Knowing that modern treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy...) have limited impact on cancer treatment, many people are also practising alternative medications.
Nutritional therapy: more research is needed and funded by the government.
Qigong therapy: has the ability to assist those who are suffering from cancer by inhaling lots of oxygen.
Spiritual healing: has the ability to calm down the mind and cancer cells to prevent them from spreading.
These alternative treatments are often labelled as “unscientific”.
The fact remains: all these alternative treatments lengthened my father-in-law’s life (diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996 and survived till 2009 vs doctor's prediction of maximum 3 years survival) for 10 years.
Yes, we are not talking about science here. The focus is about how to save and lengthen the lives of millions of cancer patients worldwide.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Diary 260: Colon cancer
The following insights provided by Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, past president of the Malaysian Society of Gastroenterology and hepatology (MSGH) are taken from Fit4Life (The Star) dated 12 December 2010.
Based on the National Cancer Registry 2005 report, colon cancer ranks as the third commonest cancer in Malaysia.
It is most frequently occuring cancer among Malaysian men.
The majoirty if colon cancer in Malaysia occur in those aged above 50 but there seems to be a rising incidence of this cancer among younger adults.
By ethnic group, the Chinese account for 60% of all cases, followed by Malay (34%) and Indian (6%).
High risks of colon cancer?
Sporadic colon cancer (i.e. not related to genetic or family history) make up about 70% while the remaining occurs in people with risk factors, for example, those with a family history of the disease.
Causes: diseases of the digestive system (such as inflammatory bowel disease), unhealthy diet and lifestyle (high-fat and high-calorie meals, low dietary fibre intake.
Detection methods: Colon cancer screening (eg. Colonscopy); faecal occult blood test.
Modern treatments: Surgical resection (i.e. removal of tumour through surgery) for colon cancer that has not spread; chemotherapy; radiotherapy; immunotherapy.
What else can we do, especially after modern treatment?
Adjust our diet by reversing unhealthy diet and lifestyle (high-fat and high-calorie meals, low dietary fibre intake).
Based on the National Cancer Registry 2005 report, colon cancer ranks as the third commonest cancer in Malaysia.
It is most frequently occuring cancer among Malaysian men.
The majoirty if colon cancer in Malaysia occur in those aged above 50 but there seems to be a rising incidence of this cancer among younger adults.
By ethnic group, the Chinese account for 60% of all cases, followed by Malay (34%) and Indian (6%).
High risks of colon cancer?
Sporadic colon cancer (i.e. not related to genetic or family history) make up about 70% while the remaining occurs in people with risk factors, for example, those with a family history of the disease.
Causes: diseases of the digestive system (such as inflammatory bowel disease), unhealthy diet and lifestyle (high-fat and high-calorie meals, low dietary fibre intake.
Detection methods: Colon cancer screening (eg. Colonscopy); faecal occult blood test.
Modern treatments: Surgical resection (i.e. removal of tumour through surgery) for colon cancer that has not spread; chemotherapy; radiotherapy; immunotherapy.
What else can we do, especially after modern treatment?
Adjust our diet by reversing unhealthy diet and lifestyle (high-fat and high-calorie meals, low dietary fibre intake).
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Diary 259: Stages of breast cancer and modern treatments
Stage 0: abnormal cells found in the milk ducks or milk-producing glands. These cells have not spread beyond the ducts or glands.
Treatments: Lumpectomy (removal of lump) if localised; Mastectomy (removal of breast) if found in multiple sites; Radiotherapy.
Stage 1: cancer has formed, with a tumor not larger than 2cm but has not spread outside the breast or clusters of cancer calls are found in lymph nodes inside the breast.
Treatments: Mastectomy; Lumpectomy+raditherapy; Lumpectomy alone; Hormonal therapy (for people with hormone-receptor-positive cancer)
Stage 2: the tumor is between 2cm and 5cm, with or without spread to the axillary nodes (under the arm); clusters of cancer cells are found in the axillary nodes.
Tratments: Radical mastectomy with or without radiotherapy;Lumpectomy +radiotheray; Chemotherapy; Hormonal therapy; Targeted therapy (e.g. for cancers with too many HER2 protein receptors).
Stage 3: the tumor is larger than 2cm and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes; cancer cells are found in lymph nodes near the breast bone, the chest wall or the skin of the breast.
Treatments: Radical mastectomy with or without radiotherapy;Lumpectomy +radiotheray; Chemotherapy; Hormonal therapy; Targeted therapy
Stage 4: the cancer has spread to other organs of the body, most often the bones, lungs, liver or the brain.
Treatments: Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, treatments to relieve pain and vomiting, palliative care.
Having learned the above,what is your thought?
To me, prevention is better than cure. Take less meat produced from modern farming where growth hormone is applied.
Treatments: Lumpectomy (removal of lump) if localised; Mastectomy (removal of breast) if found in multiple sites; Radiotherapy.
Stage 1: cancer has formed, with a tumor not larger than 2cm but has not spread outside the breast or clusters of cancer calls are found in lymph nodes inside the breast.
Treatments: Mastectomy; Lumpectomy+raditherapy; Lumpectomy alone; Hormonal therapy (for people with hormone-receptor-positive cancer)
Stage 2: the tumor is between 2cm and 5cm, with or without spread to the axillary nodes (under the arm); clusters of cancer cells are found in the axillary nodes.
Tratments: Radical mastectomy with or without radiotherapy;Lumpectomy +radiotheray; Chemotherapy; Hormonal therapy; Targeted therapy (e.g. for cancers with too many HER2 protein receptors).
Stage 3: the tumor is larger than 2cm and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes; cancer cells are found in lymph nodes near the breast bone, the chest wall or the skin of the breast.
Treatments: Radical mastectomy with or without radiotherapy;Lumpectomy +radiotheray; Chemotherapy; Hormonal therapy; Targeted therapy
Stage 4: the cancer has spread to other organs of the body, most often the bones, lungs, liver or the brain.
Treatments: Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, treatments to relieve pain and vomiting, palliative care.
Having learned the above,what is your thought?
To me, prevention is better than cure. Take less meat produced from modern farming where growth hormone is applied.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Diary 258: Gary Gach
Majorie Chiew wrote about this man in Starmag (SM18) in an article entitled “it’s simple” on 12 December 2010.
The 63-year old American shared something which is very useful for our long term health.
1. When we understand how our mind, attitude and lack of awareness can create seeds of suffering, we can liberate ourselves and generate peace and joy.
2. When life gets difficult and emotions threathen negativity, he advises “We should hold onto the trunk of mindfulness while the storm of emotions blow our leaves, knowing that we have firm root”s.
3. Live life fully and do unto others as you would do unto yourself.
Who is Gary Gach?
He is an author, translator, poet, Jewish and a Buddhist.
The 63-year old American shared something which is very useful for our long term health.
1. When we understand how our mind, attitude and lack of awareness can create seeds of suffering, we can liberate ourselves and generate peace and joy.
2. When life gets difficult and emotions threathen negativity, he advises “We should hold onto the trunk of mindfulness while the storm of emotions blow our leaves, knowing that we have firm root”s.
3. Live life fully and do unto others as you would do unto yourself.
Who is Gary Gach?
He is an author, translator, poet, Jewish and a Buddhist.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Diary 257: Signal from the body
We met and had a wonderful dinner at a vegetarian restaurant in Kepong on 9 December 2010.
We talked about how mind-set affects every aspect of our life.
As host, I was supposed to pay for the bill but he made the first move.
After the dinner, I quietly asked him whether he has received the signal given by his body.
Yes, that is why is coming back from Australia to seek various treatments for his left leg.
I am sure he is worried that his poor health may bring the worst cirsumstances.
At 66, he now has carry a walking stick when going out door.
I commented that he should seriously consider adjusting his diet to reclaim his health.
He will reduce meat consumption.
Hopefully, it works for him.
If he is serious about helping himself, he probably do not have to carry the walking stick in next 12 months.
We talked about how mind-set affects every aspect of our life.
As host, I was supposed to pay for the bill but he made the first move.
After the dinner, I quietly asked him whether he has received the signal given by his body.
Yes, that is why is coming back from Australia to seek various treatments for his left leg.
I am sure he is worried that his poor health may bring the worst cirsumstances.
At 66, he now has carry a walking stick when going out door.
I commented that he should seriously consider adjusting his diet to reclaim his health.
He will reduce meat consumption.
Hopefully, it works for him.
If he is serious about helping himself, he probably do not have to carry the walking stick in next 12 months.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Diary 256: Bleached mushroom
Sin Chew Daily reported this interesting case on 7 December 2010.
A 11-year old in China likes to consume mushrooms.
Having learned from the media, his mother suspected the safety of mushrooms.
This prompted the boy to collaborate with with a university graduate assistant to investigate the matter using microscope and other lab facilities.
It was found that most of the mushrooms examined contain some form of chemical.
The Chinese media later explained that bleaching materials can cause health problems such as damanging the lung, sensitive skin, asthma and breathing related problems.
The local government then clarified that 97.7% of the mushrooms was not contaiminated.
Which version of the explanation does the public believe?
It was reported that in an internet survey regarding the issue, 1,100 interviewees believed the boy’s research results compared to 8 persons stood by local government’s clarification.
Take care, avoid taking bleached foods.
A 11-year old in China likes to consume mushrooms.
Having learned from the media, his mother suspected the safety of mushrooms.
This prompted the boy to collaborate with with a university graduate assistant to investigate the matter using microscope and other lab facilities.
It was found that most of the mushrooms examined contain some form of chemical.
The Chinese media later explained that bleaching materials can cause health problems such as damanging the lung, sensitive skin, asthma and breathing related problems.
The local government then clarified that 97.7% of the mushrooms was not contaiminated.
Which version of the explanation does the public believe?
It was reported that in an internet survey regarding the issue, 1,100 interviewees believed the boy’s research results compared to 8 persons stood by local government’s clarification.
Take care, avoid taking bleached foods.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Diary 255: Vaccination against cancer
One of the questions raised during my health talks was whether to go for vaccination against cancer or not.
Take the case of cervical cancer, a disease whereby abnormal cells are formed in the cervical wall and the third most most common cancer among Malaysian women.
The authority encourages the public to have their daughters protected against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) by getting them vaccinated.
The rationale is cervical infection by HPV is one of the main causes of cervical cancer. HPV vaccination can prevent HPV type 16 and 18 infections and reduce the risk of getting cervical cancer.
The Ministry of Health Malaysia is currently providing FREE HPV vaccination to all girls in Form 1 and 13-year-old Malaysian girls.
A total of 3 doses of HPV vaccination will be given within 6 months.
I understand that parents have to give the consent for their daugthers to get vaccinated.
Since you have the choice, you decide yourself.
Is vaccination really good for health in the long run?
Cancer cells form in an acidic enviroment where there is a lack of oxygen.
Isn’t it better not to produce the acidic enviroment (by taking less foods that are acidic in nature) and at the same time do more exercise to inhale fresh oxygen to maintain good health?
Think.
You are responsibible for your daughters’ health too.
Take the case of cervical cancer, a disease whereby abnormal cells are formed in the cervical wall and the third most most common cancer among Malaysian women.
The authority encourages the public to have their daughters protected against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) by getting them vaccinated.
The rationale is cervical infection by HPV is one of the main causes of cervical cancer. HPV vaccination can prevent HPV type 16 and 18 infections and reduce the risk of getting cervical cancer.
The Ministry of Health Malaysia is currently providing FREE HPV vaccination to all girls in Form 1 and 13-year-old Malaysian girls.
A total of 3 doses of HPV vaccination will be given within 6 months.
I understand that parents have to give the consent for their daugthers to get vaccinated.
Since you have the choice, you decide yourself.
Is vaccination really good for health in the long run?
Cancer cells form in an acidic enviroment where there is a lack of oxygen.
Isn’t it better not to produce the acidic enviroment (by taking less foods that are acidic in nature) and at the same time do more exercise to inhale fresh oxygen to maintain good health?
Think.
You are responsibible for your daughters’ health too.
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