Cancer

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these cells to invade other tissues.

The World Health Organization's cancer site

Normal Vs. Cancer Cells

Normal body cells grow, divide, and die in an orderly fashion.

American Cancer society

… Normal Vs. Cancer Cells

Because cancer cells continue to grow and divide, they are different from normal cells.

Instead of dying, they outlive normal cells and continue to form new abnormal cells.

Why do Cancer Cells Develop?

• Cancer cells develop because of damaged DNA which is not repaired. People can inherit damaged DNA, which accounts for inherited cancers.

• Most often though, a person's DNA becomes damaged by exposure to something in the environment.

American Cancer Society

Warning Signals for Cancer

1. A change in bowel or bladder habits

2. A sore that does not heal3. Unusual bleeding or discharge4. Thickening or a lump in the breast

or elsewhere5. Indigestion or difficulty swallowing6. Obvious change in a wart or mole7. Nagging cough or hoarseness

American Cancer Society, Inc. 1-800-ACS-2345

Cancer and the USA• Cancer is the second leading cause

of death in the United States. • 1/2 of all men and 1/3 of all women

will develop cancer during their lifetimes.

Millions of people are living with cancer.

• The risk of developing most types of cancer can be reduced by changes in a person's lifestyle.

Stages of Cancer

Stages of Cancer

1. Is small and contained within the organ it started in.

2. Is localized, but the tumor is getting larger.

3. Is found in the lymph nodes in the affected area.

4. Has spread from where it started to another body organ.

Cancer Research UK

Metastasis

Metastasis is the stage in which cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

Pollution

Cigarette Smoking

About 90% of all lung cancers are caused by

smoking.

Tobacco smoke and involuntary smoking.  IARC Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans.  Volume 83.   IARC 2004  Lung cancer and smoking – UK. Cancer Stats.  Cancer Research UK, April 2004 ,

Second Hand Smoking

• Secondhand smoke causes approximately 3,400 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year

• non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke are 20% to 30% more likely to develop lung cancer.

California Environmental Protection Agency. Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke. June 2005. BBC

Cancers Linked to Tobacco• Lung• Lip • Mouth (oral cavity)• Throat (pharynx) • Voice Box (larynx)• Trachea (wind

pipe)• Esophagus• Stomach

• Pancreas• Bladder• Kidney • Cervix• Leukemia• Colon • Skin• Penis• Liver

Pollution

Air pollution significantly raises the risk of dying from lung cancer and is about as dangerous as living with a smoker.

USA TODAY

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

• This year, about 182,800 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

• 80% won't have any genetic predisposition to the disease.

• Your chances of knowing a woman with breast cancer is almost 100%.

• Every year, about 1,500 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer also.

Causes of Breast Cancer

• Alcohol • Caffeine • Meat eating

Thomas DB. Cancer. In: Last JM, Wallace RB, editors. Reventive Medicine - 13th edition. Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange, 1992 p. 816.

Craig WJ. Caffeine Update: What’s Brewing? In: Nutrition for the Nineties… Equ Claire, MI: Golden Harvest Books, 1992 p. 286

Hirayama T. Epidemiology of breast cancer with special reference to the role of diet. Prev. Med 1987 Jun

Colon Cancer

Colon Cancer

• Diets high in fat predispose humans to colorectal cancer.

• In countries with high colorectal cancer rates, the fat intake by the population is much higher than in countries with low cancer rates.

©1996-2006 Medicine Net, Inc.

• The breakdown products of fat metabolism lead to the formation of cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens).

• Diets high in vegetables and high-fiber foods such as whole-grain breads and cereals rid the bowel of these carcinogens and help reduce the risk of cancer.

Colon Cancer

Consumption of processed or red meat and fish is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) is coordinated by Dr Elio Riboli

Colon Cancer

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found a clear and straightforward association between high-glycemic foods and colorectal cancer.

Higginbotham, S. and Zhang, Z. “Dietary Glycemic Load and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the Women’s Health Study." Journal of the National Cancer Institute 96.3

Colon Cancer

Researchers at Harvard and UCLA found that women who ate the most high-glycemic load foods were almost three times more likely to develop colorectal cancer

Higginbotham, S. and Zhang, Z. “Dietary Glycemic Load and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the Women’s Health Study." Journal of the National Cancer Institute 96.3

High-Glycemic Foods• Candy• Potatoes• White bread

Higgenbotham, S, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Feb. 4, 2004; vol 96: pp 229-233. Terry, P. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, June 18, 2003

Whole foods rich in fiber have a low-glycemic load.

Higgenbotham, S, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Feb. 4, 2004; vol 96: pp 229-233. Terry, P. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, June 18, 2003

Skin Cancer

In 2006, melanoma will be the 4th most commonly diagnosed form of cancer for men and the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer for women in the United States.

Healthcare LLC

… Skin Cancer• Ultraviolet radiation from the

sun is the major cause of skin cancer.

• Babies under 6 months old should be kept out of the sun completely. Their skin can't produce enough melanin to protect them from UV light.

• There is a link between childhood sunburn and malignant melanoma later in life.

Permanent Damage• When our skin gets tanned or burned,

damage is done to individual skin cells and DNA.

• Some cells die and some repair themselves by getting rid of the damaged DNA.

• Ultraviolet light contained within sunlight lowers the body’s immune system, and makes it difficult to destroy defective cells.

• Cells that cannot repair themselves, become cancerous.

• Melanoma begins as a formation of dark-pigmented malignant moles or tumors.

… Permanent Damage …

It is very important to notice any changes in the number and appearance of moles on the body. Melanomas can occur anywhere on the body but are most frequently found on the upper back and legs. You should be aware of unusual skin conditions such as:

BBC

… Permanent DamageChange in size or color of moles or

birthmarks

Bleeding around current birthmarks

Appearance of dark or irregular growths or spots

The spread of pigment into the surrounding skin

Itchiness, tenderness or pain in the surrounding area

BBC

Cancer Treatments

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy interferes with:• Cell division • The duplication of DNA • The separation of newly formed

chromosomes• Most forms of chemotherapy target all

rapidly dividing cells and are not specific for cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy harms healthy tissue, especially tissues that have a high replacement rate such as intestinal lining.

Side Effects of Chemo • A sore mouth • Mouth ulcers• Sickness (nausea and vomiting)    • Loss of appetite     • Diarrhea      • Constipation     • Hair loss• Skin and Nails (dry and discolored)

Cancer Research UK 2002

Radiation

• Radiation works by damaging the DNA within the tumor cells, making them unable to divide and grow.

• Although radiation is directed at the tumor, non-cancerous tissues surrounding the tumor will also be affected by the radiation and therefore be damaged.

1995-2006 Life Extension Foundation 

Natural Treatment

• Fever treatment

• Juicing of vegetables

• Garlic

• Follow the eight health laws

Cancer and Ageing

Cancer may affect people of all ages, but the risk tends to increase with age, due to the fact that DNA damage becomes more apparent with aging.

Cancer and the Immune System

Cancer and the Immune System

• All cancer is the result of an immune system that didn't destroy mutant cells.

• The immune system of a healthy person destroys 10,000 cancer cells every day.

• When this defense ceases, the cancer can multiply and become a clinical case of cancer.

© 2006 breastcancer.org™ breastcancer.org

Instead of damaging the body's only defense against cancer with chemicals and

radiation, we should focus on strengthening the immune system so it will

do it's job.

Prevention is the Key

Plant-Based Diet• Foods that come from the plant

kingdom rather than the animal kingdom have many protective factors.

• Antioxidants, anticarcinogens and bioflavonoids are some of the terms used to describe the actions of phytonutrients.

• Foods rich in plant derived nutrients include berries, dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, legumes and whole grains.

80% of cancer is preventable by simple

lifestyle choices.Doctors have concluded that

90% of cancer is due to environmental factors

Wynder EL, Gori GB. Contribution of the environment to cancer incidence an epidemiologic exercise. J Natl Cancer Inst 1977 Higginson J. Present trends in cancer epidemiology. Can Cancer Conf 1969

.

6 Steps to Prevent Cancer

1. Don’t use tobacco2. Eat a variety of healthy foods3. Stay active and maintain a healthy

weight4. Protect yourself from the sun5. Get screened6. Consider other possible cancer-

fighting strategies

1998-2006 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Nutrition and Cancer

Does What We Eat Affect us?

• The National Cancer Institute estimates that at least 35% of all cancers have a nutritional connection.

• What we eat makes a big difference in our energy levels, our mood and even our self esteem.

Excess weight and eating too much cholesterol and other fats are risk factors for cancer. Researcher say that fat appears to reduce white blood cell production, affecting T-cell and macrophage activity. Further, obesity and a poor diet compromise the lymphatic system, making the body more vulnerable to infection and disease.

Conference on food choices for cancer recovery.

Free Radicals

Free Radicals

• Free radicals are cells that have lost an electron, thus are unstable cells.

• They steal electrons from other cells in effort to heal themselves, creating new free radicals in the process.

• By stealing electrons, it can cause damage to DNA, leading to the possible development of cancer.

The New York Times Company

… Free Radicals

• Antioxidants search for free radicals and lend them an electron.

• This stabilizes the molecule, thus preventing damage to other cells.

• Antioxidants also turn free radicals into waste by products, and they get eliminated from the body.

• Antioxidants also have the ability to repair previous damage to cells.

The New York Times Company

Cause of Free Radicals

• Cigarette smoke• Pollution• Exposure to sunlight • Normal daily processes like food

digestion and breathing

The New York Times Company

Free Radicals in Food

• Foods cooked at high heat (especially animal products such as meat, dairy products, eggs)

• Animal fats and proteins• Metabolic waste products that are

contained in animal tissues

… Free Radicals in Food• Refined foods such as:

- white sugar- white flours- hydrogenated oils.

• Preservatives, colorings, and other food additives

Antioxidants

• Antioxidants are substances that prevent damage to cells caused by free radicals.

• Antioxidants interact with and stabilize free radicals and may prevent some of the damage free radicals might otherwise cause.

Blot WJ, Li JY, Taylor PR, et al. Nutrition intervention trials in Linxian, China: supplementation with specific vitamin/mineral combinations, cancer incidence, and disease-specific mortality in the general population. J Natl Cancer Inst 1993;85:1483-91.2)The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group.

Beta-Carotene• Beta carotene is found in many foods

that are orange in color: - sweet potatoes- carrots- cantaloupe- squash- apricots- pumpkin- mangos

• Some green leafy vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, and kale

Lycopene

Lycopene is a potent antioxidant found in: - tomatoes- watermelon- guava- papaya- apricots- pink grapefruit- blood oranges 

Selenium

•  Selenium is a mineral, not an antioxidant nutrient.However, it is a component of antioxidant enzymes.

• Plant foods like rice and wheat are the major sources of selenium. Brazil nuts also contain large quantities of selenium. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid, and can be found in high abundance in many fruits and vegetables.

Blot WJ, Li JY, Taylor PR, et al. Nutrition intervention trials in Linxian, China: supplementation with specific vitamin/mineral combinations, cancer incidence, and disease-specific mortality in the general population. J Natl Cancer Inst 1993;85:1483-91.2)The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group.

Vitamin E Vitamin E is found in:

- Almonds- Sunflower oil - Corn oil- Soybean oils - Mangos- Nuts- Broccoli

Blot WJ, Li JY, Taylor PR, et al. Nutrition intervention trials in Linxian, China: supplementation with specific vitamin/mineral combinations, cancer incidence, and disease-specific mortality in the general population. J Natl Cancer Inst 1993;85:1483-91.2)The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group.

Vitamin A

  Vitamin A is found in three main forms: retinol (Vitamin A1), 3,4-didehydroretinol (Vitamin A2), and 3-hydroxy-retinol (Vitamin A3). Foods rich in vitamin A sweet potatoes and carrots.  

Blot WJ, Li JY, Taylor PR, et al. Nutrition intervention trials in Linxian, China: supplementation with specific vitamin/mineral combinations, cancer incidence, and disease-specific mortality in the general population. J Natl Cancer Inst 1993;85:1483-91.2)The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group.

Exercise A UK trial has

shown that exercise therapy hastens recovery and improves the long-term physical and mental well being of women who are recovering from breast cancer.

… Exercise

Researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have found that exercise decreases pain and helps breast cancer survivors feel healthier and increase participation in daily activities.

The Active for Life after Breast Cancer Study, published Friday in the journal, Patient Education and Counseling, evaluated the effect of exercise on former cancer patients' physical well-being

Exercise In one small study, researchers

found that moderate exercise (three or more times a week) increased the immune cell counts of women undergoing breast cancer treatment back to normal levels.

Exercise was also found to improve the women's mood and ability to handle their feelings comfortably.

© 2006 breastcancer.org™

Water

Dehydration causes a disturbance in the normal physiological functions in the body, which allows cancer to develop.

Global Health Solutions watercure.com

Sunshine

Too Much Sun

• Sunburn from UV radiation can cause damage to your skin, potentially leading to skin cancer.

• Most people receive 80% of their lifetime exposure to the sun by 18 years of age.

The Benefits of Sunlight• Research suggests that

sunshine actually does bathe us in a favorable light.

• Recent studies have found that sunlight can help protect you from cancer of the:

Breast Colon Ovary

The Benefits of Sunlight Bladder Womb Stomach Prostate gland

BBC

Temperance

True Temperance

True temperance means dispensing entirely with everything hurtful, and using judiciously that which is healthful.

Child Guidance (1954) Chap. Sixty – Three – Temperance in All Things

… True Temperance Few realize how much their habits of

diet have to do with their health, their character, their usefulness in this world, and their eternal destiny. The appetite should ever be in subjection to the moral and intellectual powers. The body should be servant to the mind, and not the mind to the body.

Child Guidance (1954) Chap. Sixty – Three – Temperance in All Things

Air

Study on Rats

A group of rats with cancer were allowed to breathe negatively charged air, while an equal number breathed common indoor air. After one month the cancer in the rats breathing the indoor air was twice the size of the cancer in the rats breathing the negatively charged air.

Rest

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation weakens the immune system leaving us more susceptible to the common cold and even more serious diseases and disorders such as diabetes and cancer.

©2006 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company

Rest

Tissue growth and repair takes

place during hours of darkness and

while the person is asleep. A person

with cancer needs this healing and

rebuilding time of the night.

Trust in God

…Trust in God

In an Australian study, researchers found that patients who saw themselves as most religious were less likely to have cancer than those who were not as religious.

… Trust in God Researchers at the University of

Texas did a study about the impact of deep faith on the condition of women with breast cancer. They found in a group of patients that "intrinsic religiousness" was a strong predictor of spiritual well-being and hope – both of which are important factors for successfully coping with cancer.

Source: November 1993 issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord they God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26