pre-made formula for balancing the liver energy is Free Easy Wanderer which contains a nice blend of herbs to detoxify and strengthen the liver and other internal organs.

However, before you purchase this formula, be mindful of the brand as many of the pre-made Chinese herbal formulations contain impurities such as heavy metals and chemical preservatives that are toxic.

Plum Flower (Mayway) and Guang Ci Tang are the two brands that I trust in my practice, as they are produced in GMP certified labs that meet FDA standards for purity control.

On the western herbal side, nettle leaf is also a very gentle liver cleanser and can be combined with milk thistle.

Nettle leaf is also a natural antihistamine that can help your body cope better with allergens to reduce sneezing, congestion and other allergic manifestations.

Millk thistle weed contains silymarin, which protects the liver against toxins.

If you smoke, drink or are exposed to toxic fumes such as paint, nail polish and certain household cleansers regularly, milk thistle may benefit you.

I use Gaia brand of phyto-extracts of nettle leaf and milk thistle as this brand contains a highly potent yet gentle formulation that is standardized in terms of strength.

Consult with a trained herbalist to determine the correct dosage for your particular energy and health conditions. Also, if you are undergoing chemotherapy, check with your herbalist and medical doctor as some herbs that detoxify the body may also reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
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Practical Ideas For Help and Encourage Friends With Cancer

by Strid3r

Here are some ideas that I believe you will find helpful.

First of all...be specific. A willingness to help in any way she needs is often overwhelming. She may not have the energy to address and think through what all her needs are. Take the time to look at her home, family, medical and social needs. Then give her a small list of things you can either do or help with.

Second, if you have a personal care skill such as hairdressing, manicuring or massaging, offer your services for a session free of charge. Come to her home if at all possible. Any of these things will delight her! All of us know there is nothing like a little pampering when we don't feel our best.

If your time is limited or you live a distance from your friend...the following list of items can be given individually or in a lovely gift basket.

It is wise to choose lotions and potions that are fragrance free since many cancer patients have a low tolerance to odors during treatment. You might also want to ask a family member if she has any skin sensitivities or allergies. Include organic products as much as possible. Because they do not contain chemicals and preservatives they will be better tolerated.

1. Nightcaps: homemade or purchased

This is a wonderful gift for your friend if her treatment will cause her to lose her hair. Be sure the fabric is soft and washable and that any elastic is covered and not too tight. Ask her what pretty color or pattern she would like if you are making the nightcap...or surprise her!

2. Nightgowns or robes that open in the front

Ease in dressing is extremely important both during any hospital stays and once she is home.

3. Extra moisturizing body lotion

Remember to keep the ingredients fragrance free and organic if possible

4. A natural bristle hair brush that has extra soft bristles

Again, this is if your friend will lose her hair with treatment. She (or you) can lightly brush her head to stimulate healthy new growth AND it feels great!

5. Purchase a copy of Beauty During the Cancer Journey

It is a simple read where she will find support and help in beauty related issues

6. Lastly, how about purchasing a beautiful bouquet of silk flowers to match the colors of her home?

She won't have an allergic reaction to them and no one will have to remember to water them!
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Natural Cancer Treatments And Alternative Medicine

by Strid3r

If you are reading this article than I know that somehow cancer has effected you or someone you love, and for that I am sorry you are having to experience such a difficult situation. But there is hope, cancer doesn't have to be the end. I am a true believer in alternative medicine, and finding out as much information as I can to put out in the world. People need options, especially when it could be your life at stake. I'm sure you are asking yourself why doesn't my doctor talk about this? What would they think or say about alternative treatment? How do I decide if it's for me?

The answer to those questions is:

Medical schools don't teach alternative treatments,Doctors receive a lot of negative information about alternative treatments from the American Medical Association (AMA) and the pharmaceutical industry.

The American Cancer Society (ACS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other Government cancer bodies will not investigate or promote alternative treatments,Their state medical boards may fine them heavily, suspend their license to practice or even revoke it.

Obtaining FDA approval takes many years and can cost several millions of dollars for clinical trials. The simple fact is that there is no money to spend to do these trials on treatments that are often un-patentable and therefore unprofitable.

Is this right for me? Do your research, start of with all the information. Make a decision that is what you believe is the best options for you. Alternative medicine is at the beginning of an amazing revolution. I believe, people don't want to take drugs, they want to get healthy, so they can get on with enjoying the rest of their lives
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Tips on What Not to Say If You Loved One Has Cancer

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 by Strid3r

It's as important to know what not to say to cancer patients as well as what to say! They're dealing with a lot of emotion and need to stay focused on their recovery and their health. Here are some tips to help you and your family stay on track:

1. Don't tell them you know how they feel, because you don't. That's true for any situation really. We all process experiences differently, and each cancer case is different -- we need to realize and remember that.

2. Don't ask them when they'll be cured or what their chances are. No one knows this for sure and they need to stay focused on their own health and recovery, not statistics that they have no control over.

3. Don't say that someone else you know had the same type of cancer. Every situation is different, and it just distances you from what they are going through.

4. Don't encourage them to feel a certain way. Their moods will swing, and you need to just respect where they are. When someone says "be positive" they're not listening to where the other person is coming from.

5. Don't offer your sympathy....that's not what they need. They need your help, love, and support. Don't say, "It is so terrible" or "It's such a shame." Do say, "We're going to do everything we can to try to get you healthy again" .... and mean it!

6. Don't just focus on the cancer when you talk to them. Remember, they are still more than just their cancer....and they may very well want or need a break from talking about it!

7. Never say anything that is not a fact. For example, never say "I know you are going to get well." You can't possibly know that and the patient realizes it. Therefore, anything else you say after that will be ignored. However, it is certainly possible to state the same comment in a positive way. "It's very serious, but we're going to do everything in our power to beat it" is an example. Just tell the truth as you know it today.

8. Don't offer any theories on why they got cancer. No one knows for sure, and it certainly doesn't help anything at this point. Just help them to move forward.

9. Don't be judgmental. The treatment decisions are ultimately up to them, even if you don't agree with them. It's hard to be so involved and not have the final word, but the sooner you realize that, the easier it will be for everyone. They're the ones that need to live with their own decisions.

10. Don't forget to laugh! This will always help make everyone feel better!

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Prevent Liver Cancer with Milk Thistle?

by Strid3r

Toxic substances surround us every day, in our food, water, medications, and especially the air we breathe. These toxins are extremely detrimental to the health of your liver, and your choice of liver support supplements can drastically affect this very important organ. Milk thistle has long been known for its liver supportive and protective qualities, and is the number one herbal supplement prescribed for most liver ailments. It has proven in various clinical studies to have a profound effect on the progression of fibrosis, and has been quite effective in slowing the rate of advancement of liver damage.

Most people are aware of the stages of liver disease: inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. If not treated in the early stages, liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC) can develop. Milk thistle has been proven to help protect liver cells against further damage from harmful toxins, which speed up the progression of the above stages of liver disease. Supplementing with milk thistle in the early stages can keep the disease from quickly advancing towards liver cancer. In addition to keeping liver cells healthy, milk thistle can also help this vital organ regenerate new liver cells, in an effort to prevent any additional scar tissue from developing.

Milk thistle, or silymarin, is made up of three main components - and silybin is the most beneficial to the liver. This highly concentrated part of milk thistle has the most therapeutic effects on the liver. Research shows that not only is milk thistle anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory, but it has potent antioxidants and can block toxins from invading the liver.

Because it is an herbal supplement, the FDA has not approved milk thistle as a treatment for any condition or disease, including liver cancer. However, the clinical research offers hope that milk thistle's proven ability to help fight liver disease makes it a viable liver cancer preventive method. Anyone with advancing liver disease can benefit from this therapeutic supplement that has no known contraindications or interactions
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Cervical Cancer Can Occurs With Women Who Have Been Active Early in Sexual Activity

by Strid3r

Studies reveal that cancer of the cervix occurs more often in women who become sexually active in early life. Cervix cancers may cause by a human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus is spread through sex and it can cause infection in the cervix or any part of woman sex organ. However, this virus never last long because the body can fight this virus (HPV), unlike the HIV. But if the body can't fight the virus it will affect the cervix and turns into pre- cancer cells.

As of now most cervix cancers can be prevented and can be cured if diagnosed earlier through the use of Pap smear test. During the test, if the doctor can detect the abnormal cells she will recommend directly a medication so that the women can recover easily or if the cancer its already in full bloom operation would be a good option.

Cervix cancer may not cause any symptom or symptom unless in its early stage. But in time, it too usually cause abnormal bleeding or increased vaginal discharge. Women who have cervical cancer can feel moderate pain during sexual intercourse. The years of greatest risk for cancer of the cervix are when women reach the age of forty to forty- nine years old.

To avoid the risk of cancer of the cervix , physicians advise the women to have a pap smear once every two years. Pap smear is done by using the metal instrument speculum to open the vagina and examine the cervix. A cotton wool is used to rub off in the surface of the cervix to get the sample cells to be used in laboratory. The sample cells will be examine under the microscope to determine the presence of pre-cancers cells that may develop into cervix cancers.

Women who have cervix cancer may experience a loss of appetite, fatigue, pelvic and back pain. They also have a heavy bleeding during their monthly period.

The causes of cervix cancer may either from chlamydia infection, dietary factors, hormonal contraception, multiple pregnancies, uses the hormonal drugs diethylstilbestrol (DES). It also happen to a woman who have had many sexual partners, or whose partner with many sexual contacts. More cases of cervical cancer occur among women who use oral contraceptive than among those who rely on diaphragm.

Today Papanicolau test or pap smear for cervical cancer screening has been credited to increase the awareness of women about cervical cancer and it also reduce the incidence rate of this kind of cancer in some developed countries. Collopscope is also used to detect the cancer cells presents in the cervix. It is the magnifying instrument to examine the cervix if it shows inflammatory changes or any abnormal cells.

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