Category Archives: Cancer Research

Cancer Research, Cancer Treatment, Immuno-Oncology, Immunotherapy, Immunotherapy for Cancer, News, Uncategorized

Family’s 1,200 Mile Bike Ride to Fund Cancer Research

Family Raises Money for Pediatric Cancer
Family Raises Money for Pediatric Cancer

Getting creative can always help with a cancer awareness campaign. For one family in Michigan, that meant climbing on a bicycle built for three and setting out on a six-week fundraising bike trek from a Detroit suburb to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Karl and Eva Helminen have participated in many cancer fundraising efforts over the years, and they are also avid cyclists. As part of the Great Cycle Challenge USA program, they spent May 25 to July 5 on a bike with their 10-year-old son pedaling along, too. Their bulldog, Duchess, lent moral support and enjoyed restaurant leftovers along the way.

For the Helminens, the trip represented a special opportunity to help fundraise for childhood cancer treatment. As many families can relate, the Helminens have numerous family members and friends whose lives have been affected by cancer.

How Fundraising Events Help Cancer Treatment

Cancer awareness events can take many forms besides the typical walk or 5k run. Getting people talking and learning about cancer treatment and research projects is always the real goal.

The proceeds from cancer research events often get used to fund research to address difficult-to-treat types of cancer, including advanced stages, rare types, and cases that resist standard cancer therapeutic approaches.

At Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology, we see firsthand how innovative treatments can lead to cancer remission. Our therapies include targeted protocols to destroy cancer cells as well as immune enhancement that boosts the body’s existing cancer-killing capabilities.

The fight against cancer still has a long path ahead, but awareness and research are making inroads. Contact Issels® to learn more about our non-toxic immunotherapy cancer treatment.

Cancer Research, Cancer Treatment, News, Stage Four Cancer Treatment, Uncategorized

NIH Calls Proposed Cancer Research Funding Cuts Unacceptable

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NIH Calls Proposed Cancer Research Funding Cuts Unacceptable
NIH Calls Proposed Cancer Research Funding Cuts Unacceptable

Can you put a price on good health? Major medical organizations have been reacting strongly to proposed deep cuts in scientific and medical research funding that would severely hamper research programs such as immunotherapy for cancer.

Drastic Slashes in Scientific Research Funding and Healthcare Coverage

Stipulations in the Trump administration’s proposed 2018 budget that are drawing the biggest backlash include:

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) would see a staggering $5.8 billion reduction in overall funding, of which $1 billion would come out of the budget for the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

• Over the next 10 years Medicaid funding would be reduced by $600 billion, resulting in lack of health insurance for needy groups such as children, elderly and disabled.

The Scientific and Medical Community Responds

Daniel F. Hayes, M.D., president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), explained that many major breakthroughs in cancer research have come from federally-funded organizations such as the NIH. In addition, federal research funding allows the scientific and medical industry to generate $60 billion a year in economic activity.

Similar concern was expressed by Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). He referred to polls showing that 90 percent of voters rate federal funding for medical research as “very” or “extremely” important, with 75 percent supporting an increase in NIH funding.

Building on the Issels® Legacy

Our immunotherapy for cancer clinic has carried on the high standards and innovative programs of our founder, Josef M. Issels. Contact us to learn more about our personally tailored, state-of-the-art treatments such as cancer vaccines and NK cells.

Cancer Care Tips, Cancer Research, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Treatment, Immunotherapy for Cancer, Living with Cancer, Uncategorized

Taking Care of Yourself: Important Safety Reminders About Your Cancer-Compromised Immune System

Keep in Mind Your Immune System

When you’re undergoing cancer treatment, it demands the full attention of your immune system, leaving the door open for bacteria and other germs to sneak in. Use these food-handling tips to reduce the risk of disease and infection.

Food Preparation

  • Wash hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water before and after food prep and before eating.
  • Keep foods at the proper temperature. Hot foods should be above 140° F, while cold foods should be below 40° F.
  • Don’t thaw proteins at room temperature. Use a microwave or place them in the refrigerator with a pan to catch drips.
  • Defrosted foods should be used right away and never refrozen.
  • Don’t take chances. If any foods look, feel or smell strange, dispose of them immediately.
  • Wash produce under running water using a vegetable scrubber. Don’t use soaps, bleaches or other chemical cleaning products.

Cooking

  • Always use a clean spoon when tasting foods while cooking.
  • Don’t guess when cooking meat. Use a food thermometer for accuracy. Beef should be cooked to 160° F while poultry should be cooked to 180° F.
  • If your microwave doesn’t have a turntable, rotate the dish a quarter-turn a couple of times during cooking to ensure that food is evenly heated.
  • When reheating leftovers, cover food with a lid or plastic wrap and stir frequently.

Immunotherapy at Issels®: Personalized Non-Toxic Cancer Treatment

Our immunotherapy treatment programs are designed to boost your immune system, allowing it to fight cancer naturally. Visit our website to learn more about how our state-of-the-art cancer treatment has helped many patients achieve long-term remission.

Cancer Research

Be in the Know: American Cancer Society’s Cancer Screening Guidelines

Specialized Cancer Screenings to Help Improve Catching Cancer Earlier
Specialized Cancer Screenings to Help Improve Catching Cancer Earlier

Everyone should know some basic facts when it comes to cancer screening. No matter your age or whether you display zero symptoms of illness, you may be in need of a screening test. If you are wondering whether you should get tested or curious about whether your loved ones need to go in for screening soon, it’s always a good time to review the cancer screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society.

The ACS provides a variety of info about cancer screenings:

• Suggested cancer tests by age group and sex.

• Information about early detection for certain kinds of cancer.

• Cancer screenings funded by Medicare and Medicaid.

• Tips for reducing cancer risks.

• Cancer treatment and support resources.

What Cancer Screenings Should Younger People Get?

According to the American Cancer Society, men and women aged 20 to 39 should seek a colon cancer test if they have any genetic, family, or diet-related risk factors.

Women in their twenties should be cautious about breast cancer and talk to their health providers about possible testing. Younger women should also get a Pap exam every three years to screen for cervical cancer.

Increase Cancer Testing After 40

As we age, our risk for most forms of cancer increases steadily. While frequent testing can lead to false positives and scary moments, it’s definitely best to be informed about cancer testing recommendations. The sooner a person is diagnosed, the more likely that cancer treatment will be effective.

At Issels® Immuno-Oncology, we help our patients with personalized cancer treatment and support. Contact us if you would like more information about our non-toxic immunotherapy cancer treatment.

Cancer Research

Brain Cancer: the Link Between High Blood Sugar and Glioma

New Advances Are Being Made in Cancer Treatment
New Advances Are Being Made in Cancer Treatment

High blood sugar levels are not associated with many positive health outcomes. In fact, people with diabetes carry a higher than average risk for many forms of cancer. However, some kinds of brain tumors are apparently more common in people with normal blood sugar.

In a study on the link between diabetes and brain tumors, researchers at Ohio State University found that people with high blood sugar are less likely to develop gliomas. Although gliomas are relatively rare, this research indicates that doctors should perhaps be vigilant about testing for gliomas in patients with healthy glucose levels.

Do Brain Tumors Affect Blood Sugar?

It’s odd to think that healthy glucose levels may pose a cancer risk, but the findings will help us understand more about how glioma brain tumors function.

The lead researcher on the study, Judith Schwartzbaum, wanted to find out if glioma tumors consume excessive amounts of glucose or if some other action in the tumor cells has an effect on blood sugar. It could simply be that non-diabetic patients have more growth factors available for the glioma to feed upon.

Immunotherapy for Cancer

The unexpected link between blood sugar and gliomas shows that each form of cancer — and each particular patient — displays a complex range of causes. Understanding cancer cells helps us develop better and more specific treatment options.

The Issels® Immunotherapy for Cancer treatment program uses the patient’s own immune cells to attack tumor cells such as gliomas with cancer vaccines and therapies that are highly personalized and non-toxic.

For more information about our Immunotherapy for Cancer treatment system, please contact us today.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Cancer Survivors, Immunotherapy, Immunotherapy for Cancer, Uncategorized

June is Cancer Immunotherapy Month

June is Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month
June is Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month

In the fight against cancer, immunotherapy has been a game-changer. The Society of Immunotherapy for Cancer (SITC) is recognizing June as Cancer Immunotherapy Month to recognize and promote the value of these treatments.

Putting Immunotherapy in the Public Eye

The SITC observes Cancer Immunotherapy Month by promoting public awareness of immunotherapy and sponsoring educational events for both healthcare professionals and patients.

Here are a few of the programs scheduled for the upcoming month:

• “Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy” is being held as part of the annual meeting of the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies. Presentations will focus on tumor immunology and therapies such as vaccines, CAR-T cells and checkpoint inhibitors.

• “Incorporating Radiation Oncology into Immunotherapy” is a two-day workshop exploring the challenges and opportunities of combining the different methods into one integrative treatment.

• “Rational Combinations 360º” is a comprehensive examination of combining therapies as it relates to business, clinical and scientific aspects.

How Can You Participate?

Everyone has been touched by cancer in one way or another. There are a number of ways you can support Cancer Immunotherapy Month.

• Join the Cancer Immunotherapy CONNECT Open Forum and share your stories with other members.

• Purchase a SITC Cure t-shirt.

• Post your support of immunotherapy for cancer research on Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms.

• Donate to the Forward Fund for immunotherapy research.

State-of-the-Art Immunotherapy for Cancer at Issels®

Our founder, Dr. Josef M. Issels, was a pioneer in the development and use of immunotherapy. Visit our website for more information about Dr. Issels and our individually tailored non-toxic immunotherapy programs.