My name is Zoë Routh, I am the Head Coach at Inner Compass. I am also a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in March 2005, and it is now nearly two years since I underwent treatment.

As I was getting good test results last week - my CAT scan was all clear – I received emails from two friends. One was also diagnosed with cervical cancer with additional tumours in her ovaries. She is having her tubes and ovaries removed and being scheduled for radiation and chemotherapy treatment. My other friend let me know her mother has been diagnosed with cancer on her gall bladder that has spread to her liver and intestines. She is undergoing surgery at this moment.

What struck me was that even though I am out of the woods with my own cancer and feel fit and healthy, others are just starting their journey. I realised what I went through and what I learned might be of use to others.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer recently, or have a loved one who has, then this article is for you.

My story

I was diagnosed in March 2005 with cervical cancer, just 4 days after getting engaged. The treatment recommended initially was a full hysterectomy. Luckily there was a new surgery called a radical trachelectomy available to younger women who wanted to maintain fertility. This involved the removal of the cervix, but left the uterus and ovaries – most of the reproductive equipment. Of the 100 or so women who have had the surgery about 70% were able to conceive and deliver, through caesarean section. So baby-making is still possible for me, though I am not yet out of the 2 year clearing time the doctor recommended.

After surgery they discovered additional tumours in the lymph nodes they removed. The doctors recommended four courses of chemotherapy, cysplatin to be precise, just to be sure that they knock any remaining cancer on its head. Cysplatin is a pretty heavy drug, and had some serious effects – I felt nauseous and horrible for a good ten days after each round. My last treatment was on August 8th 2005. I ran a marathon 7 months later. This sounds surreal to me now, but at the time, running a marathon was exactly what I needed for a new focus on living and life.

However, dealing with a diagnosis was the first step. It is my intention that this article and the accompanying audio helps anyone else who is facing a diagnosis get through the first few weeks.

Here is a whole bunch of stuff you can do and think and experience to help you - pick what feels right to you. The first thing to do is to try and reduce all the stress in your life as much as possible. You need to be calm, relaxed to cope with what is ahead of you.

How to cope?

First of all, know that as long as you are breathing, you are ok. Start from there. Breathe. Affirm you are alive and you are ok. Breathe.

Eat right. I saw a nutritionist very soon after my diagnosis. I already had a pretty good diet: I was a vegetarian and a runner, but knew that I wanted to do everything I could to promote healing. It also gave me some sort of control over the process as my life got taken over by medical appointments, test results, and treatments.

Eat plenty of fresh fruit and veggies. Eliminate anything that is a stressor on your system - reduce or eliminate alcohol, sugar, cigarettes, and caffeine. See a nutritionist or go to a health food store for which vitamins to take. Extra doses of Vitamin B, C, selenium, were all good for me. Make sure you consult a professional for the correct dosages.

Exercise. Keep your body moving gently as much as you are able with your surgery and treatments. Gentle stretching is good - keep connected to your body. Exercise helps the lymph system to operate, helps the lungs and heart to do their jobs and pump out toxins. It also helps you connect with your body, to feel alive. Movement gives you energy as well.

Meditate. Before I was diagnosed with cancer, I always knew that meditation was supposed to be good for you, but I never did anything about it. Willing to give everything a go to promote my healing, I started meditating. This was such a blessing –it helped me release a lot of emotional stress and I felt so calm and relaxed and peaceful afterwards. You can use relaxation tapes, or meditation cds, whether this is just nice music, or a guided visualisation, or just lying down and relaxing. The idea is to center yourself and calm yourself down - feel connected to the source of life energy that is in all of us, in all of the world around us.

Visualise. This was a great way to stay focussed. After surgery I could barely walk two steps, whereas the week before I had run 38km. This could have discouraged me, but instead I chose to focus on what I wanted my body to do for me. I imagined myself running again, feeling fit, free, and full of energy. This helped me get out of bed every day and shuffle a few more feet down the corridor. Even though my current body was not capable of much, in my mind’s eye I felt myself running and bounding about the hills, feeling full of life. Every day I got stronger, and every day I visualised my body the way I intended to be. Like I said, 7 months later I ran a marathon.

Read some good books. One of the first things I did was go to the bookstore. I wanted to educate myself about my disease and learn from people who had gone through similar experiences. I bought a ton of books on how to heal yourself, cancer journeys etc. The best ones I found were Lance Armstrong’s “It’s not about the bike”, Brandon Bays’s “The Journey”, Louise Hay’s “You can heal your life”, Paul Kraus’s “Living with cancer”, Petrea King’s “Quest for Life”, Petrea King’s, “Your Life Matters”. Each of these had something different to teach me. Just go to the bookstore and go the health section or self-help section and buy the books that appeal to you.

Get a massage, often. Massage is another way to relax and helps the body to heal itself by moving fluid, lymph, and releasing stored emotional energy. You can also use another type of healing energy practitioner - maybe a kinesiologist, or cranial sacral therapist, or reiki practitioner. Find someone you trust and enjoy. The whole point is to feel good.

Use a Journal. There is so much that goes on in your head and heart with a cancer diagnosis. Some of it you may want to share, and a lot you probably do not. In any case, purging your head and heart of the all the thoughts that are going around and around and screaming at you inside your head allows you to release a lot of energy and turmoil. Write everything you feel and think down. The worst thing you can do is let it all run around in your head - this makes everything worse. Writing gives a relief and a release to your thoughts and emotions. Get them out - let them go.

Let people know what is going on. People who love you want to help. They really do. Tell them how to - to call you if you want to talk, to visit. Let their love in to your life - let them bring flowers, cookies, books - whatever - feel their love and appreciation of you. Be grateful for all of this.

Feel Gratitude. The moment I started to look around and appreciate what I saw and experienced, then my cancer journey started to change for me. It happened when I was going through chemotherapy. I had a lot of time at home on my own. I looked out the window every day and just watched the sunlight on the trees. Then the sky. Then the birds. And I started to feel grateful for seeing them, and having the time to appreciate them. Then I started to think about all the wonderful things that happened to me, all the beautiful people in my life, all the great adventures I had had. And I started to feel this amazing flood of good feelings. I started to realise that cancer had opened me up to all this wonderful good stuff that had been there all along, but I had not necessarily appreciated before. Then I started to feel grateful for all the things cancer was doing for me: it allowed me to slow down and take a time out for six months, it allowed me to really choose how I wanted to live going forward, it helped me clarify what was most important to me. I realised that it was a terrific gift. The process was arduous, and yet the gifts were golden.

Practice and feel grateful for the little and big things. Notice the beauty around you. Notice the sunlight on the trees. Be grateful for that. Find joy and delight in the life around you.

Stop doing anything that does not support you. Stop doing things that are ’shoulds’ in your life. Do only what gives you pleasure and joy.

Watch funny movies. Laugh your guts out. Rent all the Leslie Neilson (Police Academy) etc you can handle. Laugh laugh laugh! Laughter actually produces some chemicals in your body that promote healing. It also feels really really good.

Get yourself a copy of the Secret DVD - available at www.wildlywealthy.com in Australia and at www.amazon.com elsewhere. This is a VERY powerful movie. There is a woman on it who healed herself of breast cancer through self-love.

I have a few articles on my website about my cancer journey. Read them if you feel so inspired. They are under the ‘resources/free articles’ section.

Don’t give up your doctors. As you embrace the healing journey you are on, take their form of healing along with the spiritual side of things. All forms of healing have a place and can help you to return to health.

It is ok to be scared. It is ok to be sad. It is ok to be angry. Let yourself feel all of this and more - just let yourself feel. Let it pass through you and drain from you. It will leave you feeling purged and cleansed. Get in touch with who you really are - you are love and pure energy at the core. Feel that. Love that.

Cancer is not a death sentence - it is a call to live. It is a call for you to love yourself and to feel yourself healed from all your past wrongs, all your past regrets, all your past mistakes. Cancer gives you permission to let go of all the crap in your life and acknowledge all of the good things.

Cancer can be a gift for you, if you choose it to be so. Give yourself permission to take a break. Give yourself permission to slow right down, to pause, and to just simply be.

It is my sincere wish for you that you discover once more your joy, health, and love of life. I don’t know what will happen on your journey; no one knows how long each of us has, with cancer or without. The most important thing is that we savour it. Remember, life is for living.

All good wishes for you,

Cancer survivor Zoë Routh is the Head Coach at Inner Compass. Zoë helps personal development enthusiasts create their own best life using the law of attraction. Zoë is the author of ebook Absolute Productivity – a handbook for your personal and professional life. Sign up for Compass Bearings - a free on line magazine for personal development enthusiasts who want easy new success strategies using the law of attraction. Get more free tips at innercompass.com.au innercompass.com.au

Tags: breast cancer, cervical cancer, chemotherapy, healing, selenium

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Tags: breast cancer, cervical cancer, chemotherapy, healing, selenium

One of the forms of cancer of most concern to men is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, after skin cancer, and is the third leading cause of cancer death in men, after colorectal cancer and lung cancer. One in six men will get prostate cancer in his lifetime and over 200,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year.

Research has shown that there are several natural ways to prevent prostate cancer. One particular study reported by the UK Tea Council outlined several ways that men can protect their prostate health by making changes to their diets. Some of the most important changes you can make to prevent prostate cancer include the following:

• Lower your fat intake – Research has shown a reduced risk in prostate cancer in men who have a low fat diet. It’s particularly important to lower your saturated fat and eliminate trans fats from your diet. Saturated fat is found in red meats, butter and high fat dairy products. Trans fats are artificial fats and are actually more dangerous than any other, because the body is unable to properly process it.

• Increase your intake of lycopene – Lycopene, a powerful anti-oxidant found in tomatoes has been shown to be particularly effective in preventing prostate cancer. Many doctors recommend that you get your lycopene intake from tomato sauce, because it is a more concentrated form of lycopene than a simple tomato.

• Add a vitamin E supplement – Vitamin E also has been shown to have a cancer preventing effect in some men. A simple supplement once a day may decrease your prostate risk.

• Add a selenium supplement – Another mineral supplement, selenium, has also been shown to be a cancer preventative.

• Add a calcium and vitamin D supplement – Vitamin D has also been shown to have a cancer preventing effect, but it requires an adequate amount of calcium in order to work effectively. So, when you add one supplement, add the other.

• Eat soy protein – Obtaining some of your dietary protein from soy protein sources can lower your risk of prostate and other cancers. Try soy milk and tofu in place of some meat to reduce fat and increase soy protein. Soy protein has been shown to have an effect even when prostate cancer has already been diagnosed. It appears to slow or inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.

• Drink green tea – Green tea has been shown in many studies to prevent several forms of cancer, including prostate cancer. Green tea is a powerful source of anti-oxidants, which can prevent free radicals from damaging our cells, leading to cancer, aging and other diseases. However, green tea has other benefits when it comes to prostate cancer.

Green tea has been shown to causes apoptosis of prostate cancer cells. Apoptosis is the systematic killing off of cells. It happens in many circumstances in the body, ensuring that only healthy, vital cells survive. However, rarely have we seen substances that can generate apoptosis in the body for the purposes of killing off abnormal cell growth like cancer cells, or abnormal cells that may grow into cancer.

Improving your diet and adding supplements is a simple way to prevent to cancer and many other diseases. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is an important key to health. Fruits and vegetables contain anti-oxidants, which are extremely important to protecting health.

Anti-oxidants combat free radicals created in our bodies as a by-product of converting food to energy. Free radicals damage our cells and DNA, causing premature aging and disease unless they are regularly neutralized by anti-oxidants. Fresh fruits and vegetables are powerful sources of anti-oxidants as is green tea, dark chocolate and red wine. So, by adding these products to your regular diet, you can help ensure that you live a long and healthy life, avoiding many types of disease like heart disease and cancer.

To date, much of the research on preventing cancer naturally has been performed on mice and in laboratory controlled studies. So, it’s clear that we need to perform more tests on humans in order to truly determine the benefits of all these dietary changes and supplements in the fight against prostate cancer. However, we do know that all the changes mentioned here are generally healthy, so we can feel good about making them even if they don’t significantly lower our cancer risk.

The rates of prostate cancer have started to decline over the last 10 years. In addition, the mortality rate has declined. Today, while one in six men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime; only 1 in 34 will die from it. With emphasis on natural preventative measures, perhaps we can eradicate this form of cancer, eliminating one of the most common and significant male health problems.

Jon M. Stout is the Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest rare and orthodox teas, which are processed slowly and handcrafted with extreme care. At their website, you can learn more about their current

Tags: cancer risk, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, selenium, skin cancer

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Tags: cancer risk, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, selenium, skin cancer

A lot of men are going for alternative treatments in order to cure or heal their medical condition. Some prostate cancer patients do this. Several alternative treatments include supplementation of herbs, go through therapies, practice yoga, undergo massage and a lot more as long as they are claimed to be effective cure against the illness. A chosen alternative prostate cancer treatment by an individual is taken on immediately in accompaniment of existing doctors’ prescriptions and proper handling.

There are many vast reasons in using alternative prostate cancer treatments. They may range from the cost viewpoint between using proper medical medications and using alternative methods of treatment to the hope of obtaining the miracle wonders done by these alternative treatments. There is one big difference between traditional medications and alternative treatments, the promise of cure and those who claim it. Traditional medications only have moderate declaration of effectiveness while alternative prostate cancer treatment choices are glorified with claims. They may be true or not but certainly have major stimulation on one’s mind and behavior.

How to Use Alternative Prostate Cancer Treatment:

Alternative prostate cancer treatment by using dietary supplements or herbs such as garlic and saw palmetto has been utilized by many believers. Serenoa repens or Saw palmetto has been widely tested by researchers and the results are promising. They have found out that it prevents testosterone from breaking down in another form of the hormone associated with prostate tissue growth. This herbal alternative against prostate cancer does work slowly with recuperation in urinary symptoms within 1 to 3 months of treatment. The claims, especially of saw palmetto, are astounding especially in Europe and in US. Saw palmetto, since the widespread of its effectiveness, has started to gain a strong following and believer of most prostate cancer patients.

Another alternative prostate cancer treatment is by taking in daily supplements of Vitamin D, Selenium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and other antioxidants. Having a strong immune system delays the progress of the cancer, if not to cure the disease.

Yoga and tai chi are also practiced for relaxing one’s mind, remain stress-free and release the negative energy of one’s body. Learning how to relax and being able to control emotions through yoga and tai chi claims to lessen, if not eliminate, the negative energy’s hormonal effects to one’s body.

Alternative Prostate Cancer Treatment: An Experts Choice

Prostate cancer patients should ask for their doctor’s advice before undergoing such alternative treatments popularly known for their claims of effectiveness. If one is engaged in any of the alternative prostate cancer treatment, tell you doctor about.
These alternative treatments can cause another set of health problems on your side if they happen to have a negative reaction with medications prescribed the doctor. If this happens, you just made matters worse for your health and complications may occur from it.

Undergoing alternative prostate cancer treatment may be convenient, tempting and may have more claims or assurance, but do so if your doctor gave you the go signal for it. Doctors have much more experience and they are in the better position to assess your medical condition, and analyze such alternative prostate cancer treatments if any should apply for your situation. If you thought that alternative prostate cancer treatments might just work wonders for your condition, seek professional specialist advice so that proper medical approach could be given to you. Never risk your health.

You can also find more info on

Tags: cancer patient, cancer treatment, prostate cancer, selenium

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Tags: cancer patient, cancer treatment, prostate cancer, selenium

It has been shown in some studies of green tea that it may help develop a treatment to prevent the dormant, non threatening type of prostate cancer many men have in their 70’s & 80’s from becoming the aggressive and fatal types. Also in studies on the diet and cancer show that green tea when tested
with mice with an aggressive form of cancer can decrease the spread or metastasis of prostate cancer to liver, bones, and other parts of the body.

Also some newer research receals that green tea might help prevent the spread of prostate cancer. Specifically the phytochemicals found in green tea, called polyphenols attack the growth factors and proteins, interrupting the growth processes of tumors, resulting in preventing them from spreading to
other organs in the body. Now because earlier studies showed that the same natural plant substances may also help to prevent the start of prostate cancer itself, researchers indicated that more studies need to be done on green tea’s affect on fighting this common type of cancer. The best way to reduce your risk of prostate cancer still lies in eating a mostly vegetarian diet.

The phytochemicals in green tea seem to increase the number of enzymes that help convert
carcinogens in the body to a dormant, or harmless forms. Numerous questions still remain about the amount and or frequency of green tea necessary to affect the formation of prostate cancer itself. Black tea has also shown similar benefits and effects to green tea, although they appear to have somewhat lower levels of the beneficial substances than green tea has. Whatever the benefits of green tea, it would be a big mistake to rely on the teas alone for this prevention. Other tests and studies
suggest a variety of nutritional influences on prostate cancer risk. Vitamin E use may also offer some protection. The antioxidant mineral selenium also seems protective. Most people do get adequate amounts of selenium, but these studies used mainly nutrition supplements, so the study participants achieved higher intake levels. So it still remains to be seen whether men can protect themselves by taking supplements, along with multivitamins, with selenium. If total selenium intake exceeds 400 mcg per day, nerve damage and other side effects can occur in the individuals.

Let us add that you should if possible avoid all fatty meats, since high-fat diets also have been linked to prostate cancer, other cancers, heart disease, and numerous other medical problems today. also definately stay away from refined sugars, salt, hydrogenated oils, canned, packaged, or otherwise
processed foods. Skip those soda drinks, alcohol, black teas, and all coffee beverages. Stop the consumption of dairy foods, since these products are so closely linked in the US to prostate cancer.

Next, most of us don’t realise the effects of stress in everyday life, reduce stress, in particular chronic stress, since it is especially hard on the male prostate. All stress can restrict the flow of blood and energy in the prostate. Now this stress related damage can set the stage for enlargement of the prostate and even possible cancer. The general lifestyle can also contribute to a healthy prostate in men. Remember that exercise promotes circulation and relieves tension in the human body, and this also enhances the chances of a healthy prostate.

Of course in addition, exercise is essential for effective weight management, it is important to exercise regularly, try to excercise at least 30 minutes a day and at least 3 days every week. This regular exercise not only helps burn off extra calories, but help keep the body flexible and helps to maintain
more muscle strength and endurance. Just walking, jogging, and leisure activities such as amateur sports, can be very effective types of exercise. The key is to just stay as active as possible and definately stay off the couch. Many people constantly face that difficult uphill battle to regain control of their weight and healthy body issues. Ultimaletly taking good care of the prostate requires taking better care of yourself.

Now other great foods for natural nutrition and healthy aging are broccoli, blueberries, cabbage, brussels sprouts, flaxseed, soybeans, and tomatoes. But cooked tomatoes are actually a much better source of nutrician than just the raw tomatoes because in the cooking process it releases more lycopene from the cells.

Also it is very important for all men over 50 to have early check-up of his health to help indentify these and other problems early and get proper medical advice and treatments!

For more information on the prostate and male health issues try visiting huntinginfo.ws Prostate Health - a website that specializes in providing prostate and mens health related information and resources including information on prostate cancer.

Tags: cancer risk, prostate cancer, selenium

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Tags: cancer risk, prostate cancer, selenium

People taking action towards cancer protection by changing their diets and going to the doctor regularly have resulted in the latest statistics released by the American Cancer Society in January 2007 reporting that cancer deaths have gone down in the United States. Medical technology also offers state-of-the-art testing and screenings for various cancers, allowing patients to detect tumors in their earliest stages.

There are several ways you can protect yourself from cancer. One way is to maintain a healthy diet. Diets including plenty of fruits and vegetables allow a person to receive the necessary vitamins linked with cancer protection. It is also important to include healthy fats found in olive, canola and sunflower oils.

These are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to keep the heart healthy and prevent other deadly diseases. Limiting your intake of red meats is very important when it comes to a healthy diet. Instead, you should focus on including more lean proteins, such as chicken and fish.

Other ways to improve your diet are to eat hearty whole grains found in certain breads, pastas and rice dishes. Make sure to always avoid fried foods that are high in trans-fats.

Aside from a healthy diet, you can practice cancer prevention by taking certain supplements and vitamins. Vitamin E, selenium and lycopene have been connected with lowering a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.

Fish oils have also been linked with preventing cancer of the prostate. There has even been research suggesting calcium supplements could help a person prevent colorectal cancer.

Going to the doctor is important even if you are trying to lower your risk of cancer. Doctors can perform certain screenings to help protect you from a life-threatening disease. Women are recommended to start having yearly mammograms sometime after age forty.

Younger women should have regular clinical breast exams performed by a physician or do breast exams at home to watch for abnormalities. Men and women should have a colonoscopy, beginning in their fifties, every ten years to watch for colorectal cancers. Men can protect themselves from prostate cancer by using certain chemoprevention drugs.

These are man-made drugs or vitamins used specifically to suppress or prevent cancer. PSA tests or digital rectal exams are other methods available to men who are at high risk for prostate cancer. Discuss all the treatments and screenings available with your doctor to determine what you should do based on your personal and family medical history.

Lifestyle is a major factor in your efforts at cancer protection. Smoking has been linked with several cancers, such as lung, prostate, bladder and breast cancer. It is imperative for smokers to quit this unhealthy habit because it will greatly reduce their risks of developing cancer.

Doctors recommend women watch their alcohol consumption as part of breast and cervical cancer control. Other ways to improve your lifestyle is to work plenty of physical activity into your daily schedule. Whether you join a gym, buy a treadmill or play outside with your children, exercising is an important factor in cancer protection.

Cancer protection could mean small changes or complete overhauls to daily routines, depending on your current lifestyle. Lowering your risk of cancer may include joining a gym or buying vitamins and dietary supplements.

It could mean you have to quit smoking or using other tobacco products. Whatever change you make to your current situation will put you closer to living a healthy and cancer-free life.

Visit Mike Selvon cancerprevention.trustprofitableniche.com/cancer_prevention.php cancer prevention portal for more information on cancerprevention.trustprofitableniche.com/cancer_protection.php cancer protection, and leave a comment at our mynicheportal.com/health-beauty/overview-of-cancer-protection cancer prevention blog. Don’t forget to claim your FREE self help ebook on dealing with cancer.

Tags: breast cancer, cancer prevention, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, prevent cancer, prostate cancer, selenium

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Tags: breast cancer, cancer prevention, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, prevent cancer, prostate cancer, selenium