Showing posts with label cancer treatments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cancer treatments. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma Skin Cancer

9:16:00 AM
Melanoma Skin Cancer is started in the cells that produce pigments. These cells are called Melanocytes. The Melanin that is the cause of skin, eyes and hair colour is the result of these cells. According to the NCI (National Institute of Cancer), there are over 68,000 new cases and near 9,000 deaths of Melanoma Skin Cancer each year in US.
The first sign of melanoma is normally a change in shape or colour and maybe size of a currently existed mole. You should see your doctor if you see a sudden or continuous change in the shape and size or colour of a mole. Sometimes melanoma appears on your skin as a new mole.
It's very easy to memorize what you look for. There are five parameters involved that we can refer to as "ABCDE" that are:
1. Asymmetry: when the shape of one half of the mole is not the same as the shape of the other half.
2. Border: when the pigment is spread into the nearby skin so the borders and edges are normally blurred and ragged.
3. Colour: it is normally uneven. Normally there are brown or black shades or some areas are white, gray and red or sometimes pink.
4. Diameter: the size can be very different but normally the melanomas are larger than 6 millimetres or ¼ inch.
5. Evolving: when the mole has changed during the past few weeks or months.
But have in mind that not all the melanomas show all of the above mentioned features. Sometimes the changes are only in one or two of the ABCDE.
There are some other warning signs and symptoms:
a. When you see a new bump
b. When colour is spread into the nearby skin areas
c. When you see a redness or swelling that is beyond the mole itself
d. When you feel pain
e. When you feel itching
f. When the mole bleeds
g. Sometimes oozing
h. Tenderness can be a sign as well
i. And scaly appearance
When the melanoma is more advanced, the texture of the mole may change. The skin becomes harder and the surface of the skin sometimes breaks down and scraped. Sometimes even bleeding has been reported and it may get itchy or painful.
Your doctor is definitely a person who can help you. Make sure if there is anything that bothers you, go and see your doctor.
What causes Melanoma Skin Cancer
The most dangerous cause of Melanoma Skin Cancer is the exposure to sunlight ultra violet rays. Melanocytes make more melanin under the sun light. That's why our skin is tanned under the sun. Scientist believe that enough exposure to UV radiation can hurt the DNA in melanocytes and causes them to grow more than normal and out of control.
It's good to know that Melanoma Skin Cancer happens more often in fair skin people than brown and black skin people. Fair or white skin people have less melanocyte cells in their skin hence more dangerous the UV ray is for them.
Doctors believe that Melanoma Skin Cancer is related not only to exposure to sun, but genetics plays a big role in this cancer. Because Melanoma Tumors can occur in the areas of the body that are not normally exposed to the sun. So people with family history of melanoma are more likely to develop the cancer. According to researches done by NCI (National Cancer Institute) One out of ten people diagnosed with melanoma have a family member who was previously diagnosed with the disease.
How to treat Melanoma Skin Cancer
Like most of the diseases and cancers, there is a good chance of good prognosis when the cancer is caught early. If the brown or black lesion has not spread beyond the skin surface, a simple surgery may be enough to cure the cancer.
But in more advanced cancer, the one that melanoma has spread to other parts of body, it is difficult to treat. According to NCI the chances of 5-year survival rate are:
1. 98% localised melanoma. 84% of melanoma cases are diagnosed at this stage
2. 62% if melanoma is spread under the skin to nearby lymph nodes
3. 16% if it spreads to distant parts of the body
In the last two cases doctors use Chemotherapy, radiation or biological therapy to treat the cancer.
How to prevent Melanoma Skin Cancer
It is not very easy to treat this cancer and it can take a lifelong, but it only takes some very simple precautions to decrease the risk.
The first and maybe the most important factor is avoiding tanning beds. Wearing sunscreens with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of above 15 is another simple step. Wearing hats, visors and tightly woven clothing is very good to block the sunlight UV ray. And the last one is staying out of the sun during 10 am and 4 pm when the sunlight is very strong and UV level is at the highest.
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Thursday, April 17, 2014

What Are The Symptoms And Stages Of a Brain Tumor?

12:28:00 PM
From the latest research in the field of medicine it is evident that there are lots of patients who are suffering from the painful condition of brain tumor. It is a disease which has taken many lives and still many are struggling hard to survive from this detrimental syndrome. For the cure, many neurologists have been successful in fighting back this disease but still there is a lot more to do to face this challenge. And for this reason, the experts from cancer treatment and radiation therapy are coming forward to participate in the fight against cancer.
Brain tumor is a very harmful and dangerous disease. It only results in the patient's death if it is not controlled in its earlier stage. By reading this article you will know more about Brain tumor, its symptoms and its treatment process. This information will be helpful if you are suffering from the same condition.
Symptoms:
There are many symptoms of brain tumor which neurologist describe. Among them, the most common symptoms are Headaches, Nausea, Hearing troubles, Sight misperception, Vision problem and sometimes problems in the behavioral functioning.
Headaches:
Regular headaches are common in a brain tumor patient. These are regular and frequent and can take place at any instant. When the headaches are in the primary stage, they are preventable, but when the disease enters a severe stage, they are unstoppable and can even take the patient's life. Well it can be and cannot be a complete sign of a brain tumor. If the patient is receiving constant headaches then it can be a sign but consulting the experienced practitioner to find out if it is really a symptom of this condition or not.
Vomiting and Nausea:
These symptoms are sometimes rare and sometimes frequent in the patient. Vomiting and nausea can be a middle stage symptom of the brain tumor, but for confirmation the patient should consult the neurologist. With the latest research, the experts have declared that there are 22 patients out of hundred who had called Nausea as brain tumor's symptom.
Loss of hearing and vision:
According to the latest report, there are 25% patients who had loss of hearing and vision. But it is also not a true symptom for brain tumor. Sometimes, it depends upon the tendency of the patient as to what sort of symptoms he or she is carrying with the disease.
Stages:
Stage 1:
This is a very primary stage of brain tumor in which the cells are not fully shaped and they do not even start to multiply. The cure is easy in this stage as the cells can easily be separated from the brain through a surgery.
Stage 2:
This is a stage where the cell activates in a slow growth form. This stage requires instant surgery; otherwise there is chance for the disease to go into its third stage which is more dangerous and risky,
Stage 3:
This stage is proficient for the cells to split up. They starts growing more rapidly and it requires a serious attention if the patient is to be recovered.
Stage 4:
This stage is the extreme of all stages where the cure becomes very difficult because the tumor cells have populated the entire brain section. This stage is very difficult to cure but can be cured if an urgent surgery is carried out. Most of the brain tumor's patient die in this last stage as many times the surgery does not remove the disease. That is why many neurologists advice the patients to treat it the very first stage so that the disease stops spreading.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Stage 4 Natural Killer Cells and Leukemia

3:23:00 AM
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.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Herbs for Skin Cancer and Other Cancers

5:40:00 AM
If you are looking for natural skin cancer treatments then first and foremost you must think holistically. Skin cancer is more than skin deep. Natural remedies, natural treatments and natural practitioners always support the body as a whole.
This article outlines natural treatments for skin cancer, specifically medicinal herbs and their vast range of anti-cancer actions. This includes is a compilation of herbs that are beneficial for many types of cancer including, but not limited to, skin cancer.
Skin cancer, or indeed, any kind of cancer needs a holistic approach to support the body no matter what method of treatment is used.
Herbs can play a huge role in not only nourishing and supporting the body and affected tissues but for the treatment of the actual cancer itself, for example topical applications for skin cancer.
Herbs used in the treatment of cancer may be chosen for their nutritive, alterative, tonic, anti-inflammatory, alkalizing, adaptogenic, stress/nervine support, pain relief and tissue protection.
There are herbs with specific actions that protect cells from DNA and chemical damage.
STOP CANCER CELLS GROWING AND KILL EXISTING CANCER CELLS
Anti-neoplastic herbs help reduce abnormal cellular growth. They stop cancer cells from growing.
Tumour apoptotic herbs disable cancer cells and bring about apoptosis (cell death) without doing serious harm to healthy body cells and without destroying the body's overall health:
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis), is a prime example of a herb that promotes apoptosis. Bloodroot, used internally and externally acts in the mitochondria of the cancer cell, disabling it so it can no longer produce energy, triggering apoptosis. It does not have this effect on healthy body cells.
Bloodroot is highly effective in the treatment of skin cancer such as BCC, SCC and Melanoma.
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) is anti-neoplastic. It enables the immune system to help in the prevention of cancerous growth. Astragalus also helps the immune cells to actually recognize cancer cells. It is very effective used concurrently with chemotherapy or radiotherapy to minimize the detrimental side effects without interfering with the treatment.
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is alterative, meaning it encourages the body's natural channels of elimination. Red clover is used in cancer prevention for its phytoestrogenic effect, particularly with breast or prostate cancers. Phytoestrogens are natural plant estrogens that do not stimulate excessive cell growth like other harmful estrogens do.
Garlic (Allium sativum) has been shown to increase and stimulate the natural killer cells of the immune system, helping to protect the body from cell damage caused by inflammation or infecting organisms.
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis ) is another herb with antioxidant properties that inhibits tissue damage by free radicals. The catechins (polyphenols) in green tea have proven anticancer properties and inhibit angiogenesis (blood vessel growth to a cancer tumor).
Beetroot (Beta vulgaris cicla) increases the respiration rate of cancer cells by up to 350%. Increased respiration leads to decreased malignancy and shorter life of the cancer cell. Beetroot contains the antioxidant anthocyan in the pigment. This may be included in the diet or taken as herbal medicine in specified doses of dried powdered root. Scientific research shows beetroot prevents lung, liver and skin cancers. Breetroot has been proven to induce Phase II detoxification in the liver.
Chapparal (Larrea tridentata) discourages DNA mutation. The active principle nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a polyphenolic compound, is particularly useful in inhibiting promotion of skin cancer. It inhibits an enzyme and other signalling pathways involved in inducing genetic changes (DNA transcription) in the skin cells.
Apricot kernel extract (amygdalin) - contains toxic organic cyanide which destroys cancer cells. An enzyme that is present in normal body cells breaks down the cyanide leaving the non-cancerous cells undamaged. This protective enzyme is not present in cancer cells.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)- gives liver support for ridding toxins and metabolic wastes. Turmeric inhibits angiogenesis (growth of blood vessels that feed cancer cells) and reduces inflammation which may lead to tissue irritation and cell changes.
Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) - Immunostimulant and anti-tumour for many types of cancer.
Violet (Viola odorata) The leaves are antineoplastic for breast cancer and used for any breast lumps. Very useful for skin cancer treatment also.
In combination with dietary and lifestyle changes, herbal treatment is likely to begin by aiding the body's channels of elimination with alterative herbs. At the same time, there will be focus on nourishing and supporting with nutritive herbs and digestive tonics to encourage healthy tissue, immune function and cancer prevention.
Nutritive herbs: Oats (Avena sativa), nettle (Urtica dioica), red clover (Trifolium pratense), chickweed (Stellaria media), Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus),Barley grass (Hordeum vulgare), wheat grass (Triticum sp) and kelp (Fucus vesiculosus or Macrocystis pyrifera) provide bioavailable minerals and vitamins. They can be taken as well as carefully chosen dietary supplements because cancer can partly be seen as a 'deficiency disease'. The body may require the substances sufficient for rebuilding healthy cells or for supporting an immune system capable of recognizing and destroying cancerous cells. Some supplements will be needed to supply nutrients such as selenium, iodine and many other minerals that are deficient in soils globally.
Anti-scorbutic herbs (for vitamin C): Rose hips, chickweed, nettle, parsley, dandelion, yellow dock, raspberry leaf and violet. These herbs provide vitamin C or aid in its absorption. In relation to cancer vitamin C aids the absorption of other nutrients including iron; assists the immune system; assists the elimination of toxic metals and poisons; is antioxidant, protecting cells from free radical damage; assists the formation of body and blood cells; helps in the healing of damaged tissue, bones and wounds; inhibits metastasis and inhibits tumor growth. In addition, therapeutic doses of supplemental vitamin C are advisable.
DIGESTIVE TONICS and BITTER DIGESTIVE STIMULANTS aid digestion and improve the absorption and assimilation of nutrients.
Digestive tonics: Aloe vera juice, slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra), comfrey (Symphytum officinale), marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis), licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). These are soothing, healing demulcent herbs particularly useful in any cancer of the digestive tract.
Bitter digestive stimulants are also tonic to the digestive tract tissue by stimulating digestive secretions from the stomach, liver and gall bladder: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus), schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata), picrorrhiza (Picrorrhiza kurroa), hops (Humulus lupulus), bupleurum (Bupleurum falcatum), gentian (Gentiana lutea), barberry (Berberis vulgaris), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), yellow dock (Rumex crispus), angelica (Angelica archangelica), peppermint (Mentha piperita), chamomile (Matricaria recutita), wood betony (Stachys betonica), greater celandine (Chelidonium majus). These herbs greatly assist the digestion of food, enabling better uptake of nutrients by the body.
Circulatory stimulants aid the absorption and assimilation of nutrients and other beneficial substances. They also aid the processes of elimination by improving blood flow from the tissues to the organs of elimination: Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum americanum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), chilli (Capsicum annuum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba),rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
Alterative herbs specifically aid the channels and organs of elimination. They are important for helping the body to rid itself of harmful or useless substances and allow other energy to be spent on supportive processes improving vitality - red clover (Trifolium pratense), burdock (Arctium lappa), Poke root (Phytolacca Americana), Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), cleavers (Gallium aparine), garlic (Allium sativum), yellow dock (Rumex cripus), violet (Viola odorata), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), nettle (Urtica dioica), figwort (Scrophularia nodosa), sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.)
Herbs for the liver enhance the elimination of toxins in radiation treatment and especially in chemo, particularly schisandra, Schisandra chinensis and milk thistle, Silybum marianum. They protect the liver. Other herbs to help the liver and cancer are Bupleurum falcatum, Andrographis paniculata and Astragalus.
Antioxidant herbs reduce damage caused by free radicals that can lead to tissue damage and cancer. (Antioxidants are anti-mutagenic). Interestingly, most herbs have antioxidant properties. Here are a just a few: turmeric (Curcuma longa), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), self heal (Prunella vulgaris), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), sage (Salvia officinalis), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), chilli (Capsicum annuum), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), nettle, ginger and parsley.
Allium sativum and Allium cepa contain selenium and sulphur compounds that stimulate enzymes that prevent the conversion of free-radicals to carcinogens. They must be grown in soil containing selenium.
Other cancer preventing substances found in herbal medicine:
- Carotenoids found in barley grass, spirulina, kelp, seaweeds, (most herbs, but high in the yellow/orange vegetables such as pumpkin and carrot).
-Dithiolthiones, diindoles and glucosinolates found in the Brassica, or cabbage family of vegetables. That's cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and kale.
- Phyto-estrogens:
1. Phytosterols and steroidal saponins found in wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), Panax ginseng, black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), false unicorn root (ChamHelonias, Tribulus terrestris, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
2. Lignans that reduce hormone sensitive cancers, found in flaxseed, seaweeds.
3.Polyphenols - isoflavonoids and flavones in Soy, red clover (Trifolium pratense) green beans, legumes and peas.
These above three categories are plant estrogens that act weakly on cell receptor sites, inhibiting the excessive action of more aggressively acting natural and environmental estrogens.
- Polysaccharides - Mushrooms - Shitake, Reishi; Astragalus, Siberian ginseng, Korean ginseng, Echinacea and Aloe vera. Polysaccharides are complex sugars that improve the immune response against tumor cells.
Immunostimulant - The immune system needs support in order to combat cancerous growth as well as to keep the body strong if the person is undergoing surgery, chemo or radiation in the treatment of cancer. Tumour cells can produce cytokines that suppress the immune system.
In addition to the polysaccharide-containing herbs above, use Andrographis paniculata, Picrorrhiza kurroa, Phytolacca americana, Allium sativa (garlic), Echinacea, Olive leaf, Shitake and Reishi mushrooms.
Alkalizing- The modern diet and lifestyle tends towards acidifying the system. Too much easily available meat and refined grains, coupled with stressful lifestyles help create a pH imbalance within the body. With increased acidity there is increased inflammation which may lead to tissue damage and possible cancer development. Some alkalizing herbs are Aloe vera juice, wheat grass, barley grass, alfalfa (Medicago sativa), cleavers(Gallium aparine), nettle (Urtica dioica).
Antiparasitic - Parasites excrete toxins that set up carcinogenic processes. Antiparasitic herbs are black walnut (Juglans nigra), cloves (Sysygium aromaticum), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), chillies (Capsicum annuum) and goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis).
OTHER SUPPORT
Cancer is both an emotional and a physical stress on the body. The nervous system can be supported with nervines and adaptogens to help the person to cope.
Nervine tonic - St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), wood betony (Stachys betonica), oats and oatstraw (Avena sativa), vervain (Verbena officinalis), skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis), chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Withania somnifera, Lavender(Lavandula), damiana (Turnera diffusa), passionflower (Passiflora incarnate), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), Ginkgo biloba, Brahmi (Bacopa monniera).
Adaptogenic - These herbs work at the cellular level. They increase the capacity of the cells to manufacture and use cell fuel more efficiently. They aid in the assimilation, circulation and integration of other beneficial herbs and substances. This helps normalize the body's various functions and stimulate recovery processes. Cumulative stress and the body's subsequent inability to perform its key functions efficiently have been linked with most illnesses. Adaptogenic herbs help the body to adapt to stressors. Schisandra chinensis, Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng), Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), Astragalus, Withania, Rehmannia and Maca (Lepidium peruvianum). Bacopa and Andrographis are also possibly adaptogenic.
Specific herbs that minimize the harmful effects of radiation and chemo treatment are the ginsengs (Panax, Eleutherococcus, Lepidium) which are also adaptogenic and immune stimulant. Along with an organic, juicing diet these herbs lessen the detrimental side effects of allopathic treatments. Lepidium peruvianum or meyenii from the Brassica family contains glucosinolates found in other members of the same plant family such as broccoli and cabbage. Glucosinolates help clear toxins, protect DNA and block the initiation of tumors.
Kelp and seaweeds also protect against radiation and provide high amounts of bioavailable minerals, particularly iodine. Withania is helpful in chemotherapy.
I have met people who have decided to take chemo alongside an anticancer diet and herbal regimen. They have not lost their hair or energy and have no nausea. The doctors tell them, "you should have been sick and bald by now!"
Nausea: Other herbs to aid digestion and reduce nausea may be needed especially when the specialist's treatment causes loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Herbs form the Apiaceae family are indicated - angelica (Angelica archangelica), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Dill (Anethum graveolens) and aniseed (Pimpinella anisum). Also very effective are peppermint, ginger and chamomile.
Pain management
1. Circulatory stimulants may be used for pain associated with cancer where blocked blood vessels cause poor circulation and ischaemia.
2. Nervine tonics - when a tumour is exerting pressure on nerves. This is the cause of most of the severe cancer pain.
3. Anti-inflammatory herbs can be used as in any condition where inflammation is a factor in pain including cancer.
Reducing inflammation is also important in maintaining health and reducing the risk and/or growth of cancer. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory markers are associated with the growth and survival of malignant cells. Moderating inflammatory mediators such as Cox 2 and leukotrienes can help decrease cancer spread. Turmeric and Bupleurum will contribute well here. Turmeric is one of nature's best anti-inflammatory agents. It reduces mast cell release of histamine.
Anticoagulant herbs are valid in the herbal treatment of cancer because abnormal blood coagulation is associated with cancer: Ginkgo, turmeric, garlic as well as quercetin, omega 3 essential fatty acids and vitamin E.
Cell proliferant, but in a healthy way, not uncontrolled and progressive as with cancer...Aloe vera, comfrEy (Symphytum officinale) and gotu kola (Centella asiatica) stimulate the healthy formation and growth of normal body cells.
Vulnerary (healing) - needed after surgery. Vulnerary herbs are also used to minimise scarring after herbal removal of skin cancers such as melanoma, basal and squamous cell carcinomas. Again, Aloe gel, comfrey and gotu kola are very successful in creating flat new tissue growth and reducing raised kelloid scars.
Herbs that inhibit angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) - because the development of a blood supply is important to the survival and growth of a tumor:
curcuminoids in turmeric catechins in Green Tea (bovine and shark cartilage, although not herbal treatment, also inhibit angiogenesis)
Thus, there is a huge number of herbs that may be used in the treatment of cancer. Commonsense can tell us to nourish the body with essential nutrients. It tells us to nurture the spirit and emotions and to utilize herbs that have been proven over the millennia, or through modern science, to provide healing properties and fight against cancer.
You can support your body to a natural solution to fighting skin cancer and other cancers with the immense natural chemicals found in plants. They act upon and within the tissues of your body, providing amazing tools for healing that your body needs.
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