Cancer - Symptoms, Causes and Diet for Cancer

Cancer has always been regarded as one of the most dreaded of all diseases primarily due to its fatal nature and impact of therapies on health and life on the whole.



Cancer under the generic term encompasses about 200 odd diseases. Cancer could be of various types for egs :ovarian cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, testicular cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, bone cancer and brain cancer to name a few. Cancer is known to be the second largest killer disease after heart diseases.

The factor that all types of cancer have in common is the development of abnormal cells in some specific part of the body. Billions of cells in the body, which under normal circumstances, are constantly reproducing for the growth of the body and the repair of damaged tissue. Within the nucleus of each dividing cell lies a genetic code that controls the development and behaviour pattern of the cell. Cancer is a condition when such a dividing cell produces mutant (abnormal) cells which are not properly coded and multiplies uncontrollably.

When cancer sets in, a group of cells start multiplying suddenly in a haphazard manner and form a lump or tumor. The white blood cells that bear the responsibility to eliminate such abnormal cells are unable to do so as the mutant cells prevent contact by putting up a barrier of blisters on the surface. Cancer, thus spreads very rapidly and eventually could prove fatal, if not treated properly and in time.

Cancer can strike at any age but is predominantly a disease of the elderly. The majority of cancers occur in the age group 50-60. About one in three men and one in four women are likely to develop cancer by the age of seventy -five and the site of cancer growth does tend to vary with gender. For egs: In men, cancer is usually found in the intestines, the prostate and the lungs while among women, it occurs mostly in the breast tissues, uterus, gall bladder and thyroid.

Symptoms of Cancer:

The symptoms of cancer could vary according to the area of cancer growth. The American Cancer Society has prescribed seven signs or danger signals in general which may indicate the presence of cancer. These are:

1. A skin sore (ulcer) that does not heal

2. Change in bowel or bladder habits

3. Unusual bleeding or discharge;

4. Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere

5. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing;

6. Obvious change in wart or mole and

7. Persistent and nagging cough or hoarseness.

Other symptoms may include unexplained loss of weight, particularly in older people, a change in skin colour and changes in the menstrual periods, especially bleeding between periods and persistent tiredness for no reason.

Classification of Cancer:

Cancers can be broadly classified into two groups: carcinomas (cancers of the external and internal linings of the body) and sarcomas (cancers affecting connective tissues such as muscles and bones). Cancers have a latency period ranging from 5 to 40 years between the initial exposures to a carcinogen, a key cancer causing agent and the time the symptoms appear. In a large number of cases, symptoms and signs surface and at times there are no warning signals at all.



Therefore, experiencing any one of the above mentioned symptoms must ring warning bells to assess the cause and seek apt treatment. 'Biopsy' is one of the best-known methods to assess cancer. Biopsy entails examination of a piece of sample suspect tissue under a microscope to check for any variances from the normal condition.

Causes of Cancer:

Cancer can be caused by various reasons ranging from hereditary, diseases to environmental factors. Here we list a few of the known causes and types of cancer the causes lead to:

1. Hereditary: Genetics apparently have a role to play in the context of cancer causes. Breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer and some leukamias are known to run in families.

2. Diseases: People suffering from certain diseases like: ulcerative colitis, pernicious anaemia and hepatitis B run an extra risk of developing cancer.

3. Environmental Factors: About 80 per cent of cancers are caused by environmental factors smoking, inhaling asbestos particles, heavy alcohol consumption, heavy fat intake, over exposure to sunlight or radiation from nuclear wastage or leakage are all known to increase the likelihood of developing cancer. Certain cancer-causing substances, known as carcinogens, found in cigarettes also increase the chances of getting the disease. The consumption of betel nut, tobacco and slaked lime has been linked with cancer of the tongue, lips, mouth and throat. Cigarette smoking is linked with lung and throat cancers. Heavy consumption of alcoholic drinks can cause oesophagal, stomach and liver cancers. Occupational exposure to industrial pollutants such as asbestos, nickel, tar, soot and high doses of X-Rays can lead to skin and lung cancers and leukemia.

4. Psychological Factors: people suffering from depression and other forms of mental stress are also more likely to develop cancer.

5. Other Factors: contributing to cancer are viral infections, trauma, hormone imbalance and malnutrition. Many well-known biologists and naturopaths believe that a faulty diet is the root cause of cancer. Investigations indicate that the cancer incidence is in direct proportion to the amount of animal protein, particularly meat, in the diet. A renowned research scientist recently explained there exists a link between excessive meat eating and cancer and according to him; the menace is ammonia, the carcinogenic by-product of meat digestion.

Diet for Cancer:

A healthy diet and lifestyle helps prevent cancer. But incase of cancerous growth extreme care need to be affected with regard to the diet and life style .An effective treatment of cancer must comprise of a complete change in diet, besides a complete ban on all external sources of carcinogens, such as smoking and carcinogenic chemicals in air, water and food. Naturopathy deals with an effective diet and lifestyle change to combat the side effects of cancer and prevent the onset of a cancerous growth with help of a good diet plan and by incorporating what is known as megavitamin therapy.

Diet:

Our food intake monitors the wellness within and it must be given due care and attention to reap benefits.

1. As a new beginning to body and self-care, thoroughly cleanse the bowel of all impurities to make all the organs of elimination-the skin, lungs, liver, kidneys and the bowels active.

2. Then treat yourself to a fresh fruit juice diet for about four to five days.



Stick to fruit juices like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, apples, peaches, pears, pineapples and tomatoes you may also include a few vegetable juices such as carrot juice, which have been proven to be beneficial.

3. Begin an all fruit diet on completion with juices diet. Here, the emphasis must be on increasing your alkaline food intake. Include natural foods comprising mainly of raw fruits and vegetables particularly carrots, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, onion, garlic, cucumber, asparagus, beets and tomatoes. A minimum requirement of high quality protein, mostly from vegetable sources such as almonds, millet, sesame seeds, sprouted seeds and grains, may also be added to this diet.

There have been various studies by renowned researchers to help benefit cancer by various treatments that have a potential for curing the deadly cancer. Some of the well-known cancer treatments include:
Wheat Grass Drink: developed by Dr. Ann Wigmore of Boston, U.S.A., a well-known naturopath and pioneer in the field of living food nutrition, has been testing the effect of a drink made of fresh wheat grass in the treatment of leukaemia. This drink claims to have cured several cases of this disease by this method. Dr. Wigmore clarifies that by furnishing the body with live minerals, vitamins, trace elements and chlorophyll through wheat grass juice. It may be able to repair itself.

Grape Diet: Johanna Brandt, the author of the book 'The Grape Cure', has advocated an exclusive grape diet for the treatment of cancer. She discovered this mode of cure in 1925. She experimented with a grape diet as a cure for her ongoing nine-year battle with cancer .She claims to have cured herself by this mode of treatment. The recommended treatment includes: fasting for two or three days so as to prepare the system for the change of diet and dieting on grapes.

Fasting can be done by drinking cold water and taking lukewarm water enema daily with the strained juice of lemon. Followed by a short fast comprising of a grape meal every two hours from 8 a.m. To 8 p.m. This should be followed for a week or two, even a month or two, in chronic cases of long standing. The patient should begin the grape cure with a small quantity of one, two or three ounces per meal, gradually increasing this to double the quantity. In course of time, about half a pound may safely be taken at a meal. The patient may lose strength under the grape diet and under the complete fast. But this is due to the presence of poisons in the system. The patient regains his strength and even puts on weight in some cases with the same diet after the poisons are expelled. Normally, the grape diet should be continued until weight loss stops.

Gerson Therapy: This diet was devised by a German physician, Max Gerson, as a potential cure for cancer in the 1920s.This diet recommended 13 freshly juices must be taken every hour. These juices must follow a strict pattern: one juice made from oranges, four from leafy greens, four from carrots and apples and four from calves’ liver. Caffeine enemas and castor oils must be deployed to cleanse the system. Meals must strictly comprise of salads, oats or baked potatoes.

Megavitamin Therapy and Other Benefits from Vitamins: Recent research has shown that certain vitamins can be successfully employed in the fight against cancer and that they can increase the life expectancy of some terminal cancer patients. This is an extension of corrective diet therapies. A healthy diet alone may not necessarily provide essential vitamins and minerals and there may be difficulty in absorbing the requisite vitamins and minerals. In such a scenarios much larger amounts are given to ensure that enough vitamins and minerals make way to the system. Some examples in this field include:

1. Recent Swedish studies claim that vitamin C in large doses can be an effective prophylactic agent against cancer.

2. Japanese scientist, Dr. Fukunir Mirishige and his team have been examining the healing potential of vitamin C have found that a mixture of vitamin C and copper compound has lethal effects on cancer.

3. Several studies indicate vitamin A exerts an inhibiting effect on carcinogens. It is one of the most important aids to the body's defense system to fight and prevent cancer.

4. Dr. Leonida Santamaria and his colleagues at the University of Pavia in Italy have uncovered preliminary evidence suggesting that beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A may actually prevent skin cancer by helping the body eliminate the cancer-causing process known as oxidation.

Treatment of Cancer:

As, the old adage goes “prevention is better than cure”, it cannot be more relevant in the context of cancer treatment. Cancer being a fatal disease, prevention of cancer need gain emphasis in everyday life. Treatment of cancer and complete cure has been far and few and can only bring about temporary relief with the various therapies that entail treatment of cancer. What is more alarming is that most therapies come with side effects that can affect the way you look completely.
The best way to treat this fatal disease is to build up the body's defenses through healthy and nutritive food intake. The tissues, cells and organs need be kept in such a healthy form that cancer is unable to develop. More importantly this can be achieved .How you may ask? Here are simple measures, which if inculcated in daily life will yield returns of a healthy life:

1. Include foods that help build up the body, are natural: whole foods, raw vegetables and fruits, protein from vegetable sources, raw milk, whole grains and vitamins and minerals in their natural form are do good elements that will keep your body fit.

2. Completely avoid all refined, synthetic and processed foods

3. Avoid white flour, white sugar and foods with chemicals additives.
Incidents of cancer treatments and cure assume a lot of importance with researchers worldwide. Researchers are at work globally in their conquest to find a cure that can curb cancer completely.

Here we cite a few recent examples that could prove beneficial in treating cancer:

4. Recent studies across the globe have come up with findings that the liberal use of green and yellow vegetables and fruits can prevent cancer. The 20-year old, ongoing Japanese study found that people who are green and yellow vegetables every day had a decreased risk of developing lung, stomach and other cancers.

5. A Harvard University study of more than 1200 elderly Massachusetts residents found that those who reported the highest consumption of carrots, squash, tomatoes, salads or leafy green vegetables, dried fruits, fresh strawberries or melon had a decreased risk of cancer. The other preventive measures are plenty of rest, complete freedom from worries and mental stress and plenty of fresh air.

6. Many patients of cancer reveal that anti cancer diets have helped by giving them some positive action though diets cannot guarantee a cure.

7. Recently, drugs have been developed to attack the cancer cells only which helps reduce the side effects compared to using therapies like chemotherapy that could lead to hair loss and other side effects.

Cure for Cancer:

Inspite of the availability of information, advanced technology and modern science, the complete cure for cancer is still a conquest for many. Various therapies can provide relief but not many can guarantee a cure. In such a scenario, leading a healthy lifestyle is one sure measure that can make you feel good. Primarily the emphasis must be on the food intake followed by physical exercises to keep the body fit.
A simple diet plan, must be introduced and one needs to adhere to it to reap the benefits of one such diet. Here is a simple and easy to follow diet that can give your body the nutrition it needs:

Cleanse the system :Initiate your diet plan with a raw juice diet for three to five days. The juice must be diluted with water in equal proportion .You could choose between a fresh fruit or vegetable juice and must be consumed every two hours. Include a warm water enema during this period.
Fruit Diet: Follow up this regime with an all fruit diet for another three to five days, taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits at five-hourly intervals.

Diet Plan:

Follow this plan after you have cleansed your system with the fruit juice and all fruit diet:

1. Start your day with a glass of lukewarm water with half a freshly squeezed lime and a teaspoon of honey.




Breakfast must comprise of fresh fruits and a glass of milk, preferably goat's milk, sweetened with honey and some seeds or nuts.

2. Lunch may include a bowl of freshly prepared steamed vegetables, two or three whole wheat bread and a glass of buttermilk.

3. Beat the mid-afternoon hunger or thirst pang with a glass of fresh fruit or vegetable juice.

4. Have a light dinner comprising of a good-sized raw vegetable salad and sprouts, with lime juice dressing.

5. You may want to include a bedtime snack of a glass of milk or one apple to keep temptations at bay.

6. The most beneficial foods are: Garlic, cabbage, Red beet, red beet juice, lemon, ginger, turmeric, citrus fruits, Soya bean, cucumber and tomato. Including this in your diet will increase the nutritive value of your food intake.
Repeating the short juice fast followed by an all-fruit diet at monthly intervals is advisable.

Foods to be avoided:

1. Tea and coffee

2. Sugar, salt must be consumed in a very minute quantity

3. White flours and all by –products.

4. Refined and fried foods

5. Meat

6. Condiments and pickles.

7. Avoid alcohol and smoking.

Other Preventive Measures:

1. Outdoor activity and other light exercises.

2. Relaxation is a must. Adequate sleep and adequate rest are a must.

3. All forms of carcinogenic chemicals in air, water and food must be best avoided.