Cancer 101
The simple truth about
cancer that could save your life.
At some point
in our lives, a loved one or friend may fall prey to this devastating
disease. However, most of us -- including most in the medical community
-- do not really understand exactly what cancer is.
Cancer
is the result of faulty cellular division. That is, the instructions
within the cell that are responsible for giving the information on
how fast and how many divisions should occur in the lifetime of a
specific cell become corrupted. As a result, the cell growth gets
out of control. Although this a very basic account of what happens,
it is an accurate one. For any particular cell, the change means that
instead of dividing as needed to replace an old or damaged cell, it
will begin to divide at lightening speed. In time, (usually very little
time), a mass of cells develops and begins to cause serious problems
in the immediate and surrounding areas. If the faulty cellular instruction
is great, not only will the rate of division be affected but also
the structure of the new cells can change. This difference in function
from the parent cell creates havoc in the body.
Types of Cancer
Cancer
comes in many forms, but all are based on the type of cell in the
body that is damaged and goes "wild". If the parent cell is skin or
the lining that covers internal organs, the cancer is called carcinoma.
If the parent cell is bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessel,
or other connective tissue the canser is called sarcoma. Leukemia
is another type that starts in blood-forming tissue such as bone marrow
and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and
enter the bloodstream. Subcategories of these main divisions further
specify the tissue that has become cancerous.
What causes Cancer?
Unfortunately, the precise causes of cancer are not yet completely
understood. However, we do know that cancers are a result of stressors
on the body, These can be physical stressors, chemical
stressors, or psychological stressors. Chemical stressors in particular
are often referred to as "carcinogens".
Alternative Treatments:
Nonconventional treatments for cancer are aimed at reducing stress
to the body areas from where the cancer cells arise. Vitamins, minerals,
and whole-food extracts ingested with the whole food in combination
with various psychotherapeutic techniques are some modalities that
work toward bringing the body into equilibrium and reducing the
effects of stress.
The Goal, Cancer Prevention!
The
immune system plays a key role in detecting and destroying precancerous
and cancerous cell before that can do any real harm. A lifestyle that
promotes a healthy and intact immune system is one of your best defenses.
Some of the basic things are some of the simplest to implement.
The
Plan
Supplements Nutrient deficiency
is the most common cause of low immune function. Some of the key nutrients
for supplementation are Vitamins A, B,E,C, carotenes, iron, zinc, selenium
and other antioxidants.
Avoid known carginogins
like smoking, over exposure to sunlight resulting in sunburn, fumes
from paints, solvents, gasoline, and household cleaners.
Each individual, based on lifestyle and heredity has different
risk factors for developing cancer.
For more information on a
plan to reduce your individual risk, contact me for a health
consultation.
Together we can create a plan taylored
specifically for you to help you reduce your risk factors for cancer.
