Tag Archives: Fighting Cancer

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Care Tips, Cancer Research

Cancer and the Link to Inactivity

mid section view of a man sitting on a bench in a park --- Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis
Obesity Is Linked To Cancer

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States, affecting both children and adults. If you need any more motivation to lose those extra pounds, consider the fact that increasing evidence suggests excess weight creates a risk for developing certain types of cancer.

Cancer and obesity by the numbers

  • Studies show that being overweight or obese is a likely risk for developing at least 13 types of cancer.

Why obesity increases cancer risk

Excess weight has a negative impact on hormone and protein levels as well as the body’s process of cell division and growth. Your immune system can become compromised, reducing its ability to fight cancer and other diseases. A non-toxic cancer vaccine can stimulate your immune system and prompt it to take action against tumors.

What can you do?

The safest and most effective formula for weight loss is decreasing the number of calories taken in while increasing the number of calories burned through physical activity.

  • Skip “supersized” portions and get at least half of your calories from fruits and non-starchy vegetables.
  • Limit the amount of sugar and processed foods in your diet.
  • Get a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity five times a week.

A non-toxic cancer vaccine is just one of the tools in our innovative Issels® immuno-oncology treatment programs. Contact us for more information about our personalized therapies.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Breast Cancer, Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

Watchful Waiting – A New Treatment for Some Breast Cancer Patients

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New Treatment for Breast Cancer
New Treatment for Breast Cancer

Despite significant improvements in cancer treatment, such as the development of immuno-oncology, patients often have a knee-jerk reaction to a cancer diagnosis. This may be particularly true for women, who are mindfully watching the efforts to increase public awareness of breast cancer. They may feel that there are mixed messages in the news in regards to the appropriate treatment for their breast cancer.

Some women, along with their physicians, have begun taking a path that may seem counterintuitive. They are choosing to defer traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy and lumpectomy, in favor of a course often referred to as “watchful waiting.”

What is watchful waiting?

Desiree Basila, a 60 year-old woman diagnosed with DCIS or stage 0 breast cancer, participated in a clinical trial that exemplifies watchful waiting. She began taking tamoxifen, a drug that blocks estrogen, which can often cause tumors to grow. In addition, she visited her doctor twice a year for checkups that alternated between mammograms and MRIs.

The reasons behind watchful waiting

  • Studies show that women with DCIS have a mortality rate of three percent regardless of their form of treatment, which corresponds to the average for the general population.
  • Each case of breast cancer is unique based on a woman’s biological profile, meaning treatment should be determined on an individual basis rather than using a cookie-cutter approach.
  • Mastectomy, radiation and other aggressive treatments sometimes cause seriously harmful side effects that may have been avoided with a more moderate approach.

Assessment of a patient’s individual lifestyle, genetic profile and personal needs has always been a part of our immuno-oncology protocols at Issels®. Visit our website to learn more about our innovative and non-toxic cancer treatment programs.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Living with Cancer

Exercise Tips for Cancer Patients – When and If You Should Start an Exercise Program

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Ways to Reduce the Risk of Getting Cancer
Exercise

The benefits of daily exercise may be particularly beneficial to those undergoing cancer treatment and cancer survivors. At Issels® Center for Integrative Immuno-Oncology, we find that cancer treatments often work best when in conjunction with the overall health and wellbeing of the patient.

Dr. Colleen Doyle of the American Cancer Society recently explained the benefits of exercise to HemOnc Today. Below is a synopsis of her informative comments.

Should Cancer Patients Exercise?

Patients should discuss their condition, treatment, and previous activity levels with a physician before beginning physical activity. Those who exercised regularly before may need to place limits on exertion levels and duration. If you seldom exercised prior to diagnosis, minimal stretching and walking may be best.

Other considerations include the side effects of treatment and increased risks in those with compromised immune systems. You may need to avoid the germs at public gyms, for example. Those with weakened muscles and bones may need supervision when beginning exercise.

Benefits of Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment

For those dealing with cancer, exercise benefits the musculoskeletal system and may enhance one’s physical wellbeing and capabilities. Exercise also reduces stress levels, improving their mood and overall outlook in life. It can also fend off the fatigue of illness and treatment with a boost to energy levels.

Exercise can also bring a sense of normalcy and activity to life. One might consider physical activity to be a much-needed break from the rigors of undergoing treatment.

For many, exercise may be an important method of improving survivorship and quality of life. For more information about holistic and individualized cancer treatment, contact Issels® Center for Integrative Immuno-Oncology.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

Cancer Treatments May Affect Nutrition – What to Know

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Food is Life
Food is Life

Food is life. You’ve heard these three simple words many times, but if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer they take on a whole deeper meaning. Ironically, the disease can interfere with nutrition at the time you need it most. Use these helpful guidelines to create a healthy eating plan with your doctor.

Why good nutrition is a valuable weapon against cancer

Food is more than just fuel to run your body’s engine. Nutrients in your diet protect and renew tissue cells, maintain your weight for maximum strength, and boost your immune system. A well-balanced diet improves quality of life and may even aid your chances of recovery.

Cancer can alter the digestive process

Certain tumors, especially those found in the stomach or intestines, produce chemicals that limit absorption of nutrients. While you might feel that you’re ingesting a sufficient amount of calories and nutrients, your body may not be able to use them fully.

Side effects of cancer and its treatment can affect appetite and eating

It’s not usual for cancer patients to experience vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia (difficulty with swallowing), and other side effects that disrupt eating and prevent healthy snacking, particularly when undergoing treatment. Psychological effects like depression and anxiety can also reduce appetite.

Discuss any diet and nutrition concerns with your doctor

Don’t get discouraged if you have problems getting enough food and nutrients. Medicine and other therapies are available to help you meet your nutritional needs.

Our non-toxic immuno-oncology therapies are personalized to incorporate your individual lifestyle elements, including diet and nutrition, environment and genetic predisposition. Visit our website to learn more about the Issels® difference.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Care Tips, Cancer Research, News

New Advance in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Just in Time for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

New Understanding of Pancreatic Cancer
New Understanding of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to treat with conventional methods, such as chemotherapy. With this form of cancer on the rise, researchers have been working on developing other forms of treatment that might be more effective. Recent developments have led to a new type of treatment for pancreatic cancer that is showing promise as a highly successful way to boost survival rates.

Irreversible Electroporation

Researchers have come up with a treatment that delivers small yet strong electrical bursts that destroy pancreatic cancer cells, which is known as irreversible electroporation (IRE). These electrical bursts create holes in the cells, which leads them to die off. The use of this type of treatment has been associated with a survival rate that nearly doubles for those who also undergo a traditional form of treatment, such as chemo-radiotherapy. IRE is able to affect cancer cells while leaving noncancerous tissue around those cells unharmed, which can lower the risk of side effects and complications.

Researchers are planning on testing IRE in clinical trials to better determine its effectiveness for those with pancreatic cancer. The current study that was conducted involved 200 adults who were diagnosed with Stage III pancreatic cancer. While roughly half of those participants ended up with complications after undergoing IRE, these effects were considered minimal. Researchers found that the average survival rate for study participants was two years, although some lived for up to seven years.

If you would like more information on our non-toxic forms of treatment for pancreatic cancer, please contact the Issels® Center for Integrative Immuno-Oncology. We offer immunotherapy and other types of alternative cancer treatments.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Research, Uncategorized

What Are Tumor Markers and Why Are They Important?

Tumor Markers
Tumor Markers

Not all cancers behave the same way or produce identical markers. Some people with the same type of cancer will have higher levels of tumor markers while others with that cancer will not have the elevated levels. At the Issels® Immuno-Oncology Centers, we understand that highly personalized immunotherapy is often the best approach to achieve long-term remission.

What are tumor markers?

These markers are substances that are produced by the actual cancer itself or other healthy cells in the body when cancer is present. They may also occur in response to some noncancerous conditions. For example, a benign tumor may result in tumor markers.

While the most commonly recognized markers are proteins found in the stool, urine, blood, or other tissue sample from the person, changes to DNA and altered gene expression are starting to be used as tumor markers. Currently, there are over 20 unique tumor markers identified and used for the detection, research and treatment of cancer.

Why they are important?

In addition to helping doctors assess the effectiveness of treatment, tumor markers are measured after treatment has ceased to see if the cancer has returned. Tumor markers may one day be useful in detecting cancer while it is still in its early stages. Because there is not one “universal” tumor marker, they sometimes occur in noncancerous conditions, and may vary based on individual factors.

You can read about the latest cancer treatment breakthroughs by following the Issels news blog. Contact Issels® Center for Integrative Immuno-Oncology to learn more about our non-toxic, personalized immunotherapy cancer treatment protocols.