Thursday, December 27, 2007

What To Remember While Pursuing An Alternative Cancer Treatment

Cancer is a modern day bane. With science and medical research making unforeseen progress in most areas there is hope that it will be conquered soon. There are several alternative cancer treatments being offered in different parts of the world, they range from divine to paramedical. It has been observed that most of these alternative treatments help in countering the side effects of conventional cancer treatment even if they do not do much to cure the disease itself.

What is worth remembering however, while pursuing alternative cancer treatment is that most of these have not been tested properly and therefore are still not proven medical solutions. In most countries , before a treatment is made public, it undergoes several clinical trials, that process has not been applied to these alternative cancer treatments and that is why they are called so. There would always be a certain degree of uncertainty in pursuing any of these treatments and to minimize risks it is a good idea to talk with ones doctor before progressing with any. The right way of taking up alternative treatment is to talk to an oncologist. You need to discuss the process and take it up as a complimentary treatment and not a supplementary one to the conventional process.

Antioxidants are supposed to slow down the growth of cancer tissues in cells. Alternative cancer treatments might therefore guide you to take antioxidant supplements. It is wise to remember however that antioxidants are readily and naturally available in many food groups. Some fruits, vegetables, grains and even some meats are rich source of antioxidants, therefore, instead of taking supplements, one may decide to follow the guidelines of alternative cancer treatment and increase the quantities of these components in ones daily diet. The result would be same and your body would not be unnecessarily exposed to the risk of reverse effects.

An alkaline diet has often been suggested as opposed to an acidic diet as alternate cancer treatment. The logic behind this is that acid makes the cancer cells grow and alkaline food soothes them. This claim however remains completely unproved.

Essiac tea is another element that when introduced in the diet is supposed to reduce the size of tumors and therefore help in diminishing cancer. This alternative cancer treatment has been studied by qualified scientists and though its claim has not been fully proved it has been learned that Essiac Tea does have anti inflammatory, antioxidant and therefore some anti cancer properties.

It has been observed that eating more of vegetables than meat can prevent the onset of cancer in some people or slow down its progress. Based on this belief, treatments offer a diet known as the "Micro biotic diet". This diet dictates that the body absorb all its calories from vegetarian sources organized according to a strict pattern. On the whole its is healthier to stick to vegetarian food, though this alternative cancer treatment has not really been studied, it can be followed by those who believe in its goodness. Mega vitamin diets require cancer patients to take hundreds of vitamin pills in a day, however if one is already taking enough vitamins as a part of ones diet this alternative cancer treatment might not be necessary.

There are some options that also center around lifestyle changes, these alternative treatments suggest that patients remain happy and stress free to counter the spread of cancer. Though no study has proved the value of happiness, it is recommended that we try to implement this advice in our daily lives to improve the quality of it.

By D.S. Hamilton

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Breast Cancer – Problem Faced By Women

Breast cancer occurs when cell in our breasts known as tumor grow out of control causing damage to the nearby tissues and spreads throughout. These tumors which are cancerous are known as malignant tumors and cause lot of damage to your body. As it takes lot of time for a tumor to grow, it may not be easy to detect the tumor during self exam. But these can be detected with mammograms.

Breast cancers best treatment - early detection. Once, cancer is detected it becomes easier for the doctors and yourself to fight it out. By the age of 20 all women should start doing Breast Self Examination (BSE) it is one of most easiest and earliest ways of detecting cancer. These check ups should be done few days after your periods. You should do this check up at least once a month. A clinical breast exam should be done at least once a year.

Some of the signs to look for, while doing BSE
  • A lump found in and around the nipple or underarm
  • Change in size or shape
  • Nipple discharge or nipple turning inward
  • Redness of skin or warmth
  • Formation of dimple or change in skin texture

Some of the causes of having breast cancer

Gender: Being a woman is one of the common reasons for suffering from breast cancer. Event though men suffer from this disease too, just being a woman puts you in lot of danger.

Age: As you grow older your chances of having breast cancer increases.

Family history: If somebody in the family has suffered from breast cancer your chances of having breast cancer increases.

Being overweight or obese: If you are an overweight women your chances of breast cancer increases after menopause.

Lack of exercise: Being lethargic and lack of any physical activity leads you towards increasing weight and chances of breast cancer

Alcohol: Drinking alcohol becomes very risky as it increases your chances of breast cancer

Methods to Prevent Breast Cancer
  • Turn into a vegetarian
  • Have plenty of organic food and vegetables
  • Avoid red meat and any processed foods
  • Avoid alcohol and colas
  • You can have something sweet by having Stevia, an herb which is a substitute to any other toxic artificial sweetener
  • Having whole grains is very good such as Oatmeal, Kamut and Psyllium, which are a good source of fiber and enters directly into your bloodstream
  • Your diet must include wheat, bran and Cabbage as they are very nutritious food which helps to prevent breast cancer
  • Garlic, Ginger, carrots, celery, cilantro, parsley and parsnip has some of the highest cancer fighting nutrients. Include them in your daily diet.
by Sharon Hopkins

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Moving On After Breast Cancer

Breast cancer affects everyone in different ways and depending on the severity of each case, the recovery period varies greatly.

Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease and some very good work is being done to raise awareness and explore preventative measures. Unfortunately, there is still a downside.

This is the fact that these two words strike fear into the hearts of most women. We all know that it is these dreaded words that sets the alarm bells ringing. The psychological aspect of this means that when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer her stress levels skyrocket, putting an extra load on the body when she can cope with it the least.

It is of course her attitude towards these words that could be the greatest influence in her recovery.

Having survived cancer myself, I feel that some of the healing process is in part how you view the disease itself. As anyone who's read any of my previous articles will know, I did make considerable lifestyle changes to facilitate recovery. I'm also convinced that a big part of the process was down to the attitude I adopted towards cancer.

I had great faith in my surgeon and after the operation when he told me he had removed the cancer I believed him; totally. However, I also understood that the surgeon had done his part, now it was down to me to make sure the cancer didn't come back.

During the recuperation period there is plenty of time to think. It was during this time, that I was able to work out what I think was the cause of my breast cancer. It is a good time to find a strategy for post-breast cancer lifestyle. I had several challenges on a personal level; self-confidence being one of the issues. So I bought several books on the subject that were a real help in getting me back on track.

I've never liked the word remission, because it always seems to me that when someone says they are in remission, it is as if they expect the cancer to come back. The Law of attraction states that you will attract what you think about the most. If you spend your time expecting the cancer to come back, the odds are pretty good that it will. Of course I have absolutely no medical qualifications, and I don't profess to know the answers, I can only say what has worked for me.

I've always believed that stress caused my breast cancer, and part of the changes I've made to ensure the cancer didn't return was to eliminate as much stress from my life as I could.

For my part, I felt the best thing was to move on as soon as possible. So after a few mammograms and checkups that put me in the clear, I cut all ties with the breast cancer episode and got on with my life. I don't think about it very often, and I'm inclined to treat it as just another surgical procedure. It was a necessary procedure such as my appendectomy, but by not giving it too much credence, it means my breast cancer remains low on my list of things to think about.

Overcoming breast cancer is not easy, but advances in medical science help surgeons work miracles. Then it's down to the individual to decide what part their attitude can play in effecting a lasting cure.

My last piece of advice would have to be, set your self up to enjoy life. You know what they say, this isn't a dress rehearsal. This is it the real thing. Enjoy it now.

By Trish Powell

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Moving On After Breast Cancer

Breast cancer affects everyone in different ways and depending on the severity of each case, the recovery period varies greatly.

Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease and some very good work is being done to raise awareness and explore preventative measures. Unfortunately, there is still a downside.

This is the fact that these two words strike fear into the hearts of most women. We all know that it is these dreaded words that sets the alarm bells ringing. The psychological aspect of this means that when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer her stress levels skyrocket, putting an extra load on the body when she can cope with it the least.

It is of course her attitude towards these words that could be the greatest influence in her recovery.

Having survived cancer myself, I feel that some of the healing process is in part how you view the disease itself. As anyone who's read any of my previous articles will know, I did make considerable lifestyle changes to facilitate recovery. I'm also convinced that a big part of the process was down to the attitude I adopted towards cancer.

I had great faith in my surgeon and after the operation when he told me he had removed the cancer I believed him; totally. However, I also understood that the surgeon had done his part, now it was down to me to make sure the cancer didn't come back.

During the recuperation period there is plenty of time to think. It was during this time, that I was able to work out what I think was the cause of my breast cancer. It is a good time to find a strategy for post-breast cancer lifestyle. I had several challenges on a personal level; self-confidence being one of the issues. So I bought several books on the subject that were a real help in getting me back on track.

I've never liked the word remission, because it always seems to me that when someone says they are in remission, it is as if they expect the cancer to come back. The Law of attraction states that you will attract what you think about the most. If you spend your time expecting the cancer to come back, the odds are pretty good that it will. Of course I have absolutely no medical qualifications, and I don't profess to know the answers, I can only say what has worked for me.

I've always believed that stress caused my breast cancer, and part of the changes I've made to ensure the cancer didn't return was to eliminate as much stress from my life as I could.

For my part, I felt the best thing was to move on as soon as possible. So after a few mammograms and checkups that put me in the clear, I cut all ties with the breast cancer episode and got on with my life. I don't think about it very often, and I'm inclined to treat it as just another surgical procedure. It was a necessary procedure such as my appendectomy, but by not giving it too much credence, it means my breast cancer remains low on my list of things to think about.

Overcoming breast cancer is not easy, but advances in medical science help surgeons work miracles. Then it's down to the individual to decide what part their attitude can play in effecting a lasting cure.

My last piece of advice would have to be, set your self up to enjoy life. You know what they say, this isn't a dress rehearsal. This is it the real thing. Enjoy it now.

Trish is an Author and Life Coach, specializing in Health, Wellbeing and Relationships.
Her authoritative and informative site on improving your life-style is at http://wellbeing-information.com

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