Category: Cancer

Stress Can Reduce Effectiveness of Cancer Treatments

Image courtesy of NOAA.gov

Physical or mental stress in the days before a cancer treatment can actually hinder a patient’s ability to respond to chemotherapy or radiation.

When the body undergoes stress (even just from strenuous exercise) in the days leading up to treatment a certain stress-sensitive protein becomes active.  Researchers have found that this protein actually helps the cancer cells adapt and survive.

Scientists first became aware of this protein, heat shock factor-1 when they found that it could help heart tissue survive even in a toxic environment.  In this case, it is actually working against the body and allowing cancer cells to live on.

The study appears online in the journal Molecular Cancer Research.

Source: Science Daily.

Reducing stress is vital to all aspects of your health.  Have a look at out Vision Wellness Protocol for tips on how to preserve your sight and enjoy overall health.

Diabetes Drug Can Cause Bladder Cancer According to FDA

capsules and pills
Image courtesy of Iowa.gov

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is examining a potential link between the diabetes drug Actos or pioglitazone and an increased risk of bladder cancer.  Patients who have taken this medication to help control their type 2 diabetes for more than two years have an elevated risk of developing cancer of the bladder, but the FDA did not announce how great this risk might be.  They have not gone so far as to tell doctors to stop prescribing it or recommending that patients stop taking it.

Learn more about the symptoms and causes of diabetes mellitus and natural diabetes treatment options.

Breast Cancer Drug Can Cause Eye Problems

The breast cancer drug tamoxifen may lead to eye problems in women over age fifty.   An article in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment reported that the drug can cause physical changes to the eye itself, specifically by shrinking the optic cup. The optic cup is the depression in the eye nearest to where the optic nerve exits on its way to the brain.   A previous study had indicated that about 13% of tamoxifen users report vision changes.

Lead study author Alvin Eisner, PhD told Medscape: “Clinicians need to be aware that if patients on tamoxifen are complaining of vision problems, these concerns need to be taken seriously.”

Source: Medscape

DHA / Painkillers Destroy Cancer Cells

Researchers have recently discovered that the omega-3 fatty acid DHA can kill cancer cells while babies are in vitro.

Scientists tested the effect of DHA on cultured neuroblastoma cells (common cells associated with infancy and childhood cancers) and analyzed them for DHA’s metabolic byproducts. They found that while DHA itself destroyed the cancer cells, the fatty acid’s derivatives were even more effective at killing these cells.

According to Life Extension Magazine, “The current study and previous research show that while DHA has been demonstrated to help protect neural cells from stress-induced apoptosis (programmed cell death), it also induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells.” Study author Helena Gleissman PhD says “We hope that this study can provide a deeper understanding of the actions of omega-3 fatty acids and their products in cancer cells, and why they can be of such high importance in treatment of the disease.”

Source: lef.org

Painkillers

Researchers report that common pain killers such as aspirin may be connected to cancer cells self-destruction.

They report that the connection between taking anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and lower occurences of some  cancers caused them to investigate how one such drug, which is used to treat fever and pain, could have the effect of causing the death of cancer cells.

Researchers:  Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif

Cancer Risk Increased For Talcum Powder Users

The jury is still out on the extent of the connection between talcum powder and cancer, but the American Cancer society says “there is some suggestion of an increase in ovarian cancer risk” in talcum powder user.

Talcum powder is produced from talc, a magnesium trisilicate mineral, which in its natural form may contain the carcinogen asbestos, but since 1973.

A study of women using talc containing products showed that 50% to 90% higher risk of developing certain types of ovarian cancer. Another study published in 2000 found no effect on ovarian cancer overall but a 40% increase risk in one type — invasive serous cancers.  In 2003, analysis of 16 studies on the connection found a 33% increase in ovarian risk among talc users.

The American Cancer Society advises that “people who use powder may wish to consider avoiding these products or substituting cornstarch-based powders that contain no talc. There is no evidence at present linking cornstarch powders with any form of cancer.”

Household cleaners linked to breast cancer

Study shows breast-cancer risk was highest among women who reported the most use of cleaning products and air fresheners, and was double the risk for those who reported low use of the products.

The Cape Cod Breast Cancer & Environment Study assessed the health of women in Massachusetts and found a likely link between home cleaning products and air fresheners use and breast cancer.  The researchers determined that the risk of breast cancer was highest in those women who used the products the most:  double the risk of women who used such products infrequently.

Editor’s Note: We recommend using natural house cleaners and air fresheners as these are free from chemicals and potentially hazardous products. You can get these online or at your health food store. Other natural cleaners include Murphy’s and Dr. Bronner’s cleaners which may be available in your supermarket.  Even better, and far more economically, you can use baking soda and white vinegar for almost all cleaning tasks.  Here’s a great article on cleaning your home with baking soda, white vinegar and lemon.

 

Cell Phones, Airport Scanners & Radiation Exposure

People who use cell phones for at least half an hour every day over many years (ie, 10 years) have more than 33% chance of developing malignant tumors in the brain, according to a landmark 2010 study from the World Health Organization. (reported by the New York Times)

Researchers  examined the amount of radio frequency (RF) exposure cell phone users undergo in various scenarios. The findings, published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, show that older analog technology produced the highest RF levels.  Of the various digital communications networks used by cell phones CDMA networks had the lowest RF (major carriers include Sprint PCS, Verizon and Virgin Mobile) while with GSM (AT&T and T-Mobile) and TDMA  (major US carriers have left this system)  showing similar intermediate levels. Generally users are exposed to higher RF power output in rural areas.

Source: http://www.nature.com

Radiofrequency is a form of electromagnetic radiation.  The National Cancer Institute states that there is no known links between cancer risk and RF, but research is still ongoing.

Source: http://www.cancer.gov

While the debate continues, the Environmental Working Group, based in Washington, says it makes sense to chose a cellphone or wireless device with low radiation. They published a report on Cell Phones and Radiation Exposure and recommends specific makes and models.

Radiation and Airport Security Scanners

Researchers have determined that the airport security full-body scans with machines made by Rapiscan Inc. do expose the body to high levels of radiation that may contribute to cancer and other health conditions.

The travelers who are the most vulnerable are the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weak immune systems.

It should be noted that the amount of radiation exposure is no more than that received by two minutes flying at cruising altitude.  Nonetheless, those who don’t want to be screened may request a full body pat-down instead.

Researchers: University of California, San Francisco

 

Zinc, inflammation & oxidative stress

An article published in the June, 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition describes a clinical trial involving older men and women which found reductions in markers of oxidative stress and inflammation among those who supplemented with zinc.

A 2010  clinical trial looked at indicators of oxidative stress and inflammation in elders which found reductions among the subjects who supplemented with zinc.  These two factors – oxidative stress caused by free radicals and inflammation – are considered risk factors for coronary artery disease.  Zinc deficiencies have been noted for this condition as well as for rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and various cancers.

Editor’s note: There are a range of essential nutrients that reduce oxidative stress in the body and can help reduce inflammation including glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and alpha lipoic acid for example. Green leafy vegetables contain a great range of antioxidants that have excellent anti-inflammatory properties. as well.

When supplementing with zinc, copper should also be taken. The proper ratio of zinc:copper is 15:1.

Published: June, 2010,  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

 

Indoor Tanning beds = Eye & Skin Cancer

After studying more than 2,200 tanners and their pale peers, scientists report that regular indoor tanning raised a person’s risk of melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, between 74 percent and 340 percent.

Eye Cancer

Researchers report that using popular tanning beds to get a tan in the winter or without being out in the sun raised the risk of melanoma by 4 times – the range was from 74% to 240% higher risk.  This determination was found after studying the health condition of  more than 2,200 people who regularly use tanning beds.  Unsurprisingly, those people who used the tanning beds the most and for the longest time had the highest risk.  Similarly, those people who used tanning beds employing UVA rather than UVB radiation had the highest risk.

Source:  cebp.aacrjournals.org

Skin Cancer

There has been earlier research indicating that tanning beds, especially those using UVA rather than UVB light are tied to skin cancer.  New research indicates that this UV exposure also is tied to eye cancer, known as ocular melanoma, as well as retinal and corneal burns.

See information on a study about how eating leafy greens can help protect eyes from UV radiation.

Walnuts slow prostate cancer growth

A new study suggests that mice with prostate tumors should say “nuts to cancer.” Paul Davis of the University of California, Davis, hopes follow-up data by his team and others will one day justify men saying the same.

A 2010 study indicates that mice who have cancer of the prostate benefit from increased nuts in their diet.  Researchers are doing follow-up studies to see whether the benefit may extend to men.

Most nuts in reasonable amounts can benefit the heart. But among walnuts’ special attributes were their ability to fight inflammation, an underlying cause of much heart disease, and to allow vessels to dilate as needed.

A major factor for many cancers is the presence of Inflammation in the body.  The researchers have determined that walnuts can effect endothelin production.  Endothelin is a protein that is related to blood pressure control and also to helping  regulate prostate growth.

In walnuts, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals and other trace elements, possibly even the protein content, appear to be slowing prostate tumor growth.

Researchers: Paul Davis and colleagues, U. California at Davis, CA.