Saturday, October 24, 2009

“Curcumin, Cancer, and You” plus 4 more

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“Curcumin, Cancer, and You” plus 4 more


Curcumin, Cancer, and You

Posted: 23 Oct 2009 02:34 PM PDT

As a breast cancer survivor, I am always on the lookout for new developments when it comes to treating the disease. I am always surprised to learn that some of these new treatments are actually old ones - even centuries old - albeit those who used them had no idea that in the future, we would all benefit from their findings. Not long ago, I came across some interesting information about curcumin and breast cancer, among other types of the disease, which was recommended to me by a friend. I thought it relevant to share the information that I found.

In recent years, studies have demonstrated that a spice used for many centuries in traditional Indian medicine could in fact be helpful. Researchers have discovered that one of the ingredients of Indian saffron, named curcumin, was able, in the laboratory, to treat the cells of skin and breast cancer, among others. Clinical studies involving the use of curcumin have in fact been launched and presently, scientists from the University of Texas' Department of Medicine have discovered that curcumin blocks the activity of a gastrointestinal hormone that is involved in the development of colorectal cancer (second most deadly cancer). The work of Professor B. Mark Evers and his collaborators was published in one of the latest issues of Clinical Cancer Research, and it demonstrates that gastrointestinal hormone, neurotensine, which is generated in response to fat consumption, contributes to the production of IL-8, an inflammatory protein that accelerates the growth and dissemination of a variety of human cancer cells including colorectal and pancreatic tumour cells. According to the main author, the fact that this action can be completely stopped by this natural product, curcumin, is totally remarkable. The authors, including an associate researcher, Dr. Xiaofu Wang, studied the effects of curcumin. The effect of neurotensine depends on a biochemical signal inside the cells. Experiments have shown that circumin decreases these signals, thereby reducing the production of IL-8.

Experiments also showed that neurotensine increases cell migration, thereby most probably decreasing the colorectal cancer cells' capacity metastasize to other part of the body. Also according to the authors, the results suggest that circumin may be helpful in the treatment of colorectal cancer whose cells respond to the gastrointestinal hormone. Close to one third of colorectal cancer cells have neurotensine receptors. The concept resembles what happens in breast and prostate cancer where the primary treatment involves blocking hormones. The author is hopeful that a similar result will be attained for gastro-intestinal cancers that respond to this hormone, and that even more evidence can be found with regard to curcumin and breast cancer, and how it constitutes effective treatment.

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Pink Wristbands For the Wakefulness of Breast Cancer

Posted: 23 Oct 2009 12:51 PM PDT

There is a new-fangled style among Americans when it approaches to support their preferred causes and contributions. The new state of mind of people relating to causes means wearing your viewpoint on your sleeve, almost literally. In all places someone is sporting a colored wristband of a number of sorts. Colors each and every color means diverse things: yellow supports prostate cancer whereas pink is a breast cancer wristband. These inexpensive, low-priced wristbands are way to contribute to a charitable trust at the same time as keeping it in the mind of those who notice them on somebody Else's arm. Not just a teen craze, there are adults supporting them also. From school tutor to director and a five year child, there's a color-clad defense force on the march for the awareness program.

The shade of the wristband is pink for the awareness of breast cancer. Pink shades go for additional than just breast cancer wristbands behind the cause. Pink can be found on t-shirts, visor, kitchen gadgets, water cans, and even children toys. There is an enormous pink movement going on now, and breast cancer is getting a community focal point additional than it has once upon a time. Well-known famous person are helping the movement to hit upon heal for breast cancer as they approach ahead with their own individual fights with the ill health. Never earlier than have so a lot of people did not make community their battle with a neither individual illness nor have so a lot of people came as one to unite for a solitary cause.

Breast cancers hit end number of women every year. For a few, it is a persistent battle but for others it is their foremost familiarity of any sort with the sickness. For others, it means seeing a mother, sister, or daughter give way to the ill health prior to fighting their own fight. A few women are capable to have a small fight with a small number of physical effects whereas others pay a long-lasting battle just to be defeated in the ending or be harshly blemished or have ensuing sickness from treatment.

Breast cancer awareness has in addition also augmented the requirement for women to be alert of their family history and related risks, the call for for near the beginning finding through usual mammograms, and self-exams to help out relieve in early discovery. Until a treatment for breast cancer is establish, pink will be all over the place from the lights on a city skyline to a pink breast cancer wristband around the wrist of an director, and people will carry on to seek out for a treatment that may save their mother, wife, sister, daughter, or themselves.

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After Breast Cancer Treatment, What Can You Do to Optimize How You Spend the Rest of Your Life?

Posted: 23 Oct 2009 07:47 AM PDT

As someone who has gone through a cancer diagnosis myself, I know that after focusing so much time and energy on treatment and on surviving, once treatment is finished, you find yourself at loose ends. Family and friends, relieved that it's over are usually more than ready to get back to whatever normal was before your diagnosis. But like all heroines who are forced to fight battles in unknown lands, you have returned from your journey changed. While the physical geography of your outside world hasn't changed, your interior landscape has.

Because of your cancer experience, you now know as never before how precious life is. And it begs the question: how do you want to spend the rest of your life? If you're like many survivors, the answer is "thoughtfully." Some of the women I work with following a cancer diagnosis turn their lives upside down, while others discover that their lives are exactly as they want them. Still others adjust certain areas of their lives, to find more fulfillment. But almost all of them, in my experience as a life, business and results coach, use their diagnosis as an opportunity to examine their lives. They look at what is working, what isn't and begin navigating the next stage of their heroine's journey.

What's behind all this? A cancer diagnosis, or any life threatening illness is often re-orienting and can bring about a massive change of priorities. It raises questions about what really matters to the survivor, which may or may not be different than to the person they were b.c. (before cancer). A cancer diagnosis, or any life threatening illness can:

-Raise questions about the meaning of life and tests the bonds of relationships.

-Bring an end to a phase of life.

-Provide survivors with an opportunity to learn why they are here and what and who really matters.

-Serve as a wakeup call to examine what has been resisted and;

-Give survivors permission to shift their priorities. They may see the truth of what matters, who matters, and what they have been doing with their lives.

Having asked these questions, what can survivors do to enhance the quality of their lives and to live it more authentically, on their terms? The first place to start is with your level of satisfaction with your life. Because this is an article and not a coaching session, I won't outline all of the steps you could take if you chose to make some adjustments. Instead, I'll will focus on eliminating what you don't want so there is more room for what you do want.

A coaching tool called the wheel of life is the place to begin. Divide a circle into eight pie-shaped segments: friends and family; significant other/romance; fun and recreation; health, money; personal growth; physical environment and career. Rank your satisfaction score in each area on a scale of 1-10. Now with a snapshot of where you are today, and using a "realistic magic wand," write down where you'd like to be in each of the areas you'd like to improve. The more detail, the better.

Now write down all the things that are stressing you out in that area: be it your job, friends, family, your physical environment or even yourself. By writing them down, you increase your awareness about what's irritating you. There are two ways to tackle irritations; both will make you feel more empowered. You can determine the actions and requests needed to eliminate these irritants from your life. This can be as simple as telling the truth. Or you can accept the reality of the situation, let go of trying to control it, or them, and focus on something more rewarding.

Another issue to look at is time. What are your personal time wasters? Long phone conversations, television or the Internet? Write a list of the activities that eat into your time and promise yourself you won't indulge in them for more than an hour a day. You will be amazed at how much free time you suddenly have available.

How strong are your boundaries in the area you'd like to see improvement in? If you're spending too much time doing things you don't want to do, it's probably time to drop "the disease to please," and raise some personal boundaries. If your boundaries are poorly defined, it's more likely that you'll attract people who think it's OK to expect or demand something from you. Remember, we teach people how to treat us. By being clear about your boundaries, you'll regain control of your life and show others how much you value yourself.

Making these simple changes can create a life that looks and feels different and most importantly, suits you better. Why is this important? Because, as I said at the beginning of this article, you now know as never before how precious life is. As the poet Mary Oliver asks in one of her poems, "What do you plan to do with this one wild and precious life?"

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7 Ways You Can Help Support Breast Cancer Research

Posted: 23 Oct 2009 07:13 AM PDT

Breast cancer affects millions of women and thousands of men each year. Research is being done to figure out how to beat this disease and save lives and avoid the high costs and pain associated with breast cancer. Here are seven ways you can help support this research.

1. Donate
The Susan G. Komen Foundation is the United States' largest organization dedicated to supporting breast cancer research. You can donate money to this organization or to any other organization or hospital that has a fund created for this purpose.

2. Purchase products that contribute.
Many companies sell products that are designed to help raise money for this important cause and a portion of the profits and proceeds are donated. You can help by supporting these companies and purchasing their products.

3. Run in the Race for the Cure.
Each year the Susan G. Komen foundation sponsors a race for the cure in all major U.S. cities. Participate in the race and help spread the word as well as contribute financially.

4. Volunteer
You can support organizations that help support breast cancer research by volunteering your time. Many of these organizations rely on volunteers in order to be able to function. You can also volunteer to help support groups as well, who could also use a lending hand.

5. Help spread awareness
Wear t-shirts, talk with your friends, family and acquaintances and do other activities to help make people aware of the need to support breast cancer research. Many people may not be aware of how important it is and of the need to support it. You can do your part to help make them aware.

6. Create products and donate some of your profits.
If you have your own business or are crafty then you can make your own products and donate some of your profits to either the Susan G. Komen foundation or other similar charity.

7. Participate in research studies and surveys
If you have had breast cancer and survived or if it runs in your family history, there are research groups that are looking for people to participate in studies to help them better understand the disease. Volunteer yourself as a participant.

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University Studies Show Household Cleaners May Be One Cause of Breast Cancer

Posted: 23 Oct 2009 06:46 AM PDT

In recent studies conducted by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, researchers found many household cleaners emit toxic pollutants that, over time, will lead to health risks, and may be one cause of breast cancer in women.

Scientists searching for the cause of breast cancer in relation to poor indoor air quality, identified a link between toxic household cleaners and an on set of escalating diseases associated with toxic chemical poisoning.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported the largest occurrences of household poisoning are directly related to cleaners such as, toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, detergents and air fresheners.

Statistics for the cause of breast cancer in the US show 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer annually. That's 180,000 cases a year. Unfortunately, 44,000 will be fatal.

As noted author Dr. Sherry Rogers points out, "There is an avalanche of toxic chemicals overpowering our bodies daily and we are not able to eliminate them fast enough".

"Our bodies have developed over thousands of years to ward off bacteria and viruses, but the chemicals we see today are only 80 to 100 years old, and our bodies have not had the time to adapt enough to fight off the toxins associated with them".

"As a result, we become ill, developing asthma or breast cancer and we wonder why, never once considering our indoor environment may have caused the illness".

In other research by the Washington Toxins Coalition, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) found in ordinary household cleaners contain carcinogens, (cancer food), and neurotoxins that when they become air borne, can also be a cause of breast cancer in women.

"High levels of Toluene (VOC'S) can also put pregnant women at risk of of having babies with neurological disorders, retarded growth, and developmental problems".

One county taking the advice of University and Government research into the cause of breast cancer and other chemical related diseases, such as asthma, is Suffolk County New York.

They are to be praised for their legislative action in passing a new law banning toxic chemicals from municipal properties. The new law will require that toxic chemicals be avoided when the county purchases products for cleaning or landscaping municipal properties.

PHD Allen McMichael's from the Miami Institute of Health was quoted as saying "We were taught that when you open your washing machine and smell the bleach, that means the clothes are clean"

He continued, "But who told you it was a clean smell? Your mom did, right?" He then asked "Where did she get her PHD?"

"I have a PHD in Chemical Biology, and I am telling you the smell of chlorine can cause asthma, and I'm telling you the smell of chlorine can cause cancer, and I'm telling you the smell of chlorine is fowl to scientists".

Authors Note:

There has been 85,000 new chemicals introduced into mainstream America since the end of world war 2.

In the last 2 years, the EPA has only tested 4.

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