Cancer: Know your options

It is usually not possible to know exactly why one person develops cancer and another doesn’t. But research has shown that certain risk factors may increase a person’s chances of developing cancer. Many things in our genes, our lifestyle, and the environment around us may increase or decrease our risk of getting cancer. You may be surprised to learn that being overweight or obese is linked to a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer. These cancers make up 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year.

You can avoid some risk factors by stopping risky behaviors. These include using tobacco and alcohol, being overweight, and getting multiple sunburns. Other risk factors cannot be avoided, such as getting older. In any case, it is important to know your risk factors and talk about them with your healthcare team. It will help you make better lifestyle choices to improve your health. 

All about cancer prevention! 

I saw many conflicting reports about cancer prevention. Sometimes a specific cancer-prevention tip recommended in one study is advised against in another. Definitely, cancer prevention is still at an evolving stage. However, it is a well-accepted fact that simple lifestyle changes can make a huge difference. A big part of it is a healthy diet and immune system support.

In terms of diet, there are some foods to consider if you want to prevent or at least decrease the risk of cancer. No food can protect you against cancer completely. However…

The so-called cancer-fighting foods may lower the risk of developing cancer if you add them to your diet.

As we mentioned above, there is no one opinion on the origin of cancer. Some scientists believe that these are fungal infections, others are sure that these are bacteria and viruses. Some are convinced that the root cause is various kinds of parasites. There are also theories of cancer as hormonal, genetic, and carcinogenic. There is no consensus among scientists. But everyone agrees that the immune system is absolutely critical in fighting cancer.

With a good immune system, armies of cells are designed to defend the body from illness and infection. Evil comes in the form of pathogens, viruses, bacteria, and mutated cells that are programmed to do harm. When it comes to cancer, the good guys, unfortunately, don’t always win. So…

To increase your chance of preventing cancer development (as well as to fight it off at its early stages), you need to take care of your immunity.

Below is a unique and effective revival recipe of anti-cancer salad to help you “scare off” the disease and prolong your healthspan.

Anti-cancer salad 

This salad includes ingredients that have the ability not only to lower the risk for many cancers and suppress their development but also to kill cancer cells. You do not need to use everything at once. By using the listed ingredients, you can create your own anti-cancer salad to your taste.

Ingredients

• Nuts and seeds (Brazil nuts, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds, as well as sesame, pumpkin, flax, chia, and hemp seeds)
• Dark green leafy vegetables (No more than 10 cups per day)
• Broccoli
• Sprouts (broccoli, wheat, mung bean, chickpeas, lentils, sunflower seeds, and others)
• Cauliflower
• Purple cabbage (source of antioxidants)
• Leek
• Avocado
• Green, red and yellow pepper
• Chopped red onion
• Zucchini
• Sauerkraut

Anti-cancer salad dressing

• Olive oil
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (preferably homemade)

Add anti-cancer spices

• Marjoram
• Garlic
• Turmeric
• Cayenne
• Thyme and Oregano

Eating healthy food is the least you can do for yourself to avoid a terrifying diagnosis.

Scientists are also studying many different ways to help prevent cancer, including the following:

Unfortunately, sometimes it might not be enough. In this case, you can help yourself tremendously by recognizing the symptoms at the early stages of cancer development. Patients diagnosed with earlier stages of cancer (stage I-II) generally have a higher likelihood of recovery than those diagnosed at a later stage (stage III-IV).

Cancer potential symptoms at early stages

Most tumors in the first stage do not manifest themselves in any way, so they pass unnoticed. Meanwhile, the general symptoms of cancer, if you pay attention to them, begin to appear:

• Headache and dizziness, however, at first, are not constant, so the patient does not attach much importance to them.
• An episodic increase in body temperature.
• Malaise, weakness, decreased ability to work, apathy, or irritability – all these signs can be the first manifestations of cancer and can be the result of other pathological processes, but benign and quite curable.
• Weight loss without diets, just like that, 5 kg per month is lost. This is a very significant early sign, but unfortunately, also not for all tumors.
• Change in the color of the skin.
• Enlargement of lymph nodes.
• Changes in laboratory parameters: anemia, increased ESR with a normal level of leukocytes, and an increase in the concentration of tumor markers.
• Pain. In most cases, the pain syndrome appears closer to the IV stage of the malignant process, but organs such as the stomach, testicles, and bones can still appear a little earlier, so they can be attributed to the primary symptoms of cancer.

Thus, it is obvious that the general symptoms of cancer in most cases are signs of general illnesses of the body and are characteristic of many pathological conditions.  Thus, it is useful to be aware of the specific manifestations of the most common oncological diseases.

Lung cancer symptoms and signs

Bladder cancer symptoms and signs

• Blood in the urine is the most common and often the first sign of bladder cancer.
• A person with bladder cancer may feel the need to urinate frequently or urgently.
• On the other end of the spectrum, cancer in the bladder may present with urinary retention. Complications include an inability to urinate when the urge arises, trouble initiating a urine stream, interrupted urination, and straining when attempting to empty the bladder.
• Weight loss is a sign common to most cancers, including that of the bladder.
• Anemia occurs when the blood contains too little hemoglobin, the red blood cell component responsible for transporting oxygen through the bloodstream. Anemia may develop in bladder cancer due to the processes underlying the growth of the malignant tumor, which can deplete the body of vitamin B12 and iron. Anemia presents with shortness of breath, swelling of the hands and feet, and a rapid heart rate.

Untreated bladder cancer will metastasize to other parts of the body, commonly the liver, lungs, and bones. Worsening signs and symptoms of bladder cancer are often evidence of metastasis. Signs of metastasis also depend on the areas in which cancer has spread. 

Prostate cancer symptoms and signs

One out of every nine men in the U.S. receives a diagnosis for prostate cancer during their lifetime, though the disease is rarely fatal, and the majority of men experience no symptoms in the early stages.

However, there are some signs that may help to recognize the disease.

Recurrent blood in the semen, especially in men over the age of 40, is a rare symptom of prostate cancer, occurring in less than ten percent of cases.

An enlarged prostate is common in men with prostate cancer. The organ is in the lower pelvic area, just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Due to its location, an enlarged prostate can lead to discomfort in the groin or pelvic area, especially when sitting.

Urinary issues usually begin once the tumor has grown large enough to put pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis. Pain in the abdomen and the rectal area, erectile dysfunction, changes in bowel habits, and some other symptoms are signs of spreading cancer.

Thyroid cancer symptoms and signs

In its early stages, thyroid cancer tends to cause no or very few symptoms, while at later stages, it is manifested by:

Breast cancer

Signs of breast cancer also, unfortunately, indicate an advanced stage of the disease:

• A dense painless formation is an accidental finding when other symptoms are absent.
• Discharge from the nipple.
• Retraction of the nipple.
• Change in skin color and the appearance of a symptom of “lemon peel”.
• Discomfort in the armpits.
• Enlargement of the lymph nodes on the side of the lesion.

Pancreatic cancer symptoms and signs

The pancreas is a small gland in the abdomen, only six inches long, with a flattened pear shape. The liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach, and small intestine surround the pancreas, which assists in digestion and the regulation of blood sugar. In rare instances — just 56,000 cases annually in the U.S. — this little organ can develop cancer.

Loss of appetite is an early warning sign for many conditions, and pancreatic cancer is no different. In addition to not feeling hungry, people with pancreatic cancer may feel full after only a few bites of food. If the loss of appetite lasts and there is no other explanation, see a doctor.

Extreme lethargy is another symptom of pancreatic cancer. However, fatigue has a variety of causes, and pancreatic cancer is only one of them.

The pain associated with pancreatic cancer may occur anywhere in the abdominal region but is often focused at the mid-portion of the abdomen. It may be vague at first, but as cancer progresses, the pain can begin to radiate to the back.

Sometimes pancreatic cancer prevents digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines due to blockages from tumors. This makes it difficult for the body to digest foods high in fat. The result is odd-smelling bowel movements pale in color, with a tendency to float. Blood in the intestines can also create dark stool.

The pancreas not functioning as it is meant to can explain the unexpected weight loss many people with pancreatic cancer experience. However, there are numerous other reasons a person might lose weight without trying.

Extensive research shows a good percentage of people with pancreatic cancer had diabetes for about one to three years before showing visible symptoms of cancer. In those over the age of 50, new-onset symptoms of diabetes may be an early sign of pancreatic cancer.

Later stages of this cancer lead to yellowing of the skin, the eyes, and nails, as well as to the manifestation of other severe symptoms.

Be aware of the symptoms and signs of other types of cancer such as skin cancer, vulvar cancer, endometrial cancer, uterine cancer, throat cancer, mouth cancer, esophageal cancer, bone cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, and some other types.

I think there is no need to remind you that if you observe any suspicious changes in your body, consult immediately with your doctor, who can help with further identification of the diagnosis through specialized tests and screening procedures.

What is the chance of surviving cancer?

When first diagnosed with cancer, many people ask about their prognosis. You might want to know whether your cancer is relatively easy or more difficult to cure. Your doctor can not predict the future but can make an estimate based on other people’s experiences with same cancer. Just remember that it is “an estimate,” and you are not those people!

The good news is that cancer death rates are falling, and five-year survival rates are rising.

Cancer survivors cope with their diagnosis, treatment, and life with or after cancer in different ways. While some prefer to put their experiences behind them as much as possible, others choose to draw on them and get involved with cancer-related activities or causes.

More and more survival stories can be heard when people find a purpose in sharing their experiences and giving back to others.

Advances in cancer treatments

Chemotherapy and radiation for decades were considered “the rule, the dogma,” for treating cancer. In the process of killing cancer cells, traditional treatments often end up destroying healthy cells as well. But for some patients who are lucky enough to visit certain cancer treatment centers, the course of therapy has changed. 

Nowadays, genetic tests can reveal whether chemotherapy would be beneficial. For many, there are better options with an ever-expanding array of drugs, including estrogen blockers and drugs that destroy cancers by attacking specific proteins on the surface of tumors. And there is a growing willingness among oncologists to scale back unhelpful treatments.

Such treatment centers as Hope4Cancer, LifeWorks Wellness Center, Euromed Foundation Alternative Cancer Treatment Center, Dayspring Cancer Clinic, and many others  substitute traditional methods with non-toxic therapies:

• Sono-Photo Dynamic Therapy (SPDT)
• Bio-Immunotherapy 
• Photo Dynamic Therapy
• Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT)

These and many other emerging therapies target only cancer cells, keeping vital tissues and organs healthy while avoiding the debilitating side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation.

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the first and largest cancer research organization dedicated to accelerating the conquest of cancer.

Their most important priority for improving our knowledge of cancer cell biology is to better understand how cells shift between different states, especially in response to a disease or therapy.

For example, the treatment of patients with CAR T cells— immune cells which are harvested from a patient’s body, engineered to target tumors, and returned to the patient’s bloodstream—represents an even more patient-specific approach to immunotherapy. 

In a new study, the extract from rose hips was shown to significantly reduce the growth and migration of cells from a type of breast cancer known as triple negative. This particularly aggressive form of cancer does not respond to most available treatments.

In other words – know your options!

Never give up!

I want to tell you a few stories about people that beat cancer despite all circumstances. I heard these stories throughout my life. Unfortunately, it is not possible for me to state that they are 100% true, but there is definitely a piece of valuable information in them.  

Old lady miracle tincture

A very pleasant and energetic old woman shared her story.

“… In 1985, after two surgeries, I was discharged from the Moscow Cancer Clinic and sent home to die. Doctors gave me about two months of life. At home, after lying on a bed for two days and thinking about my situation, the recipe for treating the whole body based on aloe vera came suddenly to my mind. I got very excited and I decided to recreate it from memory.

I tore off all the leaves of two 4-5-year-old aloe vera plants, washed them, wiped them with gauze, cut off the thorns, and passed them through a meat grinder. It turned out to be about 2 liters along with the pulp. I took out 3 kg (6.6 lb) of honey and 2 bottles of Kagor (Note: Kagor is a fortified dessert wine made from cabernet sauvignon, saperavi, and other grapes on the Black Sea coast) from the basement. I poured it all into a clean enamel basin and stirred well. Put the mixture into 2 three-liter jars. I closed it tightly, wrapped it in black jackets, and put it on the underfloor cool storage. How long to insist and how to use it exactly, I did not remember. After 10 days, I took out one jar, shook it, and poured the mixture into bottles. I began to drink 1 tbsp three times a day an hour before meals. I kept the bottles in the fridge, wrapping them in black. I took this drug for a few months. When I went to the hospital for a scheduled consultation, I got the biggest surprise.

When I was discharged from the oncology clinic a few months ago as incurable, my diagnosis was “uterine cancer in the stage of gangrenous tissue decay”. The tests during my latest visit did not show any signs of cancer.  I gained 22 kg in weight and felt absolutely healthy, to the surprise of my doctor.

Every five years since I was cured, I make this tincture for prevention. I am already 78 years old, but I am not in a hurry to die. I collect various medicinal herbs and drink tea from them every morning and  I do exercises for 40 minutes daily.”

There are controversial opinions on the role of aloe vera in cancer treatment. However, recent studies actually showed that extract from its leaves was effective in the treatment of cancer by inhibiting tumor growth.

There is also sizeable evidence that honey is a natural immune booster, natural anti-inflammatory agent, natural antimicrobial agent, natural cancer “vaccine,” and natural promoter for healing chronic ulcers and wounds; some of the risk factors for cancer development.

Kagor (or Cahor), like any red wine, is a powerful immune-boosting remedy. As we already know, strong immunity is a key factor in fighting cancer. 

Old man advice

This is a story from a man who heard it from his grandfather.

“At the age of 40, I was diagnosed with stage 3 duodenal cancer. I began to prepare for death but before decided to went to my native village for the last time. I met an old friend of mine and didn’t recognize him at first. A man in his forties, and there are no wrinkles on his face, the skin is clean and pink. Like in 20 years. We talked for a while when he pointed at an old man and asked how old he looked: “60 years old,” I answered. “Oh no, he’s 97 years old!”

Obviously, I was very interested in what the secret was. It turned out that the miracle “cure” were microgreens from sunflower seeds!

Here’s the recipe the old man gave me:

Microgreens should be consumed raw, separately or as an additive to dishes or salads. The daily portion is about 50 sprouts (assuming that there are ten seeds in each tablespoon). Plastic containers can be used for seeds, and the ground can be changed in them twice a year.

When I returned home, I started to follow an old man’s advice and grow sunflower microgreens every day. And you know… I beat cancer! Since then, not a single disease takes me. I also saved my aunt from lung cancer.”

Microgreens are tiny plants grown from the seeds of vegetables, herbs, and legumes. They are grown in soil (or a soilless growing medium) and harvested when only 1–3 inches (2.5–7.6 centimeters) tall.

Similar to sprouts, at this young stage of growth, they contain a concentrated amount of antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients. Although they are tiny, they pack a huge nutritional punch. Depending on the variety, microgreens have higher levels of nutrients—around five times more on average—than the same leaves found on the mature plant. Among these 100 types of microgreens, many were found to contain anti-cancer compounds.

Sunflower microgreens offer excellent nutritional and medicinal benefits. They are a substantial source of complete protein, meaning that they contain all the building blocks needed to form the essential amino acids. In terms of cancer, sunflower microgreens are a selenium source, which, when in the right form, promotes DNA repair in damaged cells, inhibits or decreases cancer cell proliferation, and increases apoptosis. Basically enabling the body to eliminate abnormal cells. 

A miracle of the diet

This is a story from a woman about her friend, a dentist, who had to face big trouble: her twenty-year-old son Ilya was sick with spinal cord cancer, stage 4 cancer with sarcoma. There were brain metastases.

“Due to the fact that the tumor was in the spinal cord and brain, the guy was not operable, and the doctors said that nothing could be done, Ilya would not last more than a week. He couldn’t walk or move anymore, basically lying down all the time. His weight was 40 kg (88 lb) with a height of 178 cm (5″8”). Then Olga Mikhailovna (mother) took up the treatment of her son with her own hands. They started with cleansing procedures (enemas), which relieved cancer intoxication: a glass of beet juice + 1 tablespoon of lemon juice was added to 2 liters of water. These cleansing procedures were done 2 times a day for 10 days. At this time, Ilya did not eat anything but only drank some water. He came out of hunger with orange juice (half a cup), fruit (apple, kiwi), and later two boiled potatoes (mashed potatoes). For the next three months, he sat on a protein-free diet, eating raw fruits, raw and boiled vegetables with vegetable oil and salt. His state of health improved, and he began to gain weight. The brain tumor almost disappeared, but edema began. Then Ilya noticed that he feels better when he eats only raw food. He accidentally saw the TV program “Dinner Party with Raw Foodist Alexei Martynov” and was inspired to become a raw foodist (after 10 months of a protein-free diet). It wasn’t that simple. He felt that there was an emotional and physical dependence on cooked food. Often there were breakdowns on boiled food but still returned to the raw food diet. In about a year of “experience” of raw food diet, edema and tumors went away. The weight rose to 78 kg (172 lb). He was accepted to college and began to study. Now, looking at this healthy guy, it is difficult even to assume that he died of the last stage of cancer about two years ago. During this time, Olga Mikhailovna helped several more cancer patients to be cured with her advice on changing nutrition sources.”

Over time, many nutrition systems were developed that help fight and prevent cancer. These include nutrition systems according to Revici, Gerson, Broys, Gawler, Shatalova, Greenization, and many others. These methods are based, as a rule, on a vegetarian approach to nutrition. One of the most effective anti-cancer nutrition systems is the Moerman diet. This doctor lived and worked in the Netherlands in the twentieth century and died at the age of 96. In addition to the fact that the doctor himself lived a long life, he also helped hundreds of people to recover from cancer. Evidence of this is the study of the method, which demonstrated that among 150 patients with various cancers, 115 were cured not partially but completely. Despite the positive results of Moerman’s work, his method was not immediately recognized. Representatives of the medical community questioned the anti-cancer diet of the Dutch doctor, arguing their criticism by the fact that the system is too simple. It includes quite affordable products for everyone, it is simple and unsustainable. Moerman managed to heal even the most hopeless cancer patients, to whom doctors painted very bleak prospects or refused to treat them at all. The doctor received public recognition in 1987 when the Ministry of Health of the Netherlands recognized and approved the Moerman method. Moerman’s anti-cancer diet was also supported by the twice Nobel Prize winner L. Polling.

How exactly is the Moerman method useful for the human body? Thanks to this diet, the immune system will be strengthened, and metabolism will be stabilized. This is due to the large number of natural foods that a person can regularly eat, like vegetables, fruits, natural juices, and grains.

What is next?

Modern realities are such that there is no unambiguous scheme that guarantees healing from cancer. It depends on the state of the body, the shape, and type of cancer cells, as well as a huge number of concomitant factors. But one thing is certain: you need to believe and fight. The only chance to cope with a terrible disease is the will to live.

In our upcoming posts, we will publish new information on the methods to prevent and treat cancer, including a wide variety of folk remedies that are practiced all over the world. Some of them got scientific validation, and some did not (yet). But we will still publish them since it might save somebody’s life. If you have nothing to lose, would you try everything available? I would….

Be sure to check back!

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