Research: Walnuts May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

by: continuum wellness - August 6th, 2011   Filed under: breast cancer, cancer, self-care, wellness, women's health Add Comment

Walnuts continue to amaze researchers with their health promoting powers.  This latest research demonstrates how walnuts contain factors that can slow and may prevent breast tumors.

Walnuts are a good source of fiber, healthful fatty acids and minerals. They can be sprinkled on breakfast cereal, tossed with crisp greens for a lunch or dinner salad, or simply eaten out of hand as a snack.

Walnuts — 1 ounce, about 9 walnuts

Protein Foods Group: counts as 2 ounce equivalents protein foods and 2 teaspoons oil

Dietary Walnut Suppressed Mammary Gland Tumorigenesis in the C(3)1 TAg Mouse.

Abstract

Walnuts contain multiple ingredients that, individually, have been shown to slow cancer growth, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytosterols. In previous research, consumption of walnuts has slowed the growth of implanted breast cancers.

We wanted to determine whether regular walnut consumption might reduce the risk for developing cancer.

Homozygous male C(3)1 TAg mice were bred with female SV129 mice consuming either the control AIN-76 diet or the walnut-containing diet. At weaning, the female hemizygous pups were randomized to control or walnut-containing diets and followed for tumor development.

Compared to a diet without walnuts, consumption of walnuts significantly reduced tumor incidence (fraction of mice with at least one tumor), multiplicity (number of glands with tumor/mouse), and size. Gene expression analyses indicated that consumption of the walnut diet altered expression of multiple genes associated with proliferation and differentiation of mammary epithelial cells. A comparison with another dietary intervention indicated that the omega 3 content alone did not account for the extent of tumor suppression due to the walnut. The results of this study indicate that walnut consumption could contribute to a healthy diet to reduce risk for breast cancer.

Nutr Cancer 2011 Jul 20
Hardman WE, Ion G, Akinsete JA, Witte TR.

Source: Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , Marshall University School of Medicine , Huntington , West Virginia , USA

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Cancer patients find relief in integrative medicine services

by: continuum wellness - June 17th, 2010   Filed under: adverse events, alternative medicine, cancer, complementary medicine, health beliefs, integrative medicine, thoughts 1 Comment

Following is an interesting article (press release) on how integrative medicine is used alongside standard drug therapy. Note that the therapies mentioned in this are said to offset the harsh side effects of chemotherapy and boost the immune system. Later, it is stated that integrative medicine offers no cure for cancer. Cancer has been *cured* by the use of numerous modalities. Anyone interested should do their own research. The living proof is available. This Integrative Oncology program at Northwestern Memorial is to be commended. It is alleviating suffering, reducing cost and saving lives. Healing should do just this, heal, not cling to rigid viewpoints. Read on…please note, the emphasis in the text has been added.

25 February 2010

Northwestern Memorial’s Integrative Oncology Program aims to ease pain and help patients manage cancer

CHICAGO- The very instant Penny Kukovec was diagnosed with breast cancer her world permanently changed. Suddenly, it felt as if her life was out of her control. She felt powerless and overwhelmed. There were so many unanswered questions. Why me? What’s next? What about my family? The feelings Kukovec experienced are felt by many cancer patients following their initial diagnosis and as they pursue treatment. In an effort to effectively and compassionately respond to these worries, as well as address common side effects associated with cancer treatment, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University now offer integrative oncology services.

“When a patient is diagnosed with cancer many of them want to fully participate in their recovery, but don’t know where to begin. This program gives them control over their treatment,” said Julian Schink, MD, chief of Gynecologic Oncology at Northwestern Memorial and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

The integrative oncology services are part of a larger 360 Care Program that recently launched aimed to address cancer patients’ needs from every angle through treatment that extends beyond medical therapies, to include counseling, stress management and integrative medicine. Integrative oncology services include acupuncture, massage, energy healing and naturopathic medicine offered by Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group’s Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness.

“Our goal is to treat the whole person, not just their illness,” said Melinda Ring, MD, medical director of the Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness. “Research suggests that a holistic approach can alleviate stress and anxiety, as well as the physical pain and discomfort patients often experience while undergoing cancer treatments by activating the body’s innate healing process.”

While there is little research to explain exactly how integrative approaches like acupuncture work, researchers at the National Institute of Health state complementary therapy such as acupuncture do improve the body’s immune system. In an oncology setting, integrative approaches provide an effective way to manage symptoms, alleviate side effects, and help patients restore their sense of control and vitality.

“My body was hit hard with trauma. I was so tired, my joints hurt and my muscles were tense. I knew I needed more help. When I began massage therapy my muscles relaxed, and it helped me release my emotions. It reminded my body that it can relax in spite of what I am going through,” said Penny Kukovec, patient at Northwestern Memorial.

Common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer include muscle tension, aches, pains nausea, vomiting and fatigue. The main role of complementary medicine is to provide supportive care and reduce adverse effects while helping the patient cope.

“Unfortunately, the side effects associated with conventional therapies often cause patients to end their treatments prematurely, or require that we take a less aggressive approach,” said Schink. “We’ve seen this occurrence decrease with the addition of integrative oncology services.”

“The medicine I was taking for my cancer caused nerve damage in my hands and feet. It was very uncomfortable. Acupuncture helped relieve the pain,” said Nancy Amicangelo, patient at Northwestern Memorial.

There is evidence that integrative approaches may also play a role in reducing the rate of depression among cancer patients. Services such as massage therapy are believed to have a short-term effect on reducing anxiety related to depression among patients.

“You’re sick, your hair falls out, and your family is stressed. When you are diagnosed it’s sometimes all that you can think about. The massages offer me a chance to escape,” said Kukovec.

While integrative medicine does not offer a cure for cancer, there is strong evidence that it positively affects the patient. Studies show 77 percent of cancer patients who incorporate complementary approaches believe it improves their quality of life, and 73 percent state it makes them feel hopeful. In addition, 71 percent say it helps to boost their immune system.

All patients under the care of a Northwestern Memorial oncologist are eligible to receive free integrative medicine services as part of their cancer treatment. The 360 Care Program was made possible by a generous gift from Abra Prentice Wilkin, board member of Northwestern Memorial Hospital and longtime supporter of the hospital.

Source:
Angela Salerno
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Photo credit: Emory University

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Research: Effects of Homeopathic Remedies on Breast Cancer Cells

by: continuum wellness - February 15th, 2010   Filed under: alternative medicine, breast cancer, cancer, complementary medicine, holistic medicine, Homeopathy, women's health Add Comment

Below is an abstract of the research. Ultra-diluted remedies refer to homeopathic remedies. Four remedies were studied: Carcinosin, Phytolacca, Thuja and Conium in the test.

Cytotoxic effects of ultra-diluted remedies on breast cancer cells.

Frenkel M, Mishra BM, Sen S, Yang P, Pawlus A, Vence L, Leblanc A, Cohen L, Banerji P, Banerji P.

Integrative Medicine Program-Unit 145, Department of Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA. frenkelm@netvision.net.il

The use of ultra-diluted natural products in the management of disease and treatment of cancer has generated a lot of interest and controversy. We conducted an in vitro study to determine if products prescribed by a clinic in India have any effect on breast cancer cell lines. We studied four ultra-diluted remedies (Carcinosin, Phytolacca, Conium and Thuja) against two human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and a cell line derived from immortalized normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMLE). The remedies exerted preferential cytotoxic effects against the two breast cancer cell lines, causing cell cycle delay/arrest and apoptosis. These effects were accompanied by altered expression of the cell cycle regulatory proteins, including downregulation of phosphorylated Rb and upregulation of the CDK inhibitor p27, which were likely responsible for the cell cycle delay/arrest as well as induction of the apoptotic cascade that manifested in the activation of caspase 7 and cleavage of PARP in the treated cells. The findings demonstrate biological activity of these natural products when presented at ultra-diluted doses. Further in-depth studies with additional cell lines and animal models are warranted to explore the clinical applicability of these agents.

Leukemia and Complimentary Therapies

by: continuum wellness - September 23rd, 2009   Filed under: alternative medicine, cancer, complementary medicine, healing, healing philosophy, Health, health beliefs, health care, holistic, holistic medicine, integrative medicine, mind and body, reflexology Add Comment

As a reflexologist I note with interest its inclusion in this list of useful therapies. Acupuncture is listed, not Homeopathy which has been useful in healing many conditions. However the researcher seems to have some bias towards what are called ‘alternative’ therapies. How can one research anything if a bias is present? How will you find the truth? Research is too often focused on maintaining the status quo, with a goal of producing drugs that require continued use. Truth is, there are many true stories of people who have lived to tell, that they have healed (vs. ‘managed) from any number of conditions – where the ‘experts’ said it couldn’t be done, note Norman Cousins, one very well known case. Optimum care will come when people are free to choose therapies of their choosing and we respect what is good in various approaches.
The abstract is listed below, read on…


Is there a role for complementary therapy in the management of leukemia?
Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2009 Sep;9(9):1241-9
Patients with leukemia often seek additional treatments not prescribed by their oncologist in an effort to improve their cancer treatment outcome or to manage symptoms.

Complementary therapies are used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments to decrease symptoms and side effects associated with cancer or cancer treatment, and to improve patients’ overall quality of life. Complementary therapies are distinct from so-called ‘alternative’ therapies, which are unproven, ineffective and may postpone or interfere with mainstream cancer treatment. Complementary therapies are pleasant, inexpensive, nonpharmacologic and effective. For patients with leukemia, the complementary therapies that are always appropriate include mind-body interventions, such as self-hypnosis, meditation, guided imagery and breath awareness. Massage and reflexology (foot massage) decrease symptoms with effects lasting at least 2 days following treatment. Acupuncture is very beneficial for symptom management without adverse consequences. Physical fitness with regular exercise and healthy dietary habits can significantly decrease side effects of cancer treatments and may prolong survival. Botanical extracts and vitamin supplements may interfere with active cancer treatments, and should be discussed with the oncologist or pharmacist before use.

Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1429 First Avenue, NY 10021, USA.

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Study Suggest Some Cancers May Go Away

by: continuum wellness - December 2nd, 2008   Filed under: breast cancer, cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, Health, medical news, medicine 1 Comment

Study Suggests Some Cancers May Go Away
November 25, 2008, New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/health/25breast.html

Cancer researchers have known for years that it was possible in rare cases for some cancers to go away on their own. There were occasional instances of melanomas and kidney cancers that just vanished. And neuroblastoma, a very rare childhood tumor, can go away without treatment. But these were mostly seen as oddities – an unusual pediatric cancer that might not bear on common cancers of adults, a smattering of case reports of spontaneous cures. And since almost every cancer that is detected is treated, it seemed impossible even to ask what would happen if cancers were left alone. Now, though, researchers say they have found a situation in Norway that has let them ask that question about breast cancer. And their new study, to be published Tuesday in The Archives of Internal Medicine, suggests that even invasive cancers may sometimes go away without treatment and in larger numbers than anyone ever believed. Robert M. Kaplan, the chairman of the department of health services at the School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, [is] persuaded by the analysis. The implications are potentially enormous, Dr. Kaplan said. If the results are replicated, he said, it could eventually be possible for some women to opt for so-called watchful waiting, monitoring a tumor in their breast to see whether it grows. “People have never thought that way about breast cancer,” he added. Dr. Kaplan and his colleague, Dr. Franz Porzsolt, an oncologist at the University of Ulm, said in an editorial that accompanied the study, “If the spontaneous remission hypothesis is credible, it should cause a major re-evaluation in the approach to breast cancer research and treatment.”

Note: For reports from major media sources on many hopeful new developments in the battle against cancer, click here.
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Preventing Colon Cancer, a look at B-6

by: continuum wellness - October 25th, 2008   Filed under: cancer, colon cancer, food, Health, health benefits of food, health care, nutrition, nuts, wellness, Western diet, women's health Add Comment

Many of us are not getting nearly enough B6 from our diets. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (May, 2008) published a study of nearly 8,000 people showing that B6 inadequacy is common throughout the United States. “Across the study population,” the authors said, “we noticed participants with inadequate vitamin B6 status even though they reported consuming more than the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin B6, which is less than 2 milligrams per day.” Three out of four women using oral contraceptives are vitamin B6 deficient, unless they also take vitamin B6 supplements. Smokers and the elderly are also especially likely to be at risk. Remarkably, even among people who take B6 supplements, one in ten is still B6 deficient. (4)

This indicates that we might better take more B6. But many won’t. This is because the public has been warned off of supplementing with this vitamin. So irrational is this fear that, at one point, a so-called “Safe Upper Limit” for daily B6 intake was set at only 10 mg. (6) That was only about six times the US RDA/DRI. Who set such a “limit”? Not the voters, that’s for sure. An unelected committee did it, one created by the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board. (5) They have, in a manner of speaking, recently admitted that they were wrong. The “Safe Upper Limit” is now 100 mg.

That is more like it, but still too low. Alan Gaby, M.D., in reviewing B6 toxicity, wrote that adverse effects from B6 (pyridoxine) were occurring in people taking “2,000 mg/day or more of pyridoxine, although some were taking only 500 mg/day. There is a single case report of a neuropathy occurring in a person taking 200 mg/day of pyridoxine, but the reliability of that case report is unclear. The individual in question was never examined, but was merely interviewed by telephone after responding to a local television report that publicized pyridoxine-induced neuropathy.” Dr Gaby adds that there have been no reports of B6 side effects at under 200 mg/day. (6)

Modern processed, low-nutrient diets are not providing anything close to 200 milligrams. In fact, they typically provide less that 1% of that amount. You can get some B-6 from food, if you really like to eat whole grains, seeds and organ meats. A goodly slice of beef liver contains a whopping 1.2 mg of B-6. Chicken liver is only 0.6 mg per serving, and most other foods contain less. Avocados (0.5 mg each) and bananas (0.7 mg each) lead the pyridoxine league for fruits. Potatoes (0.7 mg each) and nuts (especially filberts, peanuts and walnuts) are fairly good vegetable sources.

But people are not eating nuts, seeds, vegetables, and liver. What they are eating is way too many nutrient-poor junk foods. Our diets are low in B6, yet B6 reduces risk of colon cancer. Clearly supplementation is the way to go.

Orthomolecular Medicine News
Orthomolecular.org

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Acupuncture Reduces Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

by: continuum wellness - September 22nd, 2008   Filed under: alternative medicine, breast cancer, cancer, complementary medicine, drugs, health beliefs, health care, side effects, women, women's health 1 Comment

BOSTON – Acupuncture is as effective and longer-lasting in managing the common debilitating side effects of hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive sweating (vasomotor symptoms) associated with breast cancer treatment and has no treatment side effects compared to conventional drug therapy, according to a first-of-its-kind study to be presented Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting in Boston.

Findings also show there were additional benefits to acupuncture treatment for breast cancer patients, such as an increased sense of well being, more energy, and in some cases, a higher sex drive, that were not experienced in those patients who underwent drug treatment for their hot flashes.

“Our study shows that physicians and patients have an additional therapy for something that affects the majority of breast cancer survivors and actually has benefits, as opposed to more side effects. The effect is more durable than a drug commonly used to treat these vasomotor symptoms and, ultimately, is more cost-effective for insurance companies,” Eleanor Walker, M.D., lead author of the study and a radiation oncologist at the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology in Detroit, said.

The reduction in hot flashes lasted longer for those breast cancer patients after completing their acupuncture treatment, compared to patients after stopping their drug therapy plan.

Eighty percent of women treated for breast cancer suffer from hot flashes after being treated with chemotherapy and/or anti-estrogen hormones, such as Tamoxifen and Arimidex. Although hormone replacement therapy is typically used to relieve these symptoms, breast cancer patients cannot use this therapy because it may increase the risk of the cancer coming back. As a treatment alternative, patients are generally treated with steroids and/or antidepressant drugs.

These drugs, however, have additional side effects, such as weight gain, nausea, constipation and fatigue. The antidepressant, venlafaxine (Effexor), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is one of the most common drugs used to treat these hot flashes. However, many women decide against this treatment choice because of potential side effects, including decreased libido, insomnia, dizziness and nausea, or because they simply do not want to take any more medications.

The randomized clinical trial compared acupuncture treatment to venlafixine for 12 weeks to find out if acupuncture reduced vasomotor symptoms in breast cancer patients receiving hormonal therapy and produced fewer side effects than venlafaxine. The study involved 47 breast cancer patients who received either Tamoxifen or Arimidex and had at least 14 hot flashes per week. Results show that acupuncture reduces hot flashes as effectively as venlafaxine, with no side effects, and also provides additional health benefits to patients.

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Optimism Helps Cancer Patients

by: continuum wellness - August 28th, 2008   Filed under: cancer, healthy mind 1 Comment

New research indicates that cancer patients who are optimistic can better manage pain. Having a sense of mastery enables a cancer patient to reduce pain. This however is not new knowledge. We all know intrinsically that the ability to smile and to face adversity with inner strength is ultimately an essential skill we all need. And such a skill will help one to master life’s challenges of which an illness may be one.

Anyone who can use their mind in a way to maintain optimism is wise indeed.

“These findings underscore the need for physicians and nurses involved in the care of cancer patients to recognize, encourage, promote, and take advantage of these traits in their patients to help them more effectively manage their cancer care, so that they ultimately can achieve a better quality of life,” Dr. Margot E. Kurtz and colleagues from Michigan State University in East Lansing, the study’s authors, conclude.

SOURCE: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, July 2008.

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Cancer Patients and Survivors Turn to Complementary Medicine

by: continuum wellness - August 6th, 2008   Filed under: alternative medicine, breast cancer, cancer, cervical cancer, complementary medicine, healing, Health, holistic medicine, medicine, men, women, women's health 1 Comment

A paper by American Cancer Society researchers published this week in Cancer, one of the Society’s peer-reviewed journals, offers one of the largest and most detailed portraits of complementary and alternative therapy use among cancer survivors in the United States.

Complementary therapy refers to treatments, techniques, or methods that are used along with standard or mainstream medicine. Some complementary therapies may help relieve certain symptoms of cancer or its treatment. An alternative therapy refers to an unproven therapy that is used instead of conventional medicine. Some alternative therapies are bogus, and some have dangerous or even life-threatening side effects. Still others scientists don’t know enough about.

To date, information on just how many patients actually use complementary and alternative methods and on which patient characteristics influence that use has been limited.
Popular Therapies

ACS researchers surveyed more than more than 4,000 survivors who were participants in the American Cancer Society’s Study of Cancer Survivors-I (SCS-I) and found that more than half used some type of alternative or complementary therapy.

“Many complementary methods are extremely popular among cancer survivors, who are spending a lot of their time, money, and attention on them,” said Ted Gansler, MD, Director of Medical Content at the American Cancer Society and co-author of the study. “For this reason, it’s important to determine which are helpful, not only for shrinking tumors and extending survival, but also for relieving symptoms and improving quality-of-life.”

The researchers looked at 19 different complementary methods — from acupuncture to Tai Chi. Survivors listed the following practices most frequently: prayer/spiritual practice (61.4%), relaxation (44.3%), faith/spiritual healing (42.4%), nutritional supplements/vitamins (40.1%), meditation (15%), religious counseling (11.3%), massage (11.2%), and support groups (9.7%). Hypnosis (0.4%), biofeedback (1.0%), and acupuncture/acupressure (1.2%) were among the least cited.

A Detailed Picture

Of the group, younger, more affluent, and more educated cancer survivors were more likely to use the therapies. Women were more likely than men to use energy techniques such as Tai Chi and yoga (10.1 vs. 1.9%) and manipulative body practices such as massage (16.9 vs. 3.9%), though both men and women were only somewhat less likely to use non-spiritual mind-body methods such as aromatherapy, hypnosis, and meditation (58.6% vs. 42.8%).

Breast and ovarian cancer survivors were more likely to use alternative and complementary therapies than survivors of other cancer types, even when the researchers controlled for factors such as gender, stage of disease, and other characteristics. More research is needed into why these groups are more likely to embrace the methods.

This is the first of several reports that will tap American Cancer Society’s Study of Cancer Survivors-I (SCS-I) data to further investigate the topic of complementary and alternative medicine use among cancer survivors.

“We need to learn more about why some people use certain complementary methods, why other don’t, what benefits users expect, and how effective various complementary methods are in improving survivors’ length and quality of life,” said Gansler.

For more information on this topic and to learn more about some of the therapies mentioned in this story, see the American Cancer Society’s guide to Complementary and Alternative Therapies. *CW note: Homeopathy is not listed in the ACS review of therapies, yet it has helped many people who turn to its use. In every therapy one should work with a qualified therapist.

Research Review: Childhood Cancer Rates

by: continuum wellness - June 9th, 2008   Filed under: adolescents, cancer, children, Health, health care, medical news, Uncategorized Add Comment

Childhood cancer is still rare. But it does occur. And according the American Cancer Society it is the leading disease related cause of death among children in the United States. New tracking methods allow researchers to study the incidence of childhood cancer among various populations and locations throughout the United States.

A review of the data was published in the journal Pediatrics, 36446 cases of childhood cancer were reviewed. Analysis showed:

  • boys had a significantly higher rate than girls
  • children (aged 0–14 years) had a significantly lower rate than adolescents (aged 15–19 years)
  • white children had the highest incidence rate among all races.
  • Young people living in the Northeast had the highest incidence rate among all US census regions

The study demonstrates distinct differences in cancer incidence between the 4 US census regions. It also shows differences in cancer incidence according to gender, race and ethnicity. Read the study here.

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