Lung Cancer - the Truth, the Story
Written on 19 April 2008 by akeger
Lung cancer has now become the deadliest of all forms of cancer in many developed countries including the USA where about 170,000 people die from the disease each year. Worldwide this type of cancer kills an estimated 3.5 million people a year; a startling statistic when you consider it’s largely preventable.
More than one billion people worldwide are smokers even though nine out of ten lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking. By the year 2020 it’s estimated that as many as ten million people a year will die of smoking related diseases unless radical action is taken to curb the advance of the mega-bucks tobacco industry into Third World countries. About three quarters of those ten million deaths will be in developing nations.
Lung Cancer in the developing world
The good news for richer countries is that public health messages seem to be hitting home and lung cancer deaths are starting to decline. The bad news is that if you started smoking 40 years ago (before the dangers were widely known) and you are diagnosed with lung cancer today, you have only a slim chance of surviving more than a year. Lung cancer is rarely detected in its early stages but when it is, the prognosis is good with speedy and appropriate treatment. That is why campaigners are demanding more funding for early detection and research into new and better treatments. But the disease currently receives far less funding in developed countries than other forms of cancer which elicit public sympathy (such as breast and prostate cancer.)
Lung Cancer and passive smoking
There is a certain stigma attached to lung cancer and an attitude that the patient probably brought it on themselves. That is particularly hard for those who started smoking without knowing the health risks and for victims of passive smoking.
Thanks to government regulation and public education the long term picture regarding the reduction of lung cancer deaths in wealthier corners of the world is fairly optimistic. Not so for poorer countries which are the new targets of the tobacco moguls. Tired of being taken to court and hampered by advertising controls in countries like the USA and UK, cigarette manufacturers are now setting their sights on developing nations and governments which are easily lured by the promise of sizeable inward investment.
Ann Knight
For more information on lung cancer, the effects of smoking and the treatments available; visit Guide4Living who encourage public discussion on a number of the most pressing health and social issues of our time.
Tags: Diagnosis, living with lung cancer, Lung Cancer, lung cancer treatment, smoking, supportHow Non-essential Nutrients Reduce Cancer Risk
Written on 18 April 2008 by akeger
Numerous studies show that those who eat the most fruits and vegetables have the lowest risk of cancer and heart disease. Yet, when isolated vitamins are consumed, the results are mixed. Why?
According to Dr. Rui Lui of Cornell University, “The key question is whether a purified vitamin has the same benefit as does the whole food.”
Dr. Lui concluded, “Our group found that, for example, that the Vitamin C in apples with skin accounts for only 0.4% of the total antioxidant activity, suggesting that most of the antioxidant activity of fruits and vegetables may come from phenolics and flavonoids in apples. We propose that the additive and synergistic effects of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables are responsible for their potent antioxidant and anti-cancer activities.”
In other words, the powerful benefit of fruits and vegetables come from the antioxidant activity of the “non-essential” nutrients, in tandem with vitamins. The main categories of these supernutrients are:
Ellagic Acid: Twenty years ago, this antioxidant was unknown to the scientific community. Today, it is one of the most studied of the newly discovered supernutrients found in food. A large number of studies have documented the ability of ellagic acid to protect against lung, colon, breast, intestinal, and exophageal cancer. It may not only block the carcinogenic effects of chemicals, but, it can even halt the progession of cancer and prevent genetic mutations. It may be the key to explain why certain fruits and vegetables have better health benefits than purified vitamins. Wolfberries contain the highest amount of ellagic acid of any known food. Other good sources are raspberries and pomegranates.
Resveratrol is a powerful anti-cancer antioxidant and cardioprotective compound found in red grapes. It decreases the bad form of cholesterol (LDL) and the clumping of the blood, associated with heart attacks and strokes. It also reduces inflammation, associated with arthritis and other degenerative diseases.
Flavonoids: This group includes over 5,000 potent anti-cancer compounds. Fruits and vegetables contain the most flavonoids of any food group.
Flavnones: Found in oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and berries.
Anthocyanidins and Anthocyanosides: Found in blueberries and grape seeds.
Proanthacyanidins: Found in blueberries, Gingko biloba, and other botanicals.
Curcumin: A powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidant found in tumeric spice.
Cinnamic Acid: An anti-cancer compound found in cinnamon bark.
It is clear that there are components in a plant based diet, other than isolated vitamins and minerals, that can reduce the risk of cancer.
As Gary Young says in his new book, “The fruits richest in antioxidants, such as wolfberries, raspberries, and pomegranates may represent one of our most important natural therapies to slow the onset of degenerative diseases.”
While the research on supernutrients and superfoods continues around the world, the good news is that adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to the diet can profoundly improve health and combat illness.
Faye Durham is a former chemist and clinical research associate in the pharmaceutical industry. In her current career, she is a researcher, writer, and independent distributor, specializing in nutrition. She can be reached through the website at http://www.youngliving.org/fdurham
Resource: “Discovery of the Ultimate Superfood” by Gary Young, ND, Ronald Lawrence, MD, PhD, and Marc Schreuder, compiled by Essential Science Publishing, http://www.essentialscience.net or 1-800-336-6308.
Tags: antioxidant, cancer, ellagic acid, food, pomegranates, raspberries, resveratrol, supernutrients, wolfberries10 Lessons Cancer Taught Me
Written on 17 April 2008 by akegerWhen I was 39 I scheduled a doctor’s appointment to have a lump in my left breast checked. After a mammogram, the doctor said that there appeared to be a problem on my right side. Well, being the expert in all things at that time in my life, I told them there must be a mistake. I came in for the LEFT side. They assured me that everything looked fine on the left side but there were some suspicious looking calcifications on the right. After further tests, I was diagnosed with in situ carcinoma (cancer in the breast ducts). It was very, very early and I went through six weeks of radiation.
During that time, I started reading a lot of books including Dr. Bernie Siegel’s “Love, Medicine and Miracles.” One book that really hit home was Dr. Carl Simonton’s “Getting Well Again.” There were sections in that book where I sobbed because it was like someone had been following me for 15 years and knew everything I had done and said. I learned so much. I changed dramatically and so did my life.
Several years later I was suffering from severe fatigue and terrible bruising. I was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia. This time, chemotherapy was needed and so I went through that process. I’m proud to say that I’ve now been breast cancer free for 12 years and leukemia free for four years.
I learned many lessons in this journey. I share them with you so hopefully, if any of this fits, you can begin making changes in your life to avoid getting hit with the same two by four that smacked me!
1. There is no someday. There’s only now. There’s a story called “Precious Present” which talks about a mysterious man telling of an elusive present. The point of the story is that being “present” by enjoying the moments in your life is the best gift of all. It’s good to plan for the future, but remember to LIVE TODAY. Don’t put off playing with the kids, using your best china, doing all those things you want to do “someday.” We truly do not know what tomorrow brings. Be aware of what’s happening, really listen to others and trust your instincts. Your life can be so much richer by learning to be present even for just a few minutes each day.
2. Own and express your true feelings. For most of my life, I would do things I didn’t want to do. I always worried about saying no to others. When I got the leukemia I knew that the fatigue wasn’t just from the disease. It was also from 20 years of pent-up resentment for doing things and going places because I felt I “had” to. I’ve learned to express my feelings. Now I say no to things that I don’t want to do. But I also tell people I love them more often. I tell my kids “I’m sorry” when I’ve made mistakes (and I make plenty!) I talk to others about my fears, my depression (which plagued me for years) and my failures as well as my successes. Being honest has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Interestingly, in the process of becoming more direct, I’ve become kinder. There’s no resentment when you speak from the heart.
3. I’m not a victim. I choose how I react to situations. Sometimes people ask “Why me?” Except for a brief moment, I didn’t travel down that road. I knew there were lessons I needed to learn. Yes, some days just plain sucked with nausea and fatigue, but I also knew that many others have symptoms 1000 times worse than mine. When you’re open to the lessons, you can move through your situation so much easier and faster.
4. Take care of myself first. When traveling on airplanes we always hear that in case of emergencies to put on our oxygen mask first, THEN take care of others. That’s a major life lesson. If we don’t take care of ourselves first, then we have nothing to give others. I had excellent doctors, but I’ve learned that I need to know my body and what it needs. All aspects of our life are our responsibility. Get to know you. If you feel better after eating protein, eat it. If you need 8 hours of sleep a night, find a way to get it. You’ll function much better because that’s what YOU neednot what a book recommends. It’s the same with emotions (see #2). Speak from your heart. And spiritually, find the path that’s right for you. It all comes together to make a wonderful YOU, and then you can be there for others.
5. Ask for help. Sell the SuperWoman cape on ebay! Asking for help gives others a chance to share their gifts and love. Plus, you’ll weigh less because the “I have to do everything” cape is really heavy.
6. Watch your words and especially your thoughts. I believe that our “thoughts create.” With my cancer, I KNEW I was going to be cancer-free. But earlier in my life I was very critical, judgmental and negative. Watch your words and thoughts for an hour. Did you say or think thoughts like “I’m always tired,” “We can’t afford that,” “I could never do that”? If you keep thinking or saying those things, guess what shows up in your life? YepYou are tired, you can’t afford that item and you’ll never do that. I challenge you to eliminate the negatives. Guard your words. They are powerful.
7. There is a reason for all things. Many times things happen in our lives and we don’t understand. We are a small cog in a much bigger picture. Just trust and stay positive. As you get older, you’ll smile at how you’ve weaved this beautiful tapestry called “My Life.”
8. Get rid of stress. Stress is toxic and it can lead to serious health problems - physically and emotionally. If you are in a stressful situation, GET OUT of it — whether it’s an abusive relationship, a terrible job, or living in a place or city you don’t like. Stress eventually wins by wearing you out. So read #9.
9. If you don’t like your life, change it! This and #8 are easier said than done, but if you want a happier and healthier life, start making some changes. If you are thinking defeating thoughts, work on creating more positive affirmations. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the piano, start taking lessons. If you’ve always wanted your own home business, find something that sounds fun and start it! As the saying goes, “Life is like a buffet table. You can have whatever you want, but you’ve got to get up and go get it.” And go back and read #5 and ask for help from people you trust.
10. Laugh often. Don’t take life so seriously. All of us have challenges. Don’t get upset and angry. Laugh more and know that “This too shall pass.”
11. (Bonus Lesson) Reread these often. Life has a way of intruding and making us forget what we’ve learned. Print this off and re-read it often.
You deserve happiness, love, peace and joy.
Don’t let anyone or anything steal that. Blessings
Donna Davis lives in Tucson, AZ with her husband Bill, their two sons and two dogs. Donna has owned several successful businesses and loves coaching others. To learn more about Donna, her current business and how she helps others achieve their dreams visit http://www.myfuncandlebiz.com
Tags: cancer, change, life lessons, motivational, positive thinking, womens cancer