Tag Archives: Cancer Prevention

Some Cancer Risk Factors Are Within Your Control

Cancer is driven by numerous and complex risk factors, making concepts related to calculating its risk a frequent subject of debate. Adding to this debate is a Johns Hopkins study looking at randomly mutating cells, specifically how they play a predominant role in cancer development. What does this say about your cancer risk? Issels® wants to help you put this new information in perspective.

Cancer and car accidents: They have a lot in common…

  • Trip length
    Comparing getting cancer to getting into a car accident, the length of your trip – your lifespan – increases your risk. The longer you live, the more the odds increase of your body randomly mutating cells, making this a significant risk factor – attributable to two-thirds of your total cancer risk in fact.
  • Road conditions
    Just as rain or snow can increase your risk of an accident, so too can conditions in your body and in your environment increase your risk of cancer.
  • Mechanical issues
    Bad brakes or worn tires can be seen as a metaphor for genetic factors, such as inherited mutations.

Reading the accident report
Despite this research, it can’t be stressed enough no single factor causes cancer. Two-thirds of car accidents are not related solely to trip length, but to a combination of road conditions, mechanical issues, and the like. For each “accident,” the major contributing factor will vary.

Accident prevention
Due to the large combination of risk factors, there are many opportunities for prevention, including addressing radiator issues (smoking), regular maintenance (early diagnostics and detection), and more.

Cancer spinning out of control? Contact Issels® today.

For People of Color, Melanoma is More Likely to Be Diagnosed Late

Two People of Color Holding Hands
Melanoma in People of Color

A commonly-held misconception is that people of color have little risk of developing skin cancer. It’s true that melanoma occurs less frequently, but the consequences of skin cancer among African Americans are more serious than most realize.

How Melanoma Affects People of Color

Data from a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology showed that people of color are most likely to be diagnosed with melanoma in its later stages, resulting in worse prognoses and lower overall survival rates.

Many believe that the higher percentage of melanin in darker skin protects from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. A recent survey revealed that 63 percent of African Americans never use sunscreen, despite the fact that they actually can be susceptible to sunburn.

Causes and Warning Signs of Melanoma

Genetics and environmental factors also play a role in the development of melanoma, as they did with iconic reggae singer Bob Marley. The Jamaican native died at the age of 36 from acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), a form of cancer that appears on the palms of hands and the soles of feet.

Dr. Martitza I. Perez, senior vice president of The Skin Cancer Foundation, recommends that people of all ethnicities watch for the warning signs of melanoma:

• A sore or growth that doesn’t heal

• An ulcer or scaly red patch that crusts or bleeds

• Moles that are asymmetrical, larger than a pencil eraser, or display any sign of change

Cutting-Edge Immunotherapy for Cancer at Issels®

Our immunotherapy for cancer treatments have been effective against melanoma and many other types of tumors. Contact us to learn more.

Tips On Healthy Living From American Cancer Society

How proactive are you about your health? According to the American Cancer Society, the healthy living tips recommended for patients undergoing cancer treatment can also reduce the risk of developing cancer in the first place.

Good Nutrition and Physical Activity Can Reduce Cancer Risk

According to the World Cancer Research Fund, approximately 20 percent of cancer cases in the United States are connected to poor health habits, including obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and lack of nutrition.

Here’s a look at how you can start today to reduce your personal cancer risk.

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight puts hormones such as estrogen and insulin into overdrive, which can promote development of tumors. In addition to reducing cancer risk, maintaining a healthy weight prevents or controls diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other issues.

2. Be Physically Active

Exercise involves physical activity performed at a moderate or vigorous intensity. This can include gardening, walking and biking as well as more traditional forms such as sports and weight lifting. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity every week.

3. Follow a Nutritious Diet

– Avoid processed foods.

– Eat at least 2-1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables daily.

– Choose foods that are low in fat, sugar and calories.

– Cut back or eliminate refined carbohydrates in favor of whole-grain products.

– Eat smaller portions.

– Limit your intake of alcohol.

Integrative Cancer Treatment at Issels®

At Issels®, our personally tailored cancer treatment programs combine a number of complementary elements. Contact us to learn why we are the leader in non-toxic, state-of-the-art immunotherapy cancer treatment.

4 in 10 Cancers are Preventable with Lifestyle Alteration

4 in 10 Cancers are Preventable with Lifestyle Alteration
4 in 10 Cancers are Preventable with Lifestyle Alteration

Early detection greatly improves the success rate of cancer immunotherapy, but wouldn’t it be better if cancer never developed in the first place? A recent report out of the United Kingdom shows that nearly 40 percent of cancer diagnoses in that nation could be prevented with healthy lifestyle changes.

Tobacco: #1 Preventable Cause of Cancer

In March 2018, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) published a study concerning preventable causes of cancer. Based on the data, they determined that nearly four out of 10 cancer cases could be prevented. That translates to more than 2,500 new cancer diagnoses per week in the UK.

Exposure to tobacco smoke, which accounts for 15 percent of cancer cases in the UK, continued to lead the list of preventable causes. The next two factors were obesity and UV radiation exposure from the sun or tanning beds.

Changing Public Beliefs and Behaviors

CRUK’s research team applauded public anti-smoking measures such as advertising restrictions and taxes on tobacco products. They also urged similar actions to help fight the shifting trend toward overeating and obesity.

While obesity currently accounts for just over six percent of cancer cases, making it a distant second to tobacco smoke, the team cautioned that excess weight has the potential to become “the new smoking.” Prof. Linda Bauld of KRUK cited the increasing acceptability of obesity as the norm.

Integrative Cancer Immunotherapy Programs at Issels®

In addition to treating cancer and its causes, our immunobiologic core treatment includes education in nutrition and other elements of a healthy lifestyle. Visit our website to learn more about our personally developed cancer immunotherapy treatments.

Prevent Colon Cancer with Our Protective Diet Tips

Prevent Colon Cancer with Our Protective Diet Tips
Prevent Colon Cancer with Our Protective Diet Tips

The best cancer treatment can take place without even being diagnosed with the disease. Be proactive with diet and lifestyle changes to reduce your chances of developing colon cancer.

Tips to Prevent Colon Cancer

Dr. Charles Fuchs is the director of Yale Cancer Center. He recently appeared on local TV to promote Colon Cancer Awareness Month by offering these helpful tips to lower your risk:

– According to a recent Yale study, eating nuts can reduce the risk of colon cancer recurrence. More than 800 colon cancer patients completed a questionnaire about diet and lifestyle, and the responses showed that those who ate nuts regularly had a corresponding increase in their chances of a cure.

– Maintain a healthy weight. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that obesity-related cancers account for approximately 40 percent of all cancer diagnoses in the U.S. Limiting the amount of red meat in your diet can make a big difference.

– Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of cancer, and according to the National Cancer Institute, even moderate drinking is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer.

Exercise regularly. Scientists believe physical activity can reduce the amount of time that harmful compounds are in the gastrointestinal tract.

– Get screened for colon cancer. Doctors recommend that adults 50 and over receive a colonoscopy every 10 years.

Integrative Cancer Treatment at Issels®

Nutritional immunotherapy is only one component of our integrative cancer treatment programs. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive non-toxic therapies that boost the ability of your body’s own immune system to fight cancer.

Medicare Will Now Cover FDA-Approved Genomic Testing for Cancer Treatment

Medicare Will Now Cover FDA-Approved Genomic Testing for Cancer Treatment
Medicare Will Now Cover FDA-Approved Genomic Testing for Cancer Treatment

Genomic testing is an important tool that helps doctors determine whether or not a patient is a candidate for cancer immunotherapy treatment. Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) made the announcement that Medicare will now cover FDA-approved genetic tests to evaluate cancer.

Giving Patients Access to “Innovative Diagnostics”

Discussion on the issue began several months ago when Foundation Medicine received FDA approval for F1CDx, the first broad genomic cancer test of its kind. The current cost for for F1CDx is $5,800.

At the time of the announcement, CMS administrator Seema Verma issued a statement explaining the decision. CMS believes that it will give cancer patients “enhanced access and expanded coverage when it comes to innovative diagnostics.”

Coverage for genomic and molecular cancer tests that are still in development and not yet FDA-approved does not change with the new policy. U.S. regional Medicare administrative contractors will retain discretion in regards to payment for such testing.

Opening the Door to Accurate Evaluation

For the time being, Foundation Medicine will likely see a surge in the number of specimens submitted to them for testing. In the big picture, the CMS decision will encourage researchers to gather the evidence needed for FDA approval of additional tests.

Experts predict that within a few years another half-dozen companies will join Foundation Medicine in offering FDA-approved testing. One scientist called the decision a “major advancement for precision medicine.”

Genomic Testing and Cancer Immunotherapy from Issels®

At Issels®, we use genomic testing in creating individualized cancer immunotherapy programs that address each patient’s unique needs. Contact us today for more information.