anticancer diet to help fight cancer (Part 3) : herbs & spices

[This is Part 3 of a 5-parts article. Readers should first read Part 1 (Intro) to get the background to this article. As new remedies will be added from time to time, readers need to come back to this article now & then to view updates.]


Introduction
Herbs & spices have been known since ancient times to provide nutritional benefits for a wide range of diseases & illnesses. The Chinese have used medicinal herbs for 5,000 years to heal diseases & promote wellness. And many spices are not only used as a food additive, colouring or preservative but they are also used to help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer.

Below are some herbs & spices that cancer survivors can use in their daily diet to help them fight cancer.

Lemongrass Tea
In 2005, researchers at Ben Gurion University in Israel discovered that the lemon aroma in herbs like lemongrass kills cancer cells in vitro, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The researchers found that a drink with as little as one gram of lemongrass contains enough citral to prompt the cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube.

Citral is the key component that gives the lemony aroma and taste in several herbal plants such as lemongrass. The success of their research led them to the conclusion that herbs containing citral may be consumed as a preventative measure against certain cancerous cells.

Many physicians in Israel began to believe that while the research certainly needed to be explored further, in the meantime it would be advisable for their patients, who were looking for any possible tool to fight their condition, to try to harness the cancer-destroying properties of citral. The cancer patients were "told to drink eight glasses of hot water with fresh lemongrass steeped in it on the days that they went for their radiation and chemotherapy treatments."

Here are some tips on how you can include lemongrass in your daily anti-cancer diet.

Recipe
Ingredients : 3 stalks of lemongrass & 8 glasses of water (2,000ml or 2 litres).

Method : Cut the stalks in halves & boil them in water for about 20 min.

When to drink : On the day you go for radiation or chemo treatment, drink this tea within 2 hrs & stop drinking half-hour before treatment starts. On the day when you don't have treatment, you can boil just 1 stalk of lemongrass with 2 glasses (500ml) of water for 10 min and drink it while it's fresh & warm.

For cancer survivors : you too can include lemongrass tea in your daily diet as part of your health maintenance. Boil 1 stalk of lemongrass with 500ml of water & drink the tea while it's fresh & warm. I make & drink this tea everyday.

Benefits : prevent mouth ulcers and nausea; prevent good cells from being killed by radiation and chemo drugs; prevent growth of cancer cells.

Additional tips : You can include one or two stalks of lemongrass when you cook your rice.

Useful Info (taken from : WebMD website, see "References" for link)
1. Lemongrass is a plant. The leaves and the oil are used to make medicine.

2. Lemongrass is used for treating digestive tract spasms, stomachache, high blood pressure, convulsions, pain, vomiting, cough, achy joints (rheumatism), fever, the common cold, and exhaustion. It is also used to kill germs and as a mild astringent.

3. Some people apply lemongrass and its essential oil directly to the skin for headache, stomachache, abdominal pain, and muscle pain.

4. By inhalation, the essential oil of lemongrass is used as aromatherapy for muscle pain.

5. In food and beverages, lemongrass is used as a flavoring. For example, lemongrass leaves are commonly used as “lemon” flavoring in herbal teas.

6. In manufacturing, lemongrass is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. Lemongrass is also used in making vitamin A and natural citral.

7. How does it work? Lemongrass might help prevent the growth of some bacteria and yeast. Lemongrass also contains substances that are thought to relieve pain, reduce fever, stimulate the uterus and menstrual flow, and have antioxidant properties.


Turmeric and Black Pepper
Turmeric is a spice commonly used in Indian cooking. Is it a coincidence that the rate of cancer among Indians is lower than that of the Chinese & Malays in Singapore? (Chinese males : 250 per 100,000 population compared to Indian males 113; Chinese females : 209 per 100,000 population compared to Indian females 128). I don't think so. I can’t help but feel that turmeric may be the reason for the disparity between the rates of cancer among Indians and the other two main ethnic groups in Singapore.

And interestingly, when cancer rates from India are compared with those from Western countries, it also tells the same story. In India, the rates for breast, lung, colorectal, prostate & kidney cancers are one of the lowest in the world. Turmeric could be the reason as it is consumed in large amounts in India. An Indian consumes an average of 1.5g to 2g of turmeric per day (one-quarter to half a teaspoon).

Turmeric is grown in India and other tropical regions of Asia. Since the seventh century AD, turmeric has long been used as an anti-inflammatory herbal remedy. Some practitioners prescribe turmeric to relieve inflammation caused by arthritis, muscle sprains, swelling & pain caused by injuries or surgical incisions. It is also promoted as a treatment for rheumatism & as an antiseptic for cleaning wounds.

Supporters of turmeric also claim that turmeric protects against liver diseases, stimulates the gallbladder and circulatory systems, reduces cholesterol levels, dissolves blood clots, helps stop external and internal bleeding, and relieves painful menstruation and chest pains that often occur with heart disease. It is also used as a remedy for digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, Crohn’s disease and illnesses caused by toxins from parasites and bacteria.

Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family. Turmeric (Indian saffron) is known as Haldi in India or jianghuang (yellow ginger) in Chinese. Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin, an antioxidant that has shown to have numerous anticancer properties. Laboratory studies have found that carcumin inhibits & slows the growth of a number of cancers, particularly tumours of the oesophagus, mouth, lung, liver, prostate, stomach, colon, intestines, breast, skin & leukaemia. It also inhibits angiogenesis (#) & forces cancer cells to die.

A research done by Dr Beliveau & Dr Gingras on turmeric discovered that curcumin has one drawback – its low bioavailability (the extent to which it can be absorbed into the bloodstream). They found that piperine, a molecule contained in black pepper, increases the body’s absorption of curcumin by a factor of 1,000. To be assimilated by the body, turmeric must therefore be mixed with black pepper.

Dr Servan-Schreiber, a physician-scientist and a 20-year brain cancer survivor, said in his “Anticancer” blog, “Given that turmeric and pepper, taken as part of a normal diet, are practically never toxic in any way, it seems to me to be perfectly reasonable to recommend that all of us regularly consume a soupspoon of turmeric every day, with a pinch of pepper. You can use it in all your cooking, just like I've been doing for years.”

Here is the recipe for tumeric-black pepper mixture which was given me by Jimmy, one NPC survivor who had done some research into this anticancer spice.

Recipe
Ingredients : ten (10) teaspoons of turmeric powder and one (1) teaspoon of ground black pepper.

Method : Mix the 2 ingredients thoroughly in a glass container. Use a glass container with a tight lid, one that you can use to store the mixture for daily use.

How to consume : sprinkle turmeric-black pepper powder in your cooking or in your bowl of rice, noodles or soup, in fact in all the food you consume each day.

How much to take : Although there is no standard dose for turmeric, some practitioners recommend taking a teaspoon with each meal.

Benefits : inhibit, prevent & slow the growth of cancer. In the words of Dr Beliveau & Dr Gingras, "The daily addition of a teaspoon of turmeric to soups, salad dressings or pasta dishes is a simple, rapid & inexpensive way of providing a curcumin intake sufficient to help prevent cancer from developing."

Caution & Contraindications :

1. “Note that it is often safest to avoid turmeric during chemotherapy as well as three days before and after the treatment. This is because it can – rarely, but it can – interfere with some chemotherapy treatments and reduce their benefits.” (Dr Servan-Schreiber)

2. A study by some researchers had suggested that curcumin changes metabolism of oxalate, a substance that can form kidney stones. The researchers urged caution in use of this supplement by people with conditions that make them susceptible to kidney stones. (American Cancer Society)

3. People taking blood-thinning medications, drugs that suppress the immune system or non-steroidal pain relievers (such as ibuprofen) should avoid turmeric because of the risk of harmful drug interactions. In animal and laboratory studies, turmeric made certain anti-cancer drugs less effective. Antioxidant supplements can interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Patients who are in cancer treatment should talk to their doctor before taking vitamins, minerals, herbs or other supplements. (American Cancer Society)

4. People with bleeding disorders, obstructions of the bile duct or a history of ulcers also should avoid turmeric. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use this herb. The amount of turmeric found in foods is thought to be safe for those who are not allergic to it. (American Cancer Society)

5. When used as a spice in foods, turmeric is considered safe. But allergic reactions are possible. People who are allergic to ginger or yellow food colourings are more likely to be allergic to turmeric. (American Cancer Society)

Sabah Snake Grass (or Clinacanthus nutans) (work-in-progress)

notice
dear readers, I'm in the process of doing research on this herb but may have to delay publishing it on this blog as I have to attend to my ageing dad who is very sick with pneumonia. I will be back as soon as I can.

Meanwhile, if you google "Sabah snake grass" on the internet, you will be able to find several blogs on this subject. I append below some of the blogs you can visit.

Some recommended websites

http://sabahsnakegrassclinacanthus.com/

http://detox4cure.blogspot.com/

http://blog.ongsiwkim.com/en/

http://goodguy.hubpages.com/hub/Herbal-cure-for-cancer

http://upekah.blogspot.com/2011/09/sabah-snake-grass-update.html

http://healthiswealthwithherbs.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-plant-sabah-snake-grass.html





(watch out for more remedies ......)


Eat right. Exercise daily. Rest adequately.
shuqin

__________________________________________________________________

References

Lemongrass
http://www.israel21c.org/health/fresh-lemon-grass-fields-in-israel-become-mecca-for-cancer-patients

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-719-LEMONGRASS.aspx?activeIngredientId=719&activeIngredientName=LEMONGRASS

Turmeric
Singapore Cancer Registry Interim Report - Trends in Cancer Incidence in Singapore 2004-2008
http://www.nrdo.gov.sg/uploadedFiles/NRDO/Publications/Cancer_Trends_Report0408_web_v2.pdf

Dr David Servan-Schreiber’s “Anticancer” blog
http://www.anticancerbook.com/research.html

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/turmeric

Book - “Foods to fight cancer” by Prof R Beliveau & Dr D Gingras

anticancer diet to help fight cancer (Part 2) : juices

[This is Part 2 of a 5-parts article. Readers should first read Part 1 (Intro) to get the background to this article. As new remedies will be added from time to time, readers need to come back to this article to view updates.]

Introduction
Juices should become daily supplementary diet not only for people with cancer but for everyone. Vegetable juice is my daily "medicine" which I take twice a day. I notice my health has improved ever since I started drinking vegetable juices everyday. Just as you need to take daily showers to cleanse your body externally, you too need to take daily showers (in the form of juices) to cleanse (ie detoxify) your body internally. You do not need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to sign up for a detoxification program. Fresh vegetable juice is good enough.

Why juice? Juicing helps you to absorb better all the natural vitamins, minerals & enzymes from the vegetables. These nutrients help your body to detoxify & build up the body's immunity against many diseases & illnesses, including cancer. Juicing also allows you to consume a wide variety of vegetables at one go without the need to chew & digest, especially when you are unable to eat proper meals due to loss of appetite, mouth ulcers, etc. or when you suffer from constipation caused by drugs & medication.

DON’T buy commercially juiced products as they contain preservatives & sugar which are detrimental to health. Invest in a good juicer to make your own fresh juices. A good juicer costs around S$200-S$350 & can last 5-10 years.

I start each morning with ABC juice. In the afternoon or evening, I will drink another glass of vegetable juice. Cancer patients undergoing treatment should try to take veg juices, if possible, because radiotherapy & chemotherapy are highly toxic and juices can help to purge these toxins out of the body.

ABC Juice
Ingredients : one red apple, one small beetroot, one carrot (if beetroot is too big, use part of it & keep the other part in an air-tight container in the fridge).

Method : Remove skin (to get rid of pesticides), wash, cut into pieces & put into juicer. Drink the juice immediately. You may add water if you find the juice too sweet.

When to drink : first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, about one hour before breakfast.

Benefits : Reduce blood pressure & cholesterol; prevent cancer cells from developing & restrain cancer cells from growing; prevent cardiovascular diseases; prevent constipation; assist bowel movement; detoxify liver & body.

Additional notes : Beetroot can cause your stools to turn red. Thus, if you take ABC juice and your stools turn red, do not be alarmed. It is not necessarily blood in the stools.


Green Juices
Ingredients : You can use a variety of green vegetables. I usually juice 4-6 types of vegetables to make green juices. Examples of vegies you can use include asparagus, baby bitter gourd, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, green capsicum, mini cucumber, pumpkin, wheatgrass, etc. I will also add fruits such as green apple, guava & lemon. Please read Part 4 (fruits & vegetables) for a list of foods that have high phytochemical compounds.

Method :
1. Remove skin (if any), wash, cut into pieces & put into blender or juicer.
2. Squeeze out lemon juice separately using a squeezer or a fork, then add it to the juiced or blended green juice (watch the video below to learn how to get the most juice out of lemons).
3. Drink the juice immediately. You may add water if you find the juice too sweet.

 

Note : Broccoli & cauliflower florets can contain germs and bugs. One method to eliminate these germs and bugs is to blanch the broccoli & cauliflower in some boiling salted water before juicing. Plunging vegetables into boiling salted water can help clean the vegetables of germs and bugs that cannot be removed by normal washing. Not all vegetables need to be blanched except those with tight florets such as broccoli & cauliflower (source : Juicing book website).

When to drink : any time of the day on an empty stomach, preferably 30min before meals. Cancer patients undergoing treatment can drink veg juice to detoxify & cleanse the body of toxins.

Benefits : cleanse & detoxify the liver; reduce body acidity (vegies & fruits are alkaline-forming food), assist bowel movement & prevent constipation. Lemon is the top alkaline-forming food so try to consume it everyday (using the method described above).

Caution : if you're new to green juices, go slow as the taste can be quite strong. Add in one green apple, guava, chinese pear, carrot or pumpkin to dilute the green taste.



Chinese Pear JuiceChinese (golden) pears are round, crunchy & sweet, and differ from the traditional bell-shaped European pears. The Chinese pear is known to have more medicinal values than the other pears. The Chinese pear juice is an effective remedy for coughs & sore throats.

I first heard of the medicinal value of the Chinese pear a few years ago during a routine consultation with my TCM physician. I happened to be down with an irritating dry cough & he recommended me to drink fresh Chinese pear juice. He advised me, “Don’t eat the pear, drink the juice, it’s more effective.” I took his advice. And he was right. After drinking just one glass of the juice, I was amazed that my dry cough was healed almost instantly! And now I’m sharing this secret recipe with you.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the best time to drink pear juice is in the morning when you want to help get rid of a cough or to relieve fever. Because of its soothing effect on the throat, the Chinese pear juice is very suitable for NPC patients & survivors who often suffer from dry mouth (xerostomia) & dry throat due to side-effects of radiation & chemo drugs. If you are a chilli lover like me, you will be happy to know that you will soon be able to take chilli again if you include this juice in your diet.

Ingredients : one Chinese pear

Method : remove skin (to get rid of pesticides), wash, cut into pieces & put into juicer. Drink the juice immediately. Pear juice is fairly concentrated & sweet but I normally don’t dilute it with water as I drink it as a “cough syrup” to allow the “medicine” to work on my throat.

When to drink : drink in the morning if you are down with a cough or fever or dry throat; drink when you feel a cold coming; drink during summer heat or hot weather to cool down & prevent sore throat; drink to help relieve the dryness in your mouth & throat (for NPC sufferers & survivors).

Benefits : regulate bowel movements & relieve constipation; relieve coughs & fever; soothe the throat & prevent throat problems; boost immunity system; relieve inflammation; help to clear phlegm & mucus; aid in digestion; good for people prone to allergic reactions.

Additional tips : boil two Chinese pears with some raw honey & drink it warm. It’s said to provide healing for the throat & vocal cord.

Where to find good Chinese pears in Singapore : fruits stalls & wet markets & some supermarkets. A good Chinese pear costs about S$1.20 or S$1.30. They are imported mostly from China & South Korea (the Korean ones are of better quality). Good pears have deep green or golden colour & are firm to the touch.




(watch out for more remedies ........ )


Eat rightly. Exercise daily. Rest adequately.
shuqin

______________________________________________________________________

References

Cancer Facts
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/what-is-cancer
http://www.detox.net.au/articles/cancer-facts-vegetarian-recipes.htm

Chinese Pear
http://www.juicing-for-health.com/health-benefits-of-pear.html

anticancer diet to help fight cancer (Part 1) : introduction

[This is Part 1 of a 5-parts article.]


Introduction
What special food or diet should I take to help me cope with cancer?

This is a question I'm frequently asked by people suffering from nose cancer. It is a valid question. Food or diet is a top concern of every cancer sufferer & survivor. I too had asked this same question when I was diagnosed with NPC (nasopharyngeal cancer) in 2006. Five years on, this topic is still very close to my heart.

By asking this question, we recognise that end of treatment does not necessarily mean end of cancer. We have gone (or are going) through the vigorous cancer treatment which has weakened our body's immune system. We have lost many kilos of weight. We now experience many changes in our body, including the side-effects of cancer treatment. We want to know what we should eat or do to restore our health and prevent cancer from coming back.

In the past 5 years, I have searched the internet, read up books, attended talks & picked up tips from my "NPC family" on what I should eat or do to help me cope & live with nose cancer. I will share some of these anticancer diet or remedies but before we delve into that, we must first understand some basic facts about cancer.

Cancer Facts
Every person has cancer cells in his body. These cancer cells do not show up until they have multiplied to a few billion. When your doctor tells you there are no more cancer cells in your body after treatment, it just means that tests are unable to detect cancer cells because they have not reached detectable size. When your immune system is strong, cancer cells will be destroyed and thus will be prevented from multiplying & forming tumours.

Chemotherapy involves poisoning rapidly-growing cancer cells as well as destroys healthy cells in the body. Radiation, while destroying cancer cells, also burns, scars & damages healthy cells, tissues & organs. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation, our immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence we can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

A Total Approach to Fighting Cancer
Our battle with cancer does not end with treatment. End of treatment does not mean we simply return to our former way of life without making changes to our diet & lifestyle. In other words, we cannot afford to do nothing.

Our battle with cancer is an ongoing lifelong battle. We need to stay vigilant against cancer at all times. But we should not live each day worrying about cancer either. While we should lead normal lives, we need also to pay more attention to our diet & lifestyle. So what do we need to do to gear up our ammunition against cancer?

To fight cancer, we need to :
1. starve cancer cells by not feeding the cells with foods that can help it to multiply
2. build up our body's immune system to enable our body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells
3. detoxify our body so our body's immune system can function more efficiently to remove the cancer cells
4. do deep-breathing exercise daily to get more oxygen down to the cellular level as cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment
5. adopt a positive mindset & stress-free lifestyle

In this 5-parts article as well as in future articles, I will provide some practical guide on how we can incorporate these 5 points in our daily battle against cancer.

Anticancer Diet
I will present in this article natural remedies or recipes that are believed to help our bodies fight cancer and provide relief from the side-effects of cancer treatment. Some of these remedies have scientific evidence, while some may not; and some remedies are spread by word of mouth. As each of our body constitution is different, what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Therefore as you try out these remedies, you must listen to your body, monitor your body's reactions & then make your own decision.

Please note that these natural remedies are NOT meant to replace your daily balanced meals or cancer treatment. These remedies are supplementary diet to help you fight your cancer.

I will group the anticancer diet under 4 categories : juices, herbs & spices, fruits & vegetables and soups. Due to the length of this article, I will present it in 5 parts as follows :

Part 1 : Introduction
Part 2 : Juices
Part 3 : Herbs & Spices
Part 4 : Fruits & Vegetables
Part 5 : Soups & Beverages

Please proceed now to Part 2 on juices.


Eat rightly. Exercise daily. Rest adequately.
shuqin

__________________________________________________________________

References

Cancer Facts
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/what-is-cancer
http://www.detox.net.au/articles/cancer-facts-vegetarian-recipes.htm

cancer recurrence : stories from NPC survivors

Relapse is the most fearful word for cancer survivors. To a cancer survivor, having cancer a 2nd or 3rd time can be devastating. Relapse can be harder to accept than the first time you were diagnosed. But when faced with a relapse, do not panic. Stay calm. There is hope even in relapse cases.

When cancer comes back, doctors call it a recurrence (or recurrent cancer). There are some things you need to know when cancer returns. The following 3 points are taken from the US National Cancer Institute website** :

• A recurrent cancer starts with cancer cells that the first treatment didn’t fully remove or destroy. Some may have been too small to be seen in follow-up. This doesn’t mean that the treatment you received was wrong. And it doesn’t mean that you did anything wrong either. It just means that a small number of cancer cells survived the treatment. These cells grew over time into tumours or cancer that your doctor can now detect.

• When cancer comes back, it doesn’t always show up in the same part of the body. For example, if you had colon cancer, it may come back in your liver. But the cancer is still called colon cancer. When the original cancer spreads to a new place, it is called a metastasis (pronounced “meh-TAS-tuh-sis”).

• It is possible to develop a completely new cancer that has nothing to do with your original cancer. But this doesn’t happen very often. Recurrences are more common.
Stories from 4 NPC survivors
What will you do when you learn that cancer has returned?

Four NPC survivors shared their experiences with cancer relapse at the recent NPC support group meeting. Although faced with a similar life-threatening situation, each of these survivors had chosen a different approach to dealing with cancer recurrence. Two of the survivors opted for conventional treatment while the other two opted for alternative treatment. For these 4 survivors, the relapse occurred within the first 5 years after their first treatment.

Below is their story. I have addressed each one of them by their surname to protect their identities. This write-up is based on my personal notes as I listened to their touching stories.

Mr NgHe was diagnosed in 2003 with Stage 2 NPC and suffered two relapses. The first relapse occurred in 2005 when cancer spread to the lymph nodes on his neck; he underwent surgery. The second relapse occurred in 2006 when cancer returned to the original site (nasopharynx); he underwent both radiotherapy & chemotherapy. His doctor had told him he had up to 6 months to live but he has survived to this day.

Based on his experience with relapse, he gave the following advice :
• Seek second opinion from another cancer expert
• Talk to others with similar experiences but make your own final decision
• Weigh the pros & cons when deciding on your option
• Find out the side effects & consequences to the treatment you have opted
• Whatever your choice, there is no such thing as a guaranteed cure

Mr Ng concluded with the following 3 A’s : Accept, Adapt, Adjust. Cancer requires a new way of life, so stop all unhealthy habits, take up healthy activities, switch to a healthier diet, relax & avoid stress. He emphasised that the mind played an important part, so stay positive & be happy.

Mr GohHe was diagnosed with NPC in 2000 and experienced a relapse in 2002 when he discovered a tumour on his neck. He discussed with his oncologist but turned down his doctor's recommendation of surgery & radiotherapy as he did not wish to suffer the side effects of conventional treatment. He opted for TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) instead. He was surprised the tumour shrunk & disappeared. He survived 10 years but cancer returned again in Feb 2011. He again opted for TCM treatment.

Mr NgHe was diagnosed with Stage 3 NPC in 2008 at age 36 with tumour on the neck. After completing conventional treatment of RT & chemo, the tumour disappeared but cancer returned to the nose one year later in 2009. This time he chose to take natural herbs to heal his body. He believes that cancer survivors need to build up a strong immunity against cancer & he does this by including natural herbs in his daily diet such as wheatgrass, Sabah Snake Grass (SSG), fruit enzymes and other herbs.

Ms G
She was diagnosed with Stage 3 NPC in 2006 & underwent both surgery & RT. She suffered a relapse in 2011 when her CT scan showed a growth under her tongue. After discussing with her oncologist, she opted for RT & suffered side effects worse than the first. But she managed to go through the tough journey due to her belief in God, the support she received from her husband & a positive attitude to handling life crisis.

My story
I was diagnosed with Stage 2 NPC in 2006. One year after completing conventional treatment, the CT scan spotted a tiny nodule (2mm) on my right lung. The following year (2008), the nodule had not only increased its size to 6mm but two other tiny nodules of 2mm each were also spotted on the same lung. I considered all the options suggested by my oncologist & decided to have the tumour surgically removed. Biopsy later confirmed the tumour was malignant. Since then, I have been consciously modifying my diet & lifestyle by taking up qigong deep-breathing exercises & paying more attention to anticancer foods in my diet (please read my article : "Anticancer diet to help fight cancer").

ConclusionWhether one chooses the conventional or alternative treatment, there is no right or wrong approach to treating cancer. There is no guaranteed cure in cancer either. Do not believe anyone or any product or any treatment that promises or guarantees complete cure from cancer. Every NPC survivor who suffers a relapse will need to do some homework and consider wisely & carefully all available options before making the final decision.

(for more on cancer relapse, please read my other posting on 19 Jun 2010 - "Cancer recurrence : when nose cancer returns")

_________________________________________________

References
** http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/when-cancer-returns/when-cancer-returns/page2)

cancer and genetic make-up

Why do some people get cancer while others don't? We often hear that it has to do with the food we eat or the lifestyle we lead or the environment we are exposed to or the genes we were born with. But then we too have seen how people who live a healthy & happy lifestyle also end up with cancer. Cancer is a complex disease. We will probably never really know the answer.

Let me share two real-life stories. One is my 80-plus aunty whom I address as "Tuayi" (a Hokkien word for eldest sister of one's mother). It is our family tradition to visit Tuayi on the first day of Lunar New Year. Tuayi is a heavy smoker & smokes like a chimney. I often feel suffocated by the strong smell of cigarette smoke permeating throughout her house. Despite having smoked all her entire life, Tuayi has never suffered from cancer or any other critical illnesses. And today Tuayi spends her sunset years puffing away happily each day.

In comparison, a former colleague of mine died of lung cancer yesterday. He was 64. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer three years ago while doing a routine check-up. As far as I know, he had always been healthy & seldom fell sick. And he was not a smoker. But he got lung cancer.

It seems to me like those who smoke don't get cancer and those who don't smoke get cancer. And I have heard of many similar stories from lung cancer survivors. It is the same among NPC survivors. Many NPC survivors, like myself, are non-smokers and yet we end up with cancer. How do you explain this irony of life & the mystery of cancer?

Then yesterday (7 Jul 2011), I happened to watch "The Edge of Life" on Channel News Asia. This documentary features real-life stories of cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment at Parkway Cancer Centre. One comment made by Dr Ang Peng Tiam, the leading oncologist in this documentary, caught my attention.

Dr Ang said, "The seed and the soil theory says that the person, who is genetically predisposed, when exposed to even the least amount of carcinogen, he or she may develop cancer. But in contrast, some people whose genetic make-up is such that they are not prone to cancer, they can have all the spices and eat all the fatty food and all the barbeque they want, they can smoke, they can drink and yet don't get cancer."
("The Edge of Life", CNA, 7 July 2011)

Thank you, Dr Ang. But then, I wonder how can we know which group of genetic make-up we belong to?

____________________________________________

dear readers, you can watch "The Edge of Life" telecast on the following link :

http://www.parkwaycancercentre.com/videos/edge-of-life/series/colorectal-cancer-and-lymphoma

chinese herbal drinks

Some NPC patients have asked what drinks they could consume to help reduce the body's heatiness caused by radiotherapy & chemotherapy.

Besides the more common "cooling" drinks that you can boil such as barley & chrysanthemum, you can also try drinking herbal drinks to take away the heatiness & "dampness" of the body.

Below are some herbal drinks recipes* recommended by TCM Physician Long for nose/nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients & survivors (note : recipes & instructions are re-produced here in their original form as provided by Physician Long).

a)无花果木瓜仔汤 (Figs and papaya seeds soup)

材料 (Ingredients)
1. 无花果 30 粒 (Figs 30 pcs)
2. 木瓜仔 30 粒 (Papaya seeds 30 pcs )
3. 罗汉果1 粒 (Luo Han Guo 1 pc)
4. 木蝴蝶 20gms (Mu Hu Die (Indian Trumpet Flower seeds 20 gms)
5. 鸡蛋衣 30gms (Egg shell 30 gms )
6. 蜜枣 6 粒 (Preserved Dates 6 pcs)
7. 水10 碗 (Water 10 bowls or 1000 cc)

煮法: 将上述材料同煮1小时, 去渣, 分多次饮用.
Preparation: Boil the above ingredients together with water for one hour. Remove all residues after boiling. Drink the soup on various occasions.

疗效: 放化疗后咽喉溃烂, 声带发炎, 声音沙哑
Functions: Mucous cyst of oral mucosa after chemotherapy or radiotherapy, hoarse or sore throat, pharyngolaryngitis.

b)仙草冻罗汉果 (Grass Jelly & Luo Han Guo)

材料 (Ingredients)
1. 仙草冻 (Grass Jelly)
2. 仙草 (Mesona Chinensis Centh)
3. 罗汉果 (Luo Han Guo)

煮法:
Preparation:

疗效: 性凉味甘, 淡, 清热解暑, 利湿, 降压
Functions: It tastes light. Good for clearing the heat-evil and dampness of body. Promotes urination, subdues blood pressure.

c) 罗汉果鹏大海汤 (Luo Han Guo & Pang Da Hai soup)

材料 (Ingredients)
1. 鹏大海: 6 枚 (Pang Da Hai 6 Pcs)
2. 罗汉果: 1 枚 (Luo Han Guo <> 1 Pc)

煮法:
Preparation:

1) 鹏大海浸水泡胀后, 清理纤维物质, 捞起待用
Soak the Pang Da Hai until it is fully expanded. Separate and collect the fiber / jelly from the seed and put it in a container for later use.

2) 罗汉果砸碎, 加5 碗水煮45分钟
Smash the Luo Han Guo. Add 5 bowls of water and boil it for 45 minutes.

3) 将材料 (a) + (b) 同煮10分钟即成
Put (1) & (2) together and boil them for 10 minutes.

疗效: 咽喉发炎
Functions: Catarrh (ie inflammation of the oral cavity, nose and throat with increased production of mucus)


References
* recipes given at a talk by Dr Long at the NPC Support Group

nutrition therapy for nose cancer : before, during & after radiotherapy

When you have cancer, it's important to eat well & eat enough. But to most cancer patients & survivors, this is easier said than done. For people with cancer, eating can be a challenging daily activity. Many cancer survivors will experience changes to their eating habits & tastes. Life after cancer is a new lease of life.

When I was diagnosed with nose cancer in 2006, my doctor advised me to put on weight. He explained that I would lose some weight during treatment so the extra weight would act as a buffer. I asked, “What can I eat and what food should I avoid?” He said, “Eat anything you fancy. Eat your favourite food.” I took my doctor’s advice seriously. For three weeks, I ate all my favourite food & my weight increased from 46kg to almost 50kg! And my doctor was right. By the time I completed my 33 sessions of radiation treatment, I had lost about 8 kg. Four years later today, I have not only regained those lost kilos but have also put on additional kilos (for the record, I now weigh 51kg, with a healthy body mass of 20.7).

"When you have cancer, you may need extra protein and calories. At times, your diet may need to include extra milk, cheese, and eggs. If you have trouble chewing and swallowing, you may need to add sauces and gravies. Sometimes, you may need to eat low-fiber foods instead of those with high fiber." (National Cancer Institute, USA)

Below are notes taken from a talk on "Nutrition Therapy for NPC" ** given at the NPC support group in 2009.

Why is Nutrition Important

• help you feel better
• keep up your strength & energy
• maintain weight & preserve body's store of nutrients
• tolerate treatment-related side effects better
• decrease risk of infection
• recover faster

Pre-Treatment Preparation : Build Yourself Up!

• eat adequately & regularly
• ensure sufficient protein intake (eg chicken, fish, meat, eggs, tofu)
• include 5 colourful servings of fruits & vegetables daily
• avoid alcohol
• limit salt-cured, smoked & pickled foods
• try new food
• stock up your pantry

During Treatment : Managing Side Effects!

(1) loss of appetite

• generous use of fat
• canned fruits in heavy syrup, dried fruits
• high protein food (you may enhance protein content of diet by adding milk powder to beverages or cream soups and adding chopped meats/eggs/anchovies powder (ikan bilis)/chicken or meat floss to soups or porridge)
• eat small frequent meals throughout the day
• eat most when you have the best appetite
• present food in an attractive manner
• vary your diet & try new recipe

Remember, every bite counts!

(2) fatigue

• let other people cook for you
• prepare simple meals in small batches & freeze them to use later
• keep snacks close by for nibbling
• you may need to eat at every 2-3 hours' interval
• eat 1 hour before treatment
• bring snacks/supplements along when you go for treatment
• sip high calorie drink/supplement throughout the day

(3) dry mouth

• drink plenty of water
• try citrate containing beverages eg lemonade, orange-flavoured drinks, popsicles
• eat soft moistened food
  - stew, braise or steam your food (don't forget the oil)
  - add gravy, sauces, soups or milk liberally to food
  - soft snacks eg jelly, soft bean curd, milkshake, pudding, ice-cream

(4) mouth sore

• eat food cold or at room temperature
• avoid hot, highly spiced/salty/coarse/acidic foods
• eat smooth, well-blended moist food (creamed soup, cooked cereals, pureed meat/veg)

(5) taste change

• identify specific taste sensations that are altered
• correlate findings with specific foods & modify appropriately
• serve food in an attractive manner placing emphasis on colour, texture & feeling in the mouth

What happens if can't eat or will not eat?

Possible signs :

• under-nutrition (if eat less than 60% of daily food intake for 10 days or more)
• unable to eat for more than 7 days
• loss of weight continuously

Possible solutions :

• oral nutrition support or tube feeding
• drink soy-based lactose-free formula milk (eg Ensure, Prosure, Resource, etc)

After Treatment : Eating to Great Health!

• choose low-fat food
• choose fresh foods over processed foods
• avoid salt-cured, smoked & pickled foods
• if choose to drink, drink alcohol only occasionally
• maintain a healthy weight

References

** notes taken from a talk presented by a dietician, Ms Liew at NCC in Sep 2009

National Cancer Institute, USA
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/eatinghints/page2

cancer recurrence : when nose cancer returns

"Your cancer has returned. Cancer may have spread to your lung." To cancer survivors, this is probably the most devastating news. And it happened to me less than 2 years after my first cancer diagnosis.

Cancer recurrence or relapse is something that most cancer survivors hope would never happen to them. After the end of cancer treatment, no survivor would wish to go through the agony of cancer again. The second time can be more distressing than the first. But when cancer returns, what should you do?

My experience with cancer recurrence

2006 - diagnosed with Stage 2 nasopharyngeal cancer, underwent radiotherapy
2007 - CT scan picked up tiny nodules on right lung, metastasis suspected
2008 - underwent lung resection (keyhole surgery) to remove 3 malignant nodules
2010 - CT scan showed no tumour in lungs & other parts of body

What is cancer recurrence? (source : http://www.mayoclinic.com/)
When cancer returns after a period of remission, it's considered a recurrence. A cancer recurrence happens because, in spite of the best efforts to rid you of your cancer, some cells from your cancer were left behind. These cells could be in the same place where your cancer first originated, or they could be in another part of your body. These cancer cells may have been dormant for a period of time, but eventually they continued to multiply, resulting in the reappearance of the cancer.

A cancer recurrence means it's the same cancer coming back after some period of time. In rare cases you may be diagnosed with a new cancer that's completely unrelated to your first cancer. This is referred to as a second primary cancer.

Why does cancer recur? **

• tumour too big
• tumour cells resistant
• geographic miss
• cancer already spread at time of diagnosis (but too small to be picked up)

Where does cancer recur? (source : http://www.mayoclinic.com/)
Your cancer can recur in the same place it was originally located, or it can migrate to other parts of your body. Recurrence is divided into three categories:

• Local recurrence. This means the cancer reappears in the same place it was first found, or very close by. The cancer hasn't spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
• Regional recurrence. A regional recurrence occurs in the lymph nodes and tissue located in the vicinity of your original cancer.
• Distant recurrence. This refers to cancer that has spread (metastasized) to areas farther away from where your cancer was first located.

Where your cancer recurs depends on your original cancer type and stage. Some cancer types commonly recur in specific areas. For recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), the common sites of relapse are ** :

• nasopharynx
• neck
• distant sites (esp lung, liver & bones)
• combinations of above

Ways cancer spreads (source : http://www.cancer.gov/)
Cancer can spread in 3 ways :

• Through tissue. Cancer invades the surrounding normal tissue.
• Through the lymph system. Cancer invades the lymph system and travels through the lymph vessels to other places in the body.
• Through the blood. Cancer invades the veins and capillaries and travels through the blood to other places in the body.

When cancer cells break away from the primary (original) tumor and travel through the lymph or blood to other places in the body, another (secondary) tumor may form. This process is called metastasis. The secondary (metastatic) tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the bones, the cancer cells in the bones are actually breast cancer cells. The disease is metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer.

Recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) (source : http://www.cancer.gov/)
Recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer is cancer that has recurred (come back) after it has been treated. The cancer may come back in the nasopharynx or in other parts of the body.

Treatment options for recurrent NPC (source : http://www.cancer.net/)
Recurrent NPC is treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or in some instances, surgery. Chemotherapy is used for people whose cancer has recurred in distant sites and who were previously treated with radiation therapy only. Chemotherapy may also be used together with radiation therapy (chemoradiotherapy) to improve the effectiveness of the radiation therapy. In addition, a clinical trial of biologic therapy may be an option.

The following factors may influence the treatment options **:

• disease-free duration - if less than one year, usually no radiotherapy
• extent of recurrence - if too large, radiotherapy is not feasible
• number of previous radiotherapy - not more than 2 courses of RT can be given per patient's lifetime

NPC metastases **

• affect 30% or more of NPC survivors
• bone is most frequent site, followed by lung & liver
• most appear within 18 months of first cancer diagnosis
• usually treated with chemotherapy
• cure & long-term survival possible in some cases

References
** Notes taken from a talk presented by Dr T Tan at NPC support group in Apr 2009 on "Management of NPC Recurrence".

MayoClinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer/CA00050
National Cancer Institite, USA
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/nasopharyngeal/Patient/page2
American Society of Clinical Oncology
http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Nasopharyngeal+Cancer

cancer and side effects : overcoming side effects of radiotherapy

Most nasopharyngeal or nose cancer patients will experience some side effects of radiotherapy. The side effects usually appear gradually during the course of radiotherapy & might be at their worst at the end of the treatment. Different people react differently to radiotherapy. The intensity & severity of the side effects may be influenced by the following factors ** :

• radiation dose
• energy source
• volume of tissue treated
• radiotherapy techniques & regimen
• pre-treatment periodontal condition (area around the teeth)
• the patient's body constitution (eg size, weight, health status, muscle buffer)

There are early & late side effects of radiotherapy.

Early Side Effects

Some early side effects may vanish when treatment ends but some may linger for weeks, months or even years. Early side effects of radiotherapy include the following ** :

• oral mucositis (mouth ulcers)
• taste dysfunction
• reduced sense of smell
• xerostomia (dry mouth)
• skin blisters & burns
• difficulty chewing & swallowing (due to pain & inflammation)
• fungal infections in oral cavity

Late Side Effects

Late side effects can appear months or years after the end of radiotherapy. Late side effects of radiotherapy include the following ** :

• oral complications
• otologic (ear) complications
• opthalmic (eye) complications
• radiation induced cancers
• pituitary (endocrine) problems
• swallowing problems
• neck stiffness & ache
• numbness of hands, neck, face
• loss of sense of smell

My experience with early side effects

1. Xerostomia (dry mouth caused by radiation damage to the salivary glands). My mouth became dry gradually as radiation progressed from Day 1 to Day 33. By the end of the 33 sessions of radiation, my mouth had near-zero saliva, as dry as the Sahara desert. It was unbearable. Today, almost 4 years later, I would say my saliva has come back about 80%. The salivary glands, which were destroyed & damaged by radiation, had healed gradually over the years, although not to the 100% pre-cancer level.
2. Oral mucositis (mouth ulcers). By Day 8 of radiotherapy, the first ulcer appeared in my mouth. Over the next 2 months, the ulcers multiplied by the hundreds all over my mouth -- walls of the mouth, palate, tongue, throat, gums. It was painful. I found it difficult to eat or drink through the mouth.
3. Saliva. My glue-like saliva became thicker by the day. By Day 13, my salivary glands had been bombed so badly by radiation that volumes of thick saliva were flowing out of my mouth 24/7 for about a month. I had to continuously spit it out as it was impossible to swallow the sticky saliva. As I could not eat or drink, I had to reluctantly agree to have a feeding tube inserted through the nose. My main concern at this time was that even if I didn't die of cancer, I might die of starvation or malnutrition. I survived through liquid food fed through the tube. I became very self-conscious of my looks as the feeding tube made me look like a monster from outer space. It affected my self-esteem. I felt lousy.
4. Difficulty talking. The non-stop outflow of saliva affected my ability to talk. I had to use pen and paper method to communicate with others. Sleeping was a problem as I had to slant my face sideways to allow the saliva to flow out onto pieces of tissue paper. I had broken sleep every night.
5. Fungal infection in oral cavity. The dry mouth effect caused fungus to grow on my tongue. I was put on Nystatin & Fluconazole medication to minimise infection.
6. Nausea. I suffered from nausea throughout the radiotherapy. By Day 18, the nausea became so bad that I had to be hospitalised for acute dehydration.
7. Constipation. I was put on medication to relieve the pain caused by ulcers. As a result, I suffered from constipation which became so serious by Day 25 that I had to be hospitalised a second time.

My experience with late side-effects

1. Dental caries (tooth decay). One to two years after radiation, I began to experience some signs of tooth decay. I suffered from toothache, cavities & broken teeth. I had undergone several root canal operations & dental treatments at the Singapore National Dental Centre. To protect my teeth from further decay, I use a tooth tray to apply tooth mousse on my teeth & gums when I sleep at night. The tooth mousse also helps to keep my mouth moist throughout the night. As a result, I experience less dental problems now.

References

** Notes taken from a talk presented by Dr Tham @ NPC support group in 2007 on "Coping with the side effects of radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Cancer".

CancerHelp UK

http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/nasal-cancer/treatment/radiotherapy/side-effects-of-nasal-and-sinus-cancer-radiotherapy

email hoax : cancer update from Johns Hopkins

"Cancer Update from John (sic) Hopkins" -- many of us might have received, and even forwarded, this email from time to time.

Johns Hopkins has issued a statement to say that this email hoax did not originate from them and has requested that we help to combat the spread of this hoax by alerting others.

Source :
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/kimmel_cancer_center/news_events/featured/cancer_update_email_it_is_a_hoax.html

Email Hoax: "Cancer Update" from Johns Hopkins
Updated April 2009

Mythbusting at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center

STATEMENT: EMAIL HOAX REGARDING CANCER
Information falsely attributed to Johns Hopkins called, "CANCER UPDATE FROM JOHN HOPKINS" describes properties of cancer cells and suggests ways of preventing cancer. Johns Hopkins did not publish the information, which often is an email attachment, nor do we endorse its contents. The email also contains an incorrect spelling of our institution as "John" Hopkins; whereas, the correct spelling is "Johns" Hopkins. For more information about cancer, please read the information on our web site or visit the National Cancer Institute's web site at www.cancer.gov. Please help combat the spread of this hoax by letting others know of this statement.

Another hoax email that has been circulating since 2004 regarding plastic containers, bottles, wrap claiming that heat releases dioxins which cause cancer also was not published by Johns Hopkins. More information from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The Truth about the “Cancer Update” Email
It has become such a problem, that the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and individual cancer centers like the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have posted warnings on their Web sites. Emails offering easy remedies for avoiding and curing cancer are the latest Web-influenced trend. To gain credibility, the anonymous authors falsely attribute their work to respected research institutions like Johns Hopkins. This is the case with the so-called “Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins.”

The gist of this viral email is that cancer therapies of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy do not work against the disease and people should instead choose a variety of dietary strategies.

Traditional therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, work. The evidence is the millions of cancer survivors in the United States today who are alive because of these therapies. We recognize that treatments don’t work in every patient, or sometimes work for awhile and then stop working, and there are some cancers that are more difficult to cure than others. These problems are the focus of ongoing cancer research.

We’ll go through each statement in the email hoax and provide real responses from Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center experts.

Email hoax contentions #1 and 2: Everyone Has Cancer Cells
Cancer is a genetic disease resulting from a variety of mutations and alterations either inherited from our parents or, more commonly, acquired over time due to environmental exposures and behaviors, such as smoking and poor diet. These alterations turn off important cell growth regulators allowing cells to continually divide unchecked, explains Luis Diaz, a clinician-scientist in Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics. This type of cell is called a malignant or cancer cell. Among the trillions of cells in the human body, inevitably everyone has some abnormal or atypical cells that possess some of the characteristics of cancer cells, most resolve themselves and never result in cancer, says Diaz.

There is no single or standard test for cancer. There are ways to screen for certain cancers with tests such as colonoscopy for colon cancer, mammography for breast cancer, PSA for prostate cancer, and the Pap smear for cervical cancer, and these tests can detect cancers in a very early and curable stage. For many cancers, there currently are no screening tests, and they are diagnosed when they begin to cause symptoms.

Diaz and other Kimmel Cancer Center researchers are working on new tests that detect abnormal DNA shed by cancer cells into blood and body fluids and have the ability to find cancers before they cause any symptoms. Approaches like this could lead to a broad-based screening test for cancer.

Tests like these also are being used to detect cancer recurrences and malignant cells left behind following surgery, and can find cancers that are not detectable under the microscope or in x-rays.

Other researchers are studying cancer stem cells. They are stealth cells that make up just a tiny fraction of a tumor. While small in number, investigators believe they may be the cells that drive certain cancers and lead to cancer recurrence. Therapies that target these cells are now being tested in clinical trials.

A team of our breast cancer researchers has developed a method that could make it possible to detect breast cancer from the DNA contained in a single drop of blood.

But, while evasive cancer cells are a challenge and the focus of ongoing research, it does not mean, as the email contends, that all patients, even those treated successfully for cancer, have cancers-in-waiting—undetectable but still there. People are treated and completely cured of cancer everyday.

Email hoax contention #3: A Strong Immune System Destroys Cancer
When it comes to cancer and the immune system, it is not a matter of strong or weak as the fictional report contends, but rather an issue of recognition. The immune system simply does not recognize cancer. In its complexity, the cancer cell has learned to disguise itself to the immune system as a normal cell. Infected cells send out danger signals setting the immune system in action. Cancer cells do not, explains Elizabeth Jaffee, co-director of cancer immunology and leading expert on cancer and the immune system. By deciphering the methods cancer cells use to make them invisible to the immune system, Jaffee and team have developed cancer vaccines that have successfully triggered immune reactions against prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.

Email hoax contention #4 and #5: Cancer is caused by Nutritional Deficiencies and Supplements Will Correct Them
Dietary habits and lifestyle choices, such as smoking, contribute to the development of many human cancers, says Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson. Our experts recommend a balanced diet (see response #11) as a way of reducing cancer risk. In terms of supplements, Nelson points out that while they may help mediate vitamin deficiencies, taking doses above what the body needs provides no added benefit.

Email hoax contentions #6, 7, 8, 9, and 10: Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Harms Normal Cells. Surgery Causes Cancer to Spread
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy kills cancer cells with remarkable selectivity, says Nelson. There are some temporary and reversible side effects common to cancer therapies, including hair loss and low blood counts. Limiting and managing these side effects is an integral part of treatment.

Surgery is the first line of treatment for many types of cancer. It does not cause cancer to spread. Cancers spread to other tissues and organs as a tumor progresses and cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel through the bloodstream to other body sites.

Email hoax contentions #11, 12, 13, and 14: Cancers Feed on Certain Foods
The premise is that cancer cells feed on certain foods, and if a person refrains from eating these foods, the cancer will die. According to our experts, a poor diet and obesity associated with a poor diet is a risk factor for the development of cancer. However, there is no evidence that certain foods alter the environment of an existing cancer, at the cellular level, and cause it to either die or grow.

While there is such a thing as tumors that produce mucus, the mucus made by a tumor does not result from drinking milk. And, eating less meat, while a good choice for cancer prevention, does not free up enzymes to attack cancer cells, explains cancer prevention and control expert Elizabeth Platz.

Moderation is key, says Platz. As part of a balanced diet, sugar, salt, milk, coffee, tea, meat, and chocolate—the foods the “Update” calls into question—are all safe choices, she says. The real concern with many of these, particularly sugar, is that it adds calories to a diet and can lead to obesity, and obesity is a major risk factor for cancer. A balanced nutritious diet, healthy weight, physical activity, and avoiding alcoholic drinks may prevent as many as 1/3 of all cancers. Platz recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day and limiting red and processed meats, like hot dogs.

Several Johns Hopkins experts participated in the World Cancer Research Fund - American Institute for Cancer Research report Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective, published in November 2007, which is considered by cancer prevention experts to be an authoritative source of information on diet, physical activity and cancer. Their recommendations for cancer prevention and for good health in general are:
1. Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight.
2. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day.
3. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fiber, or high in fat).
4. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes such as beans.
5. Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats.
6. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day.
7. Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium).
8. Don't use supplements to protect against cancer.
Our experts recommend that people meet their nutritional needs through their food choices. While vitamin supplements can be helpful in people with nutritional deficiencies, evidence suggests that supplementation above what the body can use provides no added health benefit.

Email hoax contention #15: Cancer is a Disease of Mind, Body, and Spirit Cancer is a disease caused by genetic alterations. Many times, these alterations occur through our own behaviors—cigarette smoking, a poor and unbalanced diet, virus exposures, and sunburns, says cancer prevention and control expert John Groopman.

How stress, faith, and other factors influence this is largely unknown. We would like people to be happy, loving, and stress free, simply because it is a nice way to live and can contribute to an overall feeling of well being, says Platz. There is no evidence, however, that a person prevents or causes cancer based on his or her state of mind.

Still, we understand that a cancer diagnosis can make patients and families feel stressed and anxious, and these are not pleasant feelings. So, we offer extensive patient and family services, including a cancer counseling center, pain and palliative care program, chaplain services and a meditation chapel, an image recovery center, and the Art of Healing art and music program.

Email hoax contention #16: Oxygen Kills Cancer Cells
Platz recommends regular exercise as a part of any healthy lifestyle, but says there is no evidence that breathing deeply or receiving oxygen therapy prevents cancer.

On its Web site, the American Cancer Society includes the following statement about oxygen therapy, “Available scientific evidence does not support claims that putting oxygen-releasing chemicals into a person's body is effective in treating cancer. It may even be dangerous. There have been reports of patient deaths from this method.”

Please pass this information on to family and friends.

Questions?
Contact: Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center
Office of Public Affairs
410-955-1287


Source : Johns Hopkins Medicine
http://www.hopkinskimmelcancercenter.org/

cancer and qigong

I have heard of the benefits of qigong but did not know where to find the right class to join until I attended a talk organised by the NPC support group. I learned from the talk that high oxygen levels can kill cancer cells & gigong uses deep diaphramatic breathing technique to help strengthen the body's immune system. Coincidentally at that time, I also learned that cancer had spread to my lung. I felt that I could not afford to do nothing so I decided to give qigong a try.

And so in Nov 2008 I signed up for the qigong class which was organised specifically for NPC survivors. About 10 of us met every Sunday morning at Toa Payoh Park to learn qigong from Sifu Nicholas from Chi Dynamics. We completed our lessons in May 2009, and since then I have made an effort to practise qigong every morning for one hour.

In Oct 2009, I happened to watch a news clip on Channel News Asia which reported that a study conducted in China had shown that practising qigong can help fight cancer. I attach the news clip below, obtained from the CNA website : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/health/view/1010774/1/.html

CNA news on "Some studies show practising qigong helps to fight against cancer"

SHANGHAI : The stress of modern living had prompted many around the world to learn qigong. Recent joint studies from China and the United States also show that qigong can help cancer patients live longer.

One community club in Shanghai is practising a form of qigong that has helped members recover from life-threatening illnesses over the past 20 years.

Cancer survivor Qiu Jia Ming, 65, who suffered from pancreatic cancer years ago, said: "I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when I was 50 years old and the doctor told me I only had three months to live. But I've survived 14 years now."

Another cancer survivor, Yin Xiao Ling, suffered from nasal malignant granulomatosis 22 years ago.

"I'm 57 and have been practising qigong for 22 years. I was diagnosed with nasal malignant granulomatosis, a very rare cancer, and doctors said I only had six months to a year to live at the most.

"So when I was discharged from hospital, I didn't go home. I went to join the Guolin Qigong Club. Doctors said it was a miracle that I survived beyond a year," said Yin.

Even the head of the cancer rehabilitation club is convinced of the benefits of qigong against cancer. Yuan Zheng Ping was diagnosed with malignant lymphoma 28 years ago and after studying Guolin qigong in Beijing, he started the Shanghai Cancer Rehabilitation Club in 1989 to teach others like him.

"It's not only a physical exercise, it is also a psychological practice of breathing using rhythmic exercises, thereby taking in a lot of oxygen. This is beneficial because it increases immunity and help fight the cancer.

"We did a survey in 1993 with 1,500 cancer patients and discovered that after five years of practising Goulin qigong, there was about 85 per cent recovery rate. In 2003, we did another comprehensive study and found that out of 7,000 cancer sufferers, more than 60 per cent of them survived for more than five years," said Yuan.

With such high success rate, there is now more attention paid to this form of exercise. Initial results from studies conducted by the University of Illinois and Shanghai University of Sports show that practising Cailin qigong can help cancer patients live longer and give them a better quality of life.

Wang Changwei is the researcher behind a new study programme sponsored by the US-based National Cancer Institute. Her first phase of research centred on those who regularly practise qigong and it showed that this group of practitioners have a lower rate of cancer reoccurrence than others.

She said: "From our current study, regardless of quality of life, exercise ability or health conditions, those who practised Guolin qigong are far better off than those who don't exercise qigong.

"We did an 11-month observation and found that oxygen intake of those who practise Guolin qigong was higher and when they are at rest, the oxygen level is the same. This means that they inhale more oxygen during their practice. Their breathing method of inhaling twice and exhaling once helped to improve their oxygen intake."

Even doctors who specialise in Western medicine believe there are benefits to practising qigong. But they said there may be other causes that are helping cancer patients recover from their illnesses.

Gao Yong, a doctor at Shanghai East Hospital, said: "Qigong can help patients forget the pain of the disease. Also, the exercise is a team activity. Practitioners encourage and support each other. There is more confidence when they see others recover. I think this is the real benefit of qigong.

"The study has only just started about two or three years ago. A large scale study is needed and should take about three to five years, or even longer, for a more detailed observation of the benefits."

China sees about 2.2 million cancer cases yearly, with one in five dying from the disease.


Notes from author :
If you wish to learn qigong, you may contact the following Chi Dynamics Centres:
1. Singapore - http://www.chidynamics.org/
2. Malaysia - http://www.chidynamics.org.my/
3. Australia & UK - email addresses are given in the Malaysian website.

_________________________________________________

References :

Channel News Asia
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/health/view/1010774/1/.html

Chi Dynamics Singapore
http://www.chidynamics.org.sg/

Qigong & Cancer Care (to know more on how qigong can help fight cancer)
http://www.chidynamics.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10&Itemid=9