Monthly Archives: July 2014

Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

Can Fasting Boost Your Immune System?

Fasting To Build The Immune System
Fasting To Build The Immune System

A new study by University of Southern California researchers suggests that a three-day fast may jump-start the body’s immune system by triggering the production of new white blood cells. USC scientists believe that medically monitored fasting could help cancer patients, the elderly and others with damaged immune systems regenerate healthy immune systems. If initial results are upheld, the discovery could add a potent tool to the practice of integrative immunotherapy and the non-toxic treatment of cancer.

Regenerating White Blood Cells

Your immune system is your body’s natural line of defense against disease and white blood cells form its front lines. In USC patient trials, prolonged fasting forced the breakdown of white blood cells, especially damaged cells, which triggered stem cell regeneration of healthy new white blood cells.

Cancer places serious strain on the immune system. Some cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy, can seriously damage your immune system, leaving you with little natural defense against cancer. If medically monitored fasting is proven to regenerate the immune system, it could be a game-changer in the treatment of cancer.

Supercharging Your Immune System

Integrative immunotherapy has already been shown to improve quality of life both during and after cancer treatment. By tapping the power of your body’s immune system and enhancing the ability of immune cells to target cancerous tumors and the tumor microenvironments that affect the growth and spread of cancer, integrative immunotherapy works with your body to defeat cancer naturally without harming surrounding healthy tissue. By aiding regeneration of the immune system, it might be possible for fasting therapy to “supercharge” your immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

Please visit our website for more information on integrative immunotherapy.

Cancer Research

Do You Know Enough to Prevent Cancer?

Do You Know What It Takes To Prevent
Do You Know What It Takes To Prevent

The strong link between smoking cigarettes and lung cancer is well known and has prompted millions of people to stop smoking. Likewise, the well-established connection between sun exposure and skin cancer has made us aware of the value of wearing sunscreen.

But did you know that three additional lifestyle choices may significantly lower your risk of developing cancer? A recent American Association for Cancer Research report suggests that half of all cancer deaths could be prevented by making smart lifestyle choices that promote a healthy immune system.

The “Magic 3” Lifestyle Choices

Three specific lifestyle choices have been shown to reduce not only general cancer risk, but also the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, uterine cancer and kidney cancer. To reduce your cancer risk, the American Cancer Society has issued the following lifestyle guidelines:

1. Weight. Maintain a healthy weight.

2. Diet. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

3. Exercise. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a day.

Are you doing what you can to prevent cancer? Click here to take the American Cancer Society’s fun Nutrition and Activity Quiz to see whether you are making smart lifestyle choices that can help reduce your cancer risk.

Commit to Living Cancer Smart

Making lifestyle changes is a process; it takes time to build new habits. Talk to your doctor to set weight, diet and exercise goals. Commit to new one dietary change and set one new exercise goal each week. Build on your weekly success until you reach your goals.

Click here to find out more about what you can do to decrease your cancer risk.

Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

Friends and Family Rally to Promote Cancer Research and Awareness

Family Portrait
Family Members Supporting a Cancer Patient

It’s difficult to find anyone whose life hasn’t been touched by cancer. The person in front of you at the grocery store or sitting next to you in the movie theater could tell you about a family member or co-worker diagnosed with the disease. Inspired by their courage, these friends and family members carry on a message of hope by working to find a cure.

At the age of 31, Detroit-area attorney Jacqueline Bailey was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. Her two-year battle led her caring friends to create a legacy for her by founding the Jacqueline E. Bailey Foundation. Ms. Bailey’s wish was that no other 31-year-old woman would have to receive similar news. The foundation has partnered with the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute to fund an early detection test for ovarian cancer.

Cyclist Maria Parker’s motivation came from her sister Jenny Mulligan, diagnosed with stage four brain cancer in 2012. Maria entered the 2013 Race Across America to raise money and awareness for cancer research. When mid-race problems caused her to consider quitting, a conversation with her sister spurred her on. Her inspiration led Maria to finish first in the women’s group while setting a record in her 50+ age range. Jenny’s son Timothy filmed a documentary of the experience with which he and Maria hope to raise $1 million for ABC2, a brain cancer reorganization.

The love and support of friends and family is an important source of strength when receiving a diagnosis of stage four cancer. Our alternative cancer therapy uses a personal approach to ensure that we address your specific needs.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research

New Lymphoma Treatment Appears Promising

Lymphoma Treatment
Lymphoma Treatment

Medical researchers continue to make strides in the battle to control cancer. A Seattle-based biotech company has developed a drug that is showing promise for treatment of lymphoma, a form of cancer that attacks the body’s immune system.

Gilead Sciences has been testing an oral drug called idelalisib. It works to inhibit development of P13K deltas, a group of enzymes commonly found in B-cell malignancies, which make up the majority of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases. A recent study was conducted through the Clinical Research Division of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, also located in Seattle.

The focus group was comprised of 125 patients between the ages of 33 and 87 who were diagnosed with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This particular form, also known as slow-growing, is difficult to treat as the disease often becomes resistant to therapy. After receiving twice-daily doses of idelalisib, 57 percent of the patients saw their tumors shrink by at least half while six percent showed no measurable evidence of cancer.

According to Ajay Gopal, M.D., lead researcher in the study, the patients had exhausted all current means of therapy and several had relapsed. One of the more encouraging results was the relative lack of side effects, unlike chemotherapy treatments. The most common side effects were diarrhea and colitis, which were successfully managed by adjusting the dosage. While it doesn’t appear that idelalisib is a cure, researchers are hopeful that it will be a valuable treatment for controlling lymphoma for extended periods.

Our alternative cancer treatment center uses programs of non-toxic immunotherapy tailored to your individual needs. Many of our patients have achieved long-term remission of lymphoma and other forms. Please visit our website for more information.

Cancer Care Tips, Living with Cancer

Understanding Your Diagnosis of Cancer

Getting The News
Getting The News

Our greatest fears usually arise not from actual incidents, but from the unknown. Your mind begins running through a series of increasingly dire scenarios that may not even be realistic. If you’ve recently received a diagnosis of cancer, understanding what’s behind it can empower you to be proactive about your care and treatment.

Early diagnosis of cancer is an important element of successful treatment. Some types, such as skin or breast, may be detected through self-examination or various medical screenings. Others are revealed via corresponding symptoms or as a result of treating another condition. This is why it’s important to keep up with annual physicals and other preventive care, even if you’re feeling healthy.

Your caregiver’s first step will be a comprehensive physical exam and thorough review of your medical history. Tests are performed on blood, stool and urine to find any abnormalities that may point toward cancer. If signs present themselves, your physician will order further tests such as CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound to pinpoint the location and size of the tumor. Final confirmation comes from a biopsy, which involves removing a tissue sample from the tumor to check for the presence of cancerous cells.

A positive diagnosis leads to the step known as staging. This process involves gathering specific information about the tumor, most importantly whether it’s localized or the cells have spread to other parts of the body. You should also get a second opinion from a specialist before proceeding with treatment.

At Issels alternative cancer treatment center, our integrative approach is tailored to your individual needs. Please visit our website to learn more about our successful non-toxic immunotherapy treatments.

Cancer Research

Are You “Dying” to Get Your Nails Done?

The Nails
The Nails

Are you risking cancer every time you get your nails done? The ultraviolet drying lamps used by nail salons are the heated subject of a long-running cancer debate that may finally have been put to rest.

Dangers of UV Light

At the heart of the controversy is the UVA light emitted by nail drying lamps. Ultraviolet light from the sun is composed of two kinds of light. UVB light generally affects the surface of the skin, causing sunburn; but it also suppresses the immune system which can leave sun worshippers more vulnerable to skin cancer. Considered more dangerous and a potent carcinogen is UVA light which penetrates more deeply into the skin, aging skin cells and damaging their DNA. The result is premature aging, the development of wrinkles and increased risk of skin cancer.

The proven link between prolonged exposure to UVA rays and increased risk of skin cancer and melanoma is behind the Food and Drug Administration’s recent campaign to warn consumers, particularly teens and young adults, about the potential dangers of using tanning beds and sunlamps.

Are Nail Salons a Cancer Risk?

While nail salon drying lamps do emit the UVA light associated with skin cancer, a definitive new study found little skin cancer risk from the brief exposure experienced during the average nail salon visit. However, researchers do recommend reducing risk by treating hands with sunscreen before going under the drying lamp. To further protect consumers, researchers also recommend federal standardization of salon drying lamp UVA output.

Our advice: Next time you visit the nail salon take along a tube of sunscreen to apply before sticking you hands under the drying light!