What Is Cancer

When you hear the word “Cancer” do you immediately go to fear feeling like it’s synonymous with a death sentence? What may also frighten you is that some known cancer cures can be as deadly as the disease. Let’s look at some of the facts and become pro-active.

I believe with a better understanding of how cancer takes hold in the body, it doesn’t have to be scary and we can then take appropriate action. It’s important to explore various healing methods if one has the disease currently. Western medicine and natural methods can be used independently or in combination.

Defining Cancer
Cancer happens when abnormal cells divide without control. These abnormal cells are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems as well. Some cancers do not form tumors. For example, leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood.

All cancers begin in the cells, the body’s basic unit of life. The body is made up of many types of cells. When cells become old or damaged, they die and are replaced with new cells. However, sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. The genetic material (DNA) of a cell can become damaged or changed, producing mutations that affect normal cell growth and division. When this happens, cells do not die when they should and new cells form when the body doesn’t need them. The extra cells may form a mass of tissue called a tumor.

Benign tumors aren’t cancerous and are often removed. In most cases, they don’t come back. Cells in benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Cells in these tumors can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is called metastasis.

In order for cancer to spread, the tumor must send out a supply line or a new network of blood vessels to feed them. To do so, they produce a chemical substance called angiongenin that forces vessels to approach them and to sprout new branches. To cut the supply line, there are specific dietary practices to follow. Many natural antiangiongenesis foods have been discovered recently such as common mushrooms, certain green teas, spices and herbs. They reduce inflammation - a direct cause of growth of new blood vessels.

Types of Cancer
Cancer is not just one disease. There are more than 100 different types.
*Carcinoma – begins in skin or tissue that line or cover internal organs.
*Sarcoma – begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue.
*Leukemia – starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood stream.
*Lymphoma and myeloma – begins in cells of the immune system.
*Central nervous system cancers – begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.

Major Causes
Chronic Inflammation is the cause of disease in the body and a byproduct of the immune system going haywire. The immune system may ignite its self when it shouldn’t or it may turn on to heal an infection but never turn off. When the immune system stays on for prolonged periods of time, it can attack joints, tissue and blood vessels causing rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and asthma. This type of inflammation can eventually lead to cancer.

What can cause inflammation? “Just one high fat meal of pizza, burgers, ice cream and French fries can create inflammation in your body,” says Dr. Oz. How do you know if you have general chronic inflammation? I recommend getting the C-Reactive Protein Test or CRP Test to check your chronic inflammation levels. It’s important to have a baseline to compare levels over time. There are anti-inflammatory drugs to lessen vulnerability to cancer but they come with serious side effects.

Try some natural ways of reducing inflammation. Drink organic green tea and try using essential oils. All therapeutic grade essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties, particularly clove oil.

Stress adds fuel to the fire
Persistent feelings of helplessness create stress and will lead to changes in secretion of noradrenaline (fight or flight hormone). This secretion acts as a fertilizer for cancerous tumors, latent or already established. Therefore, reducing stress in our lives is critically important to being cancer free. To de-stress seek a professional for your emotional health. A good therapist can aid you in breaking old and damaging thought patterns that create hopeless feelings and depression.

Using therapeutic grade essential oils not only may help with chronic inflammation, they oxygenate the body and may also bring feelings of well-being. Use lavender oil to experience peace and relaxation. Using the oils along with a meditation practice can significantly bring a more peaceful and happy existence.

Anti-Cancer Strategy
*Remove chemicals and avoid exposure
*Stimulate your immune cells
*Adopt an anti-cancer diet
*Fight inflammation
*Cleanse and detox
*Drink ½ your bodyweight in ounces of water each day
*Seek emotional balance
* Exercise

Start making a change in your diet now, before there is a medical crisis. Eat raw, whole foods, lots of fruits and vegetables. Drink organic green tea. Use essential oils. Make it a practice to find joy in your life each day.

I’m sure much of what you’ve read is not new or maybe some of it is. My goal was to put it together to create a big picture. It’s many simple things that add up to creating a healthy life. My purpose is to help you see how each of these simple things work together to keep us well and vital. Develop your life strategy now. What are you waiting for?

"The views expressed are those of the writer. If you have any questions about your health, you should always consult with your doctor.”

If you’d like more detailed information on “What Is Cancer?”
Please come join me on Wed. Nov. 14th 2012 at 6:45 pm.
I will be the featured Speaker.

At Florey’s Book Company
2120 Palmetto Ave.
Pacifica, CA 94044

Please RSVP as space is limited. Call Sharon at 650.359.6579 or email
Sharon@sharonthehealth.com
www.sharonthehealth.com