Tag Archives: Breast Cancer

Phytomedicine In Cancer Treatment

August 12, 2014

Phytomedicine and DIM Can Effectively Be Used In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Treatment

phytomedicinePhytomedicine refers to the application of scientific research and the highest standards of professionalism to the herbal medicine practice. The use of phytomedicine is not new though. It has been in practice for quite a long time in fact  the name phytomedicine is derived from the word used in other parts of Europe, where plant based medicines are provided by doctors and pharmacists as ‘phytomedicine’ to their patients. Phytomedicine is more advanced in herbal medicine as it involves scientific research to ascertain the potency of the natures given herbals before they are prescribed to be used by any patient. The doctors who use phytomedicine are called phytotherapists and they treat their patients with the best herbs that fit their king of diseases. Phytotherapists choose the best herbs from the most effective herbs ensuring that very patient get the best combination of the phytomedicine.

Phytomedicine is practiced in clinical treatment of diseases in most parts of the world and is a growing field as it involves scientific research and information on the use of plant medicinal components and their safety in use. There are methods that are used to evaluate the effectiveness of plant medicines which are similar to the evaluation of orthodox medicine. Herbs unlike the orthodox medicine that focus on given chemicals contain very many bioactive components. The phytomedicine may involve use of a combination of herbs to come up with a therapy that will heal the body and strengthen its immune system to fight diseases better.

Phytomedicine are safe for use for many diseases and cancer is no exception. After very many clinical trials of phytomedicine the use of phytomedicine in treatment of various conditions have been recognized in most countries through the world. Section 12 (1) of the 1968 Medicines Act permits Phytotherapists to make and dispense herbal remedies to individual patients following a consultation.

As used in cancer treatment, Phytomedicine involves selection of plant medicines to stimulate or strengthen the body’s own functions and immune system, hence support the body to heal itself. The phytotherapist knows that each cancer patient is a unique individual and hence diagnoses and assesses the needs of the cancer patient uniquely. The patient will thereafter be given a prescription of combined plant products that work best in healing them.

Some of the natural plants components that have been used in phytomedicine to treat cancer include; resveratrol, saponins, silymarin, curcumin, peach compounds, green tea extracts, coffee enemas and grape seed extracts. These phytomedicine are rich in anticancer properties and are even safer for use in cancer treatment. The use of chemotherapy in cancer treatment may fail to work and if chemotherapy is done repeatedly the tumors only become more resistant to the drugs that are supposed to be killing them. The scientists have found out that the use of natural products work better in cancer treatments as they target multiple pathways thereby inhibiting growth and spread of the cancer cells in the body. Some of this phytomedicine help in killing cancer cell by inducing apoptosis in tumors.

EGCG and GSE are two popular plant extracts that have attracted much attention in recent years due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most difficult cancer to treat as these cancer cells are very resistant to drugs. These cancer cells do not have the characteristic receptors for estrogen, progesterone and Her2/neu. This makes it very hard to treat a patient with Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) as most treatments especially the conventional cancer treatments target these receptors that are missing in the cells. Without these receptors such treatments do not work. For instance, Tamoxifen targets estrogen receptors, in absence of estrogen receptors Tamoxifen cannot work in cancer treatment. For this reason, TNBC is considered the most aggressive, the most likely to be treated with less-targeted (and therefore more toxic) forms of chemotherapy, and the soonest to return when treatment fails. For Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) target therapies are not the best options for treatment.

Today it is approximated that between 15-25% of all breast cancer cases are triple negative. Being that the conventional cancer treatments cannot be used in treatment of Triple negative breast cancer it is important to seek effective treatment through other means. Phytomedicine can effectively be used in treatment of Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) as it works better here than any other target therapies.

DIM

Recent research has shown that diindolylmethane (DIM) promotes production of beneficial interferon gamma by breast cancer cells. With reference to scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, the anticancer effect of DIM is evident as the interferon gamma is known to play an important role in inhibiting the development of primary tumors. It has also been proven that DIM increases cellular stress response pathways in breast, prostate and cervical cancer cells. The increase of cellular stress increases the vulnerability of cancer cells to destruction. Studies have shown that DIM induces apoptosis in both breast and prostate cancer cells.

PhytomedicineAccording to a study done by Scientists at Wayne State University School of Medicine, DIM affects the functions of genes that control carcinogenesis, cell survival, and physiologic behaviors. It also inhibits the growth of new blood vessels that are necessary for spread and growth of tumors. In a the study that was conducted by University of California, Berkeley it was found that DIM inhibited angiogenesis on both cultures assays as well as animal models. It is therefore effective and can be used in treatment of Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced integrative cancer doctor that has helped many cancer patients in their fight against the disease. She has worked hard not only in treating the disease but also in availing informational support to cancer patients at Awaremed which has become a place called home for many cancer patients. Call on her now and get help on cancer.

Phytomedicine and DIM Can Effectively Be Used In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Treatment

 

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Genetic Predisposition

August 5, 2014

 

Genetic and Viral Predisposition To Cancer Is A Crucial Subject In Cancer Treatment

Cancer has caused serious threat to the world’s population and has still continued to affect the people of all continents. It is among the leading causes of death in the world today. Despite the many alternative cancer treatments, the disease is not yet conquered as it is still causing pain to us every day after grabbing our loved ones away from us. According to a world health report of 2002, close 7.1 million deaths are caused by cancer each and every year. With the most prevalent of these cancers being lung, stomach, colon, liver, breast and esophagus cancer, in that order of occurrence. Conclusively, these cancers are responsible for over 4.2 million deaths. Additionally, another World Cancer Report of 2003 (IARC 2003) predicts that deaths caused by cancer will increase by 50% in the next 20 years. In the past cancer was thought of as diseases of the developed countries but as years passed by even the third world countries became infested with this disease. The cases of cancer in the third world countries are attributed to the demographic changes as well as changes in lifestyle. The way of life has changed even in these third world countries and this may even increase the percentages of cancer infection.

Cancer is a disease that has many causes and of the many cause are very complex gene interactions. A person may not be born with cancer but he may have higher chances of getting cancer. This is what is known as genetic predisposition. Genetic predisposition maybe caused by a presence of one or more gene mutations and this may happen even if the allele’s combination is normal.

Genetic predispositisions is a subject that has made researchers as well as health organizations like World Health Organization to do lot of research work to find out how far genetic predisposition can lead to the disease. Apparently the researches done were not only done in relation to cancer but other non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and some mental illnesses.

In cancer, a person may be born with genes whose compositions were altered by lifestyle habits or exposure to harmful chemicals that goes along way in changing the DNA composition of the body cells. The body has tumor suppressors that help it in fighting and preventing tumors but when these tumor suppressors become weak which may be caused by exposure to harmful chemicals then a person becomes more vulnerable to cancer infection. Carcinomas are the most probable result of failure of the tumor suppressors.

It is important to understand how genetic predisposition affects a person. Cancer is not a disease that should be toyed with and so it calls for early examination to show whether a person has genetic predispositions that can play a role in making them to have cancer. Doctors advice that by knowing if a person has these genetic predispositions, it can help them to adopt lifestyles that will help them evade the formation of cancer cells in them. It is good to note that not all people who are born with genetic predispositions to cancer eventually get the disease; the choice of lifestyle will either make him evade the disease or will even hasten the formation of the cancerous cells in them. Those who are born with genetic predispositions to cancer can avoid the disease by avoiding such behaviors that may increase their risk to cancer such as smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol and engaging in sexual activities with many sexual partners. There are lifestyle modifications that will help a person who is born with genetic predispositions to cancer live longer without being affected by the disease. These may involve healthy eating and detoxifying the body naturally by eating those vegetables and fruits that are rich in antioxidants. It is also advisable for such a person to seek help from an integrative cancer centre where the doctors may offer guidance on how to live a life that is cancer free despite the genetic predisposition to cancer he was born with.

Promotes cancer cell formation

As known, cancer cell forms when there is mutation in the genes that play a major role in cell multiplication and repair. When these mutated genes are passed over to an offspring, the offspring becomes highly vulnerable to cancer. However the process through which these genes may turn cancerous may take time probably beyond 20 years. The mutation of vital genes such as suppressor genes, oncogenesis and genes involved in DNA repair leads to genetic instability and to progressive loss of differentiation. Tumors grow because cancer cells lack the ability to balance cell division by cell death and by angiogenesis. The transformed cells lose their ability to interact with each other and exhibit uncontrolled cell growth. They will eventually invade the tissues that surround them and spread into the blood stream after which they can reach very organ in the body.

GeneticGenetic predisposition to cancer undeniably has a role in cancer formation. One of the mostly inherited mutations of BRCA 1 gene is known to cause breast cancer in women. Those who have this gene mutation have higher chances of getting a breast cancer as well as ovarian cancer. Earlier identification of the germline mutations can be achieved through genetic testing. This will allow the person to adopt cancer preventive measures by seeking help from integrative cancer centers that will give natural means of suppressing the mutated gene expression.

Dr. Dalal Akoury is an experienced integrative cancer doctor who has seen very many cancer patients journey to victory in their fight against cancer. She is available for consultations. Just call her now and begin your journey to victory against cancer.

Genetic and Viral Predisposition To Cancer Is A Crucial Subject In Cancer Treatment

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Angiogenesis and Metastasis

July 30, 2014

 The Role of Angiogenesis Inhibitors In Integrative Cancer Care
Cancer patients always have a fear that their cancer may become metastatic. If it becomes metastatic it becomes a problem to treat and may cause lots of damage to the healthy cells in the patient’s body. Metastastasis however cannot happen without angiogenesis. Therefore if the cancer doctors find a way of avoiding angiogenesis then it can be easier to avoid metastatic cancer. One of the known characteristics of cancerous cells is that they divide rapidly and their growth is uncontrolled, this is a major challenge as the danger increases with how well they are well spread in the body. The best way to control the spread of cancer is to control angiogenesis by the aid of angiogenesis inhibitors.

What is angiogenesis?

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels. This is a natural process that occurs majorly during growth and development of children. The mother’s womb has to form new blood vessels that are important in the development of the infant. This is a crucial process and is known as vascologeneis. However this process happens less often in adults and may happen during wound healing. In women it happens during the menstruation cycle. When this formation of new blood vessels is induced by tumor, it is referred to as tumor angiogenesis. This happens when the tumors release molecules that signal the surrounding tissues. It is this signaling that activates genes that make proteins to initiate growth of new blood vessels. These new blood vessels penetrate into the cancerous cells and help them grow by supplying them with the needed nutrients and removing wastes out of them hence creating an environment that favors their growth and metastasis.

For tumors to grow and metastasize, angiogenesis is a necessity without which the cancerous cells will become inactive and may even die. The network of newly formed blood vessels become very dangerous to the cancer patient as they enhance the growth of the cancerous cells, spreading to other parts of the body and inflicting pain. For this situation to be controlled there is need to cut the nutrient and oxygen supply to these cancerous cells.

Being that cancer cells depend on angiogenesis to grow and metastasize, cancer  therapies that target  angiogenesis can potentially help in treating cancer. Angiogenesis is necessary for growth and metastasis of all cancer cells irrespective of the type of cancer. Cancer treatments that target angiogenesis will definitely aid in treatment of all cancers. The basis of therapies that target angiogenesis is that if angiogenesis can be stopped then the cancerous cells will be killed as they will not access the necessary supplies hence will starve to death.

Copper and Angiogenesis

Copper is a trace element the needs to highly regulated as any slight homeostatic copper disruptions may result in serious health complications such as the Wilson’s disease. Copper is also known to be necessary for angiogenesis. Without copper angiogenesis cannot take place. Copper therefore fuels cancer tumor growth and metastasis. Anti-angiogenic therapies can be used to curb this situation. tetrathiomolybdate (TM) is effective in copper chelation.  Researchers have proved that TM forms a stable tripartite complex with copper and protein. If given with food, it chelates food copper with food protein and prevents absorption of copper in the bloodstream. There is endogenous secretion of copper in saliva and gastric secretions associated with food intake, and this copper is also chelated by TM when it is taken with meals, thereby preventing copper re-absorption.

Researchers have tested the effects of the tetrathiomolybdate (TM) on mice that were injected with cancer cells and left for a week for angiogenesis to begin. After the new blood vessels had been formed the mice was injected tetrathiomolybdate (TM). The angiogenesis stopped and the tumor growth stopped. Tetrathiomolybdate (TM) is targeted by many researchers who want to verify if it can be used as a cancer treatment. However from researches that had been done in the past it was concluded that tetrathiomolybdate (TM) has a unique action on the copper that fuels angiogenesis and retarded tumor growth with little side effects. If cancer patients are given TM with food their copper balance become negative which does not support angiogenesis. The copper that is bound by TM cannot do any meaningful biological activity as it cannot be absorbed by cells and is excreted in the urine having been cleared by bile.

Typically the level of cancer that is needed for angiogenesis is much higher as compared to the amount of copper that is needed for cellular activities that are dependent on cancer like cytochrome function and heme synthesis. Cancer therapy that are based on anti-copper may work well as the copper needed for cellular activities will be retained even when TM is used to as an anti-copper angiogenic agent.

Low molecular weight heparins

Researchers have also found out that Low molecular weight heparins helps in improving the cancer patient’s chances of survival as it inhibits metastasis. The low molecular weight heparins are said to curb metastasis by preventing cancer cell triggered destruction of the endothelial glycocalyx. In experimental animal models and clinical tests; it was found that the low molecular weight heparins protects against cancer progression and metastasis. This is said by the scientists is possible as the low molecular weight inhibits metastasis interfering with the cancer cell binding on the platelets. Cancer cell needs to attach themselves to the platelets to move to other parts of the body. Low molecular weight heparins also inhibit metastasis through binding of heparanase or hyaluronidase thereby protecting the vascular endothelium from invasion by the cancer cells.

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an expert in integrative cancer treatment and can avail you the best advice to help you cure or better yet prevent cancer. You can always call her for consultations.

 The Role of Angiogenesis Inhibitors In Integrative Cancer Care

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Stress Relief and Cancer

July 29, 2014

Stress Relief Is Essential in Cancer Care
StressCancer is a disease that has caused much pain and has made us victims in one way or the other. The moment a person receives a news that he has cancer, fear become his uninvited companion as no one is ever sure of surviving the disease even with availability of many alternative cancer treatments in the hospitals. Researchers have done lots of work to ease this feeling but history knows that very many people have lost their lives to the disease. Some of the people who lost their lives did not die because of the disease itself but because the treatment was not holistic enough to suppress all the tension that the patient had. Cancer treatment is not just about injecting the patient with drugs that are aimed at killing the cancer cells. This approach of cancer treatment may not succeed because a cancer patient goes through lots of psychological trauma that needs to be addressed as well during the treatment and this is the reason why having an integrative cancer doctor attend to your cancer patient can be very beneficial as they focus on the whole person healing that is the body, the spirit and the mind. Stress is a culprit in cancer treatment and so needs to be addressed well for the cancer treatment to be effective. The patient needs to obtain a peace of mind for the drugs to have effect on the patient. Stress has been mentioned by many researchers as a factor that may make cancer treatment even more complicated.

Stress causes cancer

Many medical research findings have linked stress to cancer. Researchers have found that a gene ATF3 is a crucial link between cancer and stress. The gene is activated during stressful conditions in all types of cells, in normal conditions the gene can protect the body since incase of dangerous stressors; the normal cells can commit suicide to avoid the spread of the poison to other cells.

The researchers however proved that the cancerous cells will coax the immune system that have been put in place closer to the tumors to influence the expression of the ATF3 gene hence makes the ATF3 to inhibit the activity of immune cells making them to act erratically and allow the cancer cells to spread from the tumor to other parts of the body. In that manner stress is linked to metastasis.

It is highly recommended for a cancer patient to engage in practices that helps in reducing the stress levels in the body which in a broader way will help in reducing your risk of getting cancer. The patient ought to be well taken care of by avoiding all stressful conditions.

Stress relief is not only important to those who are already sick of cancer, stress relief is necessary for those who are not sick as well. This is because stress may make a person to involve in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, drinking alcohol and having multiple sexual partners all in a bit to find relief. Smoking tobacco is a major cause of lung cancer while having multiple sexual partners is known to cause cervical cancer.

How to relieve stress in a cancer patient

To relieve stress we need something that may distract the patient from his streams of hopeless thoughts. There are a number of activities that may help a patient be relieved of stress but still the person’s attitude towards the activity will matter so it is important to incorporate the patient’s likes and feelings in every strategy towards stress relief.

Reflexology

Reflexology involves the practice of massaging or applying pressure to various acupressure points on the body with the goal of reducing stress and supporting overall health. This however needs to be done by a qualified integrative cancer doctor in order to reap the desired benefits.

Sound therapy CD

Sound therapy is effective in stress relief in cancer patients. It involves the patient listening to the vibrations from the harmonics overtones of the 5th interval and the 7h cord which is made up of two 5th intervals. The vibrations are said to promote healing in the parts of brains that are responsible for endorphin release by causing a pathetic resonance to these parts. Endorphins are brain chemicals that transmit signals from one neuron to the other and help in reducing stress and enhancing the immune system.

Ballroom dance

Exercise is a great way that helps in stress reduction not only to cancer patient but also to people who dot have cancer cells in them. However for a cancer patient, he may not be having strength enough for a gym workout needless to mention the exercise they need to do is one that is fun like ballroom dancing which increases the blood circulation and reduces muscle tension. It also activates hormonal activities which is key in cancer treatment.

Valid company

StressStress can be worse if the patient is kept in isolation where he does not meet his family and share his moments with them. This explains why patients undergoing home treatment may recover within a short time. Keeping the cancer patients accompanied at all times reduces their stress as they know they have people they can count on.

You need to learn on ways to prevent the disease. You need reliable information to help you do this. Contact Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) for more information on health matters and be empowered to take good care of your life. Check her website for more information. As always she is readily available for consultations.

Stress Relief Is Essential in Cancer Care

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Risk Factors of Breast cancer

July 28, 2014

Risk Factor of Breast cancer -Role of alcohol

Breast cancer

The risk factors of breast cancer can be life threatening. We must be positive and prevent breast cancer from our life.

Breast cancer normally is forms in tissues of the breast and the common type of breast cancer include ductal carcinoma, which instigates in the lining of the milk ducts a thin tube transporting milk from the lobules of the breast to the nipple.

The other type of breast cancer is lobular carcinoma, which instigates in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast. Invasive breast cancer is that has extended from where it began in the breast ducts or lobules to adjacent normal tissue. Breast cancer occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

Risk Factor of Breast cancer – Connection between alcohol consumption and cancer

Researchers while studying particular enzyme established that a biological molecule that accelerates chemical reactions commonly known as CYP2E1. Their findings offer a possible target to improve outcomes for patients in the later stages of the cancer disease. This enzyme has been implicated in various liver diseases associated with alcohol consumption, Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD), as well as diabetes, obesity and cancer.

The objective of the study was to understand why an enzyme known to function mainly in the liver was found to be profoundly present in some types of breast cancer tissues. The study also wanted to explore what other activities this enzyme might have that regulate the development of breast cancer and their findings established that the enzyme breaks down various molecules within cells including alcohol. The by-products of this metabolism include reactive oxygen species (ROS), occasioning in something called oxidative stress, in normal physiological conditions this aids cellular functions, whereas when concentrations of ROS are high or oxidative stress becomes chronic, cells can be seriously damaged.

Previous studies have also shown that the enzyme is most strongly expressed in early stages of breast tumors rather than more developed tumors and scientists believe that it contributes to the progression of breast cancer. The study, published in Breast Cancer Research, found that depending on the stage of the breast cancer, high levels of the enzyme can help cells survive during stress. It was also found that inhibiting the activity of the enzyme in cells with high migratory potential promoted cell migration a process linked to cancer spreading known as metastasis.

Risk Factor of Breast cancer – Causes and risk factors

Up to now it is still not very clear the causes of breast cancer and as a result of this it may be difficult to say authoritatively why one lady may develop breast cancer and another may not. However the risk factors are known, some of these can change the likelihood that someone may develop breast cancer. There are some factors you cannot do anything about, but there are some you can change. For example:

Alcohol

Your risk of developing breast cancer can increase with the quantity of alcohol you consume regularly. Research shows that, for every 200 ladies who regularly have two alcoholic drinks daily, there will be three more ladies with breast cancer compared with those who do not drink at all.

Age

The risk of developing breast cancer progresses as you get older. Breast cancer is most common among women over 50 majority of these ladies have been through the menopause. 8 out of 10 breast cancer cases occur in women over 50. All women between 50 and 70 years of age should be screened for breast cancer every three years as part of the NHS Breast Screening programme.

Genetics

If you have close relatives who have had breast cancer or ovarian cancer, you may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. However, as breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, it is possible for it to occur more than once in the same family by chance.

Most breast cancer cases are not hereditary. However, particular genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase your risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer. It is possible for these genes to be passed on from a parent to their child. If you have, for example, two or more close relatives from the same side of your family who have had breast cancer under the age of 50, you may be eligible for surveillance for breast cancer or for genetic screening to look for the genes that make developing breast cancer more likely.

Previous diagnosis of breast cancer

If you have previously had breast cancer or early non-invasive cancer cell changes contained within breast ducts, you have a higher risk of developing it again, either in your other breast or in the same breast again and so you need to be in constant touch with your doctor for review.

Previous benign breast lump

A benign breast lump does not mean you have breast cancer, but certain types of lump may slightly increase your risk of developing it. Certain benign changes in your breast tissue, such as atypical ductal hyperplasia (cells growing abnormally in ducts) or lobular carcinoma in situ (abnormal cells inside your breast lobes), can make getting breast cancer more likely.

Breast density

Your breasts are made up of thousands of tiny glands (lobules), which produce milk. This glandular tissue contains a higher concentration of breast cells than other breast tissue, making it denser. Women with denser breast tissue may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer because there are more cells that can become cancerous.

Dense breast tissue can also make a breast scan (mammogram) harder to read because it makes any lumps or areas of abnormal tissue harder to spot. Younger women tend to have denser breasts. As you get older, the amount of glandular tissue in your breasts decreases and is replaced by fat, so your breasts become less dense.

Overweight or obese

If you have been through the menopause and are overweight or obese, you may be more at risk of developing breast cancer. This is thought to be linked to the amount of estrogen in your body, as being overweight or obese after the menopause causes more estrogen to be produced.

Being tall

If you are taller than average, you are more likely to develop breast cancer than someone who is shorter than average. This may be due to interactions between genes, nutrition and hormones, but the reason is not fully understood.

Risk Factor of Breast cancer – Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer. Both combined HRT and estrogen-only HRT can increase your risk of developing breast cancer, although the risk is slightly higher if you take combined HRT.

It is estimated there will be an extra 19 cases of breast cancer for every 1,000 women taking combined HRT for 10 years. The risk continues to increase slightly the longer you take HRT, but returns to normal once you stop taking it.

Finally because of the many addictive risk factors you can seek help from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care where focus is on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE

Risk Factors of Breast cancer – Role of alcohol 

 

 

 

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