Monthly Archives: March 2014

Cancer Survivors, Living with Cancer

Young Skin Cancer Survivors at Greater Risk of Later Cancer

Skin Cancer Risks
Skin Cancer Risks

Most of us are aware that sun exposure and tanning beds increase the risk of skin cancer. The most common kind of skin cancer is nonmelanoma skin cancer which, when discovered early, is highly treatable and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. However, a recently released study of 502,490 individuals in the United Kingdom has now linked nonmelanoma skin cancer to a greater risk of future cancer; and young people who are least likely to protect themselves from harmful sun exposure are at greatest risk.

A large, long-term study of people with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer found that they were more likely to develop other types of cancer. For people under the age of 25, the risk was a disturbing 23 times higher. For adults 25 to 44, risk decreased but was still 3.5 times greater than for those who had never had skin cancer. Risk continued to decrease with age, although it remained slightly higher for all age groups.

“Our study shows that [nonmelanoma skin cancer] susceptibility is an important indicator of susceptibility to malignant tumors and that the risk is especially high among people who develop [the condition] at a young age,” noted Dr. Rodney Sinclair, director of dermatology at Epworth Hospital in Australia, on Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

It was found that people who had nonmelanoma skin cancer before reaching the age of 25 were 53 times more likely to develop bone cancer, 26 times more likely to get blood cancers, 20 times more likely to be diagnosed with brain cancer, and 14 times more likely to develop other cancers other than skin cancer. The study also suggests a significant risk of developing other cancer types–salivary gland, melanoma, bone and upper gastrointestinal tract cancers, in particular–among people with a history of the disease in general.

Issels integrated immunotherapy offers non-toxic alternative cancer treatments for cancers of all types including melanoma.

Cancer Research, News

High Protein Diet Linked to Increased Cancer Risk

High Protein Diets Linked to Cancer
High Protein Diets Linked to Cancer

Many people swear by high-protein diets, crediting Atkins, Paleo and other protein-intense diets with helping them drop excess weight and keep it off. But by relying on protein to improve one aspect of their health, protein lovers could be opening themselves to an even greater health risk. New research has linked high-protein diets to increased cancer risk.

This isn’t welcome news for meat-loving Americans. Even if you think you’re following a healthy diet, you may be eating more protein than you realize. A surprising number of the most popular weight loss diets in the U.S. are high in protein. According to Health Central, protein-rich foods account for nearly a third of the daily menu in the following diets: The Biggest Loser, Atkins, South Beach, Abs and Zone. Even the Weight Watchers Diet, which is considered to be more well-balanced than most diet programs, recommends that protein comprise a quarter of your diet.

Interestingly, the study found that all protein does not carry the same risk. People who get their protein primarily from animal meat and dairy are at greater risk of developing cancer than those who favor plant-based proteins. Additionally, age seems to be a factor in the intensity of the cancer risk. We’ll talk about that next time.

Diet is an important part of Issels individualized immunotherapy program for treating cancer. At Issels alternative cancer treatment centers in Tijuana Mexico and Santa Barbara, California, our patients receive education in making healthy diet and lifestyle choices that will allow them to continue strengthening their immune system after they leave our care.

 

To be continued

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research

BPA Linked to Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer Treatment
Prostate Cancer Treatment

BPA is back in the news. This time industrial chemical Bisphenol-A has been linked to prostate cancer. Two years ago, fear about BPA’s effect on infants and young children caused the Food and Drug Administration to ban its use in baby bottles, infant formula packaging and children’s cups. However, the agency ruled there was not enough scientific evidence to ban BPA’s use in food packaging. Since then, despite public demands and introduction of several bills, Congress has failed to pass legislation banning BPA in food packaging.

Prostate Cancer Danger

Already associated with breast cancer, diabetes, obesity and hormonal abnormalities in children, BPA, which mimics estrogen when it enters the human body, has now been linked to prostate cancer. Researchers at the Cincinnati Cancer Center found that men with prostate cancer exhibited BPA levels in their urine that were two to four times greater than men who were cancer free. More importantly, BPA levels were highest in younger men under 40 who are typically at lower risk of developing prostate cancer. In animal research, BPA has triggered prostate tumor development and growth.

“BPA may potentially contribute to either the development or progression of prostate cancer, or the BPA is more predictive of cancer,” study leader Dr. Shuk-mei Ho told Newsweek. Noting that the Cincinnati study was small in scope, Ho said immediate, larger studies are needed.

Chelation Therapy Removes Toxins

When integrated into Issels’ integrative immunotherapy core program, chelation therapy may aid treatment of BPA-linked prostate cancer. An alternative cancer treatment designed to eliminate undesirable substances from the body, chelation removes heavy metals, chemical toxins, mineral deposits and fatty plaques that may contribute to cancer growth. For more information about chelation and other alternative cancer treatments, visit our website.

Alternative Cancer Treatment

Big Pharma Failure Shows Value of Multifaceted Approach to Cancer Treatment

The Old Is Now New
The Old Is Now New

“Everything old is new again” might be one of the themes of modern cancer research. Repeatedly, cancer researchers in the U.S. and Western Europe are finding validity in many of the “old” methods of treating cancer and embracing them as “new” discoveries. Integrated immunotherapy, which Issels Integrative Oncology Centers have practiced for more than 60 years, is a notable example.

Big Pharma Fails Again

That the body’s own immune system holds the key to defeating cancer is an idea only recently embraced by a Western medical community that many believe relies too heavily on Big Pharma. But as the recent clinical trial failure of yet another cancer drug touted by its maker as “a potential blockbuster” indicates, cancer patients may be placing their lives at risk by failing to broaden their treatment plans to include alternative cancer treatment options.

The Issels Difference

At Issels alternative cancer treatment centers, our experienced cancer specialists take a holistic approach to fighting cancer that treats the patient’s body, mind and spirit. Central to our cancer-fighting strategy are treatments designed to bolster and restore the body’s immune, regulatory and repair mechanisms and enhance their ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Personalized Treatment

We recognize that each patient’s case is unique. Just as cancer is not a single disease, we know from our extensive clinical experience that each patient’s response to cancer and cancer treatment will be unique. Using special testing methods, including genomic testing, our experts personalize the Issels immunobiologic core treatment program to the specific needs of each individual patient.

Rather than limiting cancer treatment to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation as is common among practitioners of Western medicine, Issels integrative immunotherapy, which can be used alone or with traditional treatments, expands cancer treatment, increasing the patient’s opportunities for long-term cancer remission.

After Cancer, Immunotherapy, Stage Four Cancer Treatment

Stage 4 Lung Cancer Patient 10 Years Cancer Free after Issels Integrative Immunotherapy

Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer in the U.S. and the world, and small cell lung cancer is considered its most lethal form. Diagnosed with recurrent small cell lung cancer, Jim Gibson felt he was facing a certain death sentence when he sought treatment at Issels alternative cancer treatment centers in 2003. When standard cancer treatments did not work, Jim decided to try non-toxic integrative immunotherapy as a last resort. The decision saved his life. After just four weeks of exclusive Issels immunotherapy that included dendritic cell vaccine, Jim achieved complete tumor remission. Jim has now been cancer-free for 10 years and enjoys a healthy, active life. (Click to hear Jim’s story in his own words.)

As reported in the Sacramento Bee, “In recent years the surge of immunotherapy has given cancer sufferers new hope.” A leader in integrative immunotherapy for more than 60 years, Issels Integrative Oncology has been at the forefront of the immunotherapy movement that is now being embraced by practitioners of traditional medicine as “amazing” and “a game-changer” in the treatment of cancer. Many cancer researchers now believe that immunotherapy is the future of cancer treatment and our best hope for an eventual cure.

Immunotherapy enhances and harnesses the power of the body’s own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. A non-toxic alternative cancer treatment, integrative immunotherapy does not batter the body with toxic chemotherapy or radiation so it does not produce the debilitating side effects that so many cancer patients fear. The non-toxic aspect and strong track record of immunotherapy is leading more cancer patients to consider it as a first choice for treatment rather than a last resort. As Issels patient Nicole Tupper says, “Try this first … it’s an amazing option.”

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research

Three Lifestyle Strategies Can Decrease Cancer Risk

Diet and Health Can Prevent Cancer
Diet and Health Can Prevent Cancer

Three lifestyle strategies that have already been found to lower heart disease and diabetes risk are also proving effective in cutting cancer risk. While smoking is the leading preventable cause of cancer, three lifestyle choices – poor diet, excess weight and inadequate physical activity — have been linked to nearly a third of all cancer cases, according to a joint policy report by the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research.

The recently released Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study found that cancer risk could be lowered significantly by following the American Cancer Society’s Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention. In tracking more than 65,000 post-menopausal women over a 12-year period, researchers found that women who closely followed the ACS guidelines were able to lower their overall cancer risk by 17% and even more dramatically decrease their risk of two specific cancers, cutting breast cancer risk by 22% and colorectal cancer risk by 52%. One of the significant discoveries of the study was that cancer risk could be significantly decreased even when healthy lifestyle changes where implemented later in life when cancer risk typically rises.

The “Magic 3” lifestyle choices for lowering cancer risk are:

• Weight. Maintain a healthy weight throughout your life.

• Diet. Eat a diet rich in plant-based and whole-grain foods.

• Exercise. At least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a day is recommended.

The lifestyle changes promoted by the American Cancer Society help your body build and maintain a healthy immune system which is most likely responsible for their success in decreasing cancer risk. The body’s immune system plays a critical role in fighting cancer cells. In the same way that immunotherapy bolsters the body’s innate ability to fight cancer, boosting the body’s immune system may also help prevent cancer.