According to scientists, inflammation leads to cancer. The biggest example is how GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease leads to inflammation of the lower esophagus. If not treated, it can result in a change of the cells called Barret’s esophagus that in turn leads to esophageal cancer.
Inflammation is a part of the immune system so when you take anti-inflammatory medicine, you suppress part of the immune system to reduce inflammation. Scientists believe that activation of certain parts of the immune system can suppress cancer while activation of other parts can make tumors increase or progress. This again leads to why doctors write off alternative medicines that boast of curing cancer by boosting the immune system because according to the logic of cancer, boosting immunity in some cases is good while in other conditions according to the cancer is bad.
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This leads us to another terrifying fact of antioxidants which every other medical site advocates the use of as a means to kill cancer. While antioxidants are good for health, they could also increase cancer in certain cases. That is the saddest paradox and controversial fact you will read here. Cancer researchers don’t believe that antioxidants kill cancer period. This is entirely because the very process (ROS) that is good for cells by which oxygen is metabolized and which antioxidants promote are also used by cancer cells to progress and kill the cell. If ROS increases, it damages the cell and that’s what cancer seeks to do.
Thus if antioxidants are good for your cells, they are also bad because research at the University of Texas found that antioxidants work on cancer cells to strengthening them and charging them up in the process resulting in cell damage and spread of cancer. But! Don’t be confused, the simplest way to prevent this is never to believe the miracle cures you read on the internet unless they are backed by studies or research. Eat healthy and live healthy is the mantra for good health. AND!! Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
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The worst problem in cancer treatment with chemotherapy is the elusive factor again. Chemo may kill even large tumors but the drug may not find the cancer stem cells that evade it. This is what causes a relapse.
As effective as chemo may be in cancer being the most preferred treatment as of now, the biggest problem is that while killing cancer cells, chemo also affects healthy cells too which is why those undergoing chemo experience body changes like hair fall. Weakness and general debility. Chemo also weakens the immune system considerably which effect can last up to 9 months; This is why a patient again becomes vulnerable to other infections. In effect, when undergoing chemo, your immunity is compromised to the extent that your body can’t really support the fight against the disease and has to rely totally on the effects of the drugs entering your body like a heavy sword that although you need to lift to fight enemies with, the heaviness keeps weakens you in the act.
Chemo targets the bone marrow which results in decreased production of red blood cells and white blood cells. Only healthy lifestyles and diet, as well as supplements issued by doctors, can again rejuvenate your body.
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This is another problem that is a matter of extreme controversy. While research requires animal models for testing to make discoveries and test proposed medical treatments, the lack of animal models prevents or retards the progress of science. One of the factors is the lifespan of animal models like mice who live only two years where it requires a longer time to gauge the effectiveness of the medicine. Then there is the factor of animal rights groups who advocate strongly the removal of animals from labs.
It is animal research that has lead to the recent advancements in cancer research and without animals, we would still be in a limbo where cancer is concerned and most probably still flummoxed by cancer.
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Even as research and discovery have enabled man to make the correct lifestyle and food choices, we still tend to give into temptation. Sedentary lifestyles and fast food are one of the deadliest combines that besides promote obesity are also introducing cancer into our bodies. While processed food and sugary food introduces the toxins that trigger the onset of cancer, the lack of physical activity weakens us in counteracting such effects leading to disease other than cancer which weakens us from inside. As a result, cancers take hold of our bodies more effectively making treatment difficult to arrest the progression of cancer.
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If this article scared you, it shouldn’t. Instead, it should be regarded as an awareness of the disease that can influence your decisions to lead a healthier life. In spite of the unanimous decision that cancer is winning, they are also optimistic about new discoveries like genomic medicine that targets the specific faulty genes and the paths responsible for the spread of the disease. Immunotherapy is also being hailed as a new approach to help immune cells increase anti-cancer activity. But as of now, only mice are benefitting and trials need to begin with animals with longer lifespans and human trials. Eliminating smoking altogether could help eradicate lung cancer. Diets that avoid sugar-based foods, unhealthy carbs, processed and fast food but rich in vegetables and whole grains can reduce the risk of the disease to a great extent.
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