Sunday, July 19, 2009

More Cancer Prevention Programs

CANCERThe word ‘cancer ‘ comes from the latin "carcinoma" meaning crab. It is the most dreadeddisease and refers to all malignant tumours caused by the abnormal growth of a body cell or agroup of cells . It is today the second largest killer in the world, next only to heart ailments. Theterm covers more than 200 diseases.The majority of cancers occur in the age group 50-60. Sex does not affect the incidence of thedisease. It, however, affects the site of growth. In men, cancer is usually found in the intestines,the prostate and the lungs. In women, it occurs mostly in the breast tissues, uterus, gall-bladderand thyroid.SymptomsThe symptoms of cancer vary according to the site of the growth. The American Cancer Societyhas prescribed seven signs or danger signals in general which may indicate the presence ofcancer. These are : a sore that does not heal ; change in bowel or bladder habits ; unusualbleeding or discharge ; thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere ; indigestion or difficulty inswallowing ; obvious change in a wart or a mole, and a persistent and nagging cough orhoarseness. Other symptoms may include unexplained loss of weight , particularly in olderpeople, a change in skin colour and changes in the menstrual periods, especially bleedingbetween periods.CausesThe prime cause of cancer is not known. Certain cancer- causing substances, known ascarcinogens, however, increase the chances of getting the disease. About 80 per cent ofcancers are caused by environmental factors . Forty per cent of male cancers in India are linkedwith tobacco, a known cancer- causing agent. The consumption of pan, bettlenut, tobacco andslaked lime has been linked with lung and throat cancers. Heavy consumption of alcoholic drinkscan cause oesophagal, stomach and liver cancers. Occupational exposure to industrialpollutants such as asbestos, nickel, tar, soot and high doses of X-rays can lead to skin and lungcancers and leukemia. Other factors contributing to cancer are vital infections, trauma, hormoneimbalance and malnutrition. Many well-known biologists and naturopaths, however, believe thata faulty diet is the root cause of cancer. Investigations indicate that the cancer incidence is indirect proportion to the amount of animal protein, particularly meat, in the diet. Dr. Willard J.Visek, a renowned research scientist explained recently a link between excessive meat-eatingand cancer. According to him, the villain is ammonia, the carcinogenic by-product of meatdigestion.TreatmentThe effective treatment of cancer consists of a complete change in diet, besides total eliminationof all environmental sources of carcinogens, such as smoking and carcinogenic chemicals in air, water and food. There has recently been a surge of popular interest in the concept that diet isnot just a minor, but rather a major factor in both the development and the prevention of cancer.The disease can be prevented and even treated by dietary programmes that include ‘naturalfoods ‘ and the use of megavitamin supplements.As a first step, the patient should cleanse the system by thoroughly relieving constipation andmaking all the organs of elimination - the skin, lungs, liver, kidneys and bowels - active. Enemasshould be used to cleanse the colon. For the first four or five days, the patient should take onlyjuicy fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, apples, peaches, pears, pineapples and tomatoes.Vegetable juices are also useful, especially carrot juice.After a few days of an exclusive fruit diet, the patient may be given a nourishing alkaline-baseddiet. It should consist of 100 per cent natural foods, with emphasis on raw fruits and vegetables,particularly carrots , green leafy vegetables, cabbage, onion, garlic , cucumber, asparagus,beets and tomatoes. A minimum requirement of high quality protein, mostly from vegetablesources such as almonds, millet, sesame seeds, sprouted seeds and grains, may be added tothe diet.Dr. Ann Wigmore of Boston, U.S.A., the well-known naturopath and a pioneer in the field of livingfood nutrition, has been testing the effect of a drink made of fresh wheatgrass in the treatment ofleukemia. She claims to have cured several cases of this disease by this method. Dr. Wigmorepoints out that by furnishing the body with live minerals, vitamins, trace elements and chlorophyllthrough wheatgrass juice, it may be able to repair itself.Johanna Brandt, the author of the book ‘ The Grape Cure ‘ has advocated an exclusive grapediet for the treatment of cancer. She discovered this mode of cure in 1925, while experimentingon herself by fasting and dieting alternately in the course of her nine-year battle with cancer. Sheclaimed to have cured herself by this mode of treatment. She recommends a fast for two or threedays so as to prepare the system for the change of diet.After the short fast, the patient should have a grape meat every two hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.This should be followed for a week or two even a month or two, in chronic cases of longstanding. The patient should begin the grape cure with a small quantity of 30, 60, to 90 gramsper meal, gradually increasing this to double the quantity. In course of time, about 250 gramsmay safely be taken as a meal.Recent researches have shown that certain vitamins can be successfully employed in the fightagainst cancer and that they can increase the life expectancy of some terminal cancer patients.According to recent Swedish studies vitamin C in large doses can be an effective prophylacticagent against cancer. Noted Japanese scientist, Dr. Fukunir Morishige, and his colleagues whohave been examining the healing potential of vitamin C for the last 30 years, have recently foundthat a mixture of vitamin C and copper compound has lethal effects on cancer.According to several studies, vitamin A exerts an inhibiting effect on carcinogenesis. It is one ofthe most important aids to the body’s defence system to fight and prevent cancer. Dr. LeonidaSantamaria and his colleagues at the University of Pavia in Italy have uncovered preliminaryevidence suggesting that beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A may actually inhibit skin cancerby helping the body thwart the cancer-causing process known as oxidation.Recent studies from all over the world suggest that a liberal use of green and yellow vegetablesand fruits can prevent cancer. The 20-years old, ongoing Japanese study found that people whoate green and yellow vegetables every day had a decreased risk of developing lung, stomachand other cancers. A Harvard University study of more than 1,200 elderly Massachusettsresidents found that those who reported the highest consumption of carrots, squash, tomatoes,salads or leafy green vegetables, dried fruits, fresh strawberries or melon had a decreased riskof cancer.The other useful measures are plenty of rest, complete freedom from worries and mental stressand plenty of fresh, pure air.

1 comment:

  1. Anyone interested in cancer prevention should take a look at www.vitaminD3world.com The Canadian Cancer Society now recommends that everyone take vitamin D to prevent cancer. The site has good summaries of the data and offers a new preparation of vitamin D in a micro-pill formulation. The pills have been formulated with cellulose which absorbs water very quickly. This ensures that the pill breaks up very quickly to provide for maximum absorption. The micro pill is tiny and tasteless. Many vitamin D pills on the market have very poor dissolution properties resulting in poor absorption.
    The site also offers to supply customers with a free supply of 400IU for their children and it also has a good newsletter.

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