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8 Urgent Needs for a Cancer Patient to Heed! Fight and Win!

July 2nd, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

The WILL to SURVIVE cancer is the most urgent need for just any . No one can survive when his or her will to survive cancer is gone. Hope will bring light, light will bring confidence, confidence is faith. Faith will survive the fight! Emerge as Winners!

[1] The will to survive

Do not be disheartened and discouraged! Listen! Obey! Respect! and Follow your Faith! What ever the trouble, the pain or suffering, the only goal of our life should be holding on to the Faith! This is the essence of our life.

Pray for inner strength, the surge of which will carry you through the ups and downs of the mind’s rebellion. To uproot the chaos that is already present. You must find the strength of a rock to face the challenges. Love conquers all. Fill every thought with the might of its warmth, maturity and compassion. This is the only race where one should emerge a winner, not a whiner! This is the most urgent need, the strong will to survive! Tell yourself that you WILL DEFINITELY recover!

[2] The will to accept and adapt to certain changes

The expectations of certain degrees of discomforts, disabilities, sufferings would be there. There is nothing as unbearable, treat sufferings and miseries as footsteps towards deeper understanding of True Self. When one is in deep suffering, one will be forced to search within and look for resolutions.

We should have equanimity towards honor and dishonor, cold and heat, pleasure and pain. Without pain, one cannot understand pleasure, sorrow is verily the royal road to joy.

Sufferings are the stepping stones that lead man towards virtuous conducts. Deep suffering and pain is also one form of meditation in faith. It always lead to self realization and self awakening. Be patient to understand these changes. Fear not.

[3] The will to change for the better

Certain foods and drinks that are carcinogeous should be immediately avoided. Unhealthy lifestyles should be put to a stop. “Doctors of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame and diet, and the cause and prevention of diseases.” Understand what Thomas A. Edison said. Find out the cause and prevent it from happening at the first place.

But fear not, as I always confide in many people, there are also certain miraculous and wonderful food that can cure cancer. Change for the better. Stop poisoning our body, go for a detoxification program where one can go on a strict diet on just certain fruits, vegetables and herbs. It will heal. Starve the cancerous cells, feed the immune system.

[4] The will to smile at adversity

Do not fear, carry the luggage of will and strength. Strive on, tough man will last, tough time won’t! Whenever you find truth, beauty, goodness, justice, wisdom, compassion, hope, love, God is present and active! We must surrender our judgement to the Lord, then the Lord will assume full responsibility and be your guardian, guide and the motivator. Our worries and tears cannot change what is predetermined. Be equal-minded to happiness and unhappiness.

People are being tested, but it should not be called so. It is grace, those who suffer have God’s grace. Only through suffering will they be persuaded to turn inward and make the inquiry. And without turning inward and making inquiry, they can never escape misery! Pass the test of adversity, pass it with doctorate!

[5] The will to reprogram one’s thinking

Life brings the message to live it to the fullest, but how many of you are using the power of this strength, fully and completely? Rid off poor habits and restraints, delete uncontrolled desires of the mind which are simply excusedly called ‘pleasures’ and ‘prizes’ Reprogram one’s thinking to more meaningful works. Choose to stay with positive companions and environment. Be positive in thoughts, in words, in deeds and apply all positive emotions.

[6] The will to ‘look beyond’ our mortal body

Planning ahead, yes planning ahead. With each sunset, the span of life is being chipped away remorselessly but man does not prepare himself for the eventuality of death and the aftermaths. Our mortal body cannot survive forever. But our immortal soul is embedded inside our mortal body. Have one ever given a second thought on how to attain immortality and that we are actually a spark of Divinity?

[7] The will to cooperate with doctors and physicians

There are many cases where patients aren’t cooperating well with doctors. We have our choice to which physicians we trust. We need the doctors to diagnosis our well-being and our status of cancer. To survive a cancer, one MUST work hand in hand with your doctor. It is a MUST!

[8] The will to return to normal living, accepting oneself among friends, loved ones, relatives and family

Love will solves all problems and challenges. Recovery from a near-death illness is no game to gamble or play with. All of us learn in a difficult and expensive way in realizing the value of life. All of us should show discipline and wisdom in emerging as a winner and once again one is breathing freely and feeling the warmth and beauty of sunshine. Life written cannot be rewritten. All of us should learn to treasure life.

This article is taken from my personal blog and actually is written for a new friend who is now having and is now hospitalized. I wish her speedy recovery and would like to share with more people on how to survive cancer. Fight we must, survive we will. This is the 3rd article on cancer that I have wrote.

If there is a will, there is a way, if there are 8 WILLS, there are MANY WAYS!

Lucy Wong is a health and nutrition consultant. Her interest in health related issues include the development of mental health. She is also keen in sharing Multiple Qs, she is also an educator and has written many articles on this subject in her personal column under “alternative health” in submitarticles.biz submitarticles.biz Read more about mental health articles in her personal column and discover the secrets of maintaining good mental health. She has a personal blog. Read more from ‘Lucy’s tips for a healthier and happier You’.

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Nine Ways to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

July 2nd, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Mutation in either the BRCA1 or the BRCA2 gene, excess estrogen levels in the body, diet, excess weight, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking are all risk factors for . While there’s almost nothing we can do to change hereditary gene mutation, it is within our power to control the other factors and protect our breasts.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

A recent American Cancer Society study of more than 62,000 women found that the more weight women gain after age 18, the greater their risk of developing during menopause. Extra pounds increase estrogen production, which can fuel cancer growth. On the other hand, even if you are heavier regular exercise will reduce your risk significantly.

“Physical activity is thought to lower the amount of estrogen in the body, thereby lowering your ,” explains Dr. Debbie Saslow, PhD, Director of Breast and Gynecologic Cancer at the American Cancer Society. So get moving. A brisk 30-minute walk five days a week can reduce risk by 18 percent, according to a study of more than 74,000 women ages 50 to 79.

Eat Good Fats

High levels of polyunsaturated fat and saturated fat have been linked to , so limit these fats in your diet. Opt for more monounsaturated fat, such as olive and canola oils. A study in Sweden of more than 61,000 women between the ages of 40 and 76 showed that consuming an additional 10 grams of monounsaturated fat reduces risk by an estimated 45 percent. On the other hand, the study also showed that every extra 5 grams of polyunsaturated fat consumed, increased risk by 69 percent. Breast cancer rates are low among women in Spain, Greece, and Italy, and the fact that people in these countries use olive oil as their primary source of fat undoubtedly is a factor in this beneficial result.

Eat Fruits and Vegetables

Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that protect against cancer, and these are found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Researchers at New York University compared blood samples from 270 women who subsequently developed to samples taken from 270 women who did not. They found that women with the lowest levels of carotenoids had twice the risk of as found in those with the highest levels. Try to eat five to nine servings (one-half- to one cup) daily of fruit and vegetables, especially carrots, tomatoes, watermelon, and spinach.

Add Flaxseed to Your Diet

These seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support cardiovascular health as well as lowering the risk of all types of cancer. Flaxseed also contains high levels of a compound called lignans that may reduce estrogen activity in the body. Studies on rats show that lignans actually shrink breast tumors. To eat flaxseed, sprinkle two to three tablespoons of ground flaxseed on your cereal, add to smoothies, or use flaxseed oil in salad dressing.

Learn to Like Soy

Women in Asia have one-fifth the rate of Western women. Scientists believe that the reason is their soy-rich diet. A Japanese study showed that women who ate three or more bowls of miso soup (made with fermented soybeans), reduced their risk by 50 percent over those who had less. Soy foods contain phytoestrogens, compounds that are weak forms of estrogen and may protect against . Add one to two servings of soy foods daily to your diet - a cup of soy milk, a half cup of tofu, tempeh, or soy nuts.

Limit Alcohol Intake

Alcohol intake is linked to increased levels of estrogen which fuels cancer. It is recommended that if you drink alcohol occasionally, take 400 micrograms of daily folic acid (the amount found in most multivitamins). A Mayo Clinic study showed that women with the lowest folate (folic acid occurring in fruits and vegetables) intake who drank even a small amount of alcohol daily — even half a drink — had a 59 percent increased risk of , but a high intake of folate cancelled out the increased risk among moderate drinkers. How folate reduces the risk is not clear, but experts agree that most Americans are not getting enough.

Quit Smoking

Studies show that the younger women are when they first start smoking, the greater their risk of developing before menopause. Other studies suggest that women with a family history of breast and may increase their risk if they smoke. Also current and past smokers who develop are twice as likely to get an aggressive form of the disease that is not estrogen-dependent. Similar risk applies with second-hand smoke.

Limit Use of Antibiotics

New evidence suggests that the more often you take antibiotics, the higher your risk. A study of more than 10,000 women revealed that the risk of is doubled among those who took antibiotics for more than 500 cumulative days (the equivalent of about 25 prescriptions) over an average of 17 years compared with women who never took antibiotics. Researchers caution, however, that other factors, such as underlying illness, weakened immune system, or hormonal imbalance, could account for the increased risk.

Opt to Breast-Feed

Not only is it good for your infant, but lactation also suppresses ovulation and the production of estrogen. Researchers compared the birth rates and breast-feeding practices among women in developed countries with women in developing nations in Asia and Africa and found that the risk in developed countries could be cut in half if women had as many babies and breast-fed each child for an average of 30 months per child as women in developing countries. Breast-feeding alone would reduce the risk by two-thirds. They also found that for each year a woman breast-feeds, her risk dropped 4 percent.

Source:
American Breast Cancer Association
The Mayo Clinic

Syble James is President of Alpha Health Source, on the Internet at AlphaHealthSource.net AlphaHealthSource.net, where visitors can find diets, supplements, food & beverages, body care and request health & fitness consultations. Ms. James also researches, writes and consults within the investment and fitness community, focusing on VMS, nutraceutical, weight loss, health club, and MLM (VMS & body care). She can be reached at Syble.James@AlphaHealthSource.net or 1-800-899-0799.

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Cancer Risks You CAN Avoid

July 2nd, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

In today’s complicated world our lives are filled with risks for all types of accidents and diseases. One of those diseases that strikes so many and fills so many with dread is cancer. However, some types of cancer can be avoided if you choose a lifestyle that avoids certain risks.

*DO NOT SMOKE. If you do, stop. Smoking and using tobacco in any form has been directly linked to cancer. It is the single most important thing you can do to help your body. Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death. Smoking can cause coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer of the lungs, larynx, esophagus, mouth, and bladder. Smokeless tobacco and cigars also have deadly consequences, including lung, larynx, esophageal, and mouth cancer. The risk of developing is 10 times greater for smokers than for nonsmokers.

*EAT A HIGH FIBER DIET. Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. Eat a diet rich in complex carbohydrates (fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes). Whole grains and legumes are high in fiber and include whole grain breads, pasta, rice, and cereals. Whole grains are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber moves food through the digestive track quickly taking toxins with it.

*DRINK WATER. Drink lots of water, at least 8 glasses a day. Sip slowly throughout the day. Water speeds up metabolism and flushes toxins out of your body.

*DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL. If you must drink, try to limit your intake to one glass a day. Alcoholic beverages contain calories but few nutrients and are harmful when consumed in excess. People who should not drink at all include children and women who are pregnant. Having more than two drinks per day is associated with cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and liver.

*OVEREXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT. Over-exposure to sunlight increases the risk of , especially if you have fair skin or freckle easily. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the main cause of , the most common cancer in the United States. However, a little bit of sunlight can be very good for you if you use sunscreen and limit your exposure. Protective clothing, such as a hat and long sleeves, can help block out the sun’s harmful rays.

*AVOID STRESS. Stress has been linked to many illnesses and no wonder. Today’s lifestyles are full of deadlines and a balancing act of trying to do everything as quickly as possible. If you lead a stressful life, find ways to de-stress every day. Take a hot bath, go for a long, leisurely walk with a friend, read a good book, listen to relaxing music, or do whatever works for you.

*AVOID TAKING SOME HORMONES. Women who are taking hormones (either estrogen or oral contraceptives) should talk to their doctors about the risks associated with them. Estrogen has been linked to higher than average rates of uterine cancer and oral contraceptives have been linked to .

*SEE YOUR DOCTOR every year for preventive care. Routine preventive tests save thousands of lives every year. Routine screenings allow physicians to intervene early with treatments and therapies.

Following the guidelines listed above can help you reduce your risk of being diagnosed with certain types of cancer. It can also help reduce your risk of other diseases and conditions and increase your chances of living a healthier life.

Chris Chenoweth, author of the

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How a Prostate Cancer Test Can Save Your Life

July 2nd, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Uncategorized

Although is considered a disease of the elderly man, it has been known to inflict its damage unmanned as young as their early 30s. Heredity seems to play a factor especially in younger patients.

If you’re a men over 50, you should consider a yearly Prostate cancer PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test. It’s a simple a blood test that can help doctors catch the very early cases of . This is a great way to protect yourself from this potentially deadly disease that afflicts men in their later years.

Let me caution you that an elevated PSA result can be caused by a variety of factors and does not necessarily indicate . These other causes include BPH or benign hypertrophy or enlargment of the prostate, and also elevate the PSA test results. Even Prostatitis and Lower Urinary Tract symptoms can show elevated levels of PSA.

The prostate specific antigen test is like any other simple blood test. Blood is drawn by a phlebotomist and sent to the lab for analysis. A normal result from a PSA test, doesn’t guarantee that your free from cancer, nor does a higher than normal result mean you DO have cancer

A PSA Count of between 0 - 3.9 nanograms per milliliter of blood is generally considered normal. Levels higher than a 3.9 ng count may indicate there may be a prostate problem which could be anything from a swelling or inflammation, infection or cancer.

It’s critical that you follow your doctor’s lead in regard to dealing with the Prostate Specific Antigen test results. The results are an indication that something may be happening only. To complicate matters even more, PSA levels can also increase with age. Oh and the relative size of your prostate also plays a factor in interpreting the results.

The point of this is the strongly encourage you to have an annual prostate exam and PSA blood test.

Please do not assume a high PSA reading means that you have . All a high PSI level reading indicates is that there “may” be a problem. Two out of three people with elevated the PSA readings DO NOT have a malignancy. So don’t panic!

Here’s a few very good reasons why you should consider getting an annual PSA blood test

a. Your doctor is much better able to detect potential even though you have no symptoms.

2. Early detection means a much higher chance of successful treatment and cure

3. The PSA blood test is simple and is recognized as a major contributing factor in the continued drop of deaths

So what we know as patients about the PSA test is that it’s not perfect and cannot clearly identified the presence of . All the tests provides is an indicator of a potential benign or cancerous prostate problem

We also know that the term ‘normal” in dealing with the PSA test result is subject to interpretation due to many factors. This is why it’s critical that your doctor interpret the results.

The PSA test indicated a normal antigen level in about 20% of the cases in men who had early prostate .

Even with an imperfect test however, it’s recognized that the PSA is a good indicator and tool in our arsenal to fight this deadly disease. Note that a Harvard study done in 2005 indicated that those men having a yearly PSA test and monitoring of PSA levels were almost 3 times less likely to die for than those who didn’t bother with the PSA

Finally, according to the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ), is the introduction 20 years ago of any use of the PSA test, deaths from have fallen by one third. Prostate cancer if caught in its early stages is treatable and curable. Don’t wait until it is too late to have this important test done

Abigail Franks has written many articles on the subject of . On her site you can find valuable information about

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