Fighting Cancer

There is much debate about the success or lack of success in treating cancer. Treatment approaches are regarded as barbaric and risky. After all, it is a fight and cancer must be attacked. These words conjure up a fierce battle that becomes exhaustive and draining.

Can we consider cancer to be curable while there is disagreement on the survival rates?
The questions concerning “curability,” if it really exists, are spurring on the exploration of a more holistic or comprehensive approach that addresses what keeps the body healthy rather than what gets rid of cancer.

Cancer is defined as uncontrolled or abnormal cell division that invades the tissues of the body. It begins as a mutation in the DNA and “rewrites” the vital programming that promotes cellular life. According to the Mayo Clinic website, cancer is caused by DNA damage/mutation. Factors such as personal habits, family history, health conditions, and environmental concerns increase the risk of cancer.

Basic cancer treatment consists of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

These are designed to kill cancer cells, shrink cancerous tumors, and remove tumors or the organs they have overrun. Removing cancer is a good idea so it does not continue to spread. However, nothing is mentioned about stopping cancer at its source so it never recurs. This has encouraged researchers and the public to think “outside the box” to have a better understanding of cancer and the body.

Because chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery for cancer have risks of their own, alternative cancer therapies are highly sought after by a public that is willing to do its homework and find out all that is available. Dr. Ralph Moss, has a unique referral service for people interested in researching their options. He has an online information site called “The Moss Reports.”

Spontaneous healings have caught the attention of scientists who have looked for similarities among cancer survivors. The Institute of Noetic Sciences published their findings in a book titled, Spontaneous Remission: An Annoted Bibliography.

Keeping the immune system healthy is one of the most important ways to help the body fight cancer on its own. Under normal circumstances, the immune system prevents damaged DNA from allowing cells to proliferate.

Addressing the above mentioned risk factors is important in keeping the immune system healthy whether or not someone has a cancer diagnosis:

Personal habits: smoking, drinking, drug use, overeating, poor nutrition, little or no exercise, overpowering emotions, negative emotional/behavior patterns, and social/spiritual isolation all stress the body and weaken the immune system

Family history – cannot be changed but can encourage a proactive approach to self-care.

Health conditions left untreated or poorly treated weaken the body’s immune system. Many serious health conditions are results of poor personal habits mentioned above.

Environmental concerns: toxic chemicals in the home, personal products, appliances/electromagnetic energy, chemicals in the community, and second hand smoke are known to damage DNA and weaken the immune system.

The immune system should not be burdened with unhealthy stimuli since it becomes distracted from the ever important job of destroying cancer cells.

Two unique ways to enhance the immune system are chiropractic care and fucoidan supplementation.

Chiropractic patients under regular care have been shown to possess healthier DNA. A published study made Medical News Today headlines March 7, 2005.

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide found in brown seaweed, has been shown in hundreds of studies to assist the major body systems, especially the immune system by enhancing cellular communication so cancer cells are quickly destroyed. With the concern of providing high quality and therapeutic levels of fucoidan, the recent expansion of the gelceutical industry has made it available in a convenient form.

Although this is a very brief and introductory article, it brings up the question: should we try to learn more about cancer or more about the workings of the body?