Written by Karen Jung

There is a noted increase in cancer and obesity rates in children and adults in some countries.  Both cancer and heart disease have a significant negative impact on people’s health, families and the health care system.  Given current challenging economic times combined with financial constraints and limited resources, this is an opportune time to assess and monitor our daily lifestyle habits.

Some cancers and obesity are attributed to people eating too much of the wrong kinds of foods, consuming too much bad fats and sugar in their daily diet and not exercising enough.  Healthy eating and regular exercise require ongoing effort, commitment, support and leadership from parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and/or care providers. To live without cancer or heart disease, you need to first make the necessary lifestyle changes and then set a good example for others to follow.  Do it for yourself first and then do it for your loved ones next.

One of the first steps in adopting healthy eating and living habits is drinking at least eight to nine cups of water daily and maintaining a healthy body weight.  Water helps with digestion, gets rid of waste and keeps your bowels regular.  Eat lots of colourful fresh fruits and vegetables every day because it contains various vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants that keep cells healthy, improve cholesterol levels, and protect against some cancers and heart disease.  A high-fibre and calcium-rich diet is also important as we age.  Fibre keeps you feeling fuller longer and helps to prevent bowel problems.   Calcium is vital to maintain strong bones and teeth and it prevents osteoporosis later in life.

To maintain a healthy body weight, try cutting sugar intake in food and beverages which can contribute to extra calories.  Also, reduce your sodium intake, including salt.  Too much salt can contribute to high blood pressure and a greater risk for heart disease and other health complications.  Choose treats that are trans fat free and look at the nutrition facts for calories, saturated fats and sugar content.  Don’t forget that fruit contains natural sugars.  In my new book, Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer, there are many meals and snacks that are both cancer and heart-healthy.

Karen Jung is the author of Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer.  Her recently published book has received numerous praises and positive reviews from prominent cancer and health organizations in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom.  With over 20 years of health care experience, she served for 12 years as Director of Human Resources in various large hospitals in British Columbia, Canada.

For more information on Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer, visit http://www.granvilleislandpublishing.com/our_titles/cooking/#healthier_eating.  Books can be purchased through your local bookstores or with Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca.

Copyright © 2009 Karen Jung.  All rights reserved.

Written by Karen Jung

Cancer and heart disease are the leading causes of deaths in some countries.  As the population in countries grows and ages there is an increase in new cancer cases and related deaths.  What you eat and how much you eat can contribute to some cancers and heart disease.  Some cancers and heart disease can be prevented by healthier living and healthier eating choices.

You can choose to accept responsibility for your own health by doing the right thing and taking steps to reduce the risks of cancer or heart disease.  Some people are overweight because of poor diet, fast food and sedentary lifestyles.  Recent studies have shown a direct link between diet, obesity and lack of physical exercise, in addition to an increased risk of some cancers and heart disease for both men and women.

Your health is less at risk if you avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, eat healthier, be more physically active, use adequate sun protection, and follow up with your treating physician for regular check-ups and screening if necessary.

A low-fat diet includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables daily, low-fat dairy and whole grain products.  To avoid high blood pressure and high cholesterol, you can reduce the amount of saturated fat and salt intake.

Physical activity and exercise can improve cholesterol levels and decrease the risks of heart disease.  Daily exercise is very good for your overall health because it improves circulation, strengthens bones, burns off fat and promotes better quality sleep.

When it comes to your health, avoid procrastination.  Detecting and treating cancer in the early stages can result in higher success rates with curability and quicker recovery.  Early intervention in treating heart disease may require some diet changes and increased exercise.  Advanced cases may involve the use of prescribed medications which can be costly, and possibly heart surgery with a reduced quality of life in future.  Both cancer and heart disease have a negative impact on your family and loved ones.

If you have a family history of cancer or heart disease or you are at risk due to genetics, it is even more crucial to take precautions and to take care of yourself by keeping active and fit and maintaining healthy eating habits.  You can still enjoy life with these important lifestyle changes.  For instance, moderation is the key when it comes to food treats on special occasions.  There are various simple meals that are both cancer and heart-friendly in my new book, Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer.

Cancer and heart disease prevention and management makes ideal sense.  You choose - good health and enjoyment of quality of life or costly medical expenses and a reduced quality of life.  Do not leave your health at risk for the sake of your family, friends and loved ones.

Karen Jung is the author of Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer.  Her recently published book has received numerous praises and positive reviews from prominent cancer and health organizations in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom.  With over 20 years of health care experience, she served for 12 years as Director of Human Resources in various large hospitals in British Columbia, Canada.

For more information on Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer, visit http://www.granvilleislandpublishing.com/our_titles/cooking/#healthier_eating.  Books can be purchased through your local bookstores or with Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca.

Copyright © 2009 Karen Jung.  All rights reserved.

Written by Karen Jung

For cancer survivors and people living with cancer, antioxidants have a beneficial role in cell repair.  Antioxidants can keep cells healthy and reduce the risk of cancer.  Foods and spices that are abundant in antioxidants and cancer-fighting compounds are outlined in my new book, Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer.

Your body needs balanced nutrients for the immune system and for cell repair.  It is very important to enjoy a variety of colourful foods daily from the four food groups which include vegetables and fruit, grain products, milk and alternatives, and meat and alternatives.  Healthier eating choices include a regular diet of orange and green-coloured fresh fruits and vegetables such as apricots, cantaloupe, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots and spinach.  Healthier food choices include nuts, oats, brown rice, low-fat dairy, salmon and some lean meats such as skinless chicken or turkey breasts.

Drink plenty of water daily for digestion purposes, to avoid dehydration and to keep your skin healthy in appearance.  Add fresh fruit and vegetables to your daily meals and snacks because it contains many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.  Add different grains to your meals.  Choose lower-fat cheeses.  Try low-fat yogurt or skim milk.  Consider legumes as a protein substitute for meat.  Use beans as an alternative to meat recipes.  Reduce your meat intake (especially red meat) weekly and add extra vegetables, a salad or non-cream based vegetable soup.  Enjoy eating one to two vegetarian meals weekly.

Patients undergoing aggressive cancer treatments may, at times, have difficulty eating certain foods for different reasons.  This change in eating habits and food preferences can be attributed to the side effects of cancer treatments including chemotherapy.  There is a wide selection of food choices with changing food tastes in my book.  For example, blueberry and spinach recipes have been successful with cancer patients from our experience.  In addition, many patient-tested recipes in my cookbook helped to prevent weight loss and nausea during chemotherapy treatments.

Karen Jung is the author of Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer.  Her recently published book has received numerous praises and positive reviews from prominent cancer and health organizations in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom.  With over 20 years of health care experience, she served for 12 years as Director of Human Resources in various large hospitals in British Columbia, Canada.

For more information on Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer, visit http://www.granvilleislandpublishing.com/our_titles/cooking/#healthier_eating.  Books can be purchased through your local bookstores or with Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca.

Copyright © 2009 Karen Jung.  All rights reserved.

Written by Karen Jung

A proper diet is essential for patients undergoing cancer treatments, including chemotherapy.  A healthy diet helps you to withstand aggressive cancer treatments better and to prepare for the next cycle of chemotherapy treatments.  In addition, a good diet gives you the necessary physical strength to exercise during cancer treatments.  Drinking plenty of water daily helps to keep your body and skin looking healthy, too.

It is very important to enjoy a variety of foods daily from the four food groups:  vegetables and fruit, grain products, milk and alternatives, and meat and alternatives.  Eating properly, regularly and on time are crucial during cancer treatments.  A combination of smaller meals, larger meals and/or frequent snacks every day is vital.

During chemotherapy treatment an individual’s appetite and taste for certain foods changes.  Other common side effects of cancer treatments include nausea, weight loss and constipation.  A variety of meals to help maintain or increase weight is outlined in my new book, Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer.  Weight gain can occur in some situations with the use of prescribed steroid medications or unavoidable reduced physical activities.  Lower-fat meal choices are also included.

Chemotherapy drugs target cancer cells and damage healthy cells in the process, too.  Cancer-fighting and antioxidant-abundant foods for cell repair are included in many of my recipes.

During cancer treatments and post-treatment recovery when eating is more challenging, high-energy and high-protein foods are important in one’s diet.  High-fibre, potassium-rich and calcium-enriched foods are helpful during decreased physical activity days and to conquer the side effects of prescribed medications.  In my book, menu suggestions for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and snack ideas, including recommended recipes during and after cancer treatments, have proven to be very useful.

Karen Jung is the author of Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer.  Her recently published book has received numerous praises and positive reviews from prominent cancer and health organizations in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom.  With over 20 years of health care experience, she served for 12 years as Director of Human Resources in various large hospitals in British Columbia, Canada.

For more information on Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer, visit http://www.granvilleislandpublishing.com/our_titles/cooking/#healthier_eating.  Books can be purchased through your local bookstores or with Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca.

Copyright © 2009 Karen Jung.  All rights reserved.

Written by Karen Jung

October is cancer awareness month in some countries.  It is an important time to remember cancer survivors, people who are battling cancer, and those who lost their battle to cancer.  Also, this can be a challenging time for primary caregivers who understand the pain and suffering of their loved ones during the cancer journey.

Many of us, over the years, know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer or who cared for a loved one with cancer such as a family member or close friend.  It is a reminder that life is precious and our health can be at risk if we do not take care of ourselves properly.  This should be sufficient reason for us to do our individual part in taking reasonable steps to minimize the risk of cancer promotion and to live a healthy lifestyle.

To reduce the risk of cancer, try to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.  Instead, enjoy a proper and healthy diet by eating lots of colourful fresh fruits and vegetables daily and incorporating fibre, calcium and good protein into your daily meals.  Choose whole grain products, low-fat dairy, lean meat like fish or poultry, soy and nuts.  Avoid highly processed foods and battered and deep-fried foods which are high in sugar, fat and salt.  Physical fitness, exercise and regular check-ups with your treating physician are crucial to maintain an ideal body weight and to monitor any health concerns.

Planning meals in advance every week can save you time, money and stress.  Planning ahead allows you to eat well.  Cooking meals at home is a healthier choice because you can control the ingredients, amount and type of fats, sodium level and calorie intake.  By controlling your food intake, you have a direct impact on your cholesterol levels.  Preparing meals at home can be relatively simple, fun and affordable.  In my new book, Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer, the large selection of easy-to-make recipes is practical for any busy household.

Karen Jung is the author of Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer.  Her recently published book has received numerous praises and positive reviews from prominent cancer and health organizations in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom.  With over 20 years of health care experience, she served for 12 years as Director of Human Resources in various large hospitals in British Columbia, Canada.

For more information on Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer, visit http://www.granvilleislandpublishing.com/our_titles/cooking/#healthier_eating.  Books can be purchased through your local bookstores or with Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca.

Copyright © 2009 Karen Jung.  All rights reserved.

by Raymond Francis

America has one of the highest cancer rates in the world, and cancer is the most dreaded disease in our society. Once rare, affecting less than one in a thousand, by 1900 cancer affected 30 in a thousand. Today almost 500 in a thousand will develop cancer in their lifetimes. The situation has become so bad that almost all Americans over the age of 50 have cancer! For example, it is known that after age 50, 40 percent of men have prostate cancer and 40 percent of women have breast cancer, and these are just two cancers. Cancer is also increasing among children and, after accidents, it is their biggest killer. We need to teach people how to prevent and reverse this tragic disease

Unfortunately, modern medicine is of no help. Since 1971, when President Nixon declared “war” on cancer, we have thrown 200 billion dollars at cancer research. What has this money bought us? More cancer! The public has yet to grasp the colossal gap between how much money the cancer industry is spending, and the paltry results it is achieving. Research is only part of the billion dollar-a-day cancer industry whose treatments with drugs, surgery and radiation are not only ineffective but dangerous. These conventional treatments do nothing to address what caused the cancer, and they suppress the immune system. Suppressed immunity allows cancer to grow and metastasize-modern medicine’s treatment of cancer promotes cancer!

Fortunately, we can protect ourselves. If you are over age 50, you are probably past preventing cancer, you already have it! Now you need to keep it under control. Don’t turn the cancer on, and if you already have active cancer, turn it off. Can this be done? Sure it can, and it is done every day by people who take charge of their health.

Last September, businessman Paul Orberson told his story on the Beyond Health radio show. Mr. Orberson had been diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer. Given only months to live, he read my book Never Be Sick Again-and put his cancer into remission. Fifteen years ago, my brother was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and given months to live. He, too, put his cancer into remission and is living a high-quality life. Medical school professor and author Dr. Lorraine Day reversed her highly-advanced breast cancer. There are countless such stories.

To prevent and reverse cancer, it helps to understand something about what causes and promotes cancer. The cancer process occurs in three stages: initiation, promotion and metastasis.

Initiation
Cancer begins with damaged genes. Initiation occurs when the DNA in a normal cell is damaged. If the DNA is not repaired before the cell divides to form a new cell, it results in a permanent genetic alteration in those new cells.
DNA can be damaged by a variety of means, including viruses, chronic infections, foreign bodies, nutrient deficiency, radiation and toxic chemicals. Numerous natural and manmade chemicals have been identified as carcinogenic. Upon exposure, these chemicals can, in a matter of minutes, cause potentially permanent damage to DNA. Such chemicals include many common household chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, food additives, fluoride and metals such as mercury and lead. We live in a sea of carcinogens and must learn how to avoid them. Radiation is carcinogenic; it damages DNA. This is why mammograms cause breast cancer, and why medical X-rays play a major role in our cancer epidemic.

Due to our exposure to carcinogenic chemicals and X-rays, most of our older population and many of our younger people have completed this initiation, and they have clusters of cancer cells throughout their bodies. This stage of cancer is not believed to be reversible. Given the right conditions, these cells will grow and then metastasize.

Preventing Initiation
DNA is being damaged and cancer is being initiated on a grand scale. Our best defense is to support DNA repair with good nutrition while avoiding carcinogenic chemicals and radiation. We have been irresponsibly exposed to radiation by our doctors and dentists. Decline routine X-rays. Allow only those that are absolutely necessary, and there are very few of those. We have been exposed to DNA-damaging viruses through vaccinations. Avoid vaccinations. Vaccine-induced, DNA-damaging viruses are showing up in a variety of cancers including lymph, lung, brain and bone. Avoid foods that have been heated to high temperatures, such as barbecued meat, as this causes formation of powerful carcinogens. Any food that has been blackened is dangerous, including toast. Avoid peanuts and corn products as these are often high in aflatoxins, which are potent carcinogens. Fluoride can inhibit DNA-repair enzymes. Avoid fluoridated water, toothpaste and processed foods. Beyond Health has approved a reverse osmosis system that effectively removes fluoride.

Defects in DNA repair will increase the risk of developing cancer after being exposed to X-rays and chemicals. Certain nutrients are known to support the DNA repair process. These include vitamins B3, B6, B12, and folate, zinc and L-carnitine. Most Americans are deficient in one or more of these nutrients. According to the USDA, 73 percent of Americans are deficient in zinc, and 40 percent are deficient in B12. To optimize DNA repair, eat a diet rich in fresh, organic vegetables and fruits, and take high-quality nutritional supplements. Everyone should, at the very least, be on a superior vitamin/mineral formula like Beyond Health Vit/Min Formula.

Promotion
The next step in the cancer process is promotion. This is when a small cluster of initiated cancer cells grows larger. These cells will not grow unless a precise group of conditions are met, allowing their growth-control mechanisms to be overridden.

Certain foods are known to promote tumor growth and spread. Sugar, excess omega-6 oils and excess animal protein all promote cancer. Cancer cells differ from normal cells in that they are totally dependent on sugar to produce energy. So raising the sugar content of the blood feeds cancer cells and helps them grow. In addition, increased blood insulin is a powerful promoter of tumor growth and spread.

Oils high in omega-6s such as corn, safflower, sunflower, peanut, soybean and canola oils are known to support cancer progression. Never eat these oils, or any of the thousands of products made with them, including baked goods and salad dressings.

Perhaps the most significant factor of all is animal protein and most especially dairy protein. Animal protein, beyond what can be used for growth and daily repairs, promotes cancer, and the average American eats ten times too much. Excess animal protein is able to turn cancer on in experimental animals 100 percent of the time! A high-protein diet increases estrogen, and excess estrogen is known to promote a number of cancers. Protein also acidifies the body and cancer thrives in an acid environment. Animal protein also contains large amounts of the amino acid methionine. Excess methionine is known to be a cancer promoter.

Preventing and Reversing Promotion
Cancer promotion can be reversed. By eliminating cancer promoters and maximizing cancer inhibitors, it is possible to turn cancer off! We know fresh fruits and vegetables are cancer inhibitors-eat lots of them. We know that sugar, omega-6 oils and animal protein promote cancer-avoid them. Omega-6 oils not only promote cancer, they also suppress the immune system. Eat plenty of omega-3 oils to offset this effect; supplement with flax and fish oils. Turn cancer off by avoiding animal protein; this means avoiding meat, eggs, dairy and fish except in very small quantities. Avoid fruit juices; they contain too much easily-absorbable sugar. Cancer is highly iron dependent. Avoid iron-rich foods such as red meat. Avoiding fluoride is also important as fluoride can increase tumor growth by 25 percent.

Fat soluble toxins bioaccumulate in the body. Their synergistic effect can be a powerful cancer promoter. The average person is accumulating hundreds of such chemicals, including pesticides, styrene, PCBs, dioxins, phthalates and fire retardants. The only reliable way to get rid of them is with regular saunas, which have become as necessary as regular exercise. (Beyond Health sells a sauna I researched and approved.)

Chronic stress substantially increases free radical formation and also severely depresses the immune system. Both promote cancer. Using stress-reducing techniques such as meditation are important.

Metastasis
The final stage of cancer is when it invades neighboring or distant tissues. Once again, a precise set of conditions must be met to allow this to happen. This stage of cancer causes death, but it too is reversible.
Preventing Metastasis
When cancer cells enter the blood stream and get transported to other locations, they become very vulnerable to attack by the immune system. Strong immunity is critical to prevention. Cancer cells require special enzymes to invade other tissues. Studies have found that inhibiting these enzymes stops the spread of the cancer. Plant flavonols found in fruits and vegetables, such as quercitin and luteolin, are known to interfere with these enzymes.

Nutrition
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is probably the single most important thing you can do to prevent or reverse cancer. Evidence is overwhelming that common vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals interfere with the cancer process at every level. Many chemicals found in plant foods are capable of turning cancer cells back into normal cells. Certain flavonoids found in vegetables have been found to suppress and even to kill cancer cells. In fact, food and nutritional supplements have a far more powerful effect on cancer than chemotherapy.

Since almost all Americans are deficient in vitamins and minerals, supplements are necessary. Here is a list of the nutrients known to inhibit cancer: vitamins A, all the Bs, C, D, E, beta carotene, choline, selenium, acetyl L-carnitine, alpha lipoic acid, zinc, magnesium, flavonoids and omega-3 oils.

Nutrition improves immunity. Immune cells have a higher metabolic rate, and therefore, need more nutrients. Water soluble nutrients such as B vitamins and vitamin C are not stored well in the body and need constant replacement. When this does not happen, immunity is quickly affected. Whenever the immune system responds to a threat, billions of immune cells are needed quickly. These cells will be limited by the amount of nutrients available for their construction. Any vitamin or mineral deficiency will quickly be felt, impairing immunity. This is why the Beyond Health Life Essentials Comprehensive Kit, along with the Cancer Add-on Kit is a powerful anti-cancer regimen.

The bad news is that cancer is an out-of-control epidemic. The good news is that cancer is a complex disease requiring the successful completion of many steps to make it happen-this provides us with multiple opportunities for its prevention and reversal. The most powerful preventive and healing tools are fresh fruits and vegetables plus high quality supplements.

Raymond Francis is an M.I.T.-trained scientist, a registered nutrition consultant, author of Never Be Sick Again and Never Be Fat Again, host of the Beyond Health Show, Chairman of the The Project to End Disease and an internationally recognized leader in the field of optimal health maintenance.

Reprinted with permission from:
Beyond Health News
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Copyright 2006, Beyond Health

Article and Video about Cancer Basics

What is a ‘cancer cell’?

Cancer is a complex topic, but it is not something that’s foreign to the average person. You make cancer cells every day. We all make cancer cells. I’m making cancer cells right now. The difference is that in a normal situation those cancer cells are identified and destroyed. So cancer cells are normal cells, you know, in every sense of the word. They’re normal. The only difference is they have somehow found a way to live longer than what they should live. Every cell has a programmed time period in which it should die. Every cell does. The cancer cells have somehow found a way not to die. And that is essentially what a cancer cell is.

What causes cancer?

The truth is we don’t know exactly what causes cancer on every single level, what we really know more about is what creates an environment that improves or enhances a cancer’s chance of developing, so to speak. At the end of the road, when you say well, what causes cancer, it’s twofold: 1, your immune system, which is essentially the police of your body, which are supposed to find any aberrant cells and destroy them, for some reason were either sleeping on the job, or taking some sort of extended lunch break, or is just not functioning properly. And there are a multitude of reasons why that may occur. Poor nutrition, sometimes people have other illnesses, medications that they’re taking, but in some way shape or form the immune system is not on par. And that’s one factor. The other factor is this cancer cell had to have developed some properties or abilities to evade the immune system, meaning if you were trying to hide from someone it would be great if you could become invisible. Well cancer cells have actually developed the ability to become invisible to the immune system. It would be great if you could hide inside of things that no one would look in, like you would hide in a closet. Well cancer cells actually hide within tissue, they masquerade as other things. So it’s a combination of the cells developing these superpowers, so to speak, that allow them to disguise themselves, hide themselves, move into areas that the body isn’t looking, in concert with the immune system maybe not looking quite as hard or even if it does find it, decide this is not something I feel like tackling today, I’m going to let you slide today. And that kind of balances how a cancer actually grabs hold and is allowed to develop. On a molecular level it’s a little more complex than that. It’s true that on a cellular level, there’s usually some sort of damage done to important DNA which is involved in the immune system’s ability to identify and destroy these cells, but that’s a very complex answer and in reality, we’re not at a point where it has any effect on treatment or prognosis. This is where bench research is occurring, but it really does not have any valid role in the way that we’re treating patients right now, today.

Can cancer be ‘cured’?

The definition of cure is no detectable disease by any method. Chronicle, radiographic, or pathologic meaning or even by biopsy there is no evidence that you have any abnormal cells in your body pertaining to the term of origin. So if you have breast cancer, you were treated and we were to go back and we have biopsy and there will be no evidence that there is any breast cancer still present. The problem is you have to figure out how you will differentiate cure from remission because essentially at certain points through their exact same appearance in both settings you have no visible tumor. The difference is over a period of time there is no signs of occurrence then you will be termed cured and for each cancer that is different. For some cancer it is five years, some is fifteen years, some is twenty years so you, depending upon what kind of tumor you are talking about and how long you have been without detectable disease the term is whether you are in a remission or you are cured.

What is a ‘tumor’?

The way cancer cells create a tumor, a tumor by definition, it’s a growth. It’s mass. They have formed certain properties that allow them to double in size, to duplicate themselves, to stick to each other, because obviously, if they couldn’t stick to each other, they would just be free floating cells, but they’ve developed these techniques to hold on, to attach, not only to themselves unfortunately. They could attach to tissue, bone, muscle, blood vessels. And this is what you begin to identify as they continued to multiply in the same place holding fast and almost trying to occupy territory to take over a region. This is when you recognize you have a lump. There is a bump there, something that wasn’t there before. This is what we call a tumor.

What’s the difference between ‘advanced cancer’ and ‘metastatic cancer’?

The difference between advanced cancer and metastatic cancer is really semantics. When we talk about “advanced,” we’re almost are always meaning that the tumor has metastasized. And the definition of a metastasis is the tumor has moved from its site of origin to another part of the body. These are almost synonymous. “Metastasis.” “Advanced.” Not very different in nature.

What is ‘remission’?

Remission is a state in which whatever disease entity a patient had has regressed from its visible, clinically detectable form. Meaning if you had a tumor in your breast, we can identify it by doing a cats can. If that tumor were to disappear, meaning it could not be detected by cats can, you would be considered to be in remission, because there is nothing that we can identify. That’s different than cured. It merely means we cannot see any evidence, with the tools that we have available, that you have a cancer in your body.

What is ‘apoptosis’?

I think apoptosis comes up as a question and a concern and maybe more of a question with patients doing a little searching on the internet about cancer as a diagnosis, and a lot of the experimental treatments that currently are being investigated in terms of looking at things to prevent apoptosis or induce apoptosis and that’s the best way to describe that, is to describe what the term, “apoptosis,” means, and it means “programmed cell death.” What normally happens in your body is that as cells grow and reach a certain age, they automatically program themselves to die and get regenerated to another cell. When you have a block in apoptosis, or a block in programmed cell death, you end up with unrestricted growth, and ultimately, unrestricted growth is what leads to cancer, depending on the particular type. But unrestricted growth leads to tumor production, tumor growth, cells that shouldn’t be there when they should be gone. There are lots of different experimental therapies looking at enhancing or re-initiating apoptosis when that function is no longer present.

What is ‘angiogenesis’?

Angiogenesis is, by definition, the birth or the growth of blood vessels. That is important, and it tends to be important in certain types of malignancy. Colon cancer is one that is very important in terms of angiogenesis. Certain types of brain tumours have significant blood vessel density. Kidney cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma, as well has a very high potential of blood vessel density, as well as liver tumours. The type of tumours in the liver that come about when people are diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatitis C, long time patients with cirrhosis that eventually lead to cancer. All those types of cancer: kidney, liver, colon, brain, and a multitude of others rely on angiogenesis; rely on tumor cell growth, tumor growth based on blood vessel density. In order for a tumor to grow, it needs a blood supply. So the blood supply is maintained by making new blood vessels. If you can’t make new blood vessels, then you can’t make new tumors, and tumors can’t grow.

What is ’signal transduction’?

It’s important when you talk about signal transduction to understand what that means, and I think the best way to describe that is on a cellular level. In the nucleus, the DNA which resides in the nucleus of a cell, there are certain signals that cause messaging and signaling and lead to cell growth or cell destruction, apoptosis or cell death, growth, metastasis, migration. For all cellular functions, whether it is a cancer cell, a non-cancerous cell, or a normal cellular body, signal transduction or signaling of any particular type occurs on an every second, every microsecond type of timing. Why is that important to cancer? Certain signals are misinterpreted when it comes to cancer, so the signal to grow may not be the signal that this cell should be doing. Should this cell be growing when it should be staying still? Is that a signal that is not appropriate? So part of our targets against cancer that are more targeted or specific to particular types of situations is aiming at signal transduction, aiming at the particular signals that get misinterpreted by cells, certain signals that shouldn’t be going to the cells are going to the nucleus in order to stop cancer from developing or from growing, or make them more susceptible to standard chemotherapy as well.

Is one type of cancer worse than another?

Most people hear the word cancer, and to them it’s all the same. There is definitely a difference in the types of cancers that are affecting the human population. And yes, there are some cancers that are malignant tumors but they have a very very high cure rate. There are excellent modes of treatment. And there are others that we know very little about. They’re very lethal and there very few treatments that are available. So yes, in short, there are definitely some cancers that are worse than others

Is cancer on the rise?

Yes, there are probably more people being diagnosed now than ever before. Two, we have better diagnostic capabilities. Three, people are living a lot longer then they were before so the shear number of people that are going to be diagnosed is going to go up.

About Cancer: Cancer Basics