Focus on Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer - Cause

The cause of bladder cancer is not known. Changes in the genetic material (DNA) of bladder cells may play a role. Chemicals in the environment and cigarette smoking also may play a role. And when the lining of the bladder is irritated for a long time, cell changes that lead to cancer may occur. Some things that cause this are radiation treatment, having catheters in place for a long time, or having the parasite that causes schistosomiasis.
Bladder cancer is twice as likely to develop in smokers than in nonsmokers. Experts believe that smoking causes about half of bladder cancer in men and more than one-fourth of bladder cancer in women.1
Exposure to chemicals and other substances at work-including dyes, paints, leather dust, and others-may also cause bladder cancer.

From: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/bladder-cancer/bladder-cancer-cause

Change Your Habits, Change Your Life

We all know that making lifestyle changes, maintaining a healthy weight and eating healthy are essential in the prevention and fight against cancer. But most people lack the will power to commit to lifestyle changes and sticking to a plan that maintains healthy living over time. I found several books by Danna Demetre right on the mark and very inspiring in this area. I am introducing two of them here.

Several years ago I had the privelege of attending a workshop presented by Danna Demetre, who is the author of several books on weight loss, wellness and fitness, not to mention a popular international conference and retreat speaker, and radio personality. Danna has a passion for encouraging others with these life-changing truths. It is her desire to help them dig beneath the surface to find greater balance and purpose in all the dimensions of their lives. Years of mentoring and teaching have earned her the reputation of being the “Christian Woman’s Total Life Coach”. She is also the founder of a ministry called“Women of Purpose”, the president of Lifestyle Dimensions and the host of a weekly radio show called Healthy Solutions Today. For more information, visit her website at www.dannademetre.com.

More on Mouthwash and Toothpaste

There is speculation out there as to whether or not artificial sweeteners can contribute to some cancers. A friend whose sister died two years ago from oral cancer had no history of ever using any tobacco products, the #1 known cause of oral cancers. It was suggested that perhaps her chronic use of sugarless gums most of her life (which have artificial sweeteners) may have played a role.

With that information in mind, I have been on a quest for mouthwashes and toothpastes as well which are free of artificial sweeteners and other artificial ingredients, as well as alcohol. These are some of the products I found:

Natural Dentist Mouthwash: Contains no alcohol, artificial sweeteners or additives. Has an orange flavor. It takes some getting used to, but we are using it at home



Tom's Natural Toothpaste. Contains Xylitol rather than Sorbitol. What I have read about Xylitol is that it seems to be of a natural, plant origin, has some beneficial qualities, and has not been given the same bad rap as Sorbitol. For now we are using it. The verdict is still out.

Cancer Symptoms Women Ignore

15 Cancer Symptoms Women Ignore

WebMD uncovers common cancer warning signs women often overlook.

By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Women tend to be more vigilant than men about getting recommended health checkups and cancer screenings, according to studies and experts.

They're generally more willing, as well, to get potentially worrisome symptoms checked out, says Mary Daly, MD, oncologist and head of the department of clinical genetics at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

But not always. Younger women, for instance, tend to ignore symptoms that could point to cancer. "They have this notion that cancer is a problem of older people," Daly tells WebMD. And they're often right, but plenty of young people get cancer, too.

Of course, some women are as skilled as men are at switching to denial mode. "There are people who deliberately ignore their cancer symptoms," says Hannah Linden, MD, a medical oncologist. She is a joint associate member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and associate professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle. It's usually denial, but not always, she says. "For some, there is a cultural belief that cancer is incurable, so why go there."

Talking about worrisome symptoms shouldn't make people overreact, says Ranit Mishori, MD, an assistant professor of family medicine at the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. "I don't want to give people the impression they should look for every little thing," she says.

With that healthy balance between denial and hypochondria in mind, WebMD asked experts to talk about the symptoms that may not immediately make a woman worry about cancer, but that should be checked out. Read on for 15 possible cancer symptoms women often ignore.

No. 1: Unexplained Weight Loss

Many women would be delighted to lose weight without trying. But unexplained weight loss -- say 10 pounds in a month without an increase in exercise or a decrease in food intake -- should be checked out, Mishori says.

"Unexplained weight loss is cancer unless proven not," she says. It could, of course, turn out to be another condition, such as an overactive thyroid.

Expect your doctor to run tests to check the thyroid and perhaps order a CT scan of different organs. The doctor needs to "rule out the possibilities, one by one," Mishori says.

No. 2: Bloating

Bloating is so common that many women just live with it. But it could point to ovarian cancer. Other symptoms of ovarian cancer include abdominal pain or pelvic pain, feeling full quickly -- even when you haven't eaten much -- and urinary problems, such as having an urgent need to go to the bathroom.

If the bloating occurs almost every day and persists for more than a few weeks, you should consult your physician. Expect your doctor to take a careful history and order a CT scan and blood tests, among others.

4 Must-See Articles

• Slideshow: All About Pancreatic Cancer
  
  
• Slideshow: Melanoma and Other Reasons to Shun the Sun
  
  
• Shingles: Recognize the Rash
  
  
• Slideshow: Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body
  
  

No. 3: Breast Changes

Most women know their breasts well, even if they don't do regular self-exams, and know to be on the lookout for lumps. But that's not the only breast symptom that could point to cancer. Redness and thickening of the skin on the breast, which could indicate a very rare but aggressive form of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer, also needs to be examined, Linden says. "If you have a rash that persists over weeks, you have to get it evaluated," she says.

Likewise, if the look of a nipple changes, or if you notice discharge (and aren’t breastfeeding), see your doctor. "If it's outgoing normally and turns in," she says, that's not a good sign. "If your nipples are inverted chronically, no big deal." It's the change in appearance that could be a worrisome symptom.

If you have breast changes, expect your doctor to take a careful history, examine the breast, and order tests such as a mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, and perhaps a biopsy.

No. 4: Between-Period Bleeding or Other Unusual Bleeding

''Premenopausal women tend to ignore between-period bleeding," Daly says. They also tend to ignore bleeding from the GI tract, mistakenly thinking it is from their period. But between-period bleeding, especially if you are typically regular, bears checking out, she says. So does bleeding after menopause, as it could be a symptom of endometrial cancer. GI bleeding could be a symptom of colorectal cancer.

Think about what's normal for you, says Debbie Saslow, PhD, director of breast and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta. "If a woman never spots [between periods] and she spots, it's abnormal for her. For someone else, it might not be."

"Endometrial cancer is a common gynecologic cancer," Saslow says. "At least three-quarters who get it have some abnormal bleeding as an early sign."

Your doctor will take a careful history and, depending on the timing of the bleeding and other symptoms, probably order an ultrasound or biopsy.

No. 5: Skin Changes

Most of us know to look for any changes in moles -- a well-known sign of skin cancer. But we should also watch for changes in skin pigmentation, Daly says.

If you suddenly develop bleeding on your skin or excessive scaling, that should be checked, too, she says. It's difficult to say how long is too long to observe skin changes before you go to the doctor, but most experts say not longer than several weeks.

No. 6: Difficulty Swallowing

If you have difficulty swallowing, you may have already changed your diet so chewing isn't so difficult, perhaps turning to soups or liquid foods such as protein shakes.

But that difficulty could be a sign of a GI cancer, such as in the esophagus, says Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society.

Expect your doctor to take a careful history and order tests such as a chest X-ray or exams of the GI tract.

No. 7: Blood in the Wrong Place

If you notice blood in your urine or your stool, don’t assume it's from a hemorrhoid, says Mishori. "It could be colon cancer."

Expect your doctor to ask questions and perhaps order testing such as a colonoscopy, an exam of the colon to look for cancer.

Seeing blood in the toilet bowl may actually be from the vagina if a woman is menstruating, Mishori says. But if not, it should be checked to rule out bladder or kidney cancer, she says.

Coughing up blood should be evaluated, too. One occasion of blood in the wrong place may not point to anything, Mishori says, but if it happens more than once, go see your doctor.

No. 8: Gnawing Abdominal Pain and Depression

Any woman who's got a pain in the abdomen and is feeling depressed needs a checkup, says Lichtenfeld. Some researchers have found a link between depression and pancreatic cancer, but it's a poorly understood connection.

No. 9: Indigestion

Women who have been pregnant may remember the indigestion that occurred as they gained weight. But indigestion for no apparent reason may be a red flag.

It could be an early clue to cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or throat.

Expect your doctor to take a careful history and ask questions about the indigestion before deciding which tests to order, if any.

No. 10: Mouth Changes

Smokers should be especially alert for any white patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue, according to the American Cancer Society. Both can point to a precancerous condition called leukoplakia that can progress to oral cancer.

Ask your dentist or doctor to take a look and decide what should be done next.

No. 11: Pain

As people age they seem to complain more of various aches and pains, but pain, as vague as it may be, can also be an early symptom of some cancers, although most pain complaints are not from cancer.

Pain that persists and is unexplained needs to be checked out. Expect your physician to take a careful history, and based on that information decide what further testing, if any, is needed.

No. 12: Changes in the Lymph Nodes

If you notice a lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under your armpit or in your neck -- or anywhere else -- it could be worrisome, Linden says.

"If you have a lymph node that gets progressively larger, and it's [been] longer than a month, see a doctor," she says. Your doctor will examine you and figure out any associated issues (such as infection) that could explain the lymph node enlargement.

If there are none, your doctor will typically order a biopsy.

No. 13: Fever

If you have a fever that isn't explained by influenza or other infection, it could point to cancer. Fevers more often occur after cancer has spread from its original site, but it can also point to early blood cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma, according to the American Cancer Society.

Other cancer symptoms can include jaundice, or a change in the color of your stool.

Expect your doctor to conduct a careful physical exam and take a medical history, and then order tests such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or other tests, depending on the findings.

No. 14: Fatigue

Fatigue is another vague symptom that could point to cancer -- as well as a host of other problems. It can set in after the cancer has grown, but it may also occur early in certain cancers, such as leukemia or with some colon or stomach cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.

No. 15: Persistent Cough

Coughs are expected with colds, the flu, allergies, and sometimes are a side effect of medications. But a very prolonged cough -- defined as lasting more than three or four weeks -- should not be ignored, Mishori says.

You would expect your doctor to take a careful history, examine your throat, check out your lung functioning and perhaps order X-rays, especially if you are a smoker.

From:
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/features/15-cancer-symptoms-women-ignore

Lifestyle Changes Cut Breast Cancer Risk

Researchers Say Exercise and Diet May Prevent Some Cases of Breast Cancer

By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

Sept. 3, 2009 -- More than 70,000 breast cancer cases a year in the U.S., or 40% of all cases, could be prevented with lifestyle measures like maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, exercising, and limiting alcohol consumption, a new analysis shows.

The joint project from the nonprofit research groups American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund represents the largest review ever of the research examining lifestyle and breast cancer.

Researchers analyzed nearly 1,000 studies, including 81 conducted since the data were last examined in 2007.

"It is now very clear that lifestyle is a strong modifiable risk factor for breast cancer, but I don't think women have really gotten the message," says Cancer Institute of New Jersey epidemiology professor Elisa Bandera, MD, PhD, who helped write the report.

"Women tend to overestimate the role of genetics in breast cancer and underestimate lifestyle," Bandera tells WebMD. "I don't know how many times I've heard a patient say, 'I can't have breast cancer. Nobody in my family has it.' Women are very concerned about breast cancer, and they need to know they can lower their risk with lifestyle."

Lose Weight to Lower Risk of Breast Cancer

Perhaps the biggest single thing a woman can do to lower her risk, especially after menopause, is maintain a healthy weight.

Obesity is now widely recognized as the most important modifiable risk factor for breast cancer among postmenopausal women, and it also increases a postmenopausal woman's chance of dying from the disease once she has it.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that as many as 18,000 deaths from breast cancer each year in the U.S. could be prevented in women over age 50 by maintaining a healthy weight throughout adulthood.

About three out of four breast cancers in this age group are fueled by the hormone estrogen, which is also produced in fat tissue. Estrogen levels in overweight, postmenopausal women are 50% to 100% higher than among lean women, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Breast cancers also tend to be detected later in overweight women, mainly because tumors are harder to detect with mammography.

The joint report recommends that women stay as lean as possible without being underweight to lower their breast cancer risk.

Other recommendations include:

• Get moving: Women should engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day, every day. According to the National Cancer Institute, women can reduce their risk of dying from breast cancer by 25% if they remain physically active.
• Limit alcohol: Women who drink alcohol should limit their consumption to no more than one drink a day.
• Breastfeed: New mothers should breastfeed their infants exclusively for up to six months and then add other liquids and foods. There is convincing evidence that breastfeeding lowers breast cancer risk.
• Eat healthy foods: The report recommends avoiding junk foods, limiting red meat and salt, and making fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains the mainstays of a healthy diet.

Plant-Based Diet

Nutritionist Colleen Doyle, RD, of the American Cancer Society, tells WebMD that although no single food, food group, or nutrient has been shown to lower breast cancer risk, it is clear that eating a healthy, mostly plant-based diet is protective.

A red meat and processed meat-heavy diet is now known to increase the risk for colorectal cancer, and there is some suggestion that these foods increase breast cancer risk as well.

Doyle says the research attempting to target the role of single foods, food group, or nutrient in breast cancer has largely been a bust.

"Years ago, we recommended limiting all fats and that evolved into limiting saturated fats," she says. "Now we have moved away from specific food-based recommendations to focusing on an overall dietary pattern stressing a wide variety of mostly plant-based foods."

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) also recommends a mostly plant-based diet to lower cancer risk. To promote the idea, the group has developed what it calls the "new American plate" to replace the more traditional meal that has meat as its main component and refined starches as a mainstay.

AICR nutritionist Alice Bender, RD, tells WebMD that at least two-thirds of the "new" plate should be plant based, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, or beans; no more than one-third of any meal should come from animal protein.

"This is an easy way to visualize what a healthy diet should look like," she says. "It's really pretty simple."

All this info taken from the following link:

http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20090903/lifestyle-changes-cut-breast-cancer-risk?ecd=wnl_can_091509

Mouthwash and Oral Cancer

I found this article, and thought it was thought provoking, considering that last night I realized that all my mouthwashes and toothpaste has artificial sweeteners in them:

This article from the following website: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1113422/Mouthwash-causes-oral-cancer-pulled-supermarkets-say-experts.html

Mouthwash 'causes oral cancer' and should be pulled from supermarkets, say experts

By Daniel Martin
Last updated at 1:47 AM on 13th January 2009

• Comments (64)
• Add to My Stories

Mouthwashes can cause oral cancer and should be removed from supermarket shelves, an expert said last night.

There is 'sufficient evidence' that those containing alcohol contribute to increased risk of the disease, according to a review of the latest studies by an Australian scientist.

Professor Michael McCullough, whose findings are published in the Dental Journal of Australia, said some mouthwashes were more dangerous than wine or beer because they contained higher concentrations of alcohol - as high as 26 per cent proof.

The ethanol in mouthwash is thought to allow cancer-causing substances to permeate the lining of the mouth more easily and cause harm.

He said they should only be available with a prescription and for short-term use.

'We see people with oral cancer who have no other risk factors than the use of alcohol-containing mouthwash, so what we've done in this study is review all the evidence that's out there,' he said.

Smoking and alcohol consumption are well-established risk factors in oral cancer which is diagnosed in 5,000 people in the UK each year, and causes 1,600 deaths.

Professor McCullough, from Melbourne University, said the alcohol in mouthwash allows cancer-causing substances such as nicotine to penetrate the lining of the mouth more easily.

And it can mean a toxic breakdown product of alcohol called acetaldehyde - another carcinogen - can accumulate in the oral cavity when swished around the mouth.

The review reported evidence from an international study of 3,210 people which found daily mouthwash use was a 'significant risk factor' for head and neck cancer.

The effects were worst in smokers who had a nine-fold increased risk of cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. Those who drank alcohol had more than five times the risk.

Last night a British Dental Association spokesman said the evidence was 'not conclusive' and more research was needed.

Yinka Ebo, from Cancer Research UK, said: ' Mouthwash users may be more likely to have poor oral hygiene so more research is needed to find out if it's the mouthwash or the poor oral hygiene that increases the risk of mouth cancer.'

A spokesman for Johnson & Johnson, which makes Listerine, dismissed the claim.

He said: 'This small review includes only a selective group of clinical data. Evidence from at least ten epidemiological studies published over the last three decades strongly suggests that use of alcohol-containing rinses does not increase the risk of oral cancer.'

Trader Joe's - Good source of organic, natural products

Recently I went to Trader Joe's and found some products that I thought were a great way to fight cancer by eating healthy and avoiding toxins and chemicals, or "free radicals" which promote the growth and development of cancer. Here are some of my favorites:



Finally, Bacon without Nitrates. Also free of preservatives and MSG.













Heart Healthy, Organic Cereal with Blueberries (anti-oxidants) and fiber, which helps prevent colon cancer.



















Nitrate and Nitrite free, MSG free all natural hot dogs. Avoid unnecessary toxins and free radicals.



















These tasty whole-wheat crackers make a nice addition to soups, or just an easy, healthy snack, with fiber to help prevent colon cancer.




















These all-natural whole-grain corn chips have a nice nutty flavor and are very addictive.


















Dried Blueberries, with no preservatives or artificial chemicals, are one of the highest sources of anti-oxidants that help to fight against cancer.


















This herbal tea gives a double punch of anti-oxidants, with both green tea and blueberries.
















Here is a laundry soap we have tried which is free of phosphates and better for the environment, free of caustic chemicals.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

This from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s9_UrVtc6c

Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to foods.

from the website: http://www.mercola.com/article/aspartame/dangers.htm

Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. It was discovered by accident in 1965 when James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D. Searle Company, was testing an anti-ulcer drug.

Aspartame was approved for dry goods in 1981 and for carbonated beverages in 1983. It was originally approved for dry goods on July 26, 1974, but objections filed by neuroscience researcher Dr John W. Olney and Consumer attorney James Turner in August 1974 as well as investigations of G.D. Searle's research practices caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put approval of aspartame on hold (December 5, 1974). In 1985, Monsanto purchased G.D. Searle and made Searle Pharmaceuticals and The NutraSweet Company separate subsidiaries.

Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death.(1) A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

New drugs could transform cancer treatment

PARP inhibitors appear to destroy disease, small but stunning study shows

From the website: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/31512315/ns/health-womens_health/#storyContinued

Commentary

By Robert Bazell

Chief science and health correspondent

NBC News

updated 3:13 p.m. CT, Wed., June 24, 2009

Robert Bazell Chief science and health correspondent • Profile • E-mail

Just-released research about a new class of drugs called “PARP inhibitors” is the most exciting development in cancer research in a decade or more. In just a few years it could save thousands of lives.

In the longer term, the drugs could represent a transformational approach to understanding and treating several forms of the disease.

All this enthusiasm is based on a small report published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. It focuses on one clinical trial in its earliest stage in 60 patients with breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. Some — but not all — of the patients whose cancers seemed hopeless saw them shrink drastically or disappear. Many avoided the typical side effects — nausea, hair loss — associated with cancer treatment.

Of course, as with any good science, it is not just that one report that generates such excitement. The new research builds on many years of solid basic science and on other clinical trials that are either completed or in progress, which appear to show similarly dramatic reduction of certain breast, ovarian and prostate cancers.

The story of PARP inhibitors began in the early 1990s, when some scientists realized that breast cancer ran in certain families, and that some of the women in those families had an extraordinarily high — as much as a 90 percent lifetime risk — of getting the disease. There was a frantic and well-publicized hunt for the “breast cancer gene.” The hope was that finding the gene could provide crucial information about the cause of breast cancer and how to treat it.

BRCA1, BRCA2 raise risk for breast cancer
In September 1994, scientists from a company called Myriad Genetics and government researchers simultaneously won the race. It turned out there were two genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. As they studied the genes, the researchers learned that they account for between 5 and 10 percent of all breast cancers, as well as a similar percentage of ovarian cancers and prostate cancers in men who are born with the mutated gene.

The immediate result of the gene discovery was that families and individuals at high risk could find out when they were affected. That continues to this day. But for those at risk, the treatment options are limited: surgical removal or close monitoring of the organs that might become cancerous.

Avoid nitrates in foods when possible

From the following website: http://www.thecancerblog.com/2006/06/26/avoid-nitrates-in-foods-when-possible/

Posted Jun 26th 2006 12:25PM by Vicki Blankenship
Filed under: Brain Cancer, Childhood Cancers, Leukemia, Bladder Cancer, Prevention, All Cancers, Esophageal Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Research, Diets, Nutrition, Cancer prevention foods, Teen Cancers

Teach your children the importance of eating healthy and staying away from preserved meats. Yes it is quick and easy to prepare hotdogs or to order pepperoni pizzas when in a pinch for time or you are just too tired and don't feel like cooking a full meal. Parents should be the mentors to their children and set a healthy lifestyle starting with eating habits.

Most preserved meats contain nitrates which are converted into a carcinogen, cancer causing agent, in the body. This includes foods that are typically pink in color like bologna, salami, pepperoni, hotdogs, corned beef, pastrami, bacon, and cured ham.

Historically, nitrates served two purposes: to help prevent the growth of certain bacteria that can cause an outbreak of botulism, a deadly food-borne illness, and to give cured meat a pink color. These nitrates, once added to the meat, would break down over a period of time, forming nitrites. Eventually, nitrites themselves were added directly to the meat to speed up the curing process.

In cooked meats, the time and temperature of the cooking are the critical factors in preventing bacterial growth. In recent years, better production and food storage methods have decreased the potential for food-borne illness. However, nitrites continue to be used in cooked meats to maintain the traditional pink color and cured flavor. Nitrites can contribute to the formation of potentially dangerous carcinogens in the body, which in turn can result in malignant tumor growth over time.

Children are especially susceptible to nitrite poisoning. These carcinogenic compounds have been associated with cancer of the oral cavity, urinary bladder, esophagus, stomach and brain and child leukemia. One study found that children eating more than 12 hot dogs per month have nine times the normal risk of developing childhood leukemia. So take the time to help your children eat right and set good eating habits from the beginning. If you just have that uncontrollable craving for a hot dog, be sure to buy a brand of hot dogs that do not contain nitrates. Or when the pizza craving hits, order a veggie pizza and learn to leave off the pepperoni and ham and other processed meats with nitrates. Learning a healthy diet starting out will decrease the chances of childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart disease also.

How to Prevent Skin Cancer

From the following website:

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/cance1/a/skin_cancer.htm

By Cathy Wong, About.com

Created: June 22, 2009

Skin Cancer Facts

The most common type of cancer, skin cancer strikes one in six Americans. To lower your risk, it's crucial to avoid excess sun exposure. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- when the sun's rays are strongest -- try to stay out of the sun and take to the shade (or in the indoors) as much possible. Dressing in clothing made of tightly woven fabrics, applying a generous amount of broad-spectrum sunblock with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher, and wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat with a brim of at least 4 inches are also essential for shielding your skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.

Skin Cancer Research

While sun safety is the most vital element of skin cancer prevention, certain natural compounds may help boost your skin-cancer defense. Here is a look at several possible skin-protectors.

1) Curcumin

Known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, curcumin (a yellow pigment found in the curry spice turmeric) may help destroy and thwart the growth of melanoma cells, according to preliminary evidence published in 2005.

2) Green Tea

In tests on mice, scientists have found that drinking green tea may stave off the cell division that occurs in the early stages of skin cancer. In a 2005 study, for instance, green tea consumption reduced ultraviolet-light-induced tumor incidence and tumor growth.

Other research suggests that topically applied green tea may also help protect skin from DNA damage caused by UV rays.

3) Milk Thistle

When applied to the skin and used in combination with sunscreen, milk thistle may help aid in skin-cancer prevention, finds a 2005 review of animal-based research. Shown to produce antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulating effects, the herb appears to inhibit several tumor-promoters involved in skin cancer development.

Skin Cancer Symptoms

Remember that many of these studies only offer preliminary evidence. That means that no natural remedy can replace sun protection in the prevention of skin cancer. To keep your skin healthy, check regularly for skin-cancer symptoms (such as new growths or spots, changes in the size or color of an existing mole, or scaliness, oozing, or bleeding) and consult your doctor immediately with any concerns.

8 Great Family-Friendly Foods that Help Fight Cancer

The following article was found on WEB MD http://blogs.webmd.com/health-ehome/2009/06/8-great-family-friendly-foods-that-help.html

by Sheryl Crow

Being diagnosed with cancer was a life changing experience for me, as it is for anyone. One of the most significant shifts has been in the way I look at my body and what I put in it. When I was undergoing radiation, I began working with Nutritionist Rachel Bellar in order to eat foods that would help boost my immune system.

After working with her, I learned how to eat "defensively." I had never understood before how vital food was for protecting the body from sickness and disease. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, serious diseases that are linked to what we eat are the culprits in three out of four American deaths each year. And, recent research estimates that 35% of cancer deaths could be prevented through improved nutrition.

We truly are what we eat and what we put in our bodies matters to our long-term health. Rachel taught me this and I am so grateful to have worked with her. Her in-depth knowledge of how certain foods and spices are vital to promoting wellness throughout the body has become an integral part of my lifestyle after surviving cancer.

Even more importantly, having cancer made me re-think and re-define family - resulting in my greatest joy, my son Wyatt. As parents often joke, kids don't come with instruction manuals. Parenting is a constant challenge of self-education. One thing I do know, though, is that Wyatt is benefiting from what I learned from Rachel. And, I feel like I am giving my son one of the greatest gifts a mother can - the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits.

Here are some of our favorite foods that pack enormous nutritional value (including anti-cancer benefits), and the ways we make them fun and tasty for both of us. Truly, toddler tested, mother approved.

1. Whole Grains

• What to look for: whole grain breads, pastas, brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, etc.
• How to make it: quinoa crusted chicken fingers, whole grain pita personal pizza, steel cut oatmeal cookies, vegetable barley soup

2. Beans

• 

  Photo: pizzodisevo
  What to look for: garbanzo, navy bean, kidney beans, lentils, etc.
• How to make it: hummus (use whole grain pita or raw veggies for dipping), puree navy beans and add to mashed potatoes, black bean nachos

3. Berries

• What to look for: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries
• How to make it: whole grain berry muffins, yogurt berry parfait

4. Tomatoes

• 

  Photo: The Ewan
  What to look for: tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato juice (cooking releases the cancer-fighting lycopene)
• How to make it: pasta and pizza sauce, creamy tomato soup

5. Cruciferous Vegetables

• What to look for: cabbage and members of its family including cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts
• How to make it: steam it and serve warm or cold (in funny shapes for tentative toddlers), also good in stir fry, and soups

6. Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

• What to look for: spinach, romaine lettuce, swiss chard, kale, leaf lettuce
• How to make it: use to wrap favorite cheese or chicken, chiffonade and toss into pasta or pizza sauce, toss into green smoothies

7. Grapes and Grape Juice

• 

  Photo: artslyz
  What to look for: red or purple grapes (the dark colored skin is the main source of nutrition)
• How to make it: Enjoy as is, frozen grapes are a great summer treat (but can be a choking hazard for small children)

8. Walnuts

• What to look for: whole, natural walnuts without additives or preservatives
• How to make it: add walnuts and bananas to oatmeal, crush and toss into pastas and salads, mince and add to muffins and pancakes

However you decide to fix your food, eat a healthy, diverse diet. And remember, real foods, not supplements, are best for your body. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends that at least 2/3 of your plate should be filled with vegetables, fruit, whole grains and beans. Start your children young and let them reap the rewards of healthy eating habits for a lifetime.

Ear Wax, Body Odor: Breast Cancer Link?

Researchers See Clues for Breast Cancer Risk in Underarm Body Odor and Wet Ear Wax

By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

June 5, 2009 -- A variation in a gene already associated with breast cancer risk is also linked with especially unpleasant underarm body odor and wet ear wax, according to a team of Japanese scientists.

The discovery is not meant to make women with either condition anxious, says Toshi Ishikawa, PhD, professor of biomolecular engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the senior author of the study. Rather, he says, "we do strongly hope that our study will provide a new tool for better prediction of breast cancer risk" by using a new method of finding the variation developed by his team.

Having wet ear wax or excessively smelly armpits does not mean a woman is destined to get breast cancer, Ishikawa says. "To be clear, I should strongly mention that the [specific gene variation found to link body odor, wet ear wax, and breast cancer risk] is one factor that increases breast cancer risk," Ishikawa says. "And it might have to work in tandem with something else -- such as environmental factors and mutations of tumor suppressor genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, p53, and so on."

Ishikawa's team extracted DNA from blood samples provided by 124 volunteers at Nagasaki University in Japan.

They studied a gene called ABCC11, discovered by them and others in 2001. Variations in the gene have been found to be associated with increased breast cancer risk. These variations, called SNPs ("snips") or single nucleotide polymorphisms, occur when a single nucleotide or molecule in an individual's genome sequence changes. SNPs are common in the population.

While many SNPs don't affect the way cells function, experts think that other variations may predispose people to specific diseases such as cancer or affect the way they respond to a medication.

In this study, Ishikawa monitored the activities of a protein created by the ABCC11 gene, finding a distinct link between the ABCC11 gene and having extremely smelly underarm odor and wet, sticky earwax.

Then they figured out the cellular mechanisms that control wet ear wax, excessively bad underarm odor, and breast cancer risk.

They developed a rapid method of typing this SNP in the DNA sequence associated with the higher risk for the three conditions. It can be done in 30 minutes.

The study is published in The FASEB Journal.

Armpits, Ear Wax, and Breast Cancer

Women shouldn't get anxious about the research, says Christy Russell, MD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, who reviewed the study for WebMD. "At this point the research is very early and women should not be concerned about body odor or earwax as a clue that they may have a higher risk of breast cancer."

"Having ear wax and body odor are normal physical processes that all women go through," she says.

To put the research in perspective, she says, the researchers are looking for common gene abnormalities in glands that secrete mucus, sweat, or wax that may be linked with breast cancer risk.

The researchers managed to figure out the exact cellular level mechanisms which lead to all three conditions, says Gerald Weissmann, MD, editor-in-chief of The FASEB Journal and research professor of medicine and director of the Biotechnology Study Center at New York University.

"I think this is a groundbreaking study which combines human genetics, human anthropology, and first-rate molecular and cell biology," he says. The development of the rapid SNP typing method, he says, promises to help predict who might be at higher risk for serious conditions such as cancer by looking at "trivial observations such as smelly armpits and wet ear wax."

This information was taken from the following website: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20090605/ear-wax-body-odor-breast-cancer-link?ecd=wnl_can_062309

Preventative Medicine

Prevention is the best aresenal in winning the battle our society is facing against cancer today. Recently I found out about a doctor in the St. Louis area who is practicing preventative medicine that at least three friends have said has changed their lives. Several of these people have had cancer. Here is the website:

Although her website does not list cancer treatment as one of its specialties, I have heard she is a favorite for some cancer patients. Among their listed specialties are allergies, diabetes, candidiasis, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, digestive disorders, depression, heart disease, hormonal imbalances, mood disorders, thyroid disorders, weight issues and women's health.

http://www.preventivemedicinestl.com/index.php

Breakthrough

Recently someone told me their doctor recommended this book by Suzanne Somers, which documents, as her website states:

"interviews with the most progressive doctors in the field of antiaging medicine, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author and trusted health advocate Suzanne Somers uncovers enlightening, lifesaving information. Spending the time that you just won't have with your own doctor in today's challenged medical environment, she shares the 8 STEPS TO WELLNESS formed from the extensive research she's done with these physicians practicing "Breakthrough" medicine.

Discover how to:
Balance hormones through bioidentical (not synthetic, cancer-causing) hormone replacement
Fix thyroid problems
Sleep 8 to 9 hours each night without drugs
Improve memory
Detect diabetes early
Prevent and manage cancer
Restore hearing
Preserve eyesight
And much more!"

This book can be ordered from her website at:

http://www.suzannesomers.com/Product2.aspx?ProductId=1867&CategoryId=8

I hope to get a hold of a copy of this book and read about it. I have heard some good things about it, though I know that some of the information on biodentical hormones is controversial. I hope to research this topic some more.

Focus on Breast Cancer

Several weeks ago the Oprah show featured Dr. McAndrew, who gave some helpful information about Breast Cancer. Here are some of the highlights of what she said on the show:

Most breast cancers are not inherited, but if there is a gene or family history, there is a risk.

The lifetime chance of getting breast cancer is 87% in those who carry the breast cancer gene BRCA Mutation.

The lifetime chance of getting ovarian cancer is 40% with this gene.

Someone who doesn’t have the gene, and gets it in one breast, has a 2-10% chance of getting it in the second breast.

For those who have dense breast, a mamogram may not be enough to find breast cancer. A breast MRI is the method of choice. Insurance doesn’t pay usually. In dense breasts it is harder to see what is going on. When you go in for your mammogram, your radiologist can tell you if you have dense breasts or not. Women of all ages and all sizes can have dense breasts. The MRI however will miss certain things, so it is good to use all methods, including self-exam and mammograms. Mammograms can pick up on calcifications.

You should get yearly mammograms starting around the age of 35-40.

Some women should consider an MRI, using 3-d:

1) If you carry the gene

2) If you have dense breasts

3) If you had radiation to your chest as a teenager

4) If you ever had silicon breast implants

Ultrasound is used if they cannot see well on the mammogram.

It is important to be your own advocate.

1of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Of those, around 70% will not have a historyof breast cancer. 85% of those will still be alive after 10 years.

One of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk besides getting annual checkups is to make important changes in your diet:

Lifestyle issues: 25% reduction in cancer spreading on low-fat diet.

Exercise has decreased risk of developing it.

There is an increased risk of breast cancer around pregnancy. The later in life the pregnancy, the higher the risk. When pregnant, breasts change anyway, so it is confusing. Examine breasts regularly during pregnancy, note any changes in lumps and present these changes to your doctor.

Increased risk around pregnancy, the later, the higher risk.

To listen to the aftershow, go to the following website:

http://www.oprah.com/media/20080911_tows_ats

Mayo Clinic's recommendations

Cancer prevention: 7 steps to reduce your risk

Small changes in your everyday life might help reduce your risk of cancer.

By Mayo Clinic staff

You've probably heard conflicting reports in the news about what can or can't help you in terms of cancer prevention. The issue of cancer prevention gets confusing — sometimes what's recommended in one report is advised against in another. What you can be sure of when it comes to cancer prevention is that making small changes to your everyday life might help reduce your chances of getting cancer. Try these seven cancer prevention steps.

Cancer prevention step 1: Don't use tobacco

All types of tobacco put you on a collision course with cancer. Rejecting tobacco, or deciding to stop using it, is one of the most important health decisions you can make. It's also an important part of cancer prevention.

Smoking has been linked to several types of cancer, including:

• Bladder
• Cervix
• Esophagus
• Kidney
• Lip
• Lung
• Mouth
• Pancreas
• Throat
• Voice box (larynx)

Chewing tobacco has been linked to multiple types of cancer, including:

• Esophagus
• Mouth
• Pancreas
• Throat

Inhaled chewing tobacco (snuff) may increase the risk of cancers, including:

• Esophagus
• Mouth

Even if you don't smoke, avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Being around others who are smoking may increase your risk of lung cancer.

Cancer prevention step 2: Eat a variety of healthy foods

Though making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime can't guarantee you won't get cancer, it may help reduce your risk.

The American Cancer Society recommends that you:

• Eat an abundance of foods from plant-based sources. Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. In addition, eat other foods from plant sources, such as whole grains and beans, several times a day. Replacing high-calorie foods in your diet with fruits and vegetables may help you lose weight or maintain your weight. A diet high in fruits and vegetables has been linked to a reduced risk of cancers of the colon, esophagus, lung and stomach.
• Limit fat. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-fat foods, particularly those from animal sources. High-fat diets tend to be higher in calories and may increase the risk of overweight or obesity, which can, in turn, increase cancer risk.
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Your risk of cancers, including mouth, throat, esophagus, kidney, liver and breast cancers, increases with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you've been drinking regularly. Even a moderate amount of drinking — two drinks a day if you're a man or one drink a day if you're a woman, and one drink a day regardless of your sex if you're over 65 — may increase your risk.

Cancer prevention step 3: Stay active and maintain a healthy weight

Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly also may play a role in cancer prevention. Being overweight or obese may increase your risk of cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, stomach and uterus. Physical activity can help you avoid obesity by controlling your weight. Physical activity on its own may also lower your risk of cancers of the breast, colon, prostate and uterus.

Try to be physically active for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week. Once you achieve that goal, adding more exercise to your day may reduce your risk of certain cancers further.

Your exercise sessions can include such low-key activities as brisk walking, raking the yard or even ballroom dancing. Safe exercise programs are available for just about everyone. Your doctor or physical therapist can help design one for you.

Cancer prevention step 4: Protect yourself from the sun

Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer — and one of the most preventable. Although repeated exposure to X-rays or contact with certain chemicals can play a role, sun exposure is by far the most common cause of skin cancer.

Most skin cancer occurs on exposed parts of your body, including your face, hands, forearms and ears. Nearly all skin cancer is treatable if you detect it early, but it's better to prevent it in the first place. Try these tips:

• Avoid peak radiation hours. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Minimize or avoid being outside during these hours.
• Stay in the shade. If you go outside, minimize your sun exposure by staying in the shade.
• Cover exposed areas. Wear light-colored, loosefitting clothing that protects you from the sun's rays. Use tightly woven fabrics that cover your arms and legs, and wear a broad-brimmed hat that covers your head and ears.
• Don't skimp on sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
• Don't use indoor tanning beds or sunlamps. These also can damage your skin. There's no such thing as a healthy tan.

Cancer prevention step 5: Get immunized

Certain cancers are associated with viral infections that can be prevented with immunizations. Talk to your doctor about immunization against:

• Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can increase your risk of developing liver cancer. Vaccination is recommended for all babies in the United States. Certain high-risk adults also may need to be vaccinated.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to cervical cancer. The vaccine that protects against two cancer-causing types of HPV is recommended for girls ages 11 to 12. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the HPV vaccine be given to girls and women ages 13 to 26 who haven't completed the full vaccine series.

Talk to your doctor about whether you would benefit from immunizations to reduce your risk of cancer.

Cancer prevention step 6: Avoid risky behaviors

Reduce your risk of certain cancers by avoiding risky behaviors that can lead to infections that may increase your risk of cancer. Viruses transmitted sexually or by sharing contaminated needles include:

• HPV. HPV is most often associated with cervical cancer. But HPV may also increase the risk of cancers of the anus, penis, throat, vulva and vagina. The more sexual partners you have in your lifetime, the more likely you are to have HPV.
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). People with HIV or AIDS have an increased risk of anal cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma. People with multiple sexual partners and intravenous (IV) drug users who share needles have an increased risk of HIV.
• Hepatitis B and C. Chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection can increase your risk of liver cancer. Both forms of hepatitis can be passed through sexual contact with an infected person or sharing needles with an infected drug user.

Reduce your risk of these cancers by avoiding risky behaviors. Abstain from sex or use condoms and limit the number of sexual partners you have. Never share needles. Seek help for your addiction if you use drugs.

Cancer prevention step 7: Get screened

Regular screening and self-examination for certain cancers may not prevent cancer, but it can increase your chances of discovering cancer early — when treatment is more likely to be successful. Screening should include your skin, mouth, colon and rectum. If you're a man, it should also include your prostate and testes. If you're a woman, include cervix and breast cancer screening on your list. Be aware of changes in your body — this may help you detect cancer early, increasing your chances of successful treatment. If you notice any changes, see your doctor.

This information was taken from the Mayo Clinic Website at:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer-prevention/CA00024/NSECTIONGROUP=2

Can Plastic Water Bottles Cause Cancer?

The Birmingham News (Alabama) featured this article in January, 2009 discussing the kinds of plastics that are potentially harmful:

Animal research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is resurrecting cancer concerns about a plastic additive commonly used in consumer products, including baby bottles, water bottles and the linings of cans.

Coral A. Lamartiniere, a top toxicologist and senior scientist at UAB's Comprehensive Cancer Center, said low levels of bisphenol-A, BPA, given orally to rodents caused tumors and genetic changes consistent with early stages of cancer growth.

Much of the research, performed over the past six years, is being prepared for review and publication, but a key paper on BPA was published last week in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

"The inference here is this compound could predispose humans toward breast cancer," said Lamartiniere, who led the study.

The U.S. National Toxicology Program raised public concern about BPA on April 14, reporting that high dose levels of the compound created health hazards in laboratory animals. The agency said some concern was warranted for human fetuses, children and girls approaching puberty.

But the agency noted that the threat was only possible and not certain. Critical evidence was missing, including good studies showing the impact of low doses of BPA on lab animals and humans, the agency reported.

Shortly thereafter, the Food and Drug Administration reassured the public that products containing BPA were safe, but noted that alternative products without BPA were available.

In testimony before Congress in May, the spokesman for the American Chemistry Council, an industry organization, said only traces of BPA could be found in products, and the compound has been used for decades and widely studied for safety.

"Recent media attention has created public concern and confusion about some of these chemicals," Steven G. Hentges, a scientist with the council, told a Senate subcommittee.

Lamartiniere said there was no doubt about his study results, and animals were tested at concentrations of BPA similar to exposures experienced by people.

"In fact, it's below the concentration that the EPA deems safe," he said. "With BPA we're finding changes that are consistent with oncogenisis, or cancer causation."

In the study published last week, Lamartiniere and colleagues gave female rats with nursing litters oral doses of BPA. The result: The baby rats matured with higher levels of breast cancer.

Beyond cancer
The issue of plastic additives and health goes far beyond cancer, and into a new scientific frontier created by technology allowing researchers to view genetic changes caused by chemicals.

"It's amazing how every compound has a genetic signature," said Dr. Jose Russo of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, a close colleague of Lamartiniere and co-author of the paper published last week.

The research is the product of an ongoing, multisite study originally conceived to find causes of breast cancer and funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Cancer Institute.

Russo said researchers are looking at two types of plastic additives that have raised red flags in animal studies - phenols and phthalates.

BPA is a phenol, and researchers suspect that girls exposed to these compounds before puberty could become more susceptible to breast cancer. Hormonal activity later in life - during puberty, pregnancy or menopause - may trigger this susceptibility.

Researchers suspect phthalates may cause genetic changes in girls that predispose them to obesity.

The research is far from conclusive.

"We need to be very careful," Russo said. "Don't go crazy."

Russo said human studies are under way in New York, Ohio and California that should produce more definitive results about relative risks.

Data likely in 2 years
In one of those studies, Dr. Frank M. Biro of Cincinnati Children's Hospital said his team of researchers has recruited 378 young girls in the Cincinnati area. The girls have been tested for exposure to phenols and phthalates. Researchers have also tested the girls for exposure to phytoestrogens - natural compounds that occur in plants such as soy and also are believed to cause changes in hormonal cycles.

"We're looking for girls with a particular exposure profile," Biro said.

Using cutting-edge genetic technology, Biro plans to compare girls with little or no exposure to any of these compounds to girls with heavy exposures.

"Our hypothesis is there are certain genes that get turned on earlier, that get turned on harder," he said. "So it's either a time issue or a strength issue."

As Biro's work progresses, Lamartiniere intends to compare the genetic profiles of the girls with the genetic profiles of the exposed lab animals and see whether there is a connection.

Biro believes his team will have meaningful results from the research in two years, although he has examined some early data.

"Give our studies another couple years and there is going to be conviction about some of these chemicals," he said. "We may not have the definitive answers, but we'll be able to ask better questions."

This article can be found at:

http://blog.al.com/living-news/2009/01/

do_common_plastics_raise_cance.html

I did some research into non-plastic water bottles, and it seems there are a plethora out there of choices which are BPA-free. I found the cheapest ones so far at Target. Here is a picture:

There are also several online at a very low cost at this site:

http://www.ameripromo.com/bpafree-water-bottles-lp.html?
gclid=CP_Ts5yN_poCFSQMDQodeEoGew


For BPA-free Baby products, here is a good link:

http://safemama.com/2007/11/22/
bpa-free-bottle-and-sippy-cup-cheat-sheet/