Tag Archives: Cancer Prevention

Cancer Research, News

Watch that Powder, Talc use May Cause Uterine Cancer

Talcum Powder Linked to Uterine Cancer
Talcum Powder Linked to Uterine Cancer

Experts have warned about the use of talcum powder for years, but these claims have been a source of controversy. Researchers have recently put that controversy to rest by publishing the results of a study linking talcum powder to uterine cancer.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that using talcum powder in the genital area can lead to a higher risk of ovarian cancer in women. In fact, this cancer risk was shown to be about one-third higher in those who use talcum powder. Scientists who participated in this study are calling for manufacturers to place labels on talcum powder products so women who use them are informed of these risks. Talcum powder is believed to raise the risk of ovarian cancer if it gets into the vagina and reaches the upper genital tract.

This study was published shortly after a jury ordered manufacturer Johnson & Johnson to pay the family of a woman who died of uterine cancer $72 million. The family claims that the woman’s use of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products led to her developing this deadly form of cancer.

The Brigham and Women’s Hospital study provides further evidence that there is a link between the use of talcum powder and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. While scientists state that more research is needed, many caution against using this type of powder, especially in the genital area.

Those who are interested in learning more about non-toxic treatments for uterine cancer should contact Issels®. We offer immunotherapy and other types of safe non-toxic treatments for many types of cancer.

News

Does Low Dose Aspirin Therapy Work to Prevent Colon Cancer?

Aspirin Therapy Can Reduce the Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Aspirin Therapy Can Reduce the Risk of Colorectal Cancer

Aspirin use has been recommended for those who have higher risks of cardiovascular disease, but can it help prevent colon cancer as well? A panel of medical experts at the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently issued guidelines that do recommend aspirin therapy for cancer in those with a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Taking low-dose aspirin on a daily basis has been shown to decrease the risk of developing colorectal cancer in those who are over 50 years old. Medical experts at USPSTF carefully considered the risks of daily aspirin use along with these health benefits in order to determine whether or not to recommend it for those with a higher risk of colorectal cancer.

The recently issued guidelines state that adults who are 50 years old or older should take aspirin daily if they have higher risks of getting this type of cancer and higher risks of stroke and heart disease. However, experts caution that taking aspirin on a regular basis is not considered safe for those with certain health issues, such as risk factors for stomach bleeding. Aspirin can increase the risk of stomach bleeding, so it’s important for those who take it to only have low doses of it each day.

Those who are considering taking low-dose aspirin therapy for cancer should talk to their doctor first to make sure it’s safe for them to do so. This helps lower the risk of side effects or adverse reactions.

Issels® offers immunotherapy for those who want advanced non-toxic forms of treatment for cancer. Contact us to learn more about these treatments.

 

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Immuno-Oncology

Nobel Prize Awarded for Identifying How Cells Repair DNA Which May Impact Cancer Treatment

Cancer Gene
DNA

DNA carries genetic information that is essential for the development, function and reproduction of all life forms. Thanks to the discoveries of an international trio of scientists, these molecules may also provide a breakthrough in immuno-oncology therapies.

This past October, three scientists from the United States, Sweden and Turkey received the 2015 Nobel Prize for Chemistry in recognition of their DNA research. Their work focused specifically on damaged DNA, resulting in a mapping of the molecular systems that monitor and repair these genomes.

Until these studies, DNA was believed to be stable, but Swedish native Tomas Lindahl found that it actually decays at a considerable rate due to spontaneous changes and damage from external forces. In reality, this disintegration should prevent the development of life, but Lindahl’s investigation led to the discovery of the repair processes.

Aziz Sancar, a Turkish scientist teaching in the United States, explains that this information has been valuable to cancer prevention and treatment. One or more of the cellular repair systems is broken in many types of cancer, leading researchers to develop immuno-oncology drugs targeting the molecular pathways of tumor cells.

According to Lindahl, understanding these processes allows selective application of therapies for maximum benefit. Paul Modrich, the third member of the trio, has done landmark work in understanding and diagnosing hereditary colon cancer.

Our Issels® immuno-oncology protocols include genomic testing along with extensive examination of a patient’s lifestyle, environment and other relevant factors. The result is a personalized course of treatment that works with the body’s own immune system. Contact us to learn more about our innovative, state-of-the-art programs.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

50% of Ovarian Cancer Patients Missed Early Treatment

Missed Early Treatment
Missed Early Treatment

A shocking study published by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston concluded that half of the patients eligible for intraperitoneal/intravenous chemotherapy, a form of treatment that is delivered into the body cavity and the veins of a patient, did not receive the treatment, even though they could have because they were eligible. The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are bloating, constipation, abdominal pain, and frequent urination, though often these symptoms are mistaken for other minor problems.

It’s important to check with a doctor if you are experiencing strange symptoms in the lower abdominal region, as they are often more than just a reaction to digestion. Ovarian cancer is so dangerous because most patients only find out about it when it’s too late, and not earlier when it could have been prevented and or mitigated. A study performed in 2006 showed that this cancer treatment led to over a year where the disease exhibited no signs of progression. It also said that people who took this treatment lived four to five years longer than those who only took intravenous treatment.

It’s critical to survival rates to discover ovarian cancer before it’s too late; a whopping one-third of those who receive treatment early are reported to live ten years longer than those who didn’t receive any at all.

At Issels®, the Center for Immuno-Oncology, we are committed to helping all our patients experience the best survival rate possible following an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Through a combination of better eating habits and non-toxic treatment options, your prognosis has never had a more shining future. Contact us today for more information.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Care Tips, Immuno-Oncology

Issels Guide: When Should You Get Cancer Screenings?

Worker in a lab
Cancer Prevention Screening News

One of the biggest weapons against cancer is early detection. Being proactive about cancer screening tests can dramatically improve your chances of beating the disease. That is why the American Cancer Society has worked to develop cancer screening guidelines for the most common types of cancer. Simply by referring to their guidelines, you can know when and how often you should be screened. 

Age is one important factor in determining when you should start scheduling regular screenings. The older we get, the more susceptible we are to cancer. For example, women in their 20s should do a self-breast examine to detect any abnormalities, but experts recommend that women over 40 get a yearly mammogram.

The frequency of screenings also depends on your risk factors. If you have a history of certain types of cancer in your family, then you may want to consult with your doctor about a personalized approach to screening. Lifestyle choices can also increase your risk factors and make more frequent testing advisable. Typically, lung cancer screenings are only performed on those patients with clear symptoms, smokers and high risk patients.

The good news is that most screening tests are not painful or invasive. In most cases a blood test or some form of x-ray will be enough to alert doctors to any abnormalities that should be further investigated. 

At Issels®, a premier center for immuno-oncology, we take a comprehensive approach to cancer treatment, which includes early detection. If you still aren’t sure when you should begin screening or you have more questions about certain risk factors, ask your personal physician for help.

 

Cancer Research

Should You Abstain from Alcohol to Keep Cancer at Bay?

Abstaining From Alcohol
Abstaining From Alcohol

One of the most tragic aspects of the hundreds of thousands of cancer related deaths that occur each year is that such a large percentage of them could have been avoided. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), harmful alcohol use causes more than 351,000 cancer-related deaths every year. At Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology, we strive to reduce cancer deaths by using proven treatment methods. But we also want you to make informed decisions about lifestyle choices that may increase your risk of developing cancer.

Drink for a healthy heart?

Moderate drinking has been credited with lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and stroke. What is important to note about this is that alcohol consumption causes much more disease and death than it prevents. That is according to Ronald Watson, Ph.D who is a world-renowned alcohol researcher and professor at the University of Arizona.

Moderate consumption and cancer

Most people realize that alcoholics are at high risk of liver cancer. But less talked about is that moderate drinkers are likely increasing their risk for colorectal, esophagus, mouth, throat, and breast cancer. Researchers believe alcohol not only lowers the immune system’s defense of cancer, but the body’s action of metabolizing alcohol can cause cancer. For many people, the high risks associated with alcohol consumption outweigh the potential benefits of moderate drinking.

To learn more about the non-toxic cancer treatments that we have been using for more than 60 years to successfully treat patients with all forms and stages of cancer, contact Issels® Integrative Immuno-Oncology. To stay updated on the latest cancer news and research, sign up for our free e-Newsletter.