Chemotherapy is the use of very strong anticancer drugs to kill colon cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment and will address cancer that is in the entire
body which is why it is often used to prevent spread or to treat cancer that has
already spread. This is not the only reason why chemotherapy is used so if you
doctor suggests treatment with chemotherapy drugs do not assume that your
cancer has spread and metastesized.

Chemotherapy plays a few roles in the treatment of colon cancer.
used to kill colon cancer cells that might have not been removed during surgical
removal of the colon cancer.
reduces the size of the tumor before surgery is performed
used to treat colon cancer by controlling the growth of the tumor.
used to relieve some of the symptoms of the colon cancer.
reduce the likelyhood of recurrence
Chemotherapy is often used after surgery is performed to eliminate cancer cells that
may have been left behind and not removed by surgery. The chemotherapy can be
administered through an IV (intravenously) or in pill form. Once the chemotherapy
drugs enter the bloodstream they can reach cancer cells in all parts of the body.
Some studies have shown that using a regimen of chemotherapy after surgery for
colon cancer can increase the surivival rates for some stages of colon and rectal
cancers.

In patients with advanced colorectal cancer chemotherapy is often useful in relieving
the symptoms of the cancer.

Who is given Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer?
The general opinion in the medical community differs on whether chemotherapy for
Stage II colon cancer will be beneficial to the patient after surgery. It is usually only
advisable in very high risk patients.

Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery is the standard of care for patients with Stage
III colorectal cancer. Also patients with Stage IV cancers of the colon or rectum can
benefit from the use of chemotherapy as it often will help to shrink the tumor,
increase life expectancy and improve the quality of life.

How is Chemotherapy Administered for Colorectal Cancer?

The use of adjuvant chemotherapy typically involves monthly administration of the
chemotherapy drugs for usually 6 to 8 months. Usually on or a combination of the
following drugs are administered:

5-FU (5-fluorouracil)
leucovorin
irinotecan
oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)
The standard adjuvant chemotherapy combination for colon cancer consists of 5-FU
and leucovorin.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy can produce some side effects. The type of side effects experiences
depends upon the type of chemotherapy drugs used, how much of the drugs are
given and the period of time they are administered. The side effects also depend on
the individual.

The most common side effects for 5FU :

the feeling of being sick
diarrhea
sore mouth or mouth ulcers
drop in blood cell count
overall feeling of tiredness
The most common side effects of irinotecan :

increased perspiration
increase in the production of saliva
watery eyes
pain or cramps in the abdomen
diarrhea
overall feeling of being sick
drop in blood cell count
overall feeling of tiredness
hair thinning or loss
The most common side effects of oxaliplatin:

feeling of being sick
numbness or tingling of the extremeties
numbness in the lips

Bill Ransom provides information on Colon cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment
at colon-answers.com colon-answers.com

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Tags: chemotherapy, colon cancer, colorectal cancer

Amy (not real name) was 48 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon (caecum) cancer in 2001. She underwent a hemicolectomy on 5 November 2001. The histopathology report indicated: “moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of caecum involving pericolic fat. The pericolic (6/10) and apical nodes (2/2) are involved by metastatic tumour (Duke C 2. T3 N2 Mx). The resected margin are free.”

Her surgeon recommended chemotherapy but Amy declined. She opted for herbs instead. She came to CA Care in November 2001 and was started on herbs: Capsule A, GI (1) Tea, Lympho-Tea (stopped mid-2006) and C-tea. She has been taking these herbs “religiously” ever since.

It has been six years and Amy is doing fine. Over the years she had gone back to her surgeon for surveillance check up and there was nothing amiss.

I met up with Amy and her husband on 18 September 2006 and had a chat.

Question: You underwent an operation but did not go for chemotherapy, radiotherapy or take any doctor’s medication? You started to take herbs and are still doing so up to this day. Are you a healthy person – are you okay?

Amy: Yes, I am healthy. I think I am healthier now than I was before. This is because I don’t have any more gastric problem — unless of course when I over-eat or when I am hungry. Otherwise, I don’t have any gastric problem. I sleep better. Energy wise I am good. Before I was on the herbs, I would be sleepy by 9 to 10 p.m. Just one or two weeks after I started to take the herbs until this day, I am still not sleepy even if it is 12 mid-night. And remember, I wake up at 6 o’clock every morning. Even that, I feel fresh the whole day and I don’t feel sleepy or tired and am full of energy. I don’t need to sleep in the afternoon.

Q: After the surgery, were you asked to go for chemotherapy?

Husband: After the operation, the doctor was asking us to start chemotherapy as soon as possible. To the doctor, we must not delay this treatment.

A: The operation was done on 5 November. A week later, I had to go back to the hospital for a follow up examination. The doctor told me that I would need to go for 30 sessions of chemotherapy. One week would be 5 sessions. I would then have to take two or three weeks rest and then start the cycle again. The doctor was telling me that I must do this quickly if not the cancer can come back again. I was asked to fix a chemo-pot but I declined. After this, I decided to come to CA Care instead.

Q: After you decided to take herbs instead of undergoing chemotherapy, did you get any pressure from your doctors — that this might not be the right approach?

Husband: No. This was because we did not go back to the oncologist any more. If we were to go back to him, we might get such “pressure”. We started to take the herbs. She was not getting worse. Instead she was getting better. So, we shut our mind to all other external pressures or advice and kept our focus on the herbs and on what we have decided to do.

Q: How did you feel after talking to the oncologist?

A: I felt very depressed. I did not like the way he talked to me. It appeared like he wanted to do business — then he said, you must do this and do that. He was not kind like the other doctors. He was very insensitive. We were very unhappy and decided to come and see you instead.

Husband: After we saw the oncologist, we knew that we could not “click” with him. On the other hand, the surgeon was a very kind man. When we told him that we would not go for chemotherapy, he said: “Do what you believe in.” He was more supportive than the oncologist who was not friendly at all. We never went back to see the oncologist ever again.

A: In fact to this day, my surgeon is very supportive. When I went back for my routine check up, he still enquired if I was still taking the herbs. He also asked if I ate meat, and that I was still on vegetables, etc. I think my surgeon was very happy to see me well.

Husband: We were very fortunately to have a nice and kind surgeon.

Q: If you look back, would you do the same thing all over again with regards to your cancer treatment?

A: I am satisfied with what I have gone through and what I did. There were no regrets. I still remember what my husband told me: “Amy, if you do not want to go for chemotherapy and wanted to go on the herbs, you have to believe in what you are going to do. If you don’t believe that the herbs are going to work for you, then don’t take them. I want you to put in your heart and soul to do this”.

Q: Besides taking the herbs and following our diet recommendation, did you take any other herbs or supplements?

A: No supplements. I took fruit juices for the first few years. It was only later that I started to take fish oil and sometimes garlic pills. Apart from that I was and am entirely on your herbs.

Q: After taking the herbs, how long did you get to experience their effects?

A: When I first came to collect the herbs, I was told that I would pass out a lot of smelly stools. That would be the first sign of cleansing. It happened exactly like I was told when I started the herbs. I passed out a lot of dark stools. The smell was real awful. I felt exhausted after this cleansing. This process went on for about 5 to 6 days after I started to take the herbs. Then, things gradually went back to normal.

Q: After taking the herbs for a week, did you feel any better?

A: Of course. I felt better. I was not sleepy anymore. Energy wise I was better.

Q: Over this five years, did the herbs and CA Care made any impact on you?

A: Yes, of course. When we came to collect herbs, Khadijah and Johan always have a lot of good words and encouragement for me. Then, I also remember when I came here and I met you. You talked to me and gave encouraging advice. These words still stuck with me. You said: “It is not the herbs alone – it is also your will to live and wanting to get well. Besides, patients must keep to their good diet”. “Laska” was my favorite food. Because of your words, I dared not eat “laksa” for many years!

For more information on the CA Therapy: cacare.com cacare.com
BookOnCancer.com BookOnCancer.com and view our video clips on healing of colon cancer, cacarevideo.blogspot.com cacarevideo.blogspot.com

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Most people claim that we are making giant steps towards winning the war on cancer. However, 40 years ago, one in every five individuals would develop cancer. Nowadays the odds aren’t getting better. Today the chance of somebody developing any form of cancer is one in three.

While some cancers are deadlier than others, it is important to note that all cancers are extremely serious and require close medical care and supervision. This article will only discuss cancer in general. A detailed description of each kind of cancer can be found on numerous web sites and medical books for closer inspection and understanding.

Cancer can mean a lot of things to many people but medically, cancer it self pertains to a condition where are cells produce rapidly on an area of the body for no logical reason. This rapid growth in cells results in a mass which we call a tumor. A tumor can be benign or malignant; if it is benign, it can be removed by a simple surgery, but if it is malignant, the uncontrolled cell growth can overwhelm the body’s normal defensive system and can often lead to death.

Recognizing cancer in its early stages can be tricky but the normal signs include the following:

If urine is bloody or painful, or if one feels a frequent need to urinate, it might be a sign of bladder cancer. Lumps in the breast, swelling and itching in the breast area, or sore nipples could be signs of breast cancer. Bloody stools, frequent diarrhoea, or constipation can indicate colon cancer.

Cervical cancer starts with heavier bleeding, increased pain during menstruation, or unusual vaginal discharges. Prostate cancer starts with weak urination, pain in the pelvic region, or chronic back pain. Unusual bumps on or under the skin, darkened moles and sores that bleed or do not heal are signs of skin cancer. At the first sign of any of these cancers, you must see your doctor immediately for further testing. Early diagnosis of cancer is one of the most important aspects of beating the disease and increasing your chances of survival.

The potential causes of cancer are numerous. There are obvious carcinogens like smoking, pesticides and pollution. Unhealthy lifestyle choices like the overuse of alcohol and drugs, excessive exposure to the sun, being overweight and a failure to handle stress all contribute to the formation of cancer cells. Cancer can also be hereditary. Other cancer-causing substances you may not be aware of are: chlorinated water, mercury fillings in the teeth, processed foods with artificial colors and additives, diets low in fiber or high in fat and eating cured meats like hot dogs, salami, ham and bacon. Heavy use of artificial sweeteners, excessive sugar consumption, birth control pills, estrogen therapy, heavy coffee consumption, severe burns and a history of venereal disease also pose as higher risk factors for certain cancers.

There are many vitamins you can take to lessen your risk of cancer or help treat a cancerous condition you may already have. For all cancers, vitamins A, C and E are important antioxidants and proven immunity enhancers. Calcium carbonate can lessen the cancer cells in the colon lining. Kelp, coenzyme Q10 and folic acid can reduce tumors in breast-cancer patients. Lycopene, omega-3, zinc and grapeseed have also shown strong anticancer properties.

Popular herbs to supplement these vitamins are liquid garlic, ginger and curcumin. These herbs have shown great promise in the prevention of cancer, especially skin and prostate cancer. Drinking several cups of green tea daily has also been proven in many studies to boost your body’s immunity to cancer.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to

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Renowned surgeon *Mehmet Oz*, MD had quite a number of appearances on The Oprah Winfrey show. In one particular episode, he presented actual healthy and damaged human organs to show what happens to the body when we continuously eat the wrong kind of food, smoke a pack of cigarettes deliriously, and drink liquor like there is no tomorrow. The results were diabolically life-altering. Hundreds of viewers testified that after watching Dr Oz briefly go from one organ to another, they shuddered in their seats and couldn’t believe that those organs could as well be theirs. You could also check out the Discovery Health Channel hit, Second Opinion, and read his bestseller, You: The Owner’s Manual. Whether he is on television or speaks through the pages of his books, he advocates a healthy and practical change in everyone. His medical methods and layman approach to disease, specifically cancer and cardiovascular ailments, have challenged people from all over the world to finally take the reins and be the boss of their own body. And the simplest way to gain control is to be mindful of what we eat and drink.

Nowadays, medical professionals are more focused on cancer prevention with the objective to fight the disease even before it starts. More and more people are diverting their attention to the importance of daily nutrition and the choices that they are making with regard to their lifestyle, such as quitting smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation. Most of these studies claim that the use of natural substances can actually help prevent the disease.

One of the most highly advertised anti-carcinogenic substances is lycopene, a member of the carotenoid family which includes beta-carotene and other compounds found naturally in food. It is commonly known as the pigment that gives tomatoes their red color. What some people don’t know is that it is also a free radical-fighting antioxidant responsible for warding off damaging matter that disrupts normal cells and cause disease. It has also been proven to boost the immune system. It is shown to be better consumed when the tomatoes are cooked and mixed with a little healthy fat. For the sake of convenience, lycopene has also been made into a dietary supplement. However, studies show that taking it other than its natural form is not as effective as eating real tomatoes because it works better together with other phytochemicals found in the vegetable but not necessarily present in the pill. The combination of these bioactive compounds may be needed to provide optimum protection from cancer. This encourages people to eat tomatoes from pasta sauces, pastes, and freshly squeezed juices.

Capsaicin, the stuff found in chilly peppers that make them hot, could be the next line of defense in modern cancer prevention. Studies show that daily consumption of hot peppers may actually fight off some kinds of cancer. In certain parts of the world, cases of intestinal, stomach, and colon cancer are considerably low compared to the United States. Experts believe that the low cancer rate in South America, for instance, may be tied to their frequent intake of japaleno peppers and hot cayenne, both of which contain capsaicin.

The latest trend in cancer prevention mentions the health benefits of flavonoids. One can find a vast array of flavonoids in a diet composed of various fruits, vegetables, and spices. Flavonoids from citrus fruits such as oranges are said to have antioxidant polyphenols that contain anti-cancer elements. A number of studies also show that red wine and green tea drinkers have a low risk of esophageal, lung, and stomach cancers. Another good source of flavonoids is dark chocolate. Medical experts say that cocoa has a much greater amount of antioxidants compared to red wine and green tea and dark chocolate contains a lot more cocoa than other kinds of chocolate. The production of chocolate sometimes disrupts 50% of the flavonoids but manufacturing companies are now learning to make chocolate to retain as much of the good stuff as possible. While dark chocolate has its health benefits, consuming more than enough (around 1 oz a day) can also be dangerous. It may be packed with flavonoids that fight cancer but it still contains a significant amount of calories. Always remember that a balanced diet and a healthy exercise regimen are still the key to good health.

For more valuable information on healthsnippets.com Cancer, healthsnippets.com Heart Health, please visit healthsnippets.com healthsnippets.com.

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According to the 2007 report of the World Health Organization, the next thirty years will witness a significant global rise, in the number of deaths due to non-communicable diseases, especially cancer. This prediction is mainly due to the ageing of the population of the world.

However, even without that bit of news, we are aware of cancer being a major killer. But we do know that a cancer, when detected in its earliest stages, is generally curable. Hence, it is advisable to make sure that we are privy to various kinds of cancer information.

To begin with, it helps if you know about the different common types of cancer. Among the most common are bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer.

Leukemia is another common type, where the cancer forms in the tissues where blood is formed, such as in the bone marrow. This then leads to the production of a large number of blood cells, and these large numbers of blood cells then enter the blood stream.

If you have a suspicious looking mole, you really should have it checked, as you do not want to risk it’s being cancerous. It may be nothing, but you really should not sit on it worrying that it might be melanoma. The word “melanoma” comes from “melanocytes”. Melanocytes are the cells in which melanin pigment is formed. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in these cells.

NHL (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) is yet another common form of cancer. This refers to a the growth of a large group of cancers that affect the immunity system. The symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are those of fever and weight loss, a sure sign that the immunity system has been affected. This is a cancer that can affect any age group, and its treatment is completely dependent on the stage of detection of the cancer.

Of course, these are only a few of the many kinds of cancers that afflict people all over the world. There are cancers that can be easily treated, and those that cannot. On the Internet, there are various sites that are devoted to providing cancer information. So you have the official sites, websites created by cancer specialists, and sites created and maintained by people who have either battled cancer or know people who have.

So, at least if you are looking for basic information, there are a large number of authoritative websites that provide cancer information. Prepare yourself with all the cancer information that you can, so that you will be better placed to deal with the countless problems that a cancer brings in its wake.

The author Ajeet Khurana recommends cancer-info-resource.com Cancer Information, oohoi.com/healthy_living/vitamin-info/zinc-vitamins.htm Zinc Vitamins, and oohoi.com/healthy_living/vitamin-info/skin-vitamins.htm Skin Vitamins.

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Tags: breast cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, prostate cancer, skin cancer