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/

Does an oxygen rich environment help prevent cancer?

I recently read an article on the internet that mentioned that a high oxygen environment could help to prevent cancer, and certain foods can hinder the delivery of oxygen to the cells. Can an oxygen rich environment help to prevent cancer? According to Johns Hopkins, the answer is no. Interestingly I found this article on the internet, responding to an email hoax, in which this, and other "cancer myths" were addressed. I found it really helpful. The article can be found at the Johns Hopkins Medicine Website: http://www.hopkinskimmelcancercenter.org/index.cfm/cID/1684/mpage/item.cfm/itemID/1016

Here are some excerpts from the article:

"STATEMENT: EMAIL HOAX REGARDING CANCER

Information falsely attributed to Johns Hopkins called, "CANCER UPDATE FROM JOHN HOPKINS" describes properties of cancer cells and suggests ways of preventing cancer. Johns Hopkins did not publish the information, which often is an email attachment, nor do we endorse its contents. The email also contains an incorrect spelling of our institution as "John" Hopkins; whereas, the correct spelling is "Johns" Hopkins. For more information about cancer, please read the information on our web site or visit the National Cancer Institute's web site at www.cancer.gov. Please help combat the spread of this hoax by letting others know of this statement.

Another hoax email that has been circulating since 2004 regarding plastic containers, bottles, wrap claiming that heat releases dioxins which cause cancer also was not published by Johns Hopkins. More information from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The Truth about the “Cancer Update” Email

It has become such a problem, that the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and individual cancer centers like the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have posted warnings on their Web sites. Emails offering easy remedies for avoiding and curing cancer are the latest Web-influenced trend. To gain credibility, the anonymous authors falsely attribute their work to respected research institutions like Johns Hopkins. This is the case with the so-called “Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins.”

The gist of this viral email is that cancer therapies of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy do not work against the disease and people should instead choose a variety of dietary strategies.

Traditional therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, work. The evidence is the millions of cancer survivors in the United States today who are alive because of these therapies. We recognize that treatments don’t work in every patient, or sometimes work for awhile and then stop working, and there are some cancers that are more difficult to cure than others. These problems are the focus of ongoing cancer research.

We’ll go through each statement in the email hoax and provide real responses from Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center experts.

Email hoax contentions #1 and 2: Everyone Has Cancer Cells

Cancer is a genetic disease resulting from a variety of mutations and alterations either inherited from our parents or, more commonly, acquired over time due to environmental exposures and behaviors, such as smoking and poor diet. These alterations turn off important cell growth regulators allowing cells to continually divide unchecked, explains Luis Diaz, a clinician-scientist in Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics. This type of cell is called a malignant or cancer cell. Among the trillions of cells in the human body, inevitably everyone has some abnormal or atypical cells that possess some of the characteristics of cancer cells, most resolve themselves and never result in cancer, says Diaz.

There is no single or standard test for cancer. There are ways to screen for certain cancers with tests such as colonoscopy for colon cancer, mammography for breast cancer, PSA for prostate cancer, and the Pap smear for cervical cancer, and these tests can detect cancers in a very early and curable stage. For many cancers, there currently are no screening tests, and they are diagnosed when they begin to cause symptoms.

Diaz and other Kimmel Cancer Center researchers are working on new tests that detect abnormal DNA shed by cancer cells into blood and body fluids and have the ability to find cancers before they cause any symptoms. Approaches like this could lead to a broad-based screening test for cancer.

Tests like these also are being used to detect cancer recurrences and malignant cells left behind following surgery, and can find cancers that are not detectable under the microscope or in x-rays.

Other researchers are studying cancer stem cells. They are stealth cells that make up just a tiny fraction of a tumor. While small in number, investigators believe they may be the cells that drive certain cancers and lead to cancer recurrence. Therapies that target these cells are now being tested in clinical trials.

A team of our breast cancer researchers has developed a method that could make it possible to detect breast cancer from the DNA contained in a single drop of blood.

But, while evasive cancer cells are a challenge and the focus of ongoing research, it does not mean, as the email contends, that all patients, even those treated successfully for cancer, have cancers-in-waiting—undetectable but still there. People are treated and completely cured of cancer everyday.

Email hoax contention #3: A Strong Immune System Destroys Cancer

When it comes to cancer and the immune system, it is not a matter of strong or weak as the fictional report contends, but rather an issue of recognition. The immune system simply does not recognize cancer. In its complexity, the cancer cell has learned to disguise itself to the immune system as a normal cell. Infected cells send out danger signals setting the immune system in action. Cancer cells do not, explains Elizabeth Jaffee, co-director of cancer immunology and leading expert on cancer and the immune system. By deciphering the methods cancer cells use to make them invisible to the immune system, Jaffee and team have developed cancer vaccines that have successfully triggered immune reactions against prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.

Email hoax contention #4 and #5: Cancer is caused by Nutritional Deficiencies and Supplements Will Correct Them

Dietary habits and lifestyle choices, such as smoking, contribute to the development of many human cancers, says Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson. Our experts recommend a balanced diet (see response #11) as a way of reducing cancer risk. In terms of supplements, Nelson points out that while they may help mediate vitamin deficiencies, taking doses above what the body needs provides no added benefit.

Email hoax contentions #6, 7, 8, 9, and 10: Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Harms Normal Cells. Surgery Causes Cancer to Spread

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy kills cancer cells with remarkable selectivity, says Nelson. There are some temporary and reversible side effects common to cancer therapies, including hair loss and low blood counts. Limiting and managing these side effects is an integral part of treatment.

Surgery is the first line of treatment for many types of cancer. It does not cause cancer to spread. Cancers spread to other tissues and organs as a tumor progresses and cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel through the bloodstream to other body sites.

Email hoax contentions #11, 12, 13, and 14: Cancers Feed on Certain Foods

The premise is that cancer cells feed on certain foods, and if a person refrains from eating these foods, the cancer will die. According to our experts, a poor diet and obesity associated with a poor diet is a risk factor for the development of cancer. However, there is no evidence that certain foods alter the environment of an existing cancer, at the cellular level, and cause it to either die or grow.

While there is such a thing as tumors that produce mucus, the mucus made by a tumor does not result from drinking milk. And, eating less meat, while a good choice for cancer prevention, does not free up enzymes to attack cancer cells, explains cancer prevention and control expert Elizabeth Platz.

Moderation is key, says Platz. As part of a balanced diet, sugar, salt, milk, coffee, tea, meat, and chocolate—the foods the “Update” calls into question—are all safe choices, she says. The real concern with many of these, particularly sugar, is that it adds calories to a diet and can lead to obesity, and obesity is a major risk factor for cancer. A balanced nutritious diet, healthy weight, physical activity, and avoiding alcoholic drinks may prevent as many as 1/3 of all cancers. Platz recommends eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day and limiting red and processed meats, like hot dogs.

Several Johns Hopkins experts participated in the World Cancer Research Fund - American Institute for Cancer Research report Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective, published in November 2007, which is considered by cancer prevention experts to be an authoritative source of information on diet, physical activity and cancer. Their recommendations for cancer prevention and for good health in general are:
1. Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight.
2. Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day.
3. Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods (particularly processed foods high in added sugar, or low in fiber, or high in fat).
4. Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes such as beans.
5. Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats.
6. If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to 2 for men and 1 for women a day.
7. Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium).
8. Don't use supplements to protect against cancer.
Our experts recommend that people meet their nutritional needs through their food choices. While vitamin supplements can be helpful in people with nutritional deficiencies, evidence suggests that supplementation above what the body can use provides no added health benefit.

Email hoax contention #15: Cancer is a Disease of Mind, Body, and Spirit

Cancer is a disease caused by genetic alterations. Many times, these alterations occur through our own behaviors—cigarette smoking, a poor and unbalanced diet, virus exposures, and sunburns, says cancer prevention and control expert John Groopman.

How stress, faith, and other factors influence this is largely unknown. We would like people to be happy, loving, and stress free, simply because it is a nice way to live and can contribute to an overall feeling of well being, says Platz. There is no evidence, however, that a person prevents or causes cancer based on his or her state of mind.

Still, we understand that a cancer diagnosis can make patients and families feel stressed and anxious, and these are not pleasant feelings. So, we offer extensive patient and family services, including a cancer counseling center, pain and palliative care program, chaplain services and a meditation chapel, an image recovery center, and the Art of Healing art and music program.

Email hoax contention #16: Oxygen Kills Cancer Cells

Platz recommends regular exercise as a part of any healthy lifestyle, but says there is no evidence that breathing deeply or receiving oxygen therapy prevents cancer.

On its Web site, the American Cancer Society includes the following statement about oxygen therapy, “Available scientific evidence does not support claims that putting oxygen-releasing chemicals into a person's body is effective in treating cancer. It may even be dangerous. There have been reports of patient deaths from this method.” Read more

Please pass this information on to family and friends."

Questions?
Contact: Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center
Office of Public Affairs
410-955-1287

Common Chemicals Linked to Cancer

Here is what MedicineNet.com says about some common chemicals linked to cancer:

"People who have certain jobs (such as painters, construction workers, and those in the chemical industry) have an increased risk of cancer. Many studies have shown that exposure to asbestos, benzene, benzidine, cadmium, nickel, or vinyl chloride in the workplace can cause cancer. Follow instructions and safety tips to avoid or reduce contact with harmful substances both at work and at home. Although the risk is highest for workers with years of exposure, it makes sense to be careful at home when handling pesticides, used engine oil, paint, solvents, and other chemicals." (MedicineNet.com, "Cancer Risk Factors: certain chemicals and other substances" http://www.medicinenet.com/cancer_causes/article.htm )

Because of this, it is important when working with paint to work in a well-ventilated room. Opening windows, and airing out the house after painting can help. Take a day or two away from home after painting.

Artificial Sweeteners and Cancer

For years I have been concerned about the overuse of artificial sweeteners. In nursing school over 22 years ago I remember learning about the dangers of sorbitol causing the clogging of small blood vessels and damaging nerves, particularly dangerous in diabetics, possibly leading to the loss of toes, vision loss and kidney damage. Since then I have avoided them. Recent studies have confirmed that there is link between several artificial sweeteners and cancer. Here is an article from the National Cancer Institute regarding the research on this topic:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/artificial-sweeteners

Because fiber is useful in helping to prevent colon cancer (not to mention useful in preventing and treating constipation), I began trying out different fiber cereals and fiber products to see what was the most helpful. In doing so, I was quite alarmed to find that many fiber cereals contain artificial sweeteners. I also found that most fiber laxatives did as well. Buyer beware! Please read the labels! Look for saccharin, aspartame, and sorbitol in particular. So far Splenda, Acesulfame potassium, Sucralose, and Neotame have not been linked to cancer, but I am still avoiding them.

Of all the fiber laxative powders that are out there, I have found Benefiber, made entirely of gluten-free wheat dextrin, to be the most gentle on my body, without using artificial sweeteners. The only disadvantage to it is that it seems that I have to use more of it to get the benefit, but that is a small price to pay for the good results and the reduced risk.

Chlorine poses cancer risk

According to a study at Harvard University and the Medical College of Wisconsin, chlorinated drinking water has been linked to small increases in the rates of rectal and bladder cancer. To view the full article published by the New York Times, go to this link.
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/01/us/tiny-cancer-risk-in-chlorinated-water.html

Because of this risk, you may consider using a water filter which removes chlorine from drinking water. The British Berkefeld filter claims to remove chlorine as well as other toxins from drinking water. You can find one of their popular filters at this site:

http://www.readymaderesources.com/cart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=516

Not only is consuming chlorine a risk, but chlorine gas which is released from hot, running water can also be a risk to your health.

Another source of exposure to chlorine gas is in cleaning products. The Melaleuca company offers a line of eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning products, called "Eco Sense" which use natural products to disinfect and clean, and are free of chlorine, ammonia and phosphates. To learn more about their products, go to their link at:

http://www.saferforyourhome.com/

Do bras and deodorant cause breast cancer?

This has been an nagging question that I have heard debated over the years. I found a really good article on the topic at heath.com. Below is the link you can got to check out what they say. At one time I had heard that using deodorants/anti-perspirants that have aluminum in them can increase your risk of developing alzheimers (that would include other uses of aluminum as well, including aluminum foil, and baking powder, which has aluminum in it). Whether or not there is any evidence for this, I did find a deodorant that uses no aluminum and works pretty well. It is called "Simply Basic", made in Canada, and distributed by Wal-Mart.

Here is the link to the article on bras and deodorant:

http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/07/16/breast-cancer-scares/?pkw=PSHEGLIM080708CNND1660&partner=yes&gclid=CMb51OTe_ZoCFSQeDQodD3gbfA

Cancer Alert Blog

After having three thyroid tumors removed in 2004 which my doctor said could have turned cancerous, I have become increasingly interested in finding ways to live healthier and prevent cancer. Over the past 10 years I have become alarmed at the increasing number of my friends who have been diagnosed with cancer. I remember a day when this was just not the case. Now it seems everwhere you turn cancer is on the rise. Over the past several years several of my friends and I have shared things we have heard about cancer causes and prevention, a topic which is rapidly gaining attention in the media as well. I decided to start this blog to document some of the research and information that I have found regarding cancer causes, prevention and treatment, compiling it all in one place so as to make it easier to share with my friends and others. I cannot verify all of the information I find, but rather want to at least make it available for consideration to those who seek like I do improve the quality of our lives, increase our chances of longevity and to make their this world a safer place for all of us to live.