Medizines

Any woman is at risk of developing cervical cancer; however, there are certain measures that can be taken to reduce those risks (some risks women have no control over, such as: a genetic predisposition and age). Although, a risk is not a certainty that cervical cancer will develop, as there are many other factors that are associated with such a development.
Preventative measures that can be taken to off-set the risks of developing cervical cancer:
1. PAP Tests - are one of the most effective ways of preventing cervical cancer, as an early detection usually helps determine the fate of most women (cervical cancer usually shows no early signs or symptoms). The following is recommended:
AGE RANGE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PAP TESTING
(a) 21 - 29 years old every 2-years.
(b) 30 years old + every 3-years.
(c) 65 years old + are not necessary if the following apply: the last three PAP test results were normal, and with no abnormal results showing in the last 10 years. However, if this is not the case, regular PAP tests should be continued (consultation with a doctor or health adviser is recommended for an appropriate scheduling regime).
2. Practice Safe Sex - as STD's (sexually transmitted diseases) such as HPV (genital warts) are a prime risk factor in the development of cervical cancer (HPV infections are more prevalent when sexual activity begins before the age of 16 years old, and when a woman has multiple sexual partners). The following is recommended:
(a) Maintain a monogamous relationship (both partners having a sexual relationship with each other [no third partner involvement with either]).
(b) Always use a condom (even in a monogamous relationship until 100% confidence is built) while having sex, as condoms will cut-down the risks of a sexual disease being contracted (HPV infections can be transmitted by both perineal [the tissue area marking the approximate boundary - externally] of the pelvic outlet that gives passage to the urinogenital ducts and the rectum, and the area between the posterior part of the external genitalia and the anus) and perianal (the tissues surrounding the anus) contact where condoms are of little use.
3. Vaccinations - are available to counter the possibility of developing cervical cancer. Two vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) can help prevent cervical cancer by infection; however, they are not 100% reliable as they are only able to act against certain strains of HPV (strain 16 and 18) that account for over 90% of cervical cancer caused by HPV's. The vaccine Gardasil also protects against two additional strains of HPV that cause genital warts.
Vaccines are applied in the following way:
(a) Gardasil - 3-injections required over a period of six months before sexual activity begins (after exposure to HPV Gardasil is ineffective) - approved for between the ages of 9 - 26 years old.
(b) Cervarix - 3-injections required over a period of six months before sexual activity begins (after exposure to HPV Cervarix is ineffective) - approved for between the ages of 10 - 25 years old.
Note: Both vaccines are unknown to benefit from boosters, together with an unknown degree of long-term effectiveness (due to the antibody titer changes [the measurement of how much antibody an organism has produced that recognizes a particular epitope]).
Other risk reducing factors worth mentioning are: diet (a healthy balanced nutritional diet essential for general health and well-being) and not smoking.

By Philip Albert Edmonds-Hunt

It seems today most people obtaining tattoos are more concerned about the quality of the tattoo and the effect of aging altering the tattoo, than any potential long term health risks. The health dangers associated with being injected by hundreds of needles into the dermis or the inner layer of the skin are widely publicised and most tattoo artists take these issues very seriously. We have all heard about Aids and Hep C, but are you aware of the current debate on the possible skin cancer risks associated with tattoo inks?

Recent years have seen an increase in stories associated with the potential of getting skin cancer from tattoo inks. Limited studies taken to date have not confirmed a direct link between cancer and tattoo inks..

Phthalates and other chemical ingredients used in tattoo inks have raised questions about the long term risks on our health such as skin cancer.It has been reported that some forms of phthalates are believed to have the potential to disrupt testosterone or mimic estrogen. Phthalate exposure has been identified to possible sperm defects and altered thyroid hormones. The phthalates in tattoo inks are believed to be cleared from the body within hours unlike many other forms of phthalate exposure. A study reported that Phthalates applied to the skin in a lotion were absorbed and metabolised and the same thing is likely to happen with the phthalates in tattoo inks. It would be well advised for pregnant and nursing women to avoid any exposure to phthalates.

Injecting tattoo inks, containing exogenous pigments, into the dermis creates a unique situation, due to the large amount of metallic salts and organic dyes remain in the skin for a lifetime. The potential carcinogenic risks of tattoo inks remain debatable. Several studies have identified the presence of potential carcinogenic or procarcinogenic products in tattoo inks.One chemical commonly used in black tattoo ink called benzo(a)pyrene is known to be a potent carcinogen that causes skin cancer in animal tests. As tattooing injects inks such asbenzo(a)pyrene directly into the dermis damaging the skin. You could conclude it may contribute to skin cancer.

Scientists and health professionals continue to debate the possible link between tattoo inks and cancer. In the last forty years there have only been 50 documented cases of squamous cell carcinoma, malignant skin melanoma or basal cell carcinoma with possible connections to tattoos, compared to the millions of tattoos obtained. Epidemiological studies on the effects of tattoo ink could be taken, although they would not be easy. A large number of tattooed people would have to be monitored over a long period of time to see whether they developed problems such as skin cancer near their tattoos. The low number of reported skin cancers arising in tattoos could be considered coincidental.

Further in depth studies will need to be carried out to give more conclusive evidence on the effects of tattoo ink and the cancer risks associated. The FDA is growing more concerned about the ingredients in tattoo ink. In the early 2000's, the FDA received a large number of complaints associated with giving and receiving tattoos. Since then the FDA has commenced more research into the chemical components of tattoo inks. The FDA is investigating how the body breaks down the tattoo ink as it fades over time. Is the body absorbing the ink or is it fading from sun exposure? A common pigment in yellow tattoo inks, Pigment Yellow 74, is believed to be a risk of being broken down by the body.

When skin cells containing tattoo inks are killed by sunlight or laser light, the tattoo inks break down and could possibly spread throughout the body. It is believed that tattoo inks could spread into lymph nodes whether this has unknown health concerns or not is still unknown. Our lymph nodes filtering out disease-causing organisms any interference in that process could have devastating effects on our health.

It is recommended not to have a tattoo placed too close to a mole. Changes occurring in a mole such as asymmetry, border, color, size, shape, texture are all warning signs of a possible melanoma or another skin cancer. Ensure all moles are left completely visible to prevent possible delays in detecting any changes. When a melanoma is discovered early it is usually curable where as more advanced melanomas are far harder to cure. A tattoo covering a mole could delay detection and be extremely dangerous even life threatening. If you get a tattoo, make sure it is placed a good distance from any mole. This is especially important for people who have multiple moles or dysplastic nevus (atypical mole) syndrome, due to the increased risk of developing melanoma, potentially within one of their moles.

It's imperative to be extremely diligent in caring for our skin correctly after a tattoo and monitor any changes that may occur to the skin. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and has many important functions. It protective us against injury and disease, regulates our temperature and maintains our bodies hydration. There are three layers to our skin the first layers is the epidermis the outer layer of the skin. The second layer is the dermis or the inner layer and the third layer is the subcutaneous fat layer.

Cancer is a disease of the body's cells. Normally the body's cells grow and divide in an orderly fashion. Some cells may grow and divide abnormally growing into a lump, a tumour. Tumours can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Benign tumours do not spread to other parts of the body. Cancer cells in a malignant tumour have the ability to spread to over areas in the body, if left untreated. These cells can destroy surrounding tissue and break away from the original cancer, affecting other organs in the body. These cells can then form another tumour referred to as a secondary cancer.

Skin cancer begins in the basal layer of the epidermis. There are three main types of skin cancer basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Melanomas start in the pigment cells while basal and squamous cell carcinomas develop from the epidermal cells. Basal cell carcinomas are the most common but least dangerous type of skin cancer. They grow slowly but if left untreated, a deep ulcer can occur. Fortunately they very rarely spread to other parts of the body. Basal cell carcinomas are most commonly found on the face, neck and upper trunk. They appear as a lump or scaly area and are pale, pearly or red in colour. Squamous cell carcinomas are less common but more dangerous. They typically grow over a period of weeks to months. These cancers may spread to other parts of the body if not treated immediately. Squamous cell carcinomas appear on areas of skin most often exposed to the sun. They have scaling, red areas which may bleed easily and ulcerate, looking like an unhealing sore. The major cause of these skin cancers is sun exposure for years. Melanoma is the rarest but most dangerous skin cancer. It is often a fast growing cancer which if left untreated can spread quickly to other parts of the body to form secondary cancers. Melanomas can appear anywhere on the body. The first sign of a melanoma is usually a change in a freckle or mole, or the appearance of a new spot. Changes in size, shape or colour are normally seen over a period of several weeks to months. Melanoma typically appears from adolescence onwards, most commonly seen between 30 and 50 years of age.

Any sign of a crusty, non-healing sore, a small lump which is red, pale or pearly in colour, or a new spot, freckle or mole changing in colour, thickness or shape over a period of several weeks to months. Any spots that range from dark brown to black, red or blue-black should be checked by a doctor immediately. A very high per cent of basal and squamous cell carcinomas that are found and treated early are cured.

One of the hardest things to do in life is to live once you've been told you are going to die. It's as if life speeds up after you receive knowledge that your days are ticking away on a finite clock that you have no control over. One important thing that I learned while experiencing the devastating affects of Pancreatic Cancer with my mother as she fought this distressing disease is that it is crucial to focus on the time that you have rather than on the time you don't have. To me this article is a condensed version of the Diary of Cancer Patient's Daughter as I explain what living with Pancreatic Cancer is like from diagnosis to death as I framed the picture of my mother's experience in my mind.
I hope and pray that you receive something out of these words birthed out of pain that will bring you peace and help you or your loved one with a Cancer diagnosis live a little longer and happier in spite of the sad reality you are facing. There are 7 D's in this Cancer Diary that can help you manage the physical and mental aspects of this awful disease. Remember that what you don't do in the Cancer Crisis is just as important as what you do.
Entry # 1: The Diagnosis:
My mother Joyce was 66 years old when she was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer during the summer of 2008. Though all Cancer is bad, Pancreatic Cancer is considered one of the worst because it is the most difficult to diagnose. The reason is that the symptoms mirror digestive problems as the disease hides in the depths of the digestive system. My mother had chronic pain in her stomach and though she went to the emergency room several times receiving numerous tests and ultra sounds the doctors kept telling her nothing was wrong with her and sent her home every time. Initially they thought it was a problem with her gal bladder which is a common misdiagnoses in the case of Pancreatic Cancer.
Her Father Boyce whom she was named after died of Pancreatic Cancer 20 years earlier, but the chance that she could have that very same thing never occurred to her or anyone else in our family. If Cancer runs in your family, especially Pancreatic Cancer, I would advise you to have regular screenings for this disease as early diagnosis is a key to survival. One of the most deadly things about Pancreatic Cancer is that because it is so hard to diagnose most patients don't receive their diagnosis until they are already in Stage 4 of the Cancer when there is practically no hope.
The symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer include: abdominal pain and pressure, jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, depression, weight loss and weakness. My mother had all symptoms except for jaundice. Just because a person is missing a common symptom doesn't mean they don't have Pancreatic Cancer. The most common procedures used to diagnosis this brutal disease are: Ultrasonography, CT Scanning, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancretography, Endoscopic Ultrasound, MRI, and Cholangiogram Percutaneous Transhepatic. I'm pretty sure my mother had all of these tests done and it can be very draining to endure such experiences, however it is vital in obtaining a diagnosis. The results of her diagnosis showed that there was a tumor on her pancreas blocking the flow of bile from her liver, as well as, the flow of enzymes from her pancreas. In her case the tumor was wrapped around a blood vessel and surgery to remove the tumor was not really an option. Very few surgeons in the country would have been able to successfully perform the surgery and her chances of survival would have been slim to none. Even if she had of had the surgery her quality of life following it was questionable. This surgery is commonly known as the Whipple Operation and removes a large part of the pancreas, the duodenum and a portion of the bile duct
What do you do in this situation? You make the choice to live the best life in the time that you have which is undetermined and different for everyone. Suck every drop of joy out of life you can as quickly as possible. If we could turn back the clock and do it all over again the one thing we would do differently is have annual screenings for the disease conducted because had we done that my mother might still be alive today. What you do in time can determine the time you have on this earth.
Many people allow the hands of time to cover their eyes to what they don't want to see. Open your eyes today and if you have not been diagnosed with this disease begin to use preventative measures such as a healthy diet, exercise, and regular checkups with your doctor.
Entry # 2: Denial:
We were in such disbelief after receiving the diagnosis we failed to take immediate action locked in the paralysis of our new found reality. One thing Cancer does not give you is time. That big devil called denial must be dealt with. I can still hear my mother saying, "I can't have this...not me!" You must come to grips with what you have in order to get a grip on the situation. Sometimes I think of Cancer being more of an accident of health rather than a mistake of nature. All you can do with a mistake is wish that it never happened but accidents can be prevented. Maybe this is a little optimistic since Cancer tends to creep in like an unexpected thief to steal your most prized possessions. Even so, optimism is always stronger than pessimism and it merely means that our powerful spirits encased in a fragile frame of flesh chooses to live.
Even people with diseases such as drug addiction and alcoholism must come out of denial before they recover. I know Cancer survivors and they are the same people that came out of denial and dealt with the disease. You will never take action in regards to something you don't believe.
Entry # 3: Drugs:
We live in a pill popping nation where there is a drug for every situation. One of the main problems with drugs is that they mask symptoms but fail to provide a cure. Drugs do their best to cover up the Cancer until the victim is covered with earth in a coffin. I keep hearing rumors that there is a cure for Cancer but the medical and funeral industries are making too much money off of the disease to release the cure. I don't know if that is true but it sure makes sense.
Though drugs were diagnosed to help my mother one of the first things we did which is extremely important for Pancreatic Cancer patients was to have a stint put in. Stints were inserted into the tubes leading from her liver and pancreas to help them function and this helped her to live a better life. In some cases, depending on the size of the tumor, it is very difficult to insert stints but there are several alternative methods and procedures to accomplish the same effect. If you have a good doctor he will inform you of all options. If you have a doctor that doesn't tell you all the options; get another doctor.
My experience with a mother with Pancreatic Cancer perfected a hatred in me for Morphine which is the pain medication my mother was put on. Since the pain caused by the Cancer is so intense our options were limited and we wanted my mother to be able to live out her days as pain free as possible as I think anyone would. The Morphine altered her mind, changed her personality, and caused aggression and paranoia. The effects of the Morphine put the family in pain while relieving my mother's pain.
At times it was as if she was out of her mind and it nearly drove us out of ours. She no longer trusted the people that loved her and many times would forget what she was saying in the middle of a sentence. The family told her many things over and over again and she wouldn't do them and always forgot what we told her. To me Morphine kills a person before they die. It kills their ability to convey the essence of who they truly are. There are alternatives for pain relief drugs but I don't know how much better they are since we only dealt with Morphine.
It amazes me how Patrick Swayze filmed a television series with Pancreatic Cancer refusing to take pain medications so he could concentrate on and accomplish his work. I remember hearing him speak about preparing hours in advance of his shoots to be mentally and physically prepared to accomplish every task in pain. I think drugs such as Morphine make a person die faster because it arrests their mind. In the movie the Matrix if you've ever seen it, Neo is doing the jump program with Morpheus and falls. When he comes out of it he is bleeding and makes a statement to the fact that he thought it wasn't real and Morpheus tells him that the mind makes it real and that the body cannot live without the mind. If you are mentally incapacitated, how can you make a conscious decision to fight for your life?
A glimmer of hope came to us while dealing with the madness of the Morphine which is an alternative pain treatment that Cancer patients can receive that deals with injecting alcohol around certain nerves to block the feelings of pain. My mother had this procedure done but said that it didn't work. To this day I don't know if the treatment really didn't work or if by the time she had it she was
already addicted to the Morphine and the pain she felt were the pangs of withdraw.
Unfortunately Morphine was only one wave in the ocean of drugs we had to deal with. There were digestive enzymes that had to be taken prior to eating, beta blockers, heart medication, anxiety medication, insulin for the diabetes caused by the shut down of the pancreas, medication for indigestion, vitamins, blood thinners for blood clots and so many medications we had to make an Excel spreadsheet just to keep track of them.
One of the effects of the disease that had to be dealt with was extreme swelling of the abdomen and feet to the point where diuretics were prescribed, fluid draw procedures had to be performed by using a needle to draw the fluid from the abdomen and as for the feet; only house shoes could be worn. I found out that the swelling was caused by the Cancer mainly due to the body's reaction to the tumor and to the lack of protein in the blood disabling the bloods ability to hold fluid.
The things that a person goes through with Cancer are almost endless. Every part of the body is affected; especially the mind, the will, and the emotions. Based upon the experience I encountered with my mother a couple of other crises we had to press through was the C Diph infection causing chronic diarrhea causing contact isolation that is almost like quarantine to be implemented. My mother could barely eat and we had to put on hospital gowns and gloves to be in the room with her or even come in contact with her.
An episode we faced with internal bleeding caused by the rupturing of blood vessels was very traumatic and hospitalized my mother after she passed out from weakness with her eyes rolling back in her head due to the extreme blood loss. Blood was in her bowels and blood transfusions had to be issued in order to get her blood count back up to normal which is usually 14 and hers was almost half that. Had we not sought medical attention for her at that time she could have died. So that you can recognize this, the symptoms are usually extreme weakness and black loose bowels. I experienced the same thing when I was four years old and diagnosed with acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis.
We tried chemotherapy which is extremely hard on the body, killing the good cells along with the bad. Chemotherapy is like infusing your body with a poison in order to get rid of another poison. For some people it works but sadly to say in the cases of Pancreatic Cancer it is rarely effective. I am not a doctor and therefore give no medical recommendations as to how to treat Cancer of the Pancreas but in my own personal opinion and experience through observation I would say if possible, find a better way.
There are alternative treatments, natural remedies, and experimental treatments. A Cancer patient can seek studies that are being conducted for the type of Cancer they have and in many cases when they become a part of the study they can receive free or very low cost experimental treatments. One day one of these experimental treatments might be the answer. My mother used an experimental chemotherapy that was available but it was too hard on her heart. One of her smaller tumors did disappear but that wasn't enough to save her.
Chemotherapy can carry such side effects as nausea, vomiting, and decreased white blood cell counts. Historically, Chemotherapy has not been effective in the treatment of Pancreatic Cancer, but there are more up to date treatments that use an FDA approved agent called gemcitabine which has helped to shrink some tumors for Carcinoma of the pancreas.
At one point we went to see a naturalpathic doctor specializing in alternative Cancer treatments that knew of a treatment that had proved to be effective for Pancreatic Cancer. The name of the treatment is Intravenous - Lipoic Acid/Low-Dose Naltrexone Protocol. There are various articles and information on this treatment for you to research and intelligently consider.
Our problem with the treatment was that one of the drugs prescribed for it that could only be filled at a compound pharmacy blocks the affects of opiates and since my mother was on Morphine for pain a known opiate she plunged into a chronic pain episode that caused her to lose coherency from the pain and go to the emergency room where the only thing they could do to relieve her pain was to give her a drug strong enough to sedate her and completely knock her out. It was a tremendous setback in her treatment. The opiate blocking drug was supposed to be a very low dosage that should not have negatively affected her so if this particular treatment is chosen I would do extensive research and make ample preparations before trying it.
When you are personally dealing with Cancer or know someone close to you that is, you will find out quickly that everyone has a product to sell you that they claim has cured someone from Cancer. Maybe they have and maybe they haven't. Again, I remember watching an interview with Barbara Walters and Patrick Swayze when he said something to the effect of, "If you had a miracle cure for Cancer you would be rich and everyone would know you so just shut up." We tried several products and ordered everything we thought could make a difference or be a cure. I'm going to share with you two things that you can buy on your own that we didn't get a chance to try because we found out about them too late. I don't know it they work, but its worth a try as anything is when you or someone you love is dying.
You can search YouTube and find videos on the banking soda Cancer treatment and you can search the Internet to find articles that specifically discuss the use of asparagus to treat Cancer. There is so much more I could say about different treatments and drugs but instead of going on and on about this subject I will instead give you a few helpful hints.
Helpful Hint #1: If you are strong enough to do it, aerobic exercise helps Chemotherapy patients by ridding the toxins in their system from Chemotherapy through sweat. I read an article once about a lady with Cancer that felt too sick to do aerobics when her coworkers kept inviting her to class because they didn't know she had Cancer. She started the classes eventually and felt sick at first and then started feeling better. She sweated the toxins out and one year later was teaching the class Cancer Free.
Helpful Hint #2: When a Cancer patient's veins are to the point where it is extremely difficult to draw blood or administer IV medication a Central Line which is a port for IV and medication inserted into the jugular vein by ultrasound can be good. I witnessed the pain of my mother as she was poked multiple times with attempts to draw blood and insert IV's. Save yourself this pain with a Central Line.
Helpful Hint #3: Keep a positive attitude and laugh as often as possible. The Bible says that laughter doeth the heart good like a medicine. Sometimes simple laughter will do more for a Cancer patient than any drug. Laughter heals and it makes a person's time on this earth more enjoyable. Talk about funny memories from the past with family and friends and laugh, laugh, laugh! You deserve it! Mental support is important. Encourage, speak positive things, and most of all be there for the person that you know that has Cancer. Cancer and all the things a person goes through with it are scary. I coached my mom and encouraged her and told her she could make it when she didn't think she could. Encouragement in love can add time to a Cancer patient's life. Ask lots of questions and gain as much knowledge as possible. If a drug or treatment you or a Cancer patient you know is on doesn't seem right; talk to the doctor about it because there is always an alternative.
Entry # 4: Disappointment:
Normally in life there are disappointments. When you already have a disappointing disease, disappointment can be magnified. What do you do when the Chemo doesn't work? How do you react when the miracle cure you found out about doesn't cure? How do you deal with setbacks that surface along the way? What you do is keep going, keep trying, and don't give up. It is important to express disappointment and acknowledge it as long as it doesn't take you captive. Just having the disease is disappointing, not to mention all of the obstacles encountered while dealing with the disease. Disappointment is not only experienced by the Cancer victim but by the family and friends that love that person so much.
I was working on my MBA when my mother was diagnosed with Cancer. Since she was already in Stage 4 of Cancer when she was diagnosed we found out shortly after the diagnosis that the Cancer had spread to her lungs and other areas of her body. I can remember the day I found out about that. I started crying at work and couldn't stop and had to leave the office. I know what it feels like to try and hold tears in and there is nothing you can do to keep them held in your eyes. I know what it is to cry until your stomach jerks in and out and snot comes out of your nose and you feel like throwing up. My mother was my best friend and because of that I am well acquainted with disappointment.
I always wondered how the people with these miracle stories that publish these books about overcoming Cancer did it. Their methods worked for them with no doubt but my mother was in such a bad state she couldn't even do most of the things these books said to do and that was so disappointing. I wished I could speak with these people personally just to ask them...HOW? How did you do it?
One of the greatest challenges faced was that my mother was a Minister and Pastor and she had a lot of people praying for her as she even believed for her own healing. Father Yah (God) is a healer but He doesn't always heal and there is always a question of why for those that are not healed. Dottie Olsteen the wife of the late Pastor John Olsteen of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas now pastured by Joel Olsteen at one time had terminal Liver Cancer. Dottie gathered together the healing scriptures from the Bible and began to speak them over herself three times a day like a medicine prescription and was totally and completely healed.
Why her and not my mother? I don't know. Maybe Yah (the name for almighty God the Creator in Hebrew) was ready for my mom to come home with Him. All I can tell you is that disappoint can and will come in many forms. The best cure for disappointment is to overcome with an attitude of thankfulness, accepting that you don't know the reason for all things but you do know that there is a reason and a purpose for all things. Stay positive while keeping your mind and spirit open to whatever might happen. Disappointment comes when something other than what you expect or anticipate happens. With Cancer you have to be prepared for the success or failure of anything and everything. Be encouraged; you are stronger than disappointment. Don't let it catch you off guard but be prepared for it. Know that for every disappointment there is a triumph on the other side.
Entry # 5: Diet:
Anyone with Cancer should reconstruct their diet to contain the foods that fight against and can even cure Cancer. Eat and drink substances that are non-acidic, alkaline, and highly concentrated with antioxidants. Research to find Cancer healing foods.
One of the most important things to do is to drink a lot of water. Water is the source of life and the human body is mostly composed of water. There is an author that wrote a book called, "You Aren't Sick You're Just Thirsty" talking about the importance of water and its affects on the body.
Diet is a rough subject with Pancreatic Cancer because you can know all the right things to eat and not be able to consume them. The affects of the disease on the digestive system makes it very hard to eat and drink. The patient may lose their appetite and even if they do have an appetite, once they eat it can make them feel sick. Pancreatic Cancer sabotages the digestive system.
One thing that helped us was some information we found on dill pickles that assists in the digestion of food. In many instances when someone with Pancreatic Cancer or other digestive problems eats a dill pickle with each meal it helps to counteract the digestive problems so they can eat in comfort and keep the food down for nutrition to the body.
There are also drugs available to enhance the appetite, but if dill pickles can also be eaten with every meal that should help greatly as well. Since Pancreatic Cancer patients have difficulties in eating and tend to lose a lot of weight, dietary supplements such as protein shakes are suggested which are ingested easier with the use of a straw. Peanut butter can be added to the shakes to increase the calorie content and nutritional value of the shake. Another suggestion is to eat very small meals all throughout the day. The Cancer patient may not feel like eating but in order to live they must FORCE themselves to eat. Lack of food and liquid can kill quicker.
Vitamin D fights Cancer and freshly juiced vegetable juices containing the juice from green leafy vegetables can be extremely helpful especially when drank right after juicing when vitamin content and living substance is at a high level. The external diet is also important which consists of Epson salt baths that help to heal and release toxins from the body.
We all know the saying, "You are what you eat." Eat what is alive and it will help you stay alive. The first 3 letters of the word diet is the word die. Don't let what you are eating kill you. Since Cancer patients many times have to give up foods they love in order to live, it is great if the family can conform to their diet in support of their dietary efforts. Some foods make Cancer grow like simple sugars. Cut the sugar out of your diet and use a natural alternative like Stevia to sweeten foods. Stevia is a naturally sweet leaf that is available in powder and liquid form to sweeten foods and use in recipes. I am a big Bible reader so I love that Stevia is a leaf because the Bible says that the leaves shall be used for the healing of the nations. Other well-known artificial sweeteners can actually be poisonous to the body so be careful with them and avoid them if possible.
Entry #6: Death:
Even when you know someone is going to die, nothing really prepares you for the affects, effects, and real life reactions to that death. Everyone's experience is different, and I will share my personal experience with you hoping it will help you in some way. I can remember my mom looking at me one night and saying to me, "I'm dying!" I didn't know what to say back because even though I knew she had Cancer and death seemed inevitable, I refused to accept the fact the she was actually going to die.
We took her to the hospital on a Thursday and the very next day they wanted to send her to hospice. Hospice is a great and awful place all at the same time. Great due to the care and support and painless exit for the patient from this world they provide. Awful because you know that it is the last place you will be with the one you love. Hospice facilities are very comfortable and they give you a chance to say goodbye even if you don't want to. No one does. Please know that you aren't the only one going through this; neither are you the only one that has ever gone through this.
Counselors are provided, as well as, chaplains for spiritual support and prayer. You will receive a booklet explaining the death process which helps you know when death is near. During this process, give the Cancer patient a lot of love, comfort and support, and make sure you yourself get ample food and rest. Speak to your loved one while they are responsive and even after they are in a drug induced comma because they can still hear you. Be sure not to be selfish and release them to pass on so they won't linger on in suffering. That is all I will say about the hospice experience as you will learn more as you are actually in it. This is the time to meet with the funeral home and make preparations for the funeral and burial. You won't want to do this, but it is necessary and will help smooth out the process. Overall, hospice is a place to say your final goodbyes.
Entry # 7: Debt:
My dad only had enough life insurance to cover my mom's funeral, and this is not recommended. The moment a Cancer diagnosis is in place get as much checkup free insurance as you can get. For some reason the bill collectors don't understand the word death, and you can be stuck with bills that increase your sorrow after your loved one is gone. You will need a living will for your patient to be able to make medical decisions for them and you also need a power of attorney to deal with their accounts way before a death experience is upon you. You may have to handle business matters that they can't deal with while they are still alive and after they have passed on.Also make sure a will is in place so you don't have to deal with probate. Some accounts are easily closed after death simply by submitting a copy of the death certificate to the creditor and it is important to see if insurance is in place to pay off accounts upon death such as mortgages.
I have shared my heart, soul, and intimate personal experience with you in this article to the best of my ability. It should not take a crisis such as Cancer for us to become mortgage and debt free but if something such as Cancer arises I know that being mortgage and debt free can be one less worry. Work to reduce or delete your debts as much as possible. My dad would have more freedom and options today had his house been paid off when my mother passed. In addition to medical bills there were some prescriptions that cost $800 for a 10-day supply after our prescription benefits ran out. Death and sickness know nothing of the extra financial burdens that can increase and extend sorrow.
You will feel the pain of your loss for awhile and it will be absolutely unbelievable for a very long time, but you will get through it. Remember the good times, look at pictures of life, and hear the voice of your loved one live on in your mind and spirit forever. I wish you abundant peace. If you would like to find out how to get a copy of the book I've written in hopes of helping people deal with the loss of a loved one, please call or email me.

I have shared my heart, soul and intimate personal experience with you in this article and I want to share something else that can benefit you greatly which is a way to pay off your mortgage in one third to one half the time allowing you to own your home outright and become debt free.
It should not take a crisis such as Cancer for us to become mortgage and debt free but if something such as Cancer arises I know that being mortgage and debt free can be one less worry. My dad would have more freedom and options today had his house been paid off when my mother passed. There are still medical bills to deal with and even some prescriptions that cost $800 for a 10 days supply after our prescription benefits ran out.

By Deneene A. Collins

By Shauna Arthurs

Stage 4 Leukemia - A New Immunotherapy Brings Hope to Stage 4 Cancer Patients

Fight Against Stage 4 Cancer and Leukemia Strengthened by Immunotherapy

The field of cancer immunology has presently exceeded 30 years and has genuinely skyrocketed, particularly over the last decade. Immunotherapy, the use of the stimulated immune system to ward off disease, has morphed into different sub categories including immune system growth factors, monoclonal antibodies, cellular therapies, and even combinations of several of these strategies. Recent advances in adoptive immunotherapy (focused on the expansion of specific disease-fighting white blood cells and their infusion into patients) have led to colossal discoveries that will decidedly impact the treatment of Leukemia and other cancers over the span of the next ten years..

Making a Case for Immunotherapy as a Viable Treatment for Stage 4 Cancer and Advanced Stage Leukemia

Immunotherapy utilizes the immune system to disseminate chronic diseases, such as cancer. Various immunotherapy strategies have been systematically developed over recent decades with significant research focused on the infusion of white blood cells (the immune

system's backbone) directly into patients. The essence and most effective of such resultant protocols, calls for these white blood cells to be activated and expanded outside the body in a relentless effort to target them directly at tumor cells. This type of strategy is called adoptive immunotherapy. Research has shown that three types of white blood cells seem to be most potent at fighting tumors:

natural killer cells (NKs) natural killer T cells (NKTs) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs)

Natural killer cells are particularly worthwhile, as they maintain the body's first-line defense against cancer and viruses. They possess the uncanny ability to recognize and destroy such invading cells by attaching to them and injecting a type of cellular poison that explodes the cells. They are also adept at recognizing cancer cells that have spread (metastasized) from the primary disease site.

Envita - International Leader in Stage 4 Cancer and Advanced Leukemia Immunotherapy

A bevy of published literature has demonstrated the effects of adoptive immune therapy in cancer patients. Envita's renowned medical associates assessed the most noteworthy of these studies and focused on the strengths and weaknesses of each therein. Their vision established a protocol that incorporates only the most outstanding procedures known to expedite expansion and application of cells as a powerful immune therapy. Our protocols are based on the most current published research in the field, from our most prestigious national and global hospitals/ universities.

Leukemia Presents New but Addressable Twist to Stage 4 Cancer Immunotherapy

Because leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells, and most immunotherapy strategies try to enhance the ability of white blood cells to battle cancer, leukemia has posed unique queries to researchers in this field. Only quite recently have adoptive immunotherapy strategies become available to patients combating leukemia. The major obstacle was the power to isolate normal, non-leukemic cells that could fight against the cancerous ones.

Published research has confirmed that NKs, NKTs, and CTLs can, with certainty, be isolated, expanded and activated from the blood of leukemia patients. Although patients with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) or chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) have very few normal lymphocytes, successful expansion of NK, NKT, and CTLs was indicated.1-5 Likewise, these cells can be generated from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), whose lymphocytes are non-cancerous but typically dysfunctional.6-11 In the majority of cases, the NKs, NKTs, and CTLs expanded from leukemia patients were able to marginalize tumor cells in laboratory tests.2-4, 6-11 There remains persuasive evidence that in acute leukemia patients who have gone into remission, the ability of their natural killer cells to eradicate cancer cells in laboratory tests is a strong indicator of continued remission.12 Those patients with higher natural killer cell activity enjoyed lengthier remission periods than those with lower NK activity.12

Immunotherapy for Leukemia and Other Stage 4 Cancers Finally Taken Seriously by Traditional Care Providers

A recent clinical trial instituted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota utilized natural killer cells in patients with poor prognosis acute myeloid leukemia. Complete remissions were experienced in 5 out of 19 patients after receiving these NK cell infusions.13 Naturally, the proposed use of natural killer cell therapy in earlier stage patients is presently under consideration. In other printed scientific studies, the presence of activated NK cells and other tumor-fighting immune cells have been found to be major factors in the response of cancer patients to drugs such as thalidomide and Gleevec.14,15

Envita - World Leader in Stage 4 Leukemia and Cancer Immunotherapy

Envita Natural Medical Center currently utilizes NK, NKT, and T lymphocytes as supportive immunotherapy for cancer patients, including those with Leukemia. Envita's proprietary immune therapy vaccine is appropriately labeled AAIT (autologous adoptive immune therapy,) and there are four major cell types involved - the most prevalent being natural killer cells and T cells.

Our AAIT therapy increases a patient’s own antitumor immune cells into the billions, analyzes them for activation markers, assesses their cancer killing ability in the lab. Only at that juncture, when the serum vaccine is fully optimized, is it re-infused into the patient. The infusion of activated natural killer cells is remarkably more effective than any indirect stimulation of natural killer cell activity.

Envita AAIT - A Powerful Option to Fight Leukemia

Enhancing the immune system is a major boon to fighting cancer, but this vaccine-driven routine may be improved through subtraction. In simple terms, we can heighten results by not only bolstering critical components of the immune system, but simultaneously depleting it of negative factors that impede its functionality.

Spurred by scientific research and clinical results, AAIT offers a powerful option for cancer patients who are determined to fight cancer while keeping their immune system intact. Enhancing the immune system is a definite plus to targeting cancer, but this vaccine-driven routine may be added upon through subtraction. In lay terms, we can improve results by not only bolstering critical components of the immune system, but simultaneously depleting it of negative factors that impede its functionality.

It is universally accepted that cancer cells effect the release of T-regulatory cells, or "negative T cells." The frequency of these cells correlate directly with specific cancer stages - respective to each cancer type. The more advanced the cancer, the higher the T-regulatory cells.

Naturally, through intervention and deeming to thwart these cells, along with other key enzymes that block critical immune system, cancer cell-killing action will be expedited exponentially. Just theorize that your immune system is being targeted and is essentially to go, yet something in your body suddenly applies the brakes. This is precisely what most advanced cancer patients must tolerate in regards to high regulatory T cells. Envita's treatment protocols create a targeted vaccine by using the body's most potent cancer killers, but also depletes that portion of the immune system which inhibits the body from functioning efficiently in such regard. Pointedly, there is no treatment (conventional or alternative) that can be effective in the later stages of cancer, if these negative T-cells are not effectively regulated downward.

Unlike other immune therapies circulated in published literature, Envita’s AAIT can be used as a solitary treatment. AAIT can also be recommended in conjunction with other therapies that will act to enhance the effects of cells once they are in the patient. This is a key improvement over many of the scientific published studies. Envita’s AAIT therapy is not just bent on expanding cells in the laboratory; the ultimate goal is to also expand them and keep them activated after they are infused back into the body.

Envita Mexico - Now Administering Advanced AAIT Immunotherapy to Treat Leukemia and Stage 4 Cancer

The activated natural killer cells in Envita's AAIT are considerably more effective in the realm of tumor obliteration than other immunotherapy treatments, heretofore, proffered in Mexico or across the globe. Prompted by scientific research and clinical results, Envita's AAIT offers a persuasive option for leukemia cancer patients who are determined to battle cancer while keeping their immune system intact. If you have questions concerning Envita’s AAIT, please consult with our team of physicians as well as our patient educators. This particular therapy is offered in Envita Mexico's international cancer center.

References

1) Ritz J. Expansion of natural killer cells for use in acute lymphoid leukemia. Haematologica. 2005 Jun;90(6):723A.

2) Torelli GF, Guarini A, Maggio R, Alfieri C, Vitale A, Foa R. Expansion of natural killer cells with lytic activity against autologous blasts from adult and pediatric acute lymphoid leukemia patients in complete hematologic remission. Haematologica. 2005 Jun;90(6):785-92.

3) Cardoso AA, Veiga JP, Ghia P, Afonso HM, Haining WN, Sallan SE, Nadler LM. Adoptive T-cell therapy for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: preclinical studies. Blood. 1999 Nov 15;94(10):3531-40.

4) Guven H, Gilljam M, Chambers BJ, Ljunggren HG, Christensson B, Kimby E, Dilber MS. Expansion of natural killer (NK) and natural killer-like T (NKT)-cell populations derived from patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL): a potential source for cellular immunotherapy. Leukemia. 2003 Oct;17(10):1973-80.

5) Lee YK, Kay NE. Reconstitution of innate immunity in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia: time to reconsider the possibilities. Leukemia. 2003 Oct;17(10):1945-7.

6) Linn YC, Lau LC, Hui KM. Generation of cytokine-induced killer cells from leukaemic samples with in vitro cytotoxicity against autologous and allogeneic leukaemic blasts. Br J Haematol. 2002 Jan;116(1):78-86.

7) Linn YC, Hui KM. Cytokine-induced killer cells: NK-like T cells with cytotolytic specificity against leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma. 2003 Sep;44(9):1457-62.

8) Orleans-Lindsay JK, Deru A, Craig JI, Prentice HG, Lowdell MW. In vitro co-stimulation with anti-CD28 synergizes with IL-12 in the generation of T cell immune responses to leukaemic cells; a strategy for ex-vivo generation of CTL for immunotherapy. Clin Exp Immunol. 2003 Sep;133(3):467-75.

9) Cervantes F, Pierson BA, McGlave PB, Verfaillie CM, Miller JS. Autologous activated natural killer cells suppress primitive chronic myelogenous leukemia progenitors in long-term culture. Blood. 1996 Mar 15;87(6):2476-85.

10) Verfaillie C, Miller W, Kay N, McGlave P. Adherent lymphokine-activated killer cells in chronic myelogenous leukemia: a benign cell population with potent cytotoxic activity. Blood. 1989 Aug 1;74(2):793-7.

11) Hoyle C, Bangs CD, Chang P, Kamel O, Mehta B, Negrin RS. Expansion of Philadelphia chromosome-negative CD3(+)CD56(+) cytotoxic cells from chronic myeloid leukemia patients: in vitro and in vivo efficacy in severe combined immunodeficiency disease mice. Blood. 1998 Nov 1;92(9):3318-27.

12) Lowdell MW, Craston R, Samuel D, Wood ME, O'Neill E, Saha V, Prentice HG. Evidence that continued remission in patients treated for acute leukaemia is dependent upon autologous natural killer cells. Br J Haematol. 2002 Jun;117(4):821-7.

13) Miller JS, Soignier Y, Panoskaltsis-Mortari A, McNearney SA, Yun GH, Fautsch SK, McKenna D, Le C, Defor TE, Burns LJ, Orchard PJ, Blazar BR, Wagner JE, Slungaard A, Weisdorf DJ, Okazaki IJ, McGlave PB. Successful adoptive transfer and in vivo expansion of human haploidentical NK cells in patients with cancer. Blood. 2005 Apr 15;105(8):3051-7. Epub 2005 Jan 4.

14) Hayashi T, Hideshima T, Akiyama M, Podar K, Yasui H, Raje N, Kumar S, Chauhan D, Treon SP, Richardson P, Anderson KC. Molecular mechanisms whereby immunomodulatory drugs activate natural killer cells: clinical application. Br J Haematol. 2005 Jan;128(2):192-203.

15) Borg C, Terme M, Taieb J, Menard C, Flament C, Robert C, Maruyama K, Wakasugi H, Angevin E, Thielemans K, Le Cesne A, Chung-Scott V, Lazar V, Tchou I, Crepineau F, Lemoine F, Bernard J, Fletcher JA, Turhan A, Blay JY, Spatz A, Emile JF, Heinrich MC, Mecheri S, Tursz T, Zitvogel L. Novel mode of action of c-kit tyrosine kinase inhibitors leading to NK cell-dependent antitumor effects. J Clin Invest. 2004 Aug;114(3):379-88.

Immunotherapy Envita is one of the leading natural medical centers in the U.S. and abroad. Envita treats a large range of conditions, and our mainly focused areas such as cancer, disease, heart disease, For more Informations Please Visit Our www.envita.com Website.

 by PROXY FILTOP