Cancer

Facts

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• Worldwide Cancer rates are skyrocketin
• Cancer is the #2 cause of death in the U.S. and is expected to soon be the leading cause of death.  It is estimated that one out of every three Americans living today will develop cancer.

Characteristics of cancer cells:

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• They are larger in size and divide more quickly than normal cells. 
• Their growth is rapid and uncontrollable.

·         They are dedifferentiated; lack normal complexity of structure.

·         Unlike normal cells, they serve no useful purpose.

·         In tumor cells there is decreased “adhesiveness;” clumps of cells break off easily and enter the lymphatics or blood stream.

·         They have the ability to establish a secondary site of growth by traveling through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, by accidental transplantation during surgery, or by spreading locally; this is called metastasis.

·         Cancer cells produce angiogenesis, causing the development of blood vessels to feed the tumor.

Development of Cancer Cells:

Carcinogen:  any substance that causes cancer.

Mutagen:  any substance that causes damage to the DNA.  When the DNA is damaged it makes it easier of the cancer virus to invade it. 

Gene:  A portion of DNA that holds the instructions for making proteins.  We have about 100,000 different genes.  When a cell divides, it passes along an exact copy of its DNA to its daughter cells.

Oncogenes:  Genes that promote cancer.  Oncogenes send a new message to the cells to make an abnormal protein or even a normal protein at the wrong time.  These oncoproteins can cause cell division to be abnormal.

Step 1 – Initiation

Permanent and irreversible damage to the DNA.  Initiation happens very quickly but most initiated cells remain dormant until acted on by promoters.

Cell and nucleus membranes are damaged, allowing carcinogens or a cancer virus to enter a cell.

            --Free radicals cause damage.

            --Oxidized cholesterol damages the cell membrane; present in cheese, milk-egg custards

and puddings, pancake mixes, and powdered milk.

Faulty DNA repair because of caffeine consumption.

Carcinogens invade the DNA and mutate it.

            --Common carcinogens:  benzopyrene (tobacco, charcoal-broiled meats), tobacco,

alcohol nitrates & nitrites (in the stomach they form nitrosamines which are carcinogenic), saccharin, black pepper, mustard, oxidized cholesterol.

Step 2 – Promotion

Promoting agents (promoters) are not usually carcinogenic in themselves, but cause initiated cells (cells whose DNA is damaged by a carcinogen) to divide.  Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth; abnormal cells are likely to undergo further mutations.

--Promoters include:  alcohol (a promoter and carcinogen), high fat diet, obesity.

--Promotion is reversible.

Step 3 - Progression

The developing tumor acquires traits that allow it to grow in size and invade tissues.  This includes angiogenesis in which new blood vessels are formed to feed the growing cancer.

Types of Cancer:  There are more than 100 different distinct forms of cancer.  Some types advance very rapidly and the victim may die within weeks or months.  Other forms grow more slowly.  Cancers are classified according to the type of tissue they arise from.  For example, malignant tumors involving epithelial tissues such as the lining of the intestinal tract and lungs or the skin are known as carcinomas; these are more likely to spread via the lymph system.  Those arising from connective tissues of the muscles, cartilage, or bone are called sarcomas; these usually spread through the blood stream and metastasis to the lungs or brain is common.

Common Symptoms of Cancer:

·         Weight loss

·         Loss of appetite

·         Unexplained bleeding

·         Change in a wart or mole

·         Difficulty swallowing

·         A persistent cough, particularly with the production of blood

·         A lump developing in some part of the body

·         A change in bowel habits

Causes of Cancer:

Cancer Virus:

These viruses can cause development of cancer in animals (including fish and frogs) and may be transmitted to humans through flesh food, milk, and eggs.  They  may lie dormant for years without producing disease.  It is believed that many cases of breast cancer, leukemia, and other cancers of the lymph organs (lymphomas) are caused by viruses.  One of these is the Epstein-Barr virus which causes mononucleosis.

Carcinogens (Environmental and Dietary):

Chemicals that can produce cancer.  For example, lung cancer is caused by one or more of dozens of cancer-producing chemicals present in tobacco smoke.  Certain types of foods may contain carcinogens or create carcinogens in the digestive system.

Radiation:  It is best to minimize exposure to radiation and x-rays.

Drugs:  Are capable of interacting with cells to form cancers. 

·         Radioactive isotopes and immune suppressive agents

·         Some hormones

·         Estrogens increase the incidence of cancer of the womb

·         Arsenic exposure is associated with skin cancer.

·         Coal tar ointments are related to skin cancer

·         Amphetamines, male hormones, and almost all anticancer chemotherapy drugs can in some individuals produce cancer.

Diet:  It is estimated that 50-60% of cancers are diet related.

Other Factors That Are Associated With Cancer:

·         A compromised immune system

·         Early maturation (linked to the consumption of animal protein)

·         Obesity

·         Hereditary tendencies

Dietary Factors That May Promote Cancer:

1.       Fats:  Studies show that the more fat in the diet, especially saturated fat, the more cancer there is.  Evidence is clear that the less fat consumed, the fewer tumors produced.  Fat promotes the development of all types of cancer.

2.       Protein:  A high protein, high fat diet together promotes more cancer than either one separately.

3.       Cheese:  Cheese contains mutagens.  The more cheese you eat the greater your risk of cancer, especially colon cancer.  Cheese is also a source of oxidized cholesterol which is a carcinogen and also damages the membranes of the cell which makes it easier for the cancer virus to invade.

4.       Milk:  Cows are carriers of bovine leukemia virus, a type of cancer.  In cows this virus can cause cancer of the bone marrow, spleen lymph nodes, lungs, liver, heart, stomach, spinal cord, kidneys and eyes.  In the U.S. approximately 60% of all cattle are infected with BLV.  This virus can be transmitted through milk.  Never drink raw milk.  Even if the milk is pasteurized the virus may still be able to reproduce.  Milk also contains other cancer viruses that can survive pasteurization.

5.       Meat:  Colon cancer risk is proportional to the amount of meat eaten in a population.

Beef:  Eating beef is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer.

Chicken:  Chicken is a carrier of the cancer virus.

Fish:  Fish is high in environmental pollutants which are carcinogenic.  Cancer is very common in fish.

6.       Smoked and processed meat and fish:  Salt cured, salt pickled and smoked foods cause stomach and esophageal cancer.  Smoking and charcoal broiling of meat causes formation of carcinogens on the surface of the food.  Mutagens are also found in them.

7.       Charcoal broiled foods:  forms benzopyrene on the surface; causes stomach cancer and leukemia.

8.       Grilled or fried meat or fish:  These are found to contain at least 19 different carcinogens.

9.       Fermented foods:  Foods such as soy sauce and vinegar contain mutagens which may cause cancer.

10.   Spices:  Black pepper, mustard and horseradish contain carcinogens.

11.   Moldy foods (especially peanuts and corn):  Contain aflatoxins which are carcinogenic.

12.   Caffeine:  Interferes with DNA repair and decreases the ability of the immune system to fight cancer.

13.   Theo bromine:  Substance found in cocoa and chocolate is also associated with cancer.

14.   Sugar:  Has also been associated with cancer.

15.   Mushrooms:  Some types may contain carcinogens.

16.   Food additives:  Substances such as sodium nitrite which are used to preserve & color cured or canned meats are carcinogenic.

17.   Artificial sweeteners:  Saccharine and cyclamate have been related to bladder cancer.

18.   Overeating:  Increased central body fat increases the risk of breast cancer.

19.   Alcohol:  Drinking alcoholic beverages increases the risk of cancer of the liver, pancreas, and upper digestive tract, and decreases the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

20.   Low fiber diet.

21.   A lack of protective foods.

Some Ways in which the Body Fights Cancer:

DNA Repair:  The body normally repairs damaged DNA.

Note:  Caffeine interferes with DNA repair à easier for a cancer virus or carcinogen to insert itself into the DNA.

Carcinogen Detoxification:  The destruction or elimination of carcinogens before they have a chance to cause any real damage.  There are certain enzymes that detoxify carcinogens (found in: cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and kale.) 

Vitamin C prevents nitrites and nitrates from forming carcinogenic compounds called nitrosoamines.

Phytochemical Action: 

·         Act as anti-oxidants

·         Inhibit the growth of cancer cells

·         Inhibit angiogenesis

·         Promote differentiation of cells

·         Block uptake of estrogen by receptors

·         Bind cancer causing toxins in the bowel

·         Immunity:  Natural Killer Cells and T lymphocytes destroy cancer cells.

Cancer Prevention Plan

1.       High Fiber Diet:  A high fiber diet helps prevent cancer, especially of the colon.

 Decreases transit time; fiber can bind to toxic substances; some types of fiber can be broken down by bacteria in the 

colon into substances which reduce the risk of tumor cells forming.

2.       Eat lots of food containing Vitamins A, C, and E.  These are antioxidants and help prevent cancer by protecting cell membranes from damage; beta-carotene may help reverse dedifferentiation.

3.       Eat a diet that is low fat, with no saturated fat from animals.  Avoid fried foods and limit the amount of oil added to foods.  Excess fat decreases the functioning of the T lymphocytes.

4.       Avoid eating foods cooked or processed in ways that cause cancer.

5.       Avoid food additives, artificial sweeteners and other foods which may contain carcinogens.

6.       Eat a pure vegetarian diet.  Studies show that people who use animal products have many mutagens in their bodies but people who are pure vegetarians may have no mutagens at all.  A vegetarian diet also increases the efficiency of the natural killer cells which fight cancer.

7.       Eat foods that contain natural chemicals which prevent cancer.

8.       Eat foods in their natural state, free from mold and decay.

9.       Avoid alcohol:  alcohol depresses the production of antibodies, natural killer cells, and killer t lymphocytes.

10.   Avoid tobacco.

11.   Avoid getting too much sunshine.

12.   Keep your immune system healthy.

13.   Keep your weight normal.

14.   Regular exercise reduces cancer risk.