Chemotherapy refers to the treatment of cancer by chemicals that kill cells, specifically cancer cells. Chemotherapy acts by killing cells that divide rapidly, one of the main properties of cancer cells. This means that it also harms cells that divide rapidly under normal circumstances: cells in the bone marrow, digestive tract and hair follicles; this results in the most common side-effects of chemotherapy-myelosuppression (decreased production of blood cells), mucositis (inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract) and alopecia (hair loss).

Chemotherapy was first proposed as a treatment for cancer right after World War II, when research on mustard gas demonstrated that it has the ability to kill living cells, particularly those which rapidly divide, such as those in the intestinal tract, bone marrow and lymph system. Doctors soon came up with the idea that they could use mustard gas to poison cancer, which constitutes the most rapidly dividing cells of all. In fact, many of the drugs we use today are close cousins of mustard gas one reason we find them so toxic (The Immortal Cell, Dr Gerald B Dermer, Avery Publishing Group, Garden City Park, 1994).

Oncologists define “cure” and “response” in different terms. They look only at “response” that is, shrinking the tumour as a measure of success, without considering whether it increases survival or improves quality of life. Dr Urich Abel, a German epidemiologist, who examined virtually all the articles (several thousand in all) on chemotherapy, plus the work of some 350 scientists working on cancer therapies, has found that when a tumour mass partially or temporarily disappears, those tumour cells which are remaining and resist the effect of the chemo can sometimes grow much faster afterward. Often, patients who did not respond to chemo survive longer than those who do (Der Spiegel: 1990; 33: 174-6. See also J Otolaryn, 1995; 24(4): 242-52).

A top NCI scientist has observed that for most forms of cancer, many patients may initially respond. But in only three forms of cancer ovarian, small cell lung cancer, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia did any appreciable percentage survive without disease, and even then it was, at best, less than a sixth of the total group of patients. In all the other types of cancer, disease free survival was rare.

Shrinkage of solid tumours should not be overinterpreted, as it often has little or no survival benefit, according to oncology consultant GM Mead of the Royal South Hants Hospital (BMJ, January 28, 1995). Major chemo manufacturer Bristol Myers discloses that only 11 per cent of patients taking the carboplatin and 15 per cent of patients taking cisplatin had a complete response to the drugs; remission lasted on average, about a year, and both types of patients survived, on average, only two years.

One of the most used chemotherapy drugs is cyclophosphamide, which comes from mustard gas. It can cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss, anorexia, and damage the blood, heart and lungs. Another drug, cisplastin (Platinol), made of the heavy metal platinum, can damage nerves, kidneys, and cause hearing loss and seizures. It can also cause deafness, irreversible loss of motor function, bone marrow suppression, anemia and blindness.

Mechlorethamine, an analogue of mustard gas (the “M” of MOPP treatment, the standard procotol for Hodgkin’s disease), is so toxic that those administering the drug are advised to wear rubber gloves and avoid inhaling it! This drug is known to cause thrombosis, jaundice, hair loss, nausea and vomiting. Merck, its manufacturer, warns in the PDR that “the margin of safety in therapy with MUSTARGEN is narrow and considerable care must be exercised in the matter of dosage. Repeated examinations of blood are mandatory as a guide to subsequent therapy. ”

Chemotherapy can cause heart problems, destroy bile ducts, cause bone tissue death, restrict growth, cause infertility, lower white and red cell counts and lead to intestinal and lactose malabsorption. 90 per cent of the time it doesn’t even work to eliminate the cancer completely.

Italian Oncologist Dr. T. Simoncini discovered some interesting facts:

The great lack of trust is evident even amongst doctors. Polls and questionnaires show that three doctors out of four (75 per cent) would refuse any chemotherapy because of its ineffectiveness against the disease and its devastating effects on the entire human organism.

This is what many doctors and scientists have to say about chemotherapy: “The majority of the cancer patients in this country die because of chemotherapy, which does not cure breast, colon or lung cancer. This has been documented for over a decade and nevertheless doctors still utilize chemotherapy to fight these tumors.” (Allen Levin, MD, UCSF, “The Healing of Cancer”, Marcus Books, 1990).

“If I were to contract cancer, I would never turn to a certain standard for the therapy of this disease. Cancer patients who stay away from these centers have some chance to make it.” (Prof. Gorge Mathe, “Scientific Medicine Stymied”, Medicines Nouvelles, Paris, 1989).

“Dr. Hardin Jones, lecturer at the University of California, after having analyzed for many decades statistics on cancer survival, has come to this conclusion: “… when not treated, the patients do not get worse or they even get better’. The unsettling conclusions of Dr. Jones have never been refuted.” (Walter Last, “The Ecologist”, Vol. 28, no. 2, March-April 1998).

“Many oncologists recommend chemotherapy for almost any type of cancer, with a faith that is unshaken by the almost constant failures.” (Albert Braverman, MD, “Medical Oncology in the 90s”, Lancet, 1991, Vol. 337, p. 901).

“Our most efficacious regimens are loaded with risks, side effects and practical problems; and after all the patients we have treated have paid the toll, only a miniscule percentage of them is paid off with an ephemeral period of tumoral regression and generally a partial one.” (Edward G. Griffin “World Without Cancer”, American Media Publications, 1996).

“After all, and for the overwhelming majority of the cases, there is no proof whatsoever that chemotherapy prolongs survival expectations. And this is the great lie about this therapy, that there is a correlation between the reduction of cancer and the extension of the life of the patient.” (Philip Day, “Cancer: Why we’re still dying to know the truth”, Credence Publications, 2000).

“Several full-time scientists at the McGill Cancer Center sent to 118 doctors, all experts on lung cancer, a questionnaire to determine the level of trust they had in the therapies they were applying; they were asked to imagine that they themselves had contracted the disease and which of the six current experimental therapies they would choose. 79 doctors answered, 64 of them said that they would not consent to undergo any treatment containing cis-platinum – one of the common chemotherapy drugs they used – while 58 out of 79 believed that all the experimental therapies above were not accepted because of the ineffectiveness and the elevated level of toxicity of chemotherapy.” (Philip Day, “Cancer: Why we’re still dying to know the truth”, Credence Publications, 2000).

“Doctor Ulrich Able, a German epidemiologist of the Heidelberg Mannheim Tumor Clinic, has exhaustively analyzed and reviewed all the main studies and clinical experiments ever performed on chemotherapy …. Able discovered that the comprehensive world rate of positive outcomes because of chemotherapy was frightening, because, simply, nowhere was scientific evidence available demonstrating that chemotherapy is able to ‘prolong in any appreciable way the life of patients affected by the most common type of organ cancer.’ Able highlights that rarely can chemotherapy improve the quality of life, and he describes it as a scientific squalor while maintaining that at least 80 per cent of chemotherapy administered in the world is worthless. Even if there is no scientific proof whatsoever that chemotherapy works, neither doctors nor patients are prepared to give it up (Lancet, Aug. 10, 1991). None of the main media has ever mentioned this exhaustive study: it has been completely buried” (Tim O’Shea, “Chemotherapy – An Unproven Procedure”).

“According to medical associations, the notorious and dangerous side effects of drugs have become the fourth main cause of death after infarction, cancer, and apoplexy” (Journal of the American Medical Association, April 15, 1998).

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The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. Cancer that grows in the prostate gland is called prostate cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the U.S.

Men have traditionally been less likely to seek medical attention than women, especially for minor problems which often serve as warning signs for more serious underlying illness. It’s estimated that approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will die of the disease.

Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old.

Some men will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. One symptom is a need to urinate frequently, especially at night. If cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Weak or interrupted flow of urine and painful or burning urination can be symptoms to watch out for. Other symptoms might include unintentional weight loss and lethargy. One cancer symptom is difficulty starting urination or holding back urine.

A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. When a digital rectal exam is performed it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface. A bone scan can indicate whether the cancer has spread or not.

Another test usually used when symptoms are present is the digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by the doctor. A number of tests may be done to confirm the diagnosis. There is a newer test called AMACR that is more sensitive than the PSA test for determining the presence of prostate cancer.

Medications can have many side effects, including hot flashes and loss of sexual desire. Chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C.

Side effects of chemotherapy drugs depend on which ones you’re taking and how often and how long they’re taken. Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all available treatment options. Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all.

Impotence is a potential complication after the prostatectomy or after radiation therapy. An oncology specialist will usually recommend treating with a single drug or a combination of drugs. Treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor.

Other medications used for hormonal therapy, with side effects, include androgen-blocking agents, which prevent testosterone from attaching to prostate cells. The conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial. Thoroughly discuss your treatment options and concerns with your doctor and other health professionals; it never hurts to get a second or even third opinion or more if necessary.

Radiation therapy to the prostate gland is either external or internal, both of which use high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Since prostate tumors require testosterone to grow, reducing the testosterone level is used to prevent further growth and spread of the cancer.

Because it’s a slow-growing disease, many men with this disease will die from other causes before they die from prostate cancer. In the end, only you with the help of your doctors, knowing your individual situation, can determine the best treatment program for you. Once diagnosed you may be want to join a support group whose members share their experiences and problems.

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Though relatively uncommon, a brain tumor has always made a grim prognosis for any unfortunate animal that is diagnosed with one. Traditionally they were often assumed but seldom confirmed, but since MRI and CT scanning has become more mainstream they can be diagnosed correctly. Here we discuss the different types of brain tumor that affect dogs and cats, the clinical investigations that can be performed, the treatments available and the likely outcomes.

Brain tumors seem to be more common in dogs than cats, and certain breeds are over represented such as Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, Scottish Terriers and Old English Sheepdogs.

Primary vs Secondary

Brain tumors can be primary or secondary (metastasis from other sites). Primary brain tumors are usually solitary, the most common ones in the dog being gliomas and meningiomas. In cats, the most common type are meningiomas and these can occur at multiple locations.

Secondary tumors in dogs include extension of a nasal tumor, metastases from breast, lung or prostate cancer, hemangiosarcoma or extension of a pituitary gland tumor. Nerve sheath tumors and skull tumors have also been reported.

Secondary tumors in cats include pituitary gland tumors, metastatic carcinomas, local extension of nasal tumors, skull tumors and middle ear cavity tumors.

What causes a brain tumor?

The cause of brain tumors is not known. Diet, environment, chemical, genetic, viral, immunologic and trauma have all been considered. In cats with meningiomas, because they often occur in very young animals, a genetic element is suspected.

Benign vs Malignant

The terms benign and malignant must be used with care when referring to brain tumors. Normally these terms apply to various characteristics on a cellular level, but on a biological level, even benign brain tumors can kill the animal due to the secondary effects like increased intracranial pressure or cerebral edema. In short, any brain tumor can kill.

What are the symptoms?

There can be huge variety here. Many animals will present with vague signs, such as one or several of the following:

1. Loss of trained habits

2. Decreased levels of activity

3. Decreased frequency of purring in cats

4. Disorientation

5. Confusion

More specific symptoms are dependent upon where exactly the tumor is located within the brain, the size of the tumor and how quickly it is growing. As a tumor enlarges, symptoms tend to become more severe. These can include:

6. Seizures (often indicate a tumor in the cerebral cortex)

7. Facial paralysis (may indicate a brainstem tumor)

8. Tremors (may indicate a tumor in the cerebellum)

9. Wobbliness (may indicate a tumor in the cerebellum)

10. Full or partial blindness (may indicate tumor in hypothalamus or optic nerve)

11. Loss of smell (may indicate tumor of olfactory system)

The physical presence of the tumor can cause knock on effects due to inflammation and edema of the surrounding area. This can cause symptoms such as:

12. Changes in behaviour or temperament (irritability, lethargy)

13. Compulsive walking

14. Circling

15. Pressing head against a wall or hard surface

Animals can sometimes carry brain tumors for several years before presenting to a veterinary clinic, if the tumor is slow growing. In these cases the symptoms develop gradually, and the owner tends to get used to them so that by the time the animal is examined, the tumor has reached a considerable size.

How is a brain tumor diagnosed?

History and Clinical Examination

The first step for a veterinarian is to take a thorough history of all of the clinical signs, and when they developed. This is followed by a full general clinical examination and a full neurological examination.

Bloods

After that, blood should be taken for routine haematology and biochemistry profiles. This is to look for any disease outside the brain. Results will be normal for brain tumors, with the possible exception of some pituitary gland tumors.

Radiography

Plain skull radiographs (xrays) under general anesthetic have little value in detecting a brain tumor, but they can be useful if there is a tumor in the nasal cavities or the middle ear which could extend into the skull. On rare occasions, they can identify bony changes in the skull which can accompany a brain tumor, or mineralization within the tumor itself. Radiographs and ultrasound of the chest and abdomen are useful to look for a tumor elsewhere in the body, in cases where the brain tumor is a secondary metastasis.

MRI and CT Scans

Confirmation of a brain tumor can is usually only achieved using the advanced imaging techniques, CT scans or MRI. Both of these have pros and cons when compared to one another. CT is better for bony changes, while MRI is better for soft tissue definition, for the detection of many of the knock on effects of brain tumors such as edema, cysts and bleeding. MRI is the preferred option for diagnosing primary brain tumors.

Biopsy

This is the only way to definitively diagnose a brain tumor. The advanced imaging techniques above offer much information, but they can occasionally confuse a tumor with a non cancerous mass or a cyst, and they also do not tell us the exact type of tumor present, and therefore the appropriate treatment and prognosis. The best type of biopsy is the CT guided stereotactic brain biopsy system, which is rapid, accurate and quite safe.

Since exploratory surgery is high risk, it is not usually attempted unless there is a reasonable chance of removing the whole tumor with minimal collateral damage. Many brain tumors in cats and dogs are not categorized on a cellular level until post mortem.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis

CSF analysis is useful for ruling out inflammatory causes of the symptoms, but tumor cells are rarely identified here. Increased levels of white blood cells and increased protein levels may be present in the CSF with many brain tumors, though this is not diagnostic. This test can be high risk when intracranial pressure is increased, as brain herniation can occur.

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at being either curative or palliative. Curative treatment eradicates the tumor or reduces its size, whilst palliative therapy reduces the surrounding cerebral edema and slows down the growth of the tumor. Palliative therapy also involves administering antiepileptic drugs, if seizures are occurring as a result of the tumor.

Surgery

Whether this is an option depends on the general health of the animal, and the precise location, size, extent, invasiveness and nature of the tumor. Tumors such as meningiomas in cats can be removed successfully by surgery. However, surgery to remove tumors in certain locations such as the brainstem can be extremely dangerous, possibly resulting in death. Even partial removal can benefit the animal though, particularly if the tumor is slow growing.

Radiotherapy

This is probably the most widely used form of treatment for brain tumors. Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments. It is also useful in the treatment of secondary brain tumors. The aim is to destroy the tumor without harming the normal tissue too much.

Chemotherapy

The main problem with chemotherapy for brain tumors is that many drugs do not cross the blood brain barrier. In addition, the tumor may only be sensitive to high doses, doses which are toxic to normal brain tissue and therefore unsuitable for use. However, several drugs have been used for this purpose that can cross the blood brain barrier with reported success, including cytosine arabinoside, lomustine and carmustine.

Probable Outcome

Studies of animals that receive palliative treatment (corticosteroids) for brain tumors show a survival range post diagnosis of 64 to 307 days. This demonstrates the inability to accurately predict life expectancy in these cases. What is certain is that the survival times significantly increase with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy seems to offer the best results, alone or in combination with other treatments. Generally, the more severe the symptoms, the shorter the life expectancy.

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Allopurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase, the enzyme responsible for conversion of hypoxanthine to xanthine and then to uric acid. About 20% is excreted in the feces. Allopurinol is essentially cleared by glomerular filtration, whereas oxipurinol is reabsorbed in the kidney tubules.

How to Take Allopurinol

Take Allopurinol exactly as prescribed by health care provider. Allopurinol is generally available in market in the form of Powder for injection, lyophilized 500 mg, Tablets 100 mg, Tablets 300 mg. Administer immediately after meals. For patients who have difficulty swallowing, crush tablets and mix with food. Reduced dose is given in patients with this condition. Drug may exacerbate renal failure in certain patients.

Indications for Allopurinol Drug

*Tablets: Treatment of primary or secondary gout, hyperuricemia resulting from chemotherapy for malignancies, recurrent calcium oxalate renal calculi.

*Tablets and injections: Management of patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumor malignancies when concurrently receiving cancer therapy that causes elevations of serum and urinary uric acid levels. Use injection in patients who cannot tolerate oral therapy.

Interactions for Allopurinol Drug

*Aluminum salts, uricosuric agents: May lessen effectiveness of allopurinol.

*Ampicillin: May increase incidence of ampicillin-induced skin rash.

*Cyclophosphamide: May enhance bone marrow suppression.

*Theophyllines: Theophylline clearance may be decreased, leading to toxicity.

*Thiopurines (eg, azathioprine, mercaptopurine): Toxicity of these drugs may be increased.

Drugs that are physically incompatible in solution with allopurinol sodium for injection are the following: amikacin; amphotericin B; carmustine; cefotaxime; chlorpromazine; cimetidine; clindamycin; cytarabine; dacarbazine; daunorubicin; diphenhydramine; doxorubicin; doxycycline; droperidol; floxuridine; gentamicin; haloperidol; hydroxyzine; idarubicin; imipenem plus cilastatin; mechlorethamine; meperidine; metoclopramide; methylprednisolone sodium succinate; minocycline; nalbuphine; netilmicin; ondansetron; prochlorperazine edisylate; promethazine; sodium bicarbonate; streptozocin; tobramycin; vinorelbine tartrate.

What are the Side Effects of Allopurinol -

Like other medicines, Allopurinol can cause side effects. Some of the more common side effects of Allopurinol include

* Drowsiness; generalized seizure (injectable); headache; neuritis; paresthesias; peripheral neuropathy.

* Allergic vasculitis; alopecia; ecchymosis; skin rash. Allergic reactions may be severe and sometimes fatal.

* Abdominal pain; diarrhea; dyspepsia; gastritis; granulomatous changes; nausea; vomiting.

* Epistaxis; myopathy; taste disturbance.

* Renal failure; uremia.

* Bone marrow depression; eosinophilia; leukocytosis; leukopenia; thrombocytopenia.

* Cholestatic jaundice; elevated liver enzymes; hepatic necrosis; hepatitis; reversible hepatomegaly.

* Acute gouty attacks; arthralgia; fever; myopathy; necrotizing angiitis.

Warnings and precautions before taking Allopurinol :

* Advise patient before using Allopurinol that drug may cause drowsiness, and to use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring mental alertness.

* Instruct patient before using Allopurinol to stop taking medication and notify health care provider if rash or flu-like symptoms develop.

* If urine output is decreased, dosage may need to be decreased. Consult health care provider before using Allopurinol.

* Advise women before using Allopurinol to inform health care provider if pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Allopurinol. Insulin is recommended to maintain blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Prolonged severe neonatal hypoglycemia can occur if sulfonylureas are administered at time of delivery.

* For treatment of gout, obtain baseline uric acid level. Monitor q 1 to 2 wk for dosage adjustment, then monitor every few months.

What if Overdose of Allopurinol ?

If you think you or anyone else taken overdose of Allopurinol , immediately telephone your doctor or contact your local or regional Poisons Information Centre Seek medical attention immediately. You may need urgent medical attention. Chills, headache, arthralgia, sinusitis are may be the overdose symptoms of Allopurinol.

What if Missed Dose of Allopurinol ?

If you miss a dose of Allopurinol medicine and you remember within an hour or so, take the dose immediately. If you do not remember until later, skip the dose you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage Conditions for Allopurinol :

Store Allopurinol reconstituted solution at 20° to 25°C; do not refrigerate or dilute product. Store Allopurinol unreconstituted powder at room temperature. Store Allopurinol tablets in tightly closed container in cool location.

By: ashu

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“What’s the one thing I should Start doing NOW as it relates to Exercise for Cancer?” How to Exercise for Cancer Exercise programming for cancer may mirror the growth in the US in alternative medicine and self help. A report in Alternative Therapies Journal by Van deCreek et al suggests that exercise is second only to prayer as the top forms of complimentary therapies that breast cancer survivors have interest in (prayer=84%, exercise=76%) and actually participate in as part of their recovery (prayer=76%, exercise=38%). Secondly, the passage of the Balanced Budget Act in 1998 has curtailed many acute rehabilitation programs in the US. Therefore, many therapists are looking for programs to provide to their patients to expand their level of clinical services. In 1996, the publication of the US Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity put into perspective the importance of regular exercise in maintaining and improving one’s physical health. Lastly, health centers in the US and abroad are moving in the direction of new and innovative programming. Many health clubs want to forge stronger relationships with their community medical facilities. All of these elements make for an attractive fit to provide exercise for persons with cancer. Therefore, exercise may stand on its own as the premier form of complimentary medicine for cancer survivors. Benefits of Exercise Why would a cancer survivor who has recently undergone chemotherapy or radiation wish to participate in an exercise program? In essence, patients feel better when they are in good shape. Not only are they better able to tolerate their medications, but their quality of life improves. This section details some of the major sports medicine reports that lend support to participating in exercise as a preventive approach to cancer but (according to some oncology sources) also to improve the odds for survival after diagnosis. The Epidemiology of Exercise and Cancer In the mid 1980s, Dr. Rose Frisch detailed a report that stated that former collage athletes had a marked reduction in the incidence of certain types of cancer, some by up to 45% less than their sedentary counterparts. In the late 1980s, a report from Stanford stated that persons who engage in more than three hours of physical activity per week have a reduction in certain cancers (such as colon cancer) by about 15%. These were the first epidemiological reports that looked at physical activity in cancer prevention. It wasn’t until five years later that USC Professor Dr. Leslie Bernstein showed a 60% reduction in breast cancer incidence in premenopausal women who engaged in regular exercise each day. Three years later, Dr. Ingar Thune published a Swedish study on physical activity and breast cancer incidence in 25,000 women. Her results mirrored the work at USC and showed a reduction in incidence rates by over 25%. This is impressive based on the large sample size interviewed. In general, the consensus of epidemiology reports lend a tremendous amount of statistical power to inclusion of exercise into a cancer-prevention regime. Improved Immune System Reports from the early 1990s by Dr. David Nieman confirmed that exercise enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity. This immune system component has effects on chemoprotection. However, the criticism in the immunology community is that changes in the immune system are transient, and it is hard to pinpoint whether or not regular exercise stimulates these cells enough to produce a long-term effect. In a conversation with Dr. Nieman early in 1999, his response to this was for physiologists and physicians to understand the concept of immunoenhancement – the sum of change in the immune system over time. This changing pattern over time may improve the protective status of the immune system without being detected on a random blood draw. Nonetheless, this may explain why some persons who exercise regularly may have a reduced incidence rate of certain types of cancers. Hormonal Changes Some theories recently published by Dr. Ann McTiernan state that improving the hormone state will have a tremendous impact on cancer development. It seems as though components such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IG-F) have an effect on tumor development. Modulating these hormones (along with cortisol and sex hormones) may reduce the ability of tumor cells to grow and proliferate. Other Physiological Mechanisms There are other hypotheses that may indeed have an impact on tumor cell development and proliferation. Like the new angiogenesis inhibitors that are being tested in the cancer field, exercise redistributes blood flow. This redistribution may have an impact on blood supply to the developing tumor cell. Exercise also increases body core temperature, changes body pH and increases the amount of lactate produced metabolically. These changes, although not currently tested in cancer, may also have an impact on tumor cell growth. We can only speculate as to the true mechanisms of why those who exercise may be at a reduced risk for development. Quality of Life Changes The past 10 years of behavioral research has given quite a bit of information as to the power of support groups and positive thinking on cancer survivorship. Recent behavioral reports have shown that persons with metastatic cancer who are involved in group support live longer than their non-support group counterparts. In the behavioral aspects of exercise, what we do know for certain is that physical activity enhances the quality of life for all of its participants. There are more reports coming out each year on the effects of exercise on quality of life issues. A 1997 report by Dr. Bernadine Pinto stated that 16 breast cancer survivors who participated in regular aerobic exercise had improved profile of mood scores than their sedentary controls. A 1998 report by Michelle Segar from the University of Michigan stated that 24 breast cancer survivors who performed regular aerobic conditioning had improved self efficacy scores and less anxiety than their controls. A 1999 review of over 20 behavioral reports by Dr. Kerry Courneya from Canada states that 75% of these reports show positive effects of exercise on cancer survivorship. A paper presented at 1999 by the HealthEmotions Research Institute states that 41 women with breast cancer who underwent a 16-week group exercise program improved blood pressure, body weight and well-being scores. This is some of the most profound research available on the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors. The ability to enjoy life and participate more fully in daily activities is shown through regular exercise at even a low level of training. Current Clinical Studies One of the first publications on therapeutic exercise for cancer patients was published by Rosenbaum in 1979. This guidebook may have been years ahead of its time in terms of its practical application to acute exercise programming for cancer survivors. However, in the 1990s, there are more reviews on the subject of exercise in terms of its application to the rehabilitation profession. A recent report from Dimeo states that patients who are on high dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation can improve physical measures such as hemoglobin and physical performance. This report details how even patients receiving large amounts of medication can derive exercise benefits. Winningham introduced the concept of the WAIT protocol, which uses interval aerobic conditioning to improve the fitness level of participants. Durak has used moderate to heavy progressive resistance strength training to improve overall function and quality of life scores in stage I and II cancer survivors. This program has also looked at health status over five years for participants who are continually exercising. Most of them (90% of 18 interviewed) still exercise and take nutritional supplements daily as part of their recovery process. A summary of the epidemiological and clinical benefits of exercise and cancer is listed in Table 1 below. Programming for Exercise and Cancer Most programs for cancer survivors use aerobic training (walking or stationary bike protocols) to improve function and quality of life scores for patients. The Cancer Well-Fit Program in Santa Barbara, California uses a four component approach for exercise. This model concentrates on progressive resistance strength training as the primary training regime. Patients select stations that fit their initial fitness level and medical concerns and progress to higher weight levels and additional stations as pain free fitness levels and strength improves. Aerobic training concentrates on machines (so patients can check improvement in Watts and MET values from computer readouts), step classes and group walking. The important aspect about training in a community health club environment is that patients can select from a variety of classes (designed for them) and aerobic machines to improve their aerobic capacity during their initial 10 weeks of supervised exercise. The third component is range of motion and flexibility. This concentrates on working out scar tissue deficits and balancing general musculature. The last component is mind/body fitness, which consists of breathing, relaxation, one to two yoga classes within the 10 weeks and some meditation programs. All of these are part of the health club programming. They are offered to cancer participants along with water exercise, NIA training and other club programs. This model is one that many health clubs and clinics are looking to emulate because, over the past five years, programs in Southern California, Colorado and Illinois have trained hundreds of cancer survivors using this model, and outcomes have been published on many of these participants with regards to increases in strength (over 45%), aerobic capacity (30%) and a multitude of quality of life improvements (in general over 29%). Over five years of recovery, over 90% of participants continue to exercise either self paced or in a club, and the same percentage take supplements on a daily basis. Their level of vigor is over 80% (on a 100 scale), and almost all use some type of complimentary therapy to enhance their recovery process. Future Directions in the Field Exercise and cancer is slowly making its presence felt in the sports medicine community. For now, personal trainers, therapists and oncology nurses have the resources to provide exercise programs for cancer survivors in a safe and supervised environment. Personal trainers will play a critical role in the development of long-term health outcomes for cancer survivors. As we have seen in our recent national survey of personal trainers, fitness instructors can help cancer survivors with their orthopedic concerns (after referrals from PT), psycho-social needs through group exercise and improvement in self efficacy and can inform them on topics of health education, nutrition and mind-body fitness. Health clubs will also play a role in cancer wellness through the developing of programs in their facilities and working with local medical agencies (physical therapy, nursing and oncology) to facilitate the growth of such programs for all types of cancer survivors. If cancer and exercise is to reach the status of cardiac rehabilitation in this decade, then it is essential we increase our awareness and knowledge of dealing with cancer survivors (some of whom already exercise in the health club setting) and improve our communication with oncologists and therapists to ensure a smoother referral network into these exercise programs. Exercise professionals are going to lead the change in this area of health care, and they will do it in a big way. This article is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Maryl Winningham, who pioneered the use of exercise for cancer patients. She lost her battle with breast cancer in February of 2001, but her spirit remains. References: 1. Bernstein, L., Henderson, BE, Hanisch, R., Halley, JS, Ross, E. Physical exercise and reduced risk of breast cancer in young women. J. Nat. Cancer Inst. 86;18:1403-08, 1994. 2. Courneya, KS, Friedenreich, SM. Physical exercise and quality of life following cancer diagnosis: A literature review. Ann. Behav. Med. 21;2:1-10, 1999. 3. Dimeo, R.C., Tilmann, M.H.M., Bertz, H., Kanz, L., Mertelsmann, R., Keul, JR. Aerobic exercise in the rehabilitation of cancer patients after high dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation. Cancer. 79:1717-22, 1997. 4. Durak, E.P, Lilly, P.C. The Application of a Total Conditioning Program with Cancer Patients: Effects on Strength and Endurance. J. Str. Condit. Res.. 12;1:3-6, 1998. 5. Durak, EP, Lilly, PC. A five year follow up survey on health and exercise habits in women breast cancer survivors. Br. Cancer Res. Treat. 57;1:92 (abstract), 1999. 6. Durak, EP, MSc, Harris, JM, Ceriale, SM. The Effects of Exercise on Quality of Life Changes in Cancer Survivors: The Results of a National Survey. Submitted to Cancer, September, 2000 7. Frisch, R.E., Wyshak, G., Albright, N.L., Albright, T.E., Schiff, I., Witschi, J.,Marguglio, M. Lower lifetime occurrence of breast cancer and cancers of the reproductive system among former college athletes. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 45:328-35, 1987. 8. Kolden, G, Staruman, T., Woods, T., Schneider, K, et al. Exercise is associated with improved physical and mental health in women with breast cancer. Br. Cancer Res. Treat. 57:1:131 (abstract), 1999. 9. McTiernan, A, Ulrich, CM, Yancey, D, Stalte, S., et al. The Physical Activity for Total Health (PATH) Study: Rationale and design. Med. Sci. Sports Ex. 31;9:1307-12, 1999. 10. Nieman, DC, Nehlsen-Cannarella, SL. Exercise and infection. In: Exercise and Disease. R.R. Watson, ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL pp. 121-148, 1992. 11. Pinto, B., Maruyama, N., Thebarge, R. Exercise participation in breast cancer patients. (abstract). Psycho-Oncol. 1996; 5;3:S-3:3, 1996. 12. Rosenbaum, E.R., Rosenbaum, I. Rehabilitation Exercises for the Cancer Patient. Bull Publishing, Palo Alto, CA, 1980. 13. Segar, M., Katch, V.L., Garcia, A., Haslanger, S., Wilkens, E. Aerobic exercise reduces depression, and anxiety, and increases self-esteem among breast cancer survivors. Oncol. Nur. Forum. 20:317-21, 1998. 14. Shephard, R.J. Physical activity and cancer. Int. J. Sports Med. 11:413-20, 1990. 15. Spiegal, D., Bloom, J., Kraemer, H, et al. Effect of psychological treatment on survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Lancet 14 (October): 888-91, 1989. 16. Thune, I., Brenn, T., Lund, E., Gaard, M. Physical activity and the risk of breast cancer. The New Engl. J. Med. 336;18:1269-75, 1997. 17. Van deCreek, Rogers, E, Lester, J. Use of alternative therapies among breast cancer outpatients compared with the general population. Alt. Ther. Health Med. 5;1:71-77, 1999 18. Winningham, M.L., MacVicar, M.G. The effect of aerobic exercise on patient reports of nausea. Oncol. Nurs. Forum. 15;4:447-50, 1988. 19. Erik Durak

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Our lung is one of the main “motors” of our body. Yet, often it is not given due attention and care, and it remains in the background when it comes to issues of the hearth or brain.

The main function of our lung is to exchange the gases between the air we breathe and our blood. It is through our lung that carbon dioxide is emptied from our body and oxygen is transported to our blood vessels. It is not widely known that the two sides of our lung are not identical to each other. The right lung has three lobes, whereas the left lung has two lobes, and an additional portion which is called the lingula which is like the middle lobe.

Lung cancer is the leading type of cancer causing death among men and women of the world. It is only since the 1930s that cases of lung cancer started to increase. This is mainly due to tobacco consumption, and the much disputed pollution and smog around the globe. 90% of lung cancers are caused by smoking. Recently, governments and states around the globe have raised the price of tobacco dramatically, having some significant effect on societies in cutting down on tobacco smoking.

Some people mistakenly believe that pipe and cigar smoking do not have such a harmful effect on the lungs as cigarettes. Cigar and pipe smokers are at 5% higher risk to die of lung cancer than non-smokers. This ratio is 25% for people smoking cigarettes.

Passive smokers, i.e., smokers who do not smoke themselves but stay in an environment where others smoke, and inhale smoke, are at 24% higher risk of developing cancer (only 1% less than a cigarette smoker.)

Other danger factors in developing cancer are asbestos fibres, radon gas, familial predispositions (genetic), and other lung diseases, along with air pollution.

Lung cancers are categorized into two types. Small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. This distinction is based on the appearance of the cells under microscopic examination and the appearance of tumor cells. The two types of cancers spread and grow in different ways, thus the distinction.

Small cell cancer is the most aggressive and rapidly growing type of cancers, and it makes up 20% of related cancers. It tends to grow first in the larger breathing tubes and grows very fast spreading around a large area. In its initial stage, it is more sensitive to chemotherapy, but it often bears worse prognosis. This type of cancer is mainly related with smoking.

On the other hand, for non-small cell lung cancer, the prognosis is poor. Patients treated with chemotherapy live generally only three months longer than those who do not get treatment. This type is divided into further two types, one starting from the larger breathing tubes but spreading around slower. This means that the size of these tumors varies when diagnosed. 50-60% of non-small cell cancer starts growing around the gas-exchanging surface of the lung. This form is most common for smokers, and along these there are female non-smokers who are mainly affected.

Our lung is a very sensitive organ, it is often the landing place for metastasis (when cancer cells break away from the primary tumor) of cancer originating from other parts of the body. In this case, we name it by the originating part of the body, for example breast cancer.

Cancer is a sly disease. Women can develop ovary cancer from the originating stomach cancer. It strikes the most innocent, the best sportsman, the firmest vegetarian, anyone without mercy. If it takes your lungs, it takes your breath. Do not give it a chance.

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Child Surgery In India

Children aren’t simply miniature people who suffer the same diseases adults do, but on a smaller scale. Rather, they have their own specific afflictions and abnormalities.

Diagnosing and treating children’s heart diseases requires specialized knowledge and a dedicated approach to care…..

Understanding Child Surgery

Child / Pediatric Surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in the surgical treatment of conditions affecting children. Pediatric surgeons operate on children whose development ranges from the newborn stage through the teenage years. In addition to completing training and achieving board certification, pediatric surgeons complete two additional years of training exclusively in children’s surgery. They then receive special certification in the subspecialty of child surgery….

Variety of Surgical Procedures

A ] Trauma

The ChildSurgery service is consulted immediately for any pediatric trauma victim with serious and/or multiple injuries. The service will coordinate the trauma work-up, consult the appropriate subspecialty services, perform any necessary general surgical procedures, and coordinate care in the hospital. The service maintains a constant presence and therefore, an easily recognizable source of information for families and caretakers……

B ] Tumors/Oncology

The Child Surgery service is intimately involved with the management and performs surgery for surgical childhood malignancies. These include Wilms’ tumor, neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, teratomas, adrenal tumors, ovarian tumors, and testicular tumors. In addition, the service is involved in performing biopsies….

C ] Transplantation

The Child Surgery service, in conjunction with Pediatric Urology, performs kidney transplants and participates in the comprehensive care of these pediatric patients. The service provides necessary vascular access for children requiring bone marrow transplantation…..

D ] Airway

The Child Surgery service utilizes laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, and appropriate surgical techniques to evaluate and treat a variety of congenital and acquired airway disorders. These include stridor, laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia, subglottic stenosis, tracheal stenosis, laryngeal or tracheal clefts, and aspirated foreign bodies…..

E ] Head and Neck

The Child Surgery service addresses a variety of conditions in the head and neck including branchial cleft anomalies and remnants, thyroglossal duct cysts, cystic hygroma/lymphangioma, abnormal/enlarged lymph nodes, neck masses, dermoid and sebaceous cysts, torticollis, disorders of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, and “tongue-tie”……

F ] Lymph Node

The Child Surgery service evaluates and surgically treats enlarged and infected lymph nodes when appropriate from a variety of conditions which include infections (cat scratch, atypical mycobacteria, tuberculosis, staphylococcus, streptococcus, and a variety of other bacteria) , tumors (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, metastases from other primary tumors), and idiopathic enlargement…..

G ] Endocrine

The Child Surgery service evaluates and treats disorders of the thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands (adrenal tumors, hyperfunctioning and hypofunctioning gland, pheochromacytoma), pancreas (cysts and pseudocysts, hyperinsulinism, islet cell adenoma, tumors)…..

H ] Breast

The Child Surgery service evaluates and treats benign lesions of the breast in males (gynecomastia, breast enlargement, infection, congenital anomalies) and females (fibroadenoma, infection, inflammation, cysts, congenital anomalies). Endocrine evaluation is obtained when needed……

I ] Chest Wall

The Child Surgery service evaluates and treats disorders of the chest wall including pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum, sternal defects, Poland’s syndrome, and other congenital and acquired deformities. Cardiac and pulmonary evaluation is obtained when appropriate…..

J ] Thoracic

The Child Surgery service evaluates and treats a variety of congenital and acquired thoracic disorders. These include congenital diaphragmatic hernia, diaphragmatic eventration, mediastinal cysts and tumors, bronchogenic cysts, enlarged lymph nodes, pulmonary sequestration, cystic adenomatoid malformation……

K ] Abdominal Wall

The Child Surgery service evaluates and treats a variety of congenital abdominal wall defects including gastroschisis, omphalocele, and Prune Belly syndrome……

L ] Hernias

The Child Surgery service evaluates and treats a variety of hernias including inguinal, umbilical, epigastric, ventral, and epiploceles…..

M ] Gastrointestinal

The Child Surgery service evaluates and treats a wide variety of congenital and acquired gastrointestinal disorders. Conditions include pyloric stenosis, esophageal reflux, peptic ulcer, congenital duodenal obstruction (duodenal atresia, stenosis, web, annular pancreas), atresia and stenosis of small and large intestine, meconium ileus, Meckel diverticulum, intussusception, malrotation, intestinal obstruction…..

N ] Liver and Biliary Tract

The Child Surgery service evaluates and treats conditions of the biliary tract including jaundice of the newborn, biliary atresia, choledochal cyst, diseases of the gallbladder (gallstones, cholecystitis), common bile duct obstruction, liver cysts and tumors, liver hemangioma, portal hypertension…..

O ] Pancreas

The Child Surgery service evaluates and treats conditions of the pancreas including cysts, pseudocysts, pancreatitis, neoplasms, hyperinsulinemia, islet cell adenoma…..

P ] Spleen

The Child Surgery service evaluates and treats conditions of the spleen including splenomegaly and hypersplenism from a variety of hematologic disorders (sickle cell anemia, hereditary spherocytosis, Gaucher’s disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), thalessemias, autoimmune hemolytic anemias), cysts, tumors, and abscesses….

Q ] Genitourinary

The Child Surgery service evaluates and treats undescended testicles, testicular torsion, epididymitis, phimosis, cloacal extrophy, cloacal anomalies, labial fusion, clitoral hypertrophy, ambiguous genitalia, Prune Belly syndrome. The service regularly performs circumcision procedures as well…..

R ] Soft Tissue

The Child Surgery service treats and evaluates congenital and acquired defects of the skin and soft tissue including cysts, nodules, pigmented lesions/nevi, hemangioma, lymphangioma/cystic hygroma…..

S ] Vascular

The Child Surgery service treats and evaluates congenital and acquired vascular anomalies. These include vascular rings and slings, and vascular injuries. The service also regularly provides vascular access for nutrition, chemotherapy….

T ] Minimally Invasive Surgery (Laparoscopy, Thoracoscopy, Endoscopy)

The Child Surgery regularly uses a variety of endoscopic techniques to evaluate and treat conditions of the airway (laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy), the chest (thoracoscopy), abdomen (laparoscopy) and urinary tract (cystoscopy)…..

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There is no discrimination when it comes to breast cancer. Anyone can be a victim of this dreaded disease; whether you’re rich or poor, young and old. Despite the increasing number of breast cancer patients worldwide, these celebrities with breast cancer can serve as your inspiration because they were able to survive.

Famous survivors of breast cancer:

1. Edie Falco – the breast cancer was diagnosed in 2003; this soprano star secretly battled against this dreaded disease and was able to survive.

2. Melissa Etheridge – her breast cancer was discovered in 2004 and at present, she is doing quite well.

3. Gloria Steinem – a lump on her breast was discovered in 1984; she was an activist and because she is a natural fighter, she was able to combat breast cancer.

4. Kate Jackson – it was in 1987 and 1989 when Kate battled against this disease. She was a star in Charlie’s Angels

5. Richard Roundtree – women are not the only ones at risk of breast cancer, even men can get it like Roundtree. His cancer was detected in 1993 and he underwent chemotherapy and radical mastectomy

6. Olivia Newton John – it was in 1992 when she was diagnosed with the disease. She underwent breast reconstruction and mastectomy.

7. Jaclyn Smith – also a Charlie’s Angels star was diagnosed with the disease in 2002. The treatments given were radiation and lumpectomy.

8. Suzanne Somers – actress and author was also diagnosed with cancer but she did not choose the standard medication; instead, she opted for holistic medicine and alternative therapies

9. Sandra Day O’Connor – she battled against this disease in 1982 and underwent mastectomy

10. Anastacia – in 2003, she was diagnosed with the disease and was able to survive; now, she is helping other patients in fighting against this disease and she is also raising the awareness of the public about breast cancer.

These are only ten of the survivors of breast cancer. Other survivors include Rue McClanahan, Linda Ellerbee, Jill Eikenberry, Ann Jillian, Lynn Redgrave, Cokie Roberts, and Shirley Temple Black. These breast cancer patients used conventional treatments as well as alternative treatments. Oftentimes, the type of medication or treatment given is dependent on the extent of the cancer. If the cancer is detected at an early stage, the chance of survival is also high.

It is vital that you conduct self examinations. If you feel any lump on your breast, it’s time to consult a doctor; by doing so, you can get accurate diagnosis. After thorough examinations, the patient will be given a treatment plan. Some breast cancer patients forego with conventional medical treatments and tend to go for alternative medicines or therapy.

As you can see, even celebrities are not exempted from developing breast cancer. If celebrities can get it, then so can you! There are millions of non celebrities suffering from breast cancer. Let the stories of these celebrities who survive breast cancer serve as inspiration especially if you’re also suffering from this disease.

Early detection is important so you must regularly check your breast area for any lumps or unusual bumps. Don’t hesitate to consult a doctor if you’re suspicious about certain lumps in your breast. There are lots of celebrities with breast cancer; if they can fight this disease, then so can you.

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Exercise is well recognized as being a factor which can reduce the risk of cancer by an average of about 30-40%, with some cancers being reduced by up to 70% in some studies. But what is the situation with people who already have cancer? Can exercise help to reduce the risk of recurrence or even death? There are studies which indicate this is the case in breast and colon cancers and possibly others as well.

A study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2006 showed that the impact of physical activity on established disease was considerable. They looked at patients with Stage III colon cancer, which is colon cancer that had spread to the nodes, and who had surgery to remove the cancer.

The researchers compared those who exercised least (less than, say one hour of exercise per week where they got to the point of sweating) to those who did more than 6 hours of mild to moderate exercise.

Those who did more than 6 hours of physical activity had about half the risk of recurrence of the cancer or death from any cause over the follow-up period when compared to those who did not undertake regular physical activity. This is substantial.

A similarly positive story is shown in a study of women with breast cancer. Women with stage I, II, and III breast cancer were included in the study. These women were followed for 26 years as part of a major health study looking at many factors. The findings were that exercise reduced total deaths, deaths from breast cancer and recurrence from breast cancer by 40-50%.

Now bear with me a little bit because we have to talk numbers. These 50% figures are indicating that approximately half the deaths wouldn’t occur in non-exercisers. For those with breast cancer this isn’t as great a figure as for colon cancer.

In breast cancer the 5-year survival rate is 78% – 85% in Australia, depending on where I get my figures from. This means that somewhere between 15% and 22% die before 5 years. If physical activity cuts those figures in half then you might think that some 7% to 11% of those who get breast cancer could live to that 5-year mark. But it isn’t that simple – the reduction is actually 50% of the low exercisers not 50% of the whole group. This should however be compared with the 1.5% impact of chemotherapy on the 5-year survival rate. Exercise is five to eight times better for low exercisers than the expensive side-effect causing chemotherapy.

In stage III colon cancer the 5-year survival rate is 30% – 60% depending on where I get my figures again. A 50% reduction in the death and recurrence rate is much more dramatic. But again remember that it is a 50% reduction in the low exercise group, so we cannot say we can cut the death rate in half – it might be a 10-20% reduction if a third of people are inactive. But do compare this with the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy, which is about 1-2% improvement on the 5-year survival rate of colon cancer according to the unemotional medical literature.

But regardless of how you slice and dice the figures these studies show that in two cancers, at least, exercise has a very positive effect. So to improve your health, just do it.

It is important to remember that in order to maximize the positive outcomes any exercise should be enjoyable – not the grit your teeth and get it done despite the pain, but something you want to go back to time and again. Life is too short at any time to spend hours weekly doing exercise in grim gyms or walking round and round a boring block of residential housing. Go find a place and activity you enjoy.

Positive experiences can be measured in the immune system, so organize physical activity that is fun to do and you will get a double whammy – the positive impact of exercise and the input of positive emotions that are known to improve your body’s immune system.

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Chemotherapy refers to the treatment of cancer by chemicals that kill cells, specifically cancer cells. Chemotherapy acts by killing cells that divide rapidly, one of the main properties of cancer cells. This means that it also harms cells that divide rapidly under normal circumstances: cells in the bone marrow, digestive tract and hair follicles; this results in the most common side-effects of chemotherapy-myelosuppression (decreased production of blood cells), mucositis (inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract) and alopecia (hair loss).

Chemotherapy was first proposed as a treatment for cancer right after World War II, when research on mustard gas demonstrated that it has the ability to kill living cells, particularly those which rapidly divide, such as those in the intestinal tract, bone marrow and lymph system. Doctors soon came up with the idea that they could use mustard gas to poison cancer, which constitutes the most rapidly dividing cells of all. In fact, many of the drugs we use today are close cousins of mustard gas, one reason we find them so toxic. (The Immortal Cell, Dr Gerald B Dermer, Avery Publishing Group, Garden City Park, 1994)

Oncologists define “cure” and “response” in different terms. They look only at “response” that is, shrinking the tumour as a measure of success, without considering whether it increases survival or improves quality of life. Dr. Urich Abel, a German epidemiologist, who examined virtually all the articles (several thousand in all) on chemotherapy, plus the work of some 350 scientists working on cancer therapies, has found that when a tumour mass partially or temporarily disappears, those tumour cells which are remaining resist the effect of the chemo can sometimes grow much faster afterward. Often, patients who did not respond to chemo survive longer than those who do. (Der Spiegel: 1990; 33: 174-6. See also J Otolaryn, 1995; 24(4): 242-52)

A top NCI scientist has observed that for most forms of cancer, many patients may initially respond. But in only three forms of cancer ovarian, small cell lung cancer, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia did any appreciable percentage survive without disease, and even then it was, at best, less than a sixth of the total group of patients. In all the other types of cancer, disease free survival was rare.

Shrinkage of solid tumours should not be overinterpreted, as it often has little or no survival benefit, according to oncology consultant GM Mead of the Royal South Hants Hospital. (BMJ, January 28, 1995) Major chemo manufacturer Bristol Myers discloses that only 11 per cent of patients taking the carboplatin and 15 per cent of patients taking cisplatin had a complete response to the drugs; remission lasted on average, about a year, and both types of patients survived, on average, only two years.

One of the most used chemotherapy drugs is cyclophosphamide, which comes from mustard gas. It can cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss, anorexia, and damage the blood, heart and lungs. Another drug, cisplastin (Platinol), made of the heavy metal platinum, can damage nerves, kidneys, and cause hearing loss and seizures. It can also cause deafness, irreversible loss of motor function, bone marrow suppression, anemia and blindness.

Mechlorethamine, an analogue of mustard gas (the “M” of MOPP treatment, the standard procotol for Hodgkin’s disease), is so toxic that those administering the drug are advised to wear rubber gloves and avoid inhaling it! This drug is known to cause thrombosis, jaundice, hair loss, nausea and vomiting. Merck, its manufacturer, warns in the PDR that “the margin of safety in therapy with MUSTARGEN is narrow and considerable care must be exercised in the matter of dosage. Repeated examinations of blood are mandatory as a guide to subsequent therapy. “

Chemotherapy can cause heart problems, destroy bile ducts, cause bone tissue death, restrict growth, cause infertility, lower white and red cell counts and lead to intestinal and lactose malabsorption. 90 per cent of the time it doesn’t even work to eliminate the cancer completely.

Italian Oncologist Dr. T. Simoncini discovered some interesting facts:

The great lack of trust is evident even amongst doctors. Polls and questionnaires show that three doctors out of four (75 per cent) would refuse any chemotherapy because of its ineffectiveness against the disease and its devastating effects on the entire human organism.

This is what many doctors and scientists have to say about chemotherapy: “The majority of the cancer patients in this country die because of chemotherapy, which does not cure breast, colon or lung cancer. This has been documented for over a decade and nevertheless doctors still utilize chemotherapy to fight these tumors.” (Allen Levin, MD, UCSF, “The Healing of Cancer”, Marcus Books, 1990)

“If I were to contract cancer, I would never turn to a certain standard for the therapy of this disease. Cancer patients who stay away from these centers have some chance to make it.” (Prof. Gorge Mathe, “Scientific Medicine Stymied”, Medicines Nouvelles, Paris, 1989)

Dr. Hardin Jones, lecturer at the University of California, after having analyzed for many decades statistics on cancer survival, has come to this conclusion: “… when not treated, the patients do not get worse or they even get better’. The unsettling conclusions of Dr. Jones have never been refuted. (Walter Last, “The Ecologist”, Vol. 28, no. 2, March-April 1998)

“Many oncologists recommend chemotherapy for almost any type of cancer, with a faith that is unshaken by the almost constant failures.” (Albert Braverman, MD, “Medical Oncology in the 90s”, Lancet, 1991, Vol. 337, p. 901)

“Our most efficacious regimens are loaded with risks, side effects and practical problems; and after all the patients we have treated have paid the toll, only a miniscule percentage of them is paid off with an ephemeral period of tumoral regression and generally a partial one.” (Edward G. Griffin “World Without Cancer”, American Media Publications, 1996)

“After all, and for the overwhelming majority of the cases, there is no proof whatsoever that chemotherapy prolongs survival expectations. And this is the great lie about this therapy, that there is a correlation between the reduction of cancer and the extension of the life of the patient.” (Philip Day, “Cancer: Why we’re still dying to know the truth”, Credence Publications, 2000)

“Several full-time scientists at the McGill Cancer Center sent to 118 doctors, all experts on lung cancer, a questionnaire to determine the level of trust they had in the therapies they were applying; they were asked to imagine that they themselves had contracted the disease and which of the six current experimental therapies they would choose. 79 doctors answered, 64 of them said that they would not consent to undergo any treatment containing cis-platinum – one of the common chemotherapy drugs they used – while 58 out of 79 believed that all the experimental therapies above were not accepted because of the ineffectiveness and the elevated level of toxicity of chemotherapy.” (Philip Day, “Cancer: Why we’re still dying to know the truth”, Credence Publications, 2000)

“Doctor Ulrich Able, a German epidemiologist of the Heidelberg Mannheim Tumor Clinic, has exhaustively analyzed and reviewed all the main studies and clinical experiments ever performed on chemotherapy…. Able discovered that the comprehensive world rate of positive outcomes because of chemotherapy was frightening, because, simply, nowhere was scientific evidence available demonstrating that chemotherapy is able to ‘prolong in any appreciable way the life of patients affected by the most common type of organ cancer.’ Able highlights that rarely can chemotherapy improve the quality of life, and he describes it as a scientific squalor while maintaining that at least 80 per cent of chemotherapy administered in the world is worthless. Even if there is no scientific proof whatsoever that chemotherapy works, neither doctors nor patients are prepared to give it up. (Lancet, Aug. 10, 1991) None of the main media has ever mentioned this exhaustive study: it has been completely buried.” (Tim O’Shea, “Chemotherapy – An Unproven Procedure”)

“According to medical associations, the notorious and dangerous side effects of drugs have become the fourth main cause of death after infarction, cancer, and apoplexy.” (Journal of the American Medical Association, April 15, 1998)

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