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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

More evidence that Essential Oils can play a role in cancer treatments

Hey folks,

Check out this article, Exploitation of Cytotoxicity of Some Essential Oils for Translation in Cancer Therapyposted in Feb of 2015.  

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4334976/# 


BTW, Cytotoxicity is the quality of being toxic to cells. In the article, scientists explain how some Essential Oils are toxic to cancer cells, yet harmless to normal cells.

They also point out the Antitumoral Activity of selected Essential Oils.


The following quotes are very inspiring!


"From the available literature essential oils seem to have a great potential as anticancer therapeutic agents; "


"Although, from the data reviewed in this paper, the use of essential oils in cancer therapy is very promising,,,,"


As usual, this information does not constitute medical advice, so please do your own research and make your own personal decisions before determining a treatment for your cancer.


Be blessed,
Tom





Monday, April 20, 2015

Hmmmm

I've just returned from my latest Urologist appt to discuss my prostate cancer, during which he gave me his assessment of my PSA dropping from 4.29 to 1.38 in the last 8 months. His reply was "Hmmm, what kind of treatment have you been doing to achieve this? " I told him, and he added it to his notes. That was the end of that conversation.  He suggested that the next step would be biopsy.

I had read about the MRI guided biopsy that is being done at the University of Birmingham, and asked him what he thought. He agreed that a biopsy would be the next step, and referred me to Dr Joe Busch in Chattanooga. When asked whether he thought the cancer might be gone, he indicated that it's probably still there, but just not "active" and that after the biopsy, we'd still need to discuss what, if any, type of medical treatment I should consider.



We also agreed to have genetic testing done by Prolaris.  I have done some research on Genomic testing, but will have to spend some time on this one.  The test is supposed to tell how agressive the cancer is, in order to determine how quickly action, if necessary, needs to be taken to address it.  The test will be done on my initial biopsy, from back in August, 2014. I initially thought maybe we should get the test done on the latest biopsy, but I'm claiming that it won't find any, so the only test that could be done would be on the initial biopsy.


I'm sticking with my theory that the cancer is totally gone, and this is no longer a concern!! 

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Natural Cancer Treatments in the News

While medical advances are being made, it seems, almost daily, investigation in natural treatments for cancer is growing too!  These treatments aren't backed (yet) by clinical trials, multi-billion dollar pharma companies, or the majority of Drs but they're gaining recognition.

And by treatment, I don't mean a 'guarantee to cure to eliminate' your cancer.  While some natural treatments are in fact being looked at as cures (and have reportedly worked for some), many more can supplement your medical treatments, speeding the recovery, or at least improving the quality of life during the treatment.

Here are some of the latest I've noticed, and before you write them off as "quackery", remember that treating cancerous organs rather than cutting them out was once considered ludicrous too.


Exercise:

Article: For Prostate Cancer, Referral-Based Exercise Program Beneficial:
Link: http://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/prostate-cancer-exercise-clinician-referral-treatment/article/409738/

Excerpt:
For men with prostate cancer, clinician referral to and participation in an exercise program has a positive impact on mental health, according to a study published in Cancer.
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Article: For Prostate Cancer, Referral-Based Exercise Program Beneficial:
Link: http://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/prostate-cancer-exercise-clinician-referral-treatment/article/409738/

Excerpt:
For men with prostate cancer, clinician referral to and participation in an exercise program has a positive impact on mental health, according to a study published in Cancer.

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Article: Walking improves health outcomes for prostate cancer survivors
Link: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2015/04/17/Walking-improves-health-outcomes-for-prostate-cancer-survivors/1111429278465/?spt=su

Excerpt:
"... according to new research, something as simple as walking three hours per week can make a significant difference."

Foods:
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Article: Swedish study explains coffee cancer link
Link: http://www.thelocal.se/20150418/swedish-study-explains-coffee-cancer-link#.VTJVjPQ4ULE.twitter

Excerpt:
"The caffeine turns off the signal paths to breast cancer cells. This results in slower cell proliferation and increased cell death," said Ann Rosendahl, a researcher at Lund University and co-author of the recent report detailing how coffee protects against breast cancer recurrence.

The report has just been published in the medical journal Clinical Cancer Research.

Natural Supplements:

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Article: Mistletoe: The holiday plant is making headlines as an alternative cancer treatment
Link: http://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/mistletoe-the-holiday-plant-is-making-headlines-as-an-alternative-cancer-treatment/article/391492/

Excerpt:
An oncologist at Johns Hopkins successfully treated a patient who had advanced colon cancer with an extract of the seasonal botanical, sparking interest in the plant's anticancer properties.

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Article: Vitamin D and prostate cancer: Higher intake improves active surveillance outcomes
Link: http://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/vitamin-d-and-prostate-cancer-higher-intake-improves-active-surveillance-outcomes/article/409401/

Excerpt:
The group concluded that men with low-risk prostate cancer who are undergoing active surveillance might derive benefit from taking 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day, without experiencing side effects from the treatment. A randomized trial is currently underway to further explore these observations. Hollis said that vitamin D is now widely used in the urology service at the Medical University of South Carolina, demonstrating how the studies have impacted clinical practice

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Article: Vitamin D May Keep the Lid on Prostate Cancer
Link: http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2015/04/09/vitamin-d-may-keep-the-lid-on-prostate-cancer/

Excerpt:
Some men diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer may be able to keep it from progressing by taking extra vitamin D.

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Article: Vitamin D can boost the immune system against colorectal cancer
Link: http://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/vitamin-d-can-boost-the-immune-system-against-colorectal-cancer/article/395554/

Excerpt:
The research, published in the journal Gut (2015; doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2014-308852), represents the first time that a link between vitamin D and the immune response to cancer has been shown in a large human population.

Others:
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Article: Artificial Sweetener Saccharin Shows Promise In Cancer Treatment
Link: http://www.letlifehappen.com/2015/04/05/artificial-sweetener-saccharin-shows-promise-in-cancer-treatment/

Excerpt:
You may have heard whispers that the artificial sweetener saccharin (commonly known as Sweet‘N Low) is a carcinogen. But according to a new study presented today at the 249th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, it could actually be useful in developing treatments for aggressive cancers by deactivating a protein found to facilitate the spread of cancer

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Article: 20 Medical Studies That Show Cannabis Can Be A Potential Cure Cancer
Link: http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/08/23/20-medical-studies-that-prove-cannabis-can-cure-cancer/

Excerpt:
Below are 20 medical studies that suggest cannabis can be an effective treatment and possible cure for cancer. This is a good starting point for the push for further human clinical trials.

If you've noticed an article or study that you'd feel would help others, please fell free to post it here!

Be Blessed,
Tom


Disclaimer:  This information is based on links to content I do not own, but have posted to help bring attention to, in order to broaden people's thinking about how to deal with the condition of cancer.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Can you afford to ignore the potential?

In my research for natural ways to treat my cancer, I've come across many abstracts documenting theories, usually with evidence, that Essential Oils (EOs) have an positive effect on cancer cells (ie bad for cancer, good for us).  Many abstracts I've read indicate a high probability of producing a treatment, and end with a recommendation that further clinical research be done.

I have not included any references to claims made by companies trying to sell products in any way, shape or form.

One thing that really encouraged me is that, in any of these abstracts, I haven't seen any documentation of possible side effects, or negative effects of these natural substance.  I've also tried to find known side effects of EOs, and haven't been able to.

For me, I couldn't find any reason not to give some of the EOs a try, and I've been extremely pleased with the effect that they, along with exercise and good vitamins, have had on my PSA levels.  I hope to soon verify whether the cancer has been eliminated or significantly reduced in my prostate.

Here are some examples of abstracts about ingredients/substances found in EOs that helped me.

Abstract:Oct, 2014
Anticancer activities of essential oils constituents and synergy with conventional therapies: a review.

Excerpt:
Many studies have shown that a large number of terpenoids and aromatic compounds contained in essential oils have significant anticancer activities, both on cell lines and on tumors in animals.

Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24831562


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Abstract:Dec, 2011
Boswellia sacra essential oil (aka Frankincense) induces tumor cell-specific apoptosis and suppresses tumor aggressiveness in cultured human breast cancer cells.

Excerpt:
Similar to our previous observations in human bladder cancer cells, Boswellia sacra essential oil induces breast cancer cell-specific cytotoxicity. Suppression of cellular network formation and disruption of spheroid development of breast cancer cells by Boswellia sacra essential oil suggest that the essential oil may be effective for advanced breast cancer. Consistently, the essential oil represses signaling pathways and cell cycle regulators that have been proposed as therapeutic targets for breast cancer.

Link:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22171782

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Abstract:Mar, 2015
Cycloartan-24-ene-1α,2α,3β-triol, a cycloartane-type triterpenoid from the resinous exudates of Commiphoramyrrha (aka Myrrh), induces apoptosis in human prostatic cancer PC-3 cells.

Excerpt
These findings indicate that MY-1 exerts significantly pro-apoptotic activity against human hormone-independent prostatic cancer and support MY-1 as a potential anticancer drug.

Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25591732


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Abstract: June, 2014
Essential oils and their constituents as anticancer agents: a mechanistic view

Excerpt
EOs from different plants have been reported to have anticancer potential against mouth, breast, lung, prostate, liver cancer, colon cancer, and brain cancer and even in leukemia [23–28]. Not only EOs but their constituents like Carvacrol [29], d-limonene [30], Geraniols [31–33], Myrcene [34, 35], perillyl alcohol (POH) [36], α-humulene [37], β-caryophyllene [38], Thymol [39, 40], Citral [41], and others have also been reported to possess cytotoxic effect on the cancer cell lines and in vivo studies.

Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4070586/


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Abstract: 2015
Activities of ten essential oils towards Propionibacterium acnes and PC-3, A-549 and MCF-7 cancer cells.

Excerpt
A growing body of scientific reports has recently focused on the potential of essential oils as anticancer treatment in the attempt to overcome the development of multidrug resistance and important side effects associated with the antitumor drugs currently used.

Link: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/397821/
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The website http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/  has a wealth of information, and a good search feature. I encourage you to visit it, and see if it can offer any information that may help you in your efforts to address a form of cancer.

These any many more abstracts and "scientific" papers can be found supporting the investigation of using natural substances to treat cancer.  There are also recent papers out even indicating that exercise is healthy, and could benefit treatment regimens.  Yes, that was meant to be sarcastic. :)  I'm still trying to figure out when we started needing scientists to tell us that physical activity was good for the body.

What do all these scientific terms mean????   I'm not going to claim to know, but I'd ask you to think about what is leading scientists and researchers to investigate treatments from natural substances.  In my case, I already have my opinion, based on experience! :) 

Even more encouraging is the fact that scientists are now leaning towards Immunotherapy (helping the body's immune system cure itself) as the next big cancer treatment.  I'll let you determine your own interpretations, but many of the abstracts and articles on EOs document the properties of the oils that contribute to the body's own natural cellular functions, such as apoptosis, or programmed cell death.  Other characteristics of EOs are Cytotoxicity, or the quality of being toxic to cells [cancer cells, not normal cells, in these cases].

Hopefully something here will help you in your quest to address a cancer that is affecting your life!  I feel that God has blessed us with bodies that can heal themselves, and sometimes we just have to give them additional help in order to overcome all the unhealthy things that we've been breathing, eating and living around all our lives.

DISCLAIMER:  None of the information provided here is meant to be medical advice.  I've documented other sources of information that I've found, and my direct experiences, but do NOT guarantee that what I've accomplished will work for you.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Belief!

The greatest force in the human body is 
the natural drive of the body to heal itself - but that force is not independent of the belief system. 
Everything begins with belief. 
What we believe is the most powerful option of all.

- Norman Cousins

Thursday, April 9, 2015

PSA IS DOWN ANOTHER .3 TO 1.38!!!

Hi everyone,

Just got an awesome report from my Urologist!  My PSA level is down to 1.38!!  Praise God for giving us bodies that can heal themselves, if we take proper care of them.

To recap:

My PSA history is as follows:
2007:  2.55
2009:  3.1
2010 : 2.4
2011:  2.68 (this is where it started creeping up)
2012:  3.8 in Jan, 2.5 in Oct
2013:  2.86 in May, 3.8 in Nov
2014:  4.07 in May, (this lead to biopsy in Aug, which confirmed the cancer)
2014:  4.29 in Oct

After changing my lifestyle with the treatment listed below:

2015:  Feb 17th    1.68
2015:  April 9th     1.38

My treatment for Prostate Cancer has been as follows:
  • Fervent daily prayer for healing!
  • In the morning with a small glass of the protein shake mentioned below:
    4 drops of each: Frankincense, Myrrh, Grapefruit and Wild Orange Essential Oils.
    I plan to cut back to 2 drops once I've determined that the cancer is gone.
  • With each meal:  (all Vitamins from Nutrilite) Multivitamin + Omega3 supplement + Calcium + Vitamin D + Saw Palmetto + encapsulated EOs (Frankincense, Wild Orange, Lemongrass, Thyme + some others)
  • Right before bedtime in a glass of juice or water:
    4 drops of each: Frankincense, Myrrh, Grapefruit and Wild Orange Essential Oils.
    I plan to cut back to 2 drops once I've determined that the cancer is gone.
  • Strenuous exercise 4-5 times a week to start my day
  • After exercising, I consume a protein shake including Nutrilite Chocolate Protein powder, 1 Clementine orange, 1 banana, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1/2 cup strawberries, 1 XS Strawberry +  Burn energy drink,  a handful of spinach leaves, a handful of kale leaves.

Official report!


DISCLAIMER:  None of the information provided here is meant to be medical advice.  I've documented other sources of information that I've found, and my direct experiences, but do NOT guarantee that what I've accomplished will work for you.



Friday, April 3, 2015

Time for PSA test

Heading to Dr. office for quarterly PSA test.  Will meet with him in 2 weeks to get his assessment of my situation. Praying to get a diagnosis of "remission"!

Be blessed,
Tom