What Causes Cancer and What You Can Do About It

Up to one-quarter of all Americans will develop cancer in their lifetime, and many will die from it. Indeed, cancer is now the leading cause of death in the United States, recently surpassing heart disease.

We frequently think of cancer as a single disease, but it's actually many different diseases. Almost 200 different forms of cancer are known, and all are characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells. Normal controls on these cells have broken down and a "malignancy" has developed that invades and destroys healthy tissues.

What causes cancer? It's well known that it is initiated by certain carcinogens such as arsenic, asbestos, benzene, and beryllium. But environmental factors such as air pollution and our lifestyle - the food we eat, whether we smoke or drink alcohol and so on - can also cause cancer.

How do these things actually cause normal cells to go bad? Cancer is a cellular disease so we have to look in detail at what goes on in the cells of our body. One of the main things is cellular division; cells divide, creating copies of themselves. This division is under the control of DNA - the basic molecule of life - a long molecule composed of two strands wound one around the other.

In human cells, DNA has 46 distinct regions called chromosomes that are arranged in pairs. They, in turn, contain approximately 25,000 genes, or segments of DNA that determine the structure of the protein that is needed for the growth, development and other vital functions of the body. Genes determine a person's characteristics.

DNA is protected most of the time, but it becomes particularly vulnerable when cells divide. When a cell receives a message to divide, many reactions are involved and all of them have to take place correctly for the cell to divide properly. Furthermore, the division is initiated only when the cells received the proper signal, and the division stops when it received another (stop) signal. Cancer cells do not obey these signals.

How A Malignancy Forms

Cancer is initiated by a mutation at specific locations along the DNA that makes up the gene. How mutations affect the DNA depends to a large degree on what are called cancer genes. There are two types of these genes, called tumor suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes. The tumor suppressors are associated with the cell's ability to divide; they stop division when it needs to stop (they also do other things). One of the best known is p53, which seems to be implicated in a large number of tumors. The proto-oncogenes stimulate growth or cell division. Mutations change proto-oncogenes into oncogenes that allow uncontrolled growth.

From a simple point of view, the process is as follows.

• A carcinogen, or another cancer-causing agent, alter the DNA sequence of the cancer gene.
• Mutations in tumor suppressor genes cause growth inhibiting protein usually coded by the genes to disappear allowing the cell to divide when it shouldn't.
• Mutations to the proto-oncogenes cause them to become very active, prompting them to grow when they shouldn't.
• Excess cellular growth leads to a mutant colony of cells that reproduces rapidly.
• Eventually, a mass, or group of these cells, breaks free and leaks into the bloodstream and moves to another part of the body where they set up a new colony.

The actual process is, of course, much more detailed than this, and scientists still do not understand it completely. What we can see from this, however, is that it takes several different steps to produce a malignancy. Furthermore, although mutations take place continuously, few of them are actually serious, and the reason is that within the cell there are molecules that are continually repairing any mutations that occur. When a defective section of DNA is spotted, it is repaired, or if it is seen to be beyond repair, it is killed and deleted from the strand. So there are safeguards, and cancer has to get around these safeguards. Unfortunately, in many cases, it does. Let's look at the six "superpowers" that cancer cells need (and have) to get around problems such as these.

Six Superpowers that Cancer Cells Have and Need to Cause their Damage

1. Normal cells require a signal to divide. Cancer cells ignore this signal; they continue to divide when they shouldn't.
2. When growth is such that it should stop, a stop signal, or command, is sent out. Normal cells obey this signal; cancer cells do not. Such a command may, for example, be sent out by adjacent cells, when they are squeezed.
3. When a healthy cell has built up several genetic defects it is usually programmed for destruction before it can cause any problems. Cancer cells are able to bypass this destruction.
4. Like all cells, cancer cells also need oxygen and nutrients to survive. They come via blood vessels, and tumors don't have the appropriate ones. They are able, however, to "steal" them from nearby healthy cells.
5. Healthy cells normally stop dividing after about 70 divisions. This is controlled by what is called "telomeres." Cancer cells need many more than 70 divisions to do their destruction, and they are able to manipulate the telomeres so that they have an infinite life.
6. The last of the six superpowers is the one that makes cancer particularly deadly. Normal cells are generally confined to a certain region of the body. Cancer cells somehow disable the cellular mechanism that confines them. Because of this they can metastasize, or move to other parts of the body.

Cancer cells also have another problem to overcome. All humans have two sets of chromosomes, one from their mother and one from their father (with the exception of the X and Y sex chromosomes). So in a sense, there is a back-up system in your body. This means that a mutation in one set is generally not enough to initiate cancer. In general, it takes 4 to 10 mutations in a particular gene to transform it.

The p53 Cancer Gene

Earlier I mentioned the p53 cancer gene; it is a tumor suppressor gene, and it is very helpful in protecting us from cancer. Its importance is seen when doctors inspect tumors in detail. They have found that 50% of cancer tumors have defects, or mutations, in their p53 genes. To see why this is important we have to look at what p53 does. Basically, it's like an inspector; after cell division it thoroughly checks the new strips of DNA. In particular, it checks for errors and defects, and it makes sure that any that it finds are repaired. Furthermore, if it finds too many, it labels that section of DNA for destruction, and a new section if produced. Generally it does a good job, but it can get out of control occasionally and kill off good cells.

What You Can Do

This list is, of course, incomplete, but it should give you a good idea of what you can do.

1. Early detection is obviously important - particularly before cancer metastasizes and moves throughout your body.
2. Avoid carcinogens as much as possible. Some of the major ones are cigarette smoke, certain viruses, radiation and radioactive substances, asbestos, arsenic, air pollution, benzene.
3. Diet. There is some controversy here, but general guidelines can be given. Some of them are: eat vegetables and fruit, avoid red meat, fiber is important, fish is helpful as are good fats such as omega 3 and other antioxidants.
4. Both obesity and excess alcohol can lead to cancer.
5. Other things: Vitamin D is important, and take a baby aspirin every day.

Barry Parker (Ph. D.) is a professor emeritus (physics, biophysics) at Idaho State University who now spends most of his time writing. He is the author of 26 books on science, health writing, and music, and he has written for the Smithsonian, Encyclopedia Britannica, Time-Life Books, the Washington Post, and numerous magazines such as Flyfisherman, Astronomy Magazine, and Sky and Telescope. One of his books is "You Should Write a Book: Writing it With Style and Clarity, Publishing Beautiful Pages, Selling Thousands of Copies," It is based on a course he taught at ISU for several years, and is available through his website BarryParkerbooks.com. He is also the author of "Feel Great Feel Alive" which is on health, fitness, and self-improvement, and he is CEO of Stardust Press. While at ISU he did research on the DNA molecule and on Einstein's Theory of Relativity. His latest book is "Learn from Yesterday, Live for Today, Hope for Tomorrow."

7 Misunderstandings About Cancer

When it comes to diagnosis and treatment of cancer there are a number of misunderstandings. These misunderstandings, be them from doctors or patients, can only serve to keep the cancer returning post-treatment if indeed there has not been death.

 To avoid this it is necessary to identify and act on these misunderstandings. Not an exhaustive account, but here are 7 common misunderstandings about cancer.

1. Early detection saves lives

The claim that early detection saves lives is simply untrue because it is impossible to tell whether or not the cancer will turn out to be benign or malignant. Don't be fooled or misguided by the early detection myth.

 For example, Pathologists will tell you that some 30-40 times more cancers; prostate, pancreatic, and thyroid cancers were found during autopsy. These individuals, when alive, never went to the doctors because due to healing abilities their bodies had been able to encapsulate the cancer, rendering it as benign and symptomless.

2. The symptoms are the cause of the illness

Oh no! Many people don't realize that cancer is only a symptom of some underlying root-cause. In other words cancer is a knock-on effect or warning sign and is the body's way of trying to heal itself... Heal itself of what, did I hear you say? -Read on

3. Treating the symptoms is the cure

No again! Many doctors make this mistake. Yes, it's important to treat the symptoms but the cancer will eventually return because the underlying root-cause is ignored. This is what is happening when patients are treated using conventional medicine. The root cause of cancer is nutritional deficiency and toxicity which indeed needs to be addressed to be sure that the patient is cured.

4. Natural cures don't work

To say that natural cures don't work is nothing more than disinformation. The medical-pharmaceutical establishment don't want you finding out about inexpensive, natural, non-toxic and non-evasive cures because it undercuts their business, so, to counter this, they spread disinformation through the mass media... Doctors found treating patients with unapproved natural cures could be struck off the list even if the treatment works...

5. Nutrition does not have much of an effect

How doctors, cancer research and people suchlike can basically ignore nutrition, one of the things that makes up our very being truly amazes me. As I've been saying in previous articles with backed up evidence cancer is the result of long-term nutritional deficiency and toxicity. Therefore the cancer needs to be addressed by treating the cancer patient with a strict dietary regimen of specific foods and supplements to heal the body as well as detoxification.

6. One day there will be a magic bullet cure for cancer

Many, falling for the cancer research con, think that one day there will be a magic bullet cure for cancer or something like that. Every so often, you see something in mainstream media that promotes the latest drug that could turn out to be the 'miracle cure' of the future but nothing ever comes of it. That's because curing cancer doesn't work like that. A multi-factorial holistic approach is needed; one that addresses the nutritional deficiency, toxicity, stress handling, the mind-body-spirit connection and exercise... to cure the patient.

7. Mobile phone use does not cause cancer

A source that's often used to support the above misunderstanding is a Dutch study conducted by Patrizia Frei et al in 2011. The study found that mobile phone frequent / heavy use did not cause cancer. However, the study was criticized by Professor Dennis Henshaw et al at Bristol University, pointing out that there had been a number of major flaws in the study. This was ignored by mainstream media.

Some studies such as those conducted by Yaniv Hamzany and colleagues at Tel-Aviv University (2013) concluded that long-term frequent/heavy mobile phone use was harmful and could cause cancer. Also, a Swedish study headed by Stefan Lonn published in the American Journal of Epidemiology(2005) found that long-term frequent/heavy mobile phone use for 2 plus hours each day meant a 250-1 greater chance of getting brain cancer.

Then there's the 2012 Bio-Initiative report that puts any doubts laid to rest. This documents 1000's of pages of primary source studies, showing harmful effects...

-I hope that this has given the reader some insights and they want to make further inquiries.

10 Cancer Causing Foods You Are Eating

According to the American Cancer Society, "in 2014, there will be an estimated 1,665,540 new cancer cases diagnosed and 585,720 cancer deaths in the US. Cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the US, accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths."

If you - or someone you love - have been among any cancer statistic, you know that the disease is awful. And chances are you have asked - how did this happen?

Unfortunately, there is no definite answer, but there are some suggestions on how you can change your eating habits to decrease your chances of cancer.

Here are some foods that are believed to cause cancer:

Non-organic fruit 

 It's no surprise that fruit is sprayed with pesticides, but the organic fruit is sprayed with safe, natural pesticides. Chemical pesticides are the ones to watch out for because they're known to be linked to cancer, Alzheimer's, ADHD and birth defects. Pesticides build up in your body and affect your nervous, reproductive and endocrine systems.

Canned tomatoes -

Canned tomatoes lined with a chemical known as BPA. In 2010, the FDA "identified possible hazards to fetuses, infants, and young children." However, they still have not banned them.

Deli meat 

 I have already warned you about the link between deli or processed meat and Alzheimer's, but meats like hot dogs, sausage, bacon and most cold cuts contain carcinogens. Processed meats look so yummy because of preservatives with nitrates and unfortunately, these are well-known carcinogens.

Diet beverages 

many people choose a diet drink to save the calories, but what if I told you that you're actually better off drinking the full-calorie drink (if you have to, it's better to avoid these types of drinks altogether). Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin have been found to cause cancer.

Farmed Salmon  

I know, you may have been eating salmon because you've been told that fatty fish are good for your heart but the director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the State University of New York at Albany established that farmed salmon (instead of wild) are grown using harmful chemicals, pesticides, and antibiotics.

Hydrogenated oils -

Since vegetable oils are chemically removed from their source and then they are deodorized to become hydrogenated, you'll want to avoid them.

Refined white flour - which unfortunately are found in lots of processed foods. Processed flour actually has a very high glycemic rate, which has been found to feed cancer cell growth.

Refined sugar 

 many researchers have stated that cancer has a sweet tooth and feeds off sweet foods that contain ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup. Luckily manufacturers have been listening and there are now plenty of snacks, cereals, and juices made without high fructose corn syrup.

Alcohol 

 no worries, in moderation a glass of wine is OK to enjoy. It's when alcohol is abused in excess when it can cause heart disease, a stroke and even cancer. The American Cancer Society has alcoholic beverages listed as a "known human carcinogen".

Corn and Soy GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) 

 According to the USDA, approximately 94% of soy and 89% of corn products are genetically modified. These foods have been chemically grown and modified with chemicals. There have been oodles of arguments about GMOs, but the bottom line is that 30 other countries have banned them and the "FDA approved commercial production of GMOs based on studies conducted by the companies who created them and profit from their sale."

So there you have it. You may love many of these items, but believe me, they are easy to give up. And when it comes to cancer - better safe than sorry.

3 Things Children of Cancer Patients Are Tired of Hearing

When my dad was diagnosed with cancer a month before my freshman year at college, it came like a freight train to the gut. There is nothing more frightening, in my experience than watching your parents sit down on the couch, hands clutched together tightly, and begin to sob in earnest.

Somewhere in the emotional melee, they manage to tell you that they have some news, and if you're smart and have been paying attention, you know that whatever it is cannot possibly be good. They let the dreaded word fly and I immediately left the house to take the dog on a three-hour walk (or stumble, in my case) around the neighborhood.

Plain and simple, it sucks. It really, really sucks to watch the man who chased the monsters from under your bed be tackled and slowly devoured by a creature you never thought you'd have to see.

And ironically, as a Christian, what sometimes sucks, even more, is letting other people in. Everyone always has something to say, good or bad, and sometimes, as well-meaning as they are, people say exactly the wrong things. These are a handful.

1. "I know exactly how you must be feeling. My dog/cat/friend's uncle's cousin had cancer and it was just so hard for me to watch."

No. Don't you dare tell me you know what it's like. Especially not when your only experience is with someone you see once a year. A trusted friend once turned the tables on me while out to lunch after asking me about Dad, and I was left to comfort her while she cried over the loss of her dog.

And I get it, animals are family. But a dog is NOT the same thing as a dad. And don't try to tell me otherwise.

2. "Have you prayed about it?"

This is basically the Christian version of "Have you tried turning it on and off again?" Don't do it. It's insulting and rude, well-meaning as it may be. Of course I've prayed. You don't think I've watched my father suffer for three years and never once tried to petition the Almighty to have it all cease? The fact of the matter is that, yes, I have. For a long time, in fact.

And it's just. not. working.

3. "Just have faith."

This one is also quite rude and insensitive. If all it took was faith to make my dad well again, we'd have seen the end of this a long time ago. Yes, faith is part of the medicine. Faith in the doctors, faith in the drugs, faith in God at the end of it all. But a patient does not heal by faith alone. There's chemotherapy. There's radiation. Diet. Exercise. Surgery. All of which are excruciating to watch someone work through.

Cancer isn't an easy problem to solve. Please, please don't give me an easy solution.

Types of Oncologists and Their Roles in Your Cancer Treatment

Oncology is, at the very core, the study of cancer and the doctor who specializes in cancer treatment is called an oncologist. There are three main types of oncologists - medical, surgical and radiation. All three work in coordination to treat cancer. 

The medical oncologist specializes in treating patients with chemotherapy and other drugs to kill the cancer cells and prevent them from diving and spreading to other parts.

A surgical oncologist specializes in removing the tumor and the surrounding tissue by operating on it. They also perform biopsies. A radiation oncologist treats cancer with radiation therapy.

What is the role of an oncologist?

The role of an oncologist is to provide complete care for the patient right from diagnosis to treatment. He offers consultation, answers queries and provides the complete path for the treatment of cancer.

Diagnosis

The first and foremost responsibility is to accurately diagnose cancer. They type of cancer and the extent of its proliferation is analyzed by an oncologist. This means that at they get involved in the treatment of a patient at the very initial stage.

Consultation

You can talk to your doctor about any doubts or any information that you need. It is your right to know what the doctor has diagnosed and what your treatment options will be. You can also ask questions and understand all the available facilities your have for dealing with cancer. The doctor will tell you where the cancer is located and how it is affecting other parts of the body.

Treatment options

The oncologist also explains all the available treatment options and recommends the right course of action. There will be various tests and your doctor will make sure that you understand the results and are prepared for treatment. He will also inform you about the side effects and help you overcome them.

Compassionate care

The main role of any doctor /surgeon in any treatment is compassionate care. Helping restore a patient's quality of life to the maximum is what they aim for.

Cancer treatment involves a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals that includes a pathologist, a diagnostic radiologist, a surgeon and a nurse. Well, dermatologist and other specialists may be required according to the type of cancer being treated. Cancer treatment is a specialist job and requires a lot of care. Choosing the right hospital for treatment and surgery is what will ensure that your treatment is expertly handled. Make sure that you understand all the criteria and all your options and select the right hospital for this!

Natural Cancer Prevention Tips

Back in the year 1900, only about one person in twenty in the U.S. became a victim of cancer. This victim rate has steadily climbed over the years and today about one person in every three could be afflicted with this horrid disease! Cancer's annual cost in the United States is over 263 billion dollars. It is the second leading cause of death and is responsible for one in four deaths.

Cancer is defined as a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth. The Mayo Clinic says that it is caused by changes, or mutations, to the DNA within the cells. Different types of cancers are classified by the type of cell that is initially affected.

Since it is so much easier to prevent a disease than it is to get over it once you get it, let's take a look at things that should reduce your chances of being a victim. Most known causes of cancer can be avoided. If you are making an effort to avoid things that cause cancer, you are eating an anti-cancer diet, and are living a healthy type of lifestyle, the odds are in your favor that you will not get cancer!

THINGS THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED: 

tobacco, excessive consumption of alcohol, asbestos, arsenic, radiation, overexposure to the sun, car exhaust fumes, sugar, especially fructose, processed foods, genetically engineered foods, pesticides, herbicides, household chemical cleaners.

EAT AN ANTI-CANCER DIET: 

blueberries, garlic, broccoli, green tea, pomegranate, tomatoes, avocados, coconut oil, and turmeric. Also, be sure to get adequate magnesium in your diet. Magnesium can be found in almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, figs, lemons, apples, dark leafy greens, celery, alfalfa sprouts, and brown rice. Drink plenty of water, especially purified water. Drinking caffeinated coffee, but not decaf has been found to reduce the chances of getting some cancers. It is also desirable to eat many of your foods raw, plus include both fruits and vegetables daily.

OTHER KNOWN ANTI-CANCER STRATEGIES. 

Get regular exercise and adequate sleep. Eat organic foods when possible. Be sure you are getting enough Vitamin D, either from your foods, sunshine, or a vitamin supplement. Manage your stress level. Too much stress destroys the nutrients your body needs and weakens the immune system.

Most nutritionists recommend that we take a good multivitamin-mineral supplement, too, since it can be difficult to get all you need from foods alone. It is known that cancer thrives in an acidic environment and it cannot survive in an alkaline environment. Many of the foods listed in this article will help you to become more alkaline and less acidic. That is a good thing to help reduce your odds of getting cancer and for being healthier.

Prevent Cancer - Be Alert to Symptoms of Cancer

Cancer being a deadly disease, the focus should be on how to prevent cancer. If you can't always prevent it, you should at least be alert to the symptoms appearing as early signs so that you will be able to diagnose the problem early and get yourself cured of it. The axiom that diagnosing a health problem at an early stage will facilitate getting it treated properly and make the chances of getting cured better is particularly true of cancer, given the proneness of the disease to spread fast and become incurable if not detected in time.

There are some symptoms common to cancer and some other minor ailment. Yet, taking quick action once you spot these symptoms will go a long way in ensuring the safety of your health. I am listing some of the common symptoms for three types of cancer. If you detect these symptoms, consult your doctor who will be able to diagnose your condition properly and suggest the appropriate treatment.

Skin Cancer 

Skin Cancer will first affect your skin and then spread to other parts of your body. Skin cancer will be indicated by the moles and marks on your body changing their color, size, shape or structure within a short time. Sores that won't heal soon are another set of signs you have to be wary of. If you notice the appearance of some spots on your skin or some change in the color or texture of your skin, check with your doctor.

Throat Cancer 

Throat cancer will appear as a growth on the vocal chords or on the linithe ng of the throat. It may spread to the esophagus, neck, and lymph nodes. Cigarettes, alcohol and certain food items may contribute to the development of this disease. The symptoms you will have to guard against are any lump, inflammation or swelling on your neck that remains unsubsidized for more than two weeks. Do not ignore these symptoms just because they are small or because they don't cause you any pain, Prolonged hoarseness in your voice, frequent vomiting, sudden loss of weight, difficulty in swallowing food or experience of pain while swallowing food etc are also signs of throat cancer. These symptoms may be benign but when they are persistent, you will have to make sure that they are not symptoms of cancer.

Cancer of the Mouth 

Mouth cancer manifests in the form of the cavity in your mouth, lip, tongue, gums, saliva glands, and tonsils. Mouth cancer can also affect your lymphatic system, head, and lungs. Like throat cancer, this may also be caused by smoking, drinking and eating certain types of food. If you have ulcers in your mouth or on your tongue that won't heal within two weeks, development of mouth cancer can be indicated. The appearance of red or white spots in a cavity in your mouth may also be a sign of mouth cancer. Other symptoms to look for include chronic sore throat, prolonged hoarseness in your voice, painful swallowing, swelling or bleeding inside your mouth and your lips, gums, tongue or inner cheeks exhibiting the change of color.