Cancer disorders

DISORDERS

(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,

causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)

Disorder: CANCER

Description: When your body is injured, the cells surrounding the injury reproduce to replace the ones that have been harmed. These cells stop reproducing once they have filled in the injured area. Sometimes, however, a cell begins to reproduce for no obvious reason. The "daughter" cells it produces form a lump. This is cancer. Often, a cell from this lump or tumor spreads to another part of the body and begins reproducing there. Eventually, this abnormal tissue interferes with the ability of the body and its cells, organs, and other structures to perform their normal functions, and illness or death results.

There are more than 100 different varieties of cancer, with varying symptoms and aggressiveness (speed at which they spread). However, most types of cancer fall into one of our broad categories:

Carcinomas affect the skin, mucous membranes, glands and internal organs.
Leukemias are cancers of blood-forming tissues.
Sarcomas affect muscles, connective tissue, and bones.
Lymphomas affect the lymphatic system.

Symptoms: Knowing the early warning signs and symptoms that increase the risk of developing different forms of cancer can save your life. The American Cancer Society estimates that there are 170,000 or more deaths from cancer in the United States each year that could have been prevented.

Many of the signs and symptoms listed below can be caused by other, less serious disorders; however, if you experience one or more of the symptoms described, you should consult your doctor for an evaluation.

Type of Cancer	Risk Factors	Symptoms
Bladder & Kidney	Exposure to certain chemicals, such as benzidines, aniline dyes, naphthalenes; smoking; excessive consumption of caffeine and/or artificial sweeteners; frequent urinary tract infections.	Blood in the urine; pain and burning with urination; increased frequency of urination.
Breast	First childbirth after age 35; having no children; family history of cancer; high alcohol and/or caffeine consumption; high-fat diet; diabetes. Estrogens and oral contraceptives have been linked to breast and uterine cancer.	Lump(s), thickening, or other physical changes in the breast; itching, redness, and/or soreness of the nipples not associated with breast feeding.
Cervical and Uterine	More than 5 complete pregnancies; first intercourse before age 18; a history of gonorrhea or genital warts; multiple sex partners, infertility.	Bleeding between menstrual periods; unusual discharge; painful menstrual periods; heavy periods.
Colon	Lack of dietary fiber and calcium; polyps; family history of colon cancer; continued constipation and/or diarrhea; a high-fat diet.	Rectal bleeding; blood in the stool; changes in bowel habits (persistent diarrhea and/or constipation).
Endometrial	Never having been pregnant; being past menopause; family history of cancer; diabetes; obesity; hypertension.	Bleeding between menstrual periods; unusual discharge; painful menstrual periods; heavy periods.
Laryngeal	Heavy smoking; alcohol consumption.	Persistent cough; hoarse throat.
Leukemia	Hereditary factors; radiation exposure; chronic viral infections.	Paleness; fatigue; weight loss; repeated infections; easy bruising, bone and joint pain; nosebleeds.
Lung	Smoking; exposure to asbestos, nickel, chromates, or radioactive materials; chronic bronchitis; history of tuberculosis.	A persistent cough; sputum with blood; chest pain.
Lymphoma	Hereditary factors; immune system dysfunction. At least some cases are linked to a viral cause.	Enlarged, rubbery lymph nodes; itching; night sweats, unexplained fever and/or weight loss.
Mouth and Throat	Irritants inside the mouth, such as a broken tooth, ill-fitting or broken dentures; excessive alcohol intake; smoking; use of chewing tobacco.	A chronic ulcer of the mouth, tongue, or throat that does not heal.
Ovarian	Not having children; high-fat diet.	Often no obvious symptoms until it is in its later stage of development.
Prostate	Recurring prostate infection; history of venereal disease; diet high in animal fat; high intake of milk, meat and/or coffee; use of male hormone testosterone in treatment of impotence; vasectomy; being over age 50.	Weak or interrupted urine flow; continuous pain in the lower back, pelvis, and/or upper thighs.
Skin	Exposure to the sun, especially for those with fair skin; history of moles (malignant or otherwise); moles on the feet or in areas irritated by clothing; scars from severe burns and scars or sores that won’t heal; family history of skin cancer.	Tumor or lump under the skin, resembling a wart or an ulceration that never heals; moles that change color or size; flat sores; lesions that look like moles.
Stomach	Pernicious anemia; lack of hydrochloric acid and dietary fiber; high-fat diet; chronic gastritis; stomach polyps.	Indigestion and pain after eating; weight loss.
Testicular	Undescended testicle.	Lump(s); enlargement of a testicle; thickening of the scrotum; sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum; pain or discomfort in testicle or in the scrotum; mild ache in the lower abdomen or groin; enlargement or tenderness of the breasts.

Incidence: In the United States, one person dies from cancer every minute. Another 3 million have cancer, and one out of three will eventually die of some form of this disease.

Causes: No one knows exactly why cancer develops, but environmental factors and diet are widely believed to be two of the major causes. Exposure to cigarette smoke significantly increases incidence of lung cancer. Regular alcohol consumption increases the risk of mouth and throat cancers. A high fat, low fiber diet is associated with an increased risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancers. Many experts believe that what these risk factors have in common is that they increase the body’s exposure to free radicals. They theorize that damage from free radicals is an important factor in causing the uncontrolled cell growth that results in cancer. Others believe that factors such as cigarette smoking and poor dietary habits increase the risk of cancer because they impair the immune system. In addition to environmental and dietary factors, many experts link cancer to stress.

Treatments: Many experts now believe that at least 50 percent of cancer cases could be averted with dietary and lifestyle changes. Much research regarding nutrition and cancer is geared toward preventing the disease. Following the nutritional program and other recommendations outlined below can enhance the chances of avoiding the disease. If you already have cancer, there is growing scientific literature on the benefits of nutritional supplementation in helping people with cancer live longer and better.

Nutrients:

Supplement Dosage Comments

Coenzyme Q10	90 mg. daily.	Improves cellular oxygenation.
Garlic	2 capsules 3 times daily	Enhances immune function.
Melatonin	2-3 mg. daily, taken 2 hours or less before bedtime.	A powerful antioxidant that also aids sleep.
Natural beta-carotene	25,000 IU daily	Needed by all cells for repair and rebuilding.
Selenium	200 mcg. daily	Powerful free radical scavenger. Aids in protein digestion.
Shark cartilage	For cancer treatment, 1 gm. per 2 lbs of body weight daily, divided into two doses. If you cannot tolerate taking it orally, it can be administered in a retention enema. For cancer prevention, 2000-4500 mg. 3 times daily.	Has been shown to inhibit and even reverse the growth of some types of tumors. Also stimulates the immune system.
Vitamin A and Vitamin E	50,000-100,000 IU daily for 10 days, then 50,000 IU daily for 30 days, then reduce to 25,000 IU daily. If you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily. Up to 1,000 IU daily.	People with cancer require higher than normal amounts of this antioxidant. Use emulsion form for easier assimilation and greater safety at higher doses. Capsule forms put more stress on the liver. A powerful antioxidant and cancer-fighter. Use emulsion form for easier assimilation and greater safety at high doses.
Vitamin B complex plus brewer’s yeast	100 mg. daily. 1 tsp. daily for 1 week, then gradually increase to 1 tbsp. 3 times daily.	Necessary for normal cell division and function. A good source of B vitamins.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids	5,000-20,000 mg. daily in divided doses.	Powerful anticancer agent that promotes the production of interferon in the body.
Grape seed extract	As directed on label.	A powerful antioxidant.
Kelp or seaweed	1,000-1,500 mg. daily	For mineral balance and to help the body avoid damage resulting from radiation therapy.
Multi-mineral complex with Calcium and Magnesium and Potassium	2,000 mg. daily 1,000 mg. daily 99 mg. daily	Essential for normal cell division and function. Use a comprehensive formula that contains all major minerals and trace elements except iron.
Multivitamin complex	As directed on label, with meals.	Do not use a sustained-release formula. Use a formula without iron.

Herbs:

	Include some of the following in your cancer prevention or cancer therapy program: dandelion, echinacea, green tea, red clover, and suma.
	Cat’s Claw enhances immune function and has anti-tumor properties. (Caution: Do not use during pregnancy.)

Recommendations:

Include the following in your diet:

	Plenty of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower.
	Yellow and orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, squash and yams.
	Grains, nuts, seeds, and unpolished brown rice.
	Apples, berries, Brazil nuts, cantaloupes, cherries, grapes, legumes (including chickpeas, lentils and red beans) and plums all help to fight cancer. Berries protect DNA from damage.
	All sprouts (cook slightly, except for alfalfa sprouts, which should be eaten raw.
	Onions and garlic, or take garlic in supplement form.
	Eat ten raw almonds every day. They contain laetrile, which has anticancer properties.
	Beet juice (from roots and greens), carrot juice (a source of beta-carotene), fresh cabbage juice and asparagus juice.
	Fresh apple juice, grape, black cherry, and all dark-colored juices are good, as are black currants.
	Drink spring or steam-distilled water only, not tap water.

Eliminate the following from your diet:

	Anything containing alcohol or caffeine.
	All teas except for herbal teas.
	Junk foods and processed refined foods.
	Saturated fats.
	Salt, sugar or white flour. Instead of salt, use kelp or a potassium substitute. If necessary a small amount of blackstrap molasses or pure maple syrup can be sued as a natural sweetener. Use whole wheat or rye instead of white flour.
	Animal protein – *never* eat luncheon meat, hot dogs, or smoked or cured meats. As your condition improves, eat broiled fish three times a week.
	Limit your consumption of dairy products to a small amount of yogurt or raw cheese on occasion.
	Limit, but do not eliminate altogether, your intake of soybean products; they contain enzyme inhibitors.
	Do not take supplemental iron. The body naturally withholds iron from cancer cells to inhibit their growth.
	As much as possible, avoid stress. Learn relaxation and stress management techniques to help you deal with stress.
	Do not take any drugs except for those prescribed by your physician.
	Get regular exercise. Cancer is less prevalent in physically active people. Exercise also helps to stave off depression and promotes oxygenation of the tissues.
	Use only glass cookware and wooden cooking utensils.
	Because of potential low-level radiation leakage, avoid microwave ovens. Sit at least 8 feet away from television sets. Also avoid x-rays.
	Avoid chemicals such as hair sprays, cleaning compounds, waxes, fresh paints and garden pesticides. Avoid products in aerosol cans. Many chemicals promote the formation of free radicals in the body, which may lead to cancer.
	Remove known and suspected carcinogens from your life and your home, including paints, pesticides, auto products, art and craft supplies and cleaning supplies. For information on the safety of many different types of products, read The Safe Shoppers Bible by David Steinman and Samuel S. Epstein, M.D. (Macmillan, 1995); and Everyday Cancer Risks and How to Avoid Them, by Mary Kerney Levenstein (Avery Publishing Group, 1992).

Considerations:

	The amount of data linking diet and nutrition to the development of cancer is massive, and is continuing to grow. Some connections include a lack of the nutrients beta-carotene, vitamin E, and the B vitamins.
	Calcium may prevent precancerous cells from becoming cancerous.
	People in Japan and Iceland have low rates of both goiter and breast cancer. Breast cancer is almost nonexistent in Japanese women. Colon cancer rates in Japan are also low. Breast cancer has been linked to iodine deficiency, and the soil in both Japan and Iceland is rich in both iodine and selenium. Japanese people also consume large amount of fish, which may be a factor.
	In animal and human studies, niacin, vitamin C and selenium showed promise in reducing chemotherapy’s toxicity and tissue damage. So did the supplements cysteine and coenzyme Q10. If you are slated for chemotherapy, you may wish to discuss taking these nutrients with your doctor.
	The single most avoidable cancer risk is smoking. Lung cancer was rare until the twentieth century, when cigarette smoking became widespread; today it is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. People whose mother smoke during pregnancy have a 50 percent more likely chance of developing cancer in later life than children of nonsmoking mothers.
	Obesity in men may cause or contribute to colon and rectal cancer; in women, it has been linked to gallbladder, cervical, uterine, and breast cancers.
	People with excess iron levels in their blood tend to have an increased risk of developing cancer. Excess iron may suppress the cancer-killing function of macrophages (cells that engulf and devour bacteria and other foreign invaders) and interfere with the activity of lymphocytes.
	A high-fat diet dramatically increases the incidence of colon and breast cancer, as compared to a low-fat diet. High dietary fat is a promoter of cancer.

Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:

Product No. 59618-	Description	Comments	Cost
946-12	Coenzyme Q-10 30 mg. Caps.	Take 1 capsule 3 times daily.	$13.95/60
978-25	Garlic 400mg. odor free tabs.	2 capsules 3 times daily.	$5.50/200
925-15	Beta Carotene 25000 IU Softgels	1 softgel daily	$5.95/100
233-151	Selenium 200 mcg. tabs.	1 tab. daily	$5.99/100
938-15	Shark cartilage 750 mg. capsules	2 – 4 capsules 3 times daily	$19.95/100
958-15	A Natural 10,000 IU softgels	1 softgel 3 times daily	$3.95/100
473-121	Vitamin E 1000 IU (D-Alpha Tocopheryl)	1 softgel daily	$14.69/60
890-15	B Complex 100 mg. tabs.	1 tablet daily	$8.95/100
900-15	Brewers yeast tablets	1 tablet 3 times daily	$2.75/100
970-12	Vitamin C 1000 mg. w/Rose Hips	2 tablets 3 times daily	$5.75/60
222-12	Grape Seed Extract 150 mg. plus bioflavonoid	As directed on label	$32.95/60
910-15	Sea-Kelp Natural Tabs.	As directed on label	$2.95/100
129-17P	Multi-vitamin without iron	As directed on label	$14.25/90

Sources:

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2^nd Edition,

by James F. Balch, MD. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.

The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by Vitaminforlife.com or the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.