* Collectable Treatments Part 2 * Ovary Cancer Part 3 Skincancer, by Dottie From what it is called, and what it looks like, and what, pray tell, to do about it. Our emphasis, as usual, lies with holistic approach. Included are: * General Information * Types * Signs and Symptoms * Treatment Methods * Cause, Risk Factors, Prevention * Herbs that Help * Nutrition Supplements * Studies and Research |
* Balm of Gilead draws cancer due to the active ingredient of Sanguinaria Canadensis (*see footnote). * Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadenis) is often used in folk healing, and I have heard of several positive results with breast and skin cancer due to the same drawing qualities. * A salve to supposedly draw melanoms: 1 part bloodroot, 1 part Galangal, 2 parts zinc chloride. Apply over night. During the day, you could use a variation: Fresh chickweed and plantain plant pulp poultice, again, for their drawing qualities. Plantain will have the added bonus of wound healing once the skin starts to break. Desired Effect: Improved blood conditions, overall wellbeing, additional fighting the 'bad' cellsUse: Internally Echinacea Purpurea: For patients during radiation and chemotherapy treatments as well as at any other stage. Studies prove E.P. , while boosting the immune system, also produce additional white bloodcells (killer cells) which will in turn attack the cancer cells. It also stimulates bone marrow production, which is diminished during chemo. Drink the tea, take capsules, or best of all, tincture made from fresh roots. Desired Effect: Improved blood conditions. Use: Internally Fennel (Foeniculum): For patients after radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Drink the tea and chew the fruits. Ashwagandha (withania somnifera): A herb from India with "ginseng" like actions, often referred to as Indian ginseng. Ashwagandha has been found to increase white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet counts which are typically diminished by cancer treatments. Parts used: Mainly the root ( tincture or in powdered form (capsule)). Leaves can also be used, but they are somewhat toxic (roots are not) - best to use the leaves under supervision of someone trained with their use. For a "quicker-picker-upper", the person who uses this has eaten the berries off the bush/plant. One or two usually does it. Rather than focusing entirely on the herb, it may be wiser to focus on the action (active ingredient): Adaptogen. An excellent article about adaptogens includes info on Ashwaganda but also shows how truly large the menu of adaptogens really is - this will allow you to make a selection based upon local availability.http://www.healthy.net/hwlibraryarticles/hobbs/adaptx.htm Most important, throughout therapy, is to keep up high spirits and the will to conquer this illness. One of my more famous healing books (maybe you could read up on that aspect in a library sometimes, it is really a great article on cancer, the 'New Holistic Herbal' by David Hoffman) implies strongly that the mind is the biggest allie or foe in this illness. As long as one is actively involved this can be defeated more or less easily (I think the biggest stumbling stone is to actually believe in your own strength when you're feeling like something the cat dragged through three miles of mud), or so all my herbals suggest... Footnote: Sanguinaria Canadensis: I found three different spellings for this herb, and as I cannot determine which source is correct, include them all, as they were given to me: Canadensis, canariensis, canadenis ***************** Complementary Cancer Therapies by Dr. Steve Nugent President of International Association of Complementary Medicine It is a real tragedy that the orthodox medical community has been taught (incorrectly) by medical schools that drugs and surgery are the only options for cancer. This means that tens of thousands of cancer victims are missing the possible opportunity to use safe non-toxic natural methods that could mean the difference between life and death for many. In my opinion, patient welfare must always come first without question, both orthodox and alternative practitioners must agree on that point. Medical schools do not teach doctors about the latest in so-called alternative methods, but a new American Medical Association directive has instructed allopathic doctors (medical doctors) to start learning this area of medicine. That's terrific news! I say so-called alternative methods because that's the popular term, but one for which I have great disdain. I use it only because so many people are familiar with it. I prefer to use the term complementary medicine. Not just because I am the founder of the International Association of Complementary Medicine (IACM), but because I feel that natural and orthodox medical practitioners can best serve the public by working together, sharing research and therapies. This gives the patient the best and most complete treatments for whatever their needs are. By the way, I am working to establish an international referral network of doctors. As I have stated in my first physicians desk reference (Nugent's Physicians Desk Reference for Applied Clinical Nutrition), "I believe there is an answer for all disease that can be found in nature. It is our mission therefore to work tirelessly until we find all of those answers. For now however, many answers must still be found through synthetics or surgeries. Eventually with the unprecedented speed at which research is progressing in the areas of phytonutrients and glyconutrients, drugs will be replaced and all doctors who wish to stay in practice will have to learn these new areas of science and patient care. In the meantime however, we need to work together. More than 45% of the U.S. population uses vitamins now. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 35% of doctors who treat cancer are using some type of alternative therapy as an adjunct to chemotherapy or radiation. Scientific peer reviewed studies proving the safety and efficacy of natural substances for many areas including cancer have been available for more than 26 years! No medical schools teach that information. Almost no doctors know about the information. This is appalling in the age of communication! Keep in mind my friends; the second largest money making industry in the world is the cancer industry. That's right, second only to the Oil industry. Cancer is the most serious problem on this planet today! Why isn't the word getting out? Could this be due to scientific myopia? Are the professors and researchers simply unwilling to consider new ideas? Is there a conspiracy to insure that the cancer industry continues to grow and profit? Well, I don't have the answers to these questions and I choose not to speculate on them. I do know that to be admitted to medical school you have to be an exceptional person, and to survive the gruelling class work, internship and residency you have to be even more exceptional. Medical doctors are without question special people. Are some motivated only by money? Well despite popular myth, they are human and they do have human emotions. Some are without question motivated by greed, but I would point out that there are easier, more lucrative career paths than medicine. With this in mind, I believe most are dedicated, caring people who truly want their patients to be well. Indeed, as I have been lecturing around North America and Europe for the last 15 years, my experience has been that most are caring, good people. I recently lectured at the University of Texas Medical School and was not only well received, I had dozens of these M.D.s asking me if I could please teach them what I know. Just as a side note here, my school has been delayed but will be underway this year. I have found medical doctors and osteopaths in western Canada to be particularly interested. This has not always been the case, the first 13 years of lecturing was mortal combat with medical doctors, but many seem ready now. In 1971, a group of scientists conducted a study with a naturally occurring plant saccharide called fucose. In chemistry we refer to a sugar as a saccharide. This is fucose, not to be confused with fructose or fruit sugar. The study found two important things. First the dose concentration of fucose was the key to success. Second and most exciting, was that if used in sufficient doses, that simple, safe, natural non-toxic sugar was 100% effective in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer tumours! There is no other natural substance that has been that effective in a peer reviewed scientific study against breast cancer. What follows is the abstract from that study. In case you don't know, all scientific studies start with an abstract page. This is a summary of the study, and after reading it you'll know if you want to read the entire study. There isn't sufficient space here to include each study quoted in its entirety, so the abstract will have to do. THE EFFECT OF L-FUCOSE ON RATE MAMMARY TUMOR GROWTH James M Roseman. A. B., 1. Elizabeth Miller. Ph.D., Murray H. Seltzer, MD., 1,2. Daniel Wolfe, B.S. , 1. and Francis E. Rosato. MD.,1. 3. Different concentrations of L-fucos uniformly produced suppression in the growth rate and a change in the morphology of cells grown in tissue culture. The inhibition of growth of these malignant cells was found to be concentrated dependent with 100% inhibition of growth at a concentration of 50 mg fucose per millilitre of medium and 60% inhibition at a concentration of 12.5 mg fucose per millilitre medium. Using other sugars that are components of glycoproteins, it was shown that mannose and galactose could also depress the rate of growth of these tumour cells in culture. When 0.05 ml of packed tumour cells used in these experiments was resuspended in 1 ml of medium and injected into a rat, a tumour grew at the site of injection.This new tumour exhibited similar growth characteristics and showed the same histological appearance as the tumor from which the cell line was derived. This is pretty damn exciting stuff. Yes, the study was done on rats, not humans, but what scientists in their right minds would take a chance of experimenting on human cancer patients. This is a wonderful example of a complementary modality fighting a disease with a medicine from nature. It is safe, non-toxic and non-invasive. Doesn't that make sense? None of these rats had to suffer through chemotherapy or radiation. Since this was discovered in1971 why didn't anybody use it? The pharmaceutical companies were interested. They attempted to make fucose into a drug. When they made fucose synthetically, it didn't work. It only works in its natural state. At that time, there was no way to patent fucose because it is a substance that occurs in nature. If you can't patent it, you can't control the profits, and if you can't control the profits, why spend the 250 million dollars in research it will take to get it approved for use by the FDA? This is why it was forgotten about and why all the tens of thousands women (and some men) who suffered from breast cancer over the last 26 years, may have done so needlessly. Just in case one of my readers is thinking about it, there is no one to sue here. However, once doctors are made aware of this information and the fact that there is a patented product containing fucose that is available for the public (and has been since October of 1996), they would be irresponsible not to inform their patients. You do not get fucose in your diet, but your body is designed to make fucose if nothing interferes with the process. I invite you to read my articles on toxins in the environment and how they interfere with our synthesis of fucose as well as five other saccharides necessary to the health of all systems of our bodies. Each of us is biochemically unique. No two individuals will react to any substance precisely the same way. Some of us resist the toxins better than others. This is why some have glycoprotein abnormalities and the diseases related to them and some do not. Glycoproteins are essential for cell to cell communication. They are made in your endoplasmic reticulum. They are found on the surface of all cells, and this makes them immensely important. Glycoprotein is composed of eight glycoconjugates. These glycoconjugates are monosaccharides, mono meaning one, and as I mentioned earlier, saccharide is the term used in chemistry to describe a sugar. These monosaccharides are: Glucose, Galactose, Fucose, Xylose, N-Acetylglucosamine,N-Acetylgalactosamine, N-Acetylneuraininic acid Mannose Please note that it is Fucose, not fruit sugar or Fructose. You may also notice that the form of glucosamine required is N-Acetylglucosamine not glucosamine sulphate. This is why so many people who try glucosamine sulphate get no results with it. Some do get results, but that's only if their bodies can convert the sulphate form correctly. Why take a chance that you won't accomplish conversion correctly? Why waste your money? Just obtain the correct form to begin with. Mannose can be obtained from diet, but none of us eat enough of the foods that contain mannose to make a difference. Mannose is found in fungi for example, and that includes mushrooms. There are a number of folk remedies based on various forms of mushrooms, because of the mannose content. I have tested every commonly known as well as rare mushrooms in my practice from the very low potency Reishi to the rare and extraordinary Maitake and everything in between. None of these mushrooms including the home grown Russian variety perform as well as the glycoprotein complex. As far as diet is concerned, we would need to eats pounds of mushrooms per day to give us the mannose we need in today’s toxic environment. We used to get mannose from our bread because fungus commonly grows on grain, especially wheat. Since some enterprising businessman invented the process to refine flour back in 1911, we have lost the mannose as well as at least 17 vitamins and minerals that naturally occur in wheat. This strongly supports the argument for using dietary supplements. Not long after industry started to refine wheat, cases of Beriberi and Pellagra began to spring up. These are diseases associated only with poor underdeveloped countries where people are starving, not here in the U.S. where the average person has a greater caloric intake than almost anywhere in the world. What happened then? Refining flour takes out vitamin B1 and B3 (as well as 15 other nutrients). Beriberi is caused by B1 deficiency and Pellagra is caused by B3 deficiency. I wrote about this five years ago in my first desk reference by the way. The U.S. government which has for so long fought the use of dietary supplements, was ordering the bread companies to add food supplements to the flour to prevent disease. No significant numbers of heart disease patients were reported before the invention of the refining process that took vitamin E out of flour either. If you don't believe me, check any medical anthropology text. Dr. Ian R. Tizard, wrote in a published paper entitled Carbohydrates, Immune Stimulating: "There has long been a tradition in folk medicine that extracts of certain fungi and plants may be of assistance in the treatment of cancer. On investigation, many of these extracts have been found to possess potent immune stimulating activity. In many cases, this activity is attributable to complex carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are usually large polymers of glucose (glucans and lentinans), mannose (mannans), xylose (hemicelluloses), fructose(levans) or mixtures of these sugars." These long chain sugar molecules are called polysaccharides, poly meaning many and saccharides meaning sugar. It is important to know that not all polysaccharides are created equal. Dr. Tizard continues by stating "Although common polysaccharides such as starch (alpha-1,4-glucan), dextran (alpha-1,6-glucan) and inulin (fructan) do not have anti-tumour activity, there is abundant evidence that some mannans and glucans are very potent anti-cancer agents." Dr. Tizard is not alone; there is a new feeling of cautious optimism among the scientists who are currently studying this new area of science. All collagen disease patients have Genetically unique glycoproteins. These patients have widespread immunological and inflammatory alterations of connective tissue and may share any of the following symptoms or findings: synovitis, pleuritis, myocarditis, endocarditis, pericarditis, peritonitis, vasculitis, myositis, skin rash, alterations of connective tissues, and nephritis. Laboratory tests may reveal Coombs-positive hemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, immunoglobulin excesses or deficiencies, antinuclear antibodies (which include antibodies to many nuclear constituents including DNA and extractable nuclear antigen), rheumatoid factors, cryoglobulins. false-positive serologic tests for syphilis, elevated muscle enzymes, mand alterations in serum complement. (Tierney et al, 1994; page 681). Examples of collagen (autoimmune) disease exhibiting one or more of the above symptoms include rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile chronic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), progressive systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma), polymyositis dermatomyositis, overlap (or mixed)connective tissue disease, and Sjogren'ssyndrome. The causes of these autoimmune diseases have not yet been determined. Genetics do seem to be involved, but there is a bigger picture here. It's too easy to say "oh well, it's genetic, sorry". Rheumatoid arthritis is one example of this, Since it's known that these patients have genetically unique collagen glycoproteins, doctors have no option but to look at the new information on these sugars. Since a patient can't be harmed by these sugars, a doctor would be foolish and even irresponsible not to inform his or her patients of these new advances. There are numerous functions that glycoproteins serve in the body, glycoprotein collagens acting as structural molecules illustrate just one of them. It should be obvious to you at this point that glycoprotein abnormalities do play a key role in disease. In contrast to the nutrition textbooks, the textbook Harper's Biochemistry, (Murray et al., 1996) lists eight monosaccharides commonly found in human glycoproteins which are known to be important to the healthy functioning of the human body. Those are the eight glycoconjugates I mentioned earlier. These eight can be derived from as many as 200 different plants not typically found in the human diet. Of the required eight sugars named in Harper's Biochemistry, only glucose and galactose are addressed in the classic nutrition texts, the other six are omitted. The remaining six sugars must either be synthesised by the body or obtained from dietary supplements. In summary, we do need supplemental glycoconjugates if we are to resist the ravages of our toxic environment and hopefully prevent the related autoimmune and degenerative free radical diseases. Knowing what you know now, you would be exceedingly foolish not to use the latest scientific advances in this area. I know only that until now we had no hope except potentially dangerous and toxic drugs that simply suppressed or controlled symptoms, but offered no hope for a cure. Using these glycoconjugates can't harm you and they may be your keys to success, so why hesitate? As far as cancer is concerned, once again, we have strong evidence of the immune stimulating properties as well as anti tumor activity of these saccharides and they are far, far safer than drugs. |
Note: other early symptoms which may occur include: An unusual feeling of fullness or discomfort in the pelvic region. Unexplainable indigestion, gas, or bloating that is not relieved with over-the-counter antacids. Pain during sexual intercourse. Abnormal bleeding. Swelling and pain of the abdomen |
| General: |
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Skin cancer is the most common and most rapidly increasing form of cancer in
the United States. One in six Americans will develop skin cancer. The three
major types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell
carcinoma, and the more serious malignant melanoma. An estimated one million
new cases of basal and squamous cell carcinomas occur each year; it is
estimated that 38,300 new cases of melanoma will occur in 1996.
Skin cancers will claim the lives of approximately 9,430 people in 1996:
7,300 of these deaths will be from melanoma, and 2,130 will be from other
skin cancers. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of the three major types of skin cancer. It usually occurs after the age of forty and is more prevalent in blond, fair-skinned men. Unlike many other malignant growths, it does not spread until it has been present for a long period of time. The cell damage results in an ulcerlike growth that spreads slowly as it destroys tissue. A large pearly-looking lump, most often on the face by the nose or ears, is usually the first sign. About six weeks after it appears, the lump becomes ulcerated, with a raw, moist center and a hardborder that maybleed. Scabs continually form over the ulcer and then come off, but the ulcer never really heals. Sometimes basal cell carcinomas show up on the back or chest as flat sores that grow slowly. If detected and treated early, basal cell carcinoma has a cure rate of greater than 95 percent. Untreated, this cancer can cause considerable damage and disfigurement by spreading to underlying structures, although it usually does not spread through the bloodstream like other cancers. Basal cell carcinoma is usually a slow-growing, translucent, pearly raised area that may crust, ulcerate, and bleed. It is found mostly on the face, neck, hands, and trunk. In squamous cell carcinoma, the underlying skin cells are damaged and this leads to the development of a tumor or lump under the skin, most often on the ears, hands, face, or lower lip. The lump may resemble a wart or a small ulcerated spot that never heals. This type of skin cancer occurs most frequently in fair-skinned men over sixty years old, The risk is higher for those who have had long-term outdoor employment and for those who reside in sunny climates. Squamous cell carcinoma tends to be less invasive if it occurs on sun-damaged skin than if it occurs on skin not normally exposed to the sun, unless the lesions are found on the ears and lower lip. Squamous cell carcinoma is also 95 percent curable if detected and treated early. This tumor is a raised, red or pink, scaly nodule. It typically appears on the face, hands, or ears, but it can grow in size and spread to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma is two to three times more common in men than in women. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, often referred to as nonmelanoma skin cancer, can lead to substantial morbidity, but mortality rates are low. Although nonmelanoma skin cancers occur more frequently than melanoma, melanoma causes more than 75 percent of all deaths from skin cancer. Malignant melanoma is rarer than either squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma, but is much more serious. With this type of skin cancer, a tumor arises from the pigment-producing cells of the deeper layers of the skin. It is estimated that as many as half of all cases of melanoma originate in moles. People in some families seem to have a genetically based higher risk of developing melanoma. They often have odd moles, called dysplastic nevi, that are irregular in shape and color and can be as large as half an inch in diameter. Dysplastic nevi may be precursors to skin cancer. If not treated at an early stage, melanoma can be life threatening, spreading through the bloodstream and lymphatic vessels to the internal organs. However, if the disease is treated early, the chances of recovery are quite good. Malignant melanoma usually begins as a mottled, light brown blemish or a flat, black blemish with irregular borders that may turn shades of red, blue, or white. It can develop from an existing mole or may appear where no mole existed. A changing or growing mole or a new mole should be checked promptly by a physician. Melanoma can spread to other organs, most commonly the lungs and liver. Melanoma detected early (thin lesions) has an excellent chance of being cured, whereas melanoma detected late (thick lesions) has a higher tendency to spread and cause death. A person who has had melanoma has a five to nine times greater risk of developing another melanoma. In this country, the lifetime probability of developing melanoma is currently 1 in 100. If current trends continue, by the year 2000 the lifetime risk will climb to 1 in 75. Mortality rates from melanoma are also increasing. In addition to the three major types of skin cancer, there are a number of other, less common types of cancer that affect the skin. Mycosis fungoides is technically a type of lymphoma (lymphatic cancer), but its main effects are on the skin. Initially, it appears as an itchy rash that may last for several years. Over time, the lesions spread, become firmer, and ulcerate. Eventually, if untreated, the disease may spread to the lymph nodes and other internal organs. Mycosis fungoides is a rare, slow-growing cancer that can be difficult to diagnose, especially early in the disease. A skin biopsy should make correct diagnosis possible. A type of skin cancer that has become increasingly common in recent years is Kaposi's sarcoma. This type of cancer causes raised lesions that may be pink, red, brown, or purplish in color. They may appear anywhere on the body, but the most common sites are the legs, toes, upper torso, and mucous membranes. Kaposi's sarcoma was once a rare, very slowly progressing disease seen primarily in older men of Mediterranean descent. Since the AIDS epidemic began, however, it is no longer uncommon and is primarily associated with a poorly functioning immune system. People with AIDS tend to get a more aggressive variety of this cancer that eventually affects the lymph nodes and other internal organs. |
| Types of Melanoma: |
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SUPERFICIAL SPREADING MELANOMA * skin lesion or growth * small * irregular border * red, white, blue, blue-black color * located on the trunk, limbs, or other areas * possible ulceration and lack of healing NODULAR MELANOMA * skin lesion or growth * small * nodules, bumps * firm * shiny * color possibly ranging from pearl to black * possible ulceration and lack of healing ACRAL LENTIGINOUS MELANOMA * skin lesion or growth * dark color * usually on the palms, soles, tips of fingers or toes, mucous membranes * possible ulceration and lack of healing LENTIGO MALIGNA MELANOMA * skin lesion or growth * irregular borders * large * brownish color with darker speckles * usually on skin that has been overexposed to the sun Malignant melanoma involves cancerous changes to the skin cells that produce the skin's pigment, melanin. About 70% of melanomas appear on normal skin, and 30% occur in nevi (moles) or other lesions that have changed in appearance. Rarely, congenital birthmarks such as blue nevi and giant nevi may develop melanomas. The tumor may develop quickly and initially spreads to adjacent skin. It is highly curable in this phase. Later, it spreads downward to deeper skin areas and may spread (metastasize) to the internal structures and organs. This phase has a much lower cure rate. Superficial spreading melanoma is a form of malignant melanoma that accounts for about 70% of cases of this disorder. It may strike at any age and is most common in Caucasians. Nodular melanoma accounts for about 15% of cases. It may include ulcerations that never heal. It can develop anywhere on the body, usually between the ages of 20 and 60. Acral lentiginous melanoma occurs in about 10% of cases of melanoma. It is most common in the elderly and always occurs on the palms, soles, or mucosal surfaces. Lentigo maligna melanoma occurs in about 5% of cases, usually in the elderly. It is most common in sun damaged skin on the head, neck, and arms. |
| The Skin: |
| Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It begins in certain cells in the skin called melanocytes. To understand melanoma, it is helpful to know about the skin and about melanocytes--what they do, how they grow, and what happens when they become cancerous. The skin is the body's largest organ. It protects us against sunlight, injury, and infection. It helps regulate body temperature, stores water and fat, and produces vitamin D. The skin has two main layers: the outer epidermis and the inner dermis. The epidermis is mostly made up of flat, scalelike cells called squamous cells. Round cells called basal cells lie under the squamous cells in the epidermis. The lower part of the epidermis also contains melanocytes. The dermis contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, hair follicles, and glands. Some of these glands produce sweat, which helps regulate body temperature, and some produce sebum, an oily substance that helps to keep the skin from drying out. Sweat and sebum reach the skin's surface through tiny openings called pores. Healthy cells that make up the skin normally grow, divide, and replace themselves in an orderly way as the body needs them. This helps keep the skin in good repair. |
| Melanocytes & Moles |
| Melanocytes are spread throughout the lower part of the epidermis. They produce melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment, causing the skin to tan, or darken. Sometimes, melanocytes grow in a cluster. Benign (not cancerous) clusters of melanocytes are called moles. (Doctors also call a mole a nevus; the plural is nevi). Moles are very common. Most people have between 10 and 40 of these brown, tan, or black areas on the skin. Moles can be flat or raised. They are usually round or oval and smaller than a pencil eraser. They may be present at birth or may appear later on--usually before age 40. Moles generally grow or change only slightly over a long period of time. They tend to fade away in older people. When moles are surgically removed, they normally do not return. Melanoma occurs when melanocytes become malignant. The disease also may be called cutaneous melanoma or malignant melanoma. (Another type of melanoma, ocular melanoma, develops in the eye; it is not discussed in this article.) Melanoma can occur on any skin surface. In men, it is often found on the trunk (the area from the shoulders to the hips) or the head and neck. In women, melanoma often develops on the lower legs or the trunk. Melanoma is rare in black people and others with dark skin. When it does develop in dark-skinned people, it tends to occur under the fingernails or toenails or on the palms or soles. Melanoma affects people of all age groups, but the chance of developing this disease increases with age. |
| Signs & Symptoms Of Melanoma |
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Often, the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, or color
of an existing mole. It also may appear as a new, abnormal or "ugly-looking"
mole.Thinking of "ABCD" can help you remember what to watch for:
* Asymmetry -- The shape of one half does not match the other. * Border -- The edges are ragged, notched, or blurred. * Color -- The color is uneven. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, grey, red, or blue also may be seen. * Diameter -- This is a change in size. When melanoma develops in an existing mole, the texture of the mole may change. For example, it may become hard, lumpy, or scaly. Although a melanoma may feel different and may itch, ooze, or bleed, it usually does not cause pain. Early Detection It is important that melanoma be detected as early as possible. The disease can be cured if it is diagnosed and treated when the tumor is thin and has n ot deeply invaded the skin. However, if a melanoma is not removed early, cancer cells may grow downward from the skin surface, invading healthy tissue. When a melanoma becomes thick and deep, the disease often spreads to other parts of the body and is difficult to control. To help detect melanoma at an early stage, doctors should check their patients' skin during routine physical exams. People also can regularly check their own skin for new growths or other changes. Changes in the skin or a mole found during a self-exam should be reported to the doctor without delay. The person may be referred to a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the skin. People who have had melanoma have a high risk of developing a new melanoma. Also, those who have relatives who have had this disease have a higher-than-average risk. It is especially important for these people to check their skin regularly and to have frequent medical exams. Some people have certain abnormal-looking moles, called dysplastic nevi or atypical moles, that may be more likely than normal moles to develop into melanoma. Most people with dysplastic nevi have just a few of these abnormal moles; others have many. They and their doctor should examine these moles regularly for changes. Dysplastic nevi often look very much like melanoma. Doctors with special training in skin diseases are in the best position to decide whether an abnormal-looking mole should be closely watched or should be removed and checked for cancer. In some families, many members have a large number of dysplastic nevi, and some have had melanoma. Members of these families have a very high risk for melanoma. It is important for them to have frequent checkups (every 3 to 6 months) so that any problems can be detected early. The doctor may take pictures of a person's skin to help in detecting any changes that occur. |
| Treatment Methods |
| Surgery to remove (excise) a melanoma is the standard treatment for this disease. It is necessary to remove not only the tumor but also some normal tissue around it to decrease the chance that any cancer cells will be left in the area. The width of surrounding skin that needs to be removed depends on the thickness of the melanoma and how deeply it has invaded the skin. In cases in which the melanoma is very thin, enough tissue is usually removed during the biopsy, and no further surgery is necessary. If the melanoma was not completely removed during the biopsy, the doctor will need to operate again to take out the remaining tumor and a narrow margin of normal-looking tissue around it. For thick melanomas, it may be necessary to do a wider excision to take out a larger margin of tissue. If a large area of tissue is removed, a skin graft may be done at the same time. For this procedure, the doctor uses skin from another part of the body to replace the skin that was removed. The doctor may also take out nearby lymph nodes. Surgery generally is not effective in controlling melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body. In such cases, doctors may use other methods of treatment, such as chemotherapy, biological therapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these methods. Some patients participate in clinical trials of new treatments. These trials are designed to answer scientific questions and to find out whether a new treatment is both safe and effective. Patients who take part in clinical trials make an important contribution to medical science and may have the first chance to benefit from improved treatment methods. Chemotherapy (treatment with anticancer drugs) is a systemic treatment, meaning that it can affect cancer cells throughout the body. One or more anticancer drugs are given by mouth or by injection into a blood vessel. Either way, the drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body. Chemotherapy is frequently used when melanoma spreads from its original site to other parts of the body. When melanoma occurs only on an arm or leg, doctors sometimes give anticancer drugs in another way. In a technique called perfusion, the flow of blood to and from the limb is stopped for a while with a tourniquet. Anticancer drugs are then put into the blood of the limb. The patient receives high doses of drugs in the area where the melanoma occurred. Biological therapy (also called biotherapy or immunotherapy) is treatment that helps the body's immune system fight disease more effectively. This form of treatment often involves the use of substances called biological response modifiers (BRMs). The body normally produces these substances in small amounts in response to infection and disease. Using modern laboratory techniques, scientist can produce BRMs in large amounts for use in cancer treatment. Interleukin-2 and interferon are two examples of BRMs being tested against advanced melanoma in clinical trials. Doctors do not yet know whether chemotherapy or biological therapy given soon after surgery can help prevent melanoma from recurring. This form of treatment, known as adjuvant therapy, is under study in clinical trials. Doctors may suggest that certain patients who are at high risk for recurrence, such as those whose melanoma is deep or has spread to nearby tissues, take part in a trial. Occasionally, radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is used to treat melanoma. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. Like surgery, radiation therapy is a local therapy; it affects only the cells in the treated area. Radiation therapy is most commonly used to help control melanoma that has spread to the brain. |
| Causes, Risk Factors & Prevention Of Melanoma |
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This information is from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Doctors can seldom explain why one person gets melanoma and another doesn't.
However, we do know that this disease is not contagious; no one can "catch"
cancer from another person.
The number of people who develop melanoma is increasing. Researchers are
trying to learn what may cause it. They believe that the number of melanomas
may be increasing mainly because people are spending more time in the sun.
They know that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun causes skin damage
that can lead to melanoma. Artificial sources of UV radiation, such as
sunlamps and tanning booths, also can cause skin damage.
Scientists have observed that certain factors increase a person's risk of
developing melanoma. Having two or more close relatives who have had this
disease is a risk factor because melanoma sometimes runs in families. In
fact, about 10 percent of all patients with this disease have family members
who also have had melanoma. When melanoma runs in a family, the family
members should be checked regularly by a doctor.
Having dysplastic nevi (atypical moles) is another risk factor for melanoma.
Dysplastic nevi are more likely than ordinary moles to become cancerous.
Many people have only a few of these abnormal moles; the risk of melanoma is
greater for people who have a large number of dysplastic nevi. It is highest
for people who have a family history of both dysplastic nevi and melanoma.
People who have had one or more severe, blistering sunburns as a child or
teenager are at increased risk for melanoma. Because of this, doctors advise
protecting children's skin from the sun, which they hope will help prevent
melanoma later in life.
Melanoma occurs more frequently in people who have fair skin that burns or
freckles easily (these people also usually have red or blond hair and blue
eyes) than in people with dark skin. White people get melanoma far more
often than do black people, probably because light skin is more easily
damaged by the sun. In addition, this disease is more common in people who
live in an area that gets high levels of UV radiation from the sun. In the
United States, for example, melanoma is more common in Texas than it is in
Minnesota, where the sun is not as strong.
Whites are 10 times more likely than blacks to have skin cancer. The
National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results
1986-1990 data suggest that under the age of 40, women are more likely than
men to have melanoma, whereas over the age of 40, men are more likely to
develop melanoma.
To help prevent melanoma, people should avoid exposure to the midday sun
(from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. standard time, or from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daylight
savings time) whenever possible. Another simple rule is to protect yourself
from the sun when your shadow is shorter than you are. Wearing a hat and
long sleeves offers protection. Also, lotions or creams that contain
sunscreens help prevent sunburn. Doctors believe sunscreen may help prevent
melanoma, especially those that block both types of ultraviolet radiation.
Sunscreens are rated in strength according to a sun protection factor (SPF),
which ranges from 2 to 15 and higher. Those rated 15 or higher give the best
protection. How To Do A Skin Self Exam (Skin Cancer & Melanoma) This information is from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). You can improve your chances of finding melanoma easily by performing a simple skin self-exam regularly. If your doctor has taken photos of your skin, you can use these pictures when looking for changes. The best time to do this self-exam is after a shower or bath. You should check your skin in a well-lighted room using a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror. It's best to begin by learning where your birthmarks, moles, and blemishes are and what they usually look like. Check for anything new--a change in the size, texture, or color of a mole, or a sore that does not heal. Check yourself from head to toe. Don't forget to check all areas of the skin, including the back, the scalp, between the buttocks, and the genital area. * Look at the front and back of your body in the mirror, then raise your arms and look at the left and right sides. * Bend your elbows and look carefully at your fingernails, palms, forearms (including the undersides), and upper arms. * Examine the back, front, and sides of your legs. Also look between your buttocks and around the genital area. * Sit and closely examine your feet, including the toenails, the soles, and the spaces between the toes. * Look at your face, neck, ears, and scalp. You may want to use a comb or a blow dryer to move hair so that you can see better. You may also want to have a relative or friend check through your hair, because this is difficult to do yourself. By checking your skin regularly, you will become familiar with what is normal for you. It may be helpful to record the dates of your skin exams and to write notes about the way your skin looks. If you find anything unusual, see your doctor right away. Remember, the earlier a melanoma is found, the better the chance is for a cure. |
| Diet: |
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The diet is no different than that suggested by other cancer specialists. But Arbesman and others warned that dermatologists have been slow to recognize its importance, despite some 50 studies pointing to a link between diet and cancer. In essence, at-risk patients and those already diagnosed with skin cancer should lower their fat intake, experts said. Typically, North Americans get about 40 percent of their calories from fat. The target should be 20 percent. At the same time, people should consume more antioxidants-fruits and vegetables rich in selenium, beta carotene and vitamin C. Beta carotene can be found in carrots, broccoli and spinach. Whole wheat flour, mushrooms, tuna are rich in selenium. And red and green peppers, oranges and cranberries are good sources of vitamin C, researchers said. Vitamin E supplements also help prevent skin cancer, but researchers suggest consulting a doctor before taking them. Anti-oxidants attack certain oxygen atoms called free radicals, which are produced by the body and stimulate cancer growth, researchers said. Lycopene Best known as the reddish pigment found in tomatoes and other crimson fruits such as watermelon, guava and pink grapefruit, lycopene is a more powerful antioxidant than either beta-carotene or vitamin E. It is also one of the predominant carotenoids in human tissues and guards the body against some types of cancer. Researchers at Tufts University in Boston found UV light lowered skin lycopene levels in 16 healthy women. Based on these results, they concluded that lycopene may be "an important defense mechanism against adverse effects of UV irradiation on the skin." Other things to consider: Zinc oxide Used in either calamine lotion or alone, zinc oxide has long been used to treat minor burns and other skin irritations. This mineral is required for skin growth and repair; it also protects the skin against free radical damage. Scientists from the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Foundation, Division of Human Nutrition at the University of Adelaide, confirmed zinc's role as a natural sunscreen using mice as their subjects. They found that topical zinc decreased the number of damaged or sunburned cells formed from UV light. Stay away from tanning salons. Their equipment is sometimes said to be safer than the sun because tanning beds emit ultraviolet-A (UVA) rays, the so-called cool rays, rather than the ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays, which are most often implicated in sunburn. It has been established, however, that UVA rays can cause skin cancer as well as UVB rays can. Do not be misled by claims to the contrary. Include in the diet plenty of foods that are high in vitamin E. A diet rich in vitamin E may protect your skin against damage from UV rays. Good food sources of vitamin E include asparagus, green leafy vegetables, raw nuts, wheat germ, and organic, cold-pressed vegetable oils. To protect against skin cancer, take protective measures while in the sun. The sun's ultraviolet rays are strongest between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Stay out of the sun as much as possible between these hours. When spending time outdoors, wear light-colored clothing made of tightly woven material, plus a hat and sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays. Always use sunscreen. Choose a product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and that specifies broad-spectrum protection. Wear sunscreen on cloudy days; nearly 85 percent of the sun's UV rays penetrate through clouds. Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, and reapply it every three or four hours while you are outside. Be sure to protect your lips with a lip balm that has an SPF of 15, too. Avoid exposure to halogen lighting at close range.Halogen lights also emit UV radiation. The National Foundation for Cancer Research advises maintaining a distance of at least 20 inches from a 20-watt halogen bulb and 3 to 6 feet from 35- to 50-watt bulbs. Certain medications may make the skin more susceptible to sun damage. These include antibiotics, antidepressants, diuretics, antihistamines, sedatives, estrogen, and acne medications such as retinoic acid. The prescription medication tretinoin(Retin-A) maybe able to reverse precancerous sun damage in skin. Skin care products containing alpha-hydroxy acids, which are available over the counter, may have a similar effect, although they are less potent. A June 1988 article in the British Journal of Surgery suggested that essential fatty acids, found in such sources as primrose oil and fish oil, maybe beneficial for the prevention and treatment of malignant melanoma. |
| Herbs: |
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Alfalfa, burdock, dandelion root, horsetail, Irish moss, marshmallow root, oat straw, rose hips, and yellow dock are all beneficial for tissue repair. Rose hips are also a good source of vitamin C. Astragalus generates anti-cancer cells in the body and boosts the immune system. Bilberry, cayennne, ginger, goldenseal, nettle, sarsaparilla, and turmeric stimulate the liver and help to stabilize blood composition, and may retard the proliferation of cancer cells. The seeds and peel of the Chinese cucumber inhibit cancer cells. Skin cancers may respond to treatment with poultices combining comfrey, pau d'arco, ragwort, and wood sage. Essiac tea has been used with good results in cancer treatment. Ginkgo biloba, pau d'arco, and curcumin are powerful antioxidants with immune-enhancing capabilities. Studies have shown that green tea has anti-cancer properties-do not use with milk or dairy products. Tea tree oil cream is a natural antiseptic and antifungal that enhances healing. Aloe (Aloe vera): Another common kitchen remedy used for burns and other minor wounds is the juice of the succulent aloe plant. Faith Strickland, Ph.D., from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas in Houston, tested Aloe barbadensis--a cousin of aloe vera. Both are commonly used in commercial preparations for their sunburn-healing qualities. Strickland found that applying aloe gel to mice after they had been exposed to UV light significantly reduced immune suppression in the animals' skin. This property of aloe could ultimately reduce skin-cancer risk as well as enhance sunburn recovery. Strickland speculates that aloe may also block UV-B, the sun's most harmful ray. One chemical in this herb (aloe-emodin) "has anti-tumor activity", according to James A. Duke, Ph.D. Although aloe has been used externally in folk medicine as a treatment for skin cancer, its effectiveness has never been studied scientifically. James Duke, Ph.D., head of a U.S. Department of Agriculture search for plants with cancer-fighting potential reports, "I have received more letters about this folk remedy for skin cancer than any other species". And some derivatives of aloe are also being studies for both anti-AIDS and anti-cancer potential. Birch Bark Betulinic Acid From Birch Bark May Treat Melanoma The incidence of melanoma has been increasing over the past 40 years at a faster rate than that of any other type of cancer. Current treatment options for patients with metatastic melanoma are unsatisfactory. In research supported by the National Cancer Institute wherein approximately 2,500 plant-derived extracts were evaluated for their potential anti-tumor activity, researchers discovered that an extract prepared from the stem bark of an African plant Ziziphus mauritiana, displayed selective cytotoxicity against cultured human melanoma cells. This discovery led to the isolation of betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene, as the constituent responsible for the action. In follow-up in vivo studies in which betulinic acid was administered to mice carrying human melanomas, tumor growth was completely inhibited, with a complete lack of toxicity. The mode of action by which betulinic acid exerts its effect appears to be induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death). Betulinic acid is currently undergoing preclinical development for the treatment or prevention of malignant melanoma. The compound is fairly widespread in the plant kingdom; unfortunately, the yield is low. However, betulin, a compound closely related to betulinic acid, is a major constituent of white-barked birch trees (Betula spp.). This compound can be isolated easily from white birch bark and converted to betulinic acid. These trees are found in abundance throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and a good supply of bark can be made available for the development of betulinic acid for clinical use. Pisha, Emily, et al. 1995. Discovery of betulinic acid as a selective inhibitor of human melanoma that functions by induction of apoptosis. Nature Medicine, Volume 1, Number 10, October: 1046-1051. According to Duke: A long time ago, a northwoods herbalist told me she had helped her husband's melanoma into remission with chaga tea. After some research I saw that hers was not an unusual suggestion. Chaga was reported for anticancer activity in Asia, northern Europe, and northern America. It also seems to have some antiviral activity (some cancers may be viral in origin). This black fungus is an active parasite on deciduous trees, commonly birch but also alder (Alnus), ash (Fraxinus), and mountain ash (Sorbus). Its extract has been used as a folk medicine for cancer and other diseases, but only those chagas collected from birch are believed to be useful as a remedy. I stress the black fungus here only because I have a strong belief, proven under other circumstances, that when a plant containing natural pesticides or pesticide precursors is attacked by a pest, the plant raises its levels of natural pesticide. Yes, plants fight back when attacked by viruses, funguses, and insects. Betulinic acid is one such pesticide with exciting antiviral activity. (Betulin is a major triterpene, while the other lupanes, lupeol and lupanone, are minor compounds.) I am prepared to wager that a white birch infected with a black chaga will have more pesticidal compounds near the site of infection than an uninfected white birch. I'd even speculate that the chaga itself and/or the associated cancerous burl would be richer in betulinic acid than the birch far removed from the chaga site. If I had melanoma, I'd go to my HMO, but I'd also start looking for dietary betulinic acid, which just might be the most promising antimelanomic phytochemical on the horizon. Those prone to melanoma who believe that an inexpensive speculative ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, if there is a cure for melanoma, might enjoy Bog Bitters, a mix of bearberry, birch bark, and bogbean bitters to which some other betulinic acid containers have been added. The best reported source so far is the edible winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonoloba), clearly a food "farmacy" candidate. Other plants reported to contain betulinic acid include dogwood, eucalyptus (lemon-), forsythia, grape, henna, jackfruit, jujube, mulberry, rosemary, sage, and teatree. Some may have more betulinic acid, some less; some are better not ingested. Bloodroot-Dr Andrew Weil has had some personal experience using bloodroot. Although he says that it is not safe to take internal-externally should be no problem. When I had to make a decision about veterinary treatment for my dog, Coca, a female Rhodesian ridgeback, six years old and in good health except for a growth that had developed on her right side, near the shoulder. It had started as a black skin tag but had steadily enlarged until it was now the size of a marble and looked like a little black cauliflower. My vet told me it should come off. "These things can turn into melanomas," he said. Taking it off would mean putting the dog under general anesthesia, which I did not want to do, since general anesthesia is a risky procedure, more so in dogs than humans. I did nothing, and the tumor kept growing. Then I remembered the container of bloodroot paste in my refrigerator. Here was a perfect opportunity to test the power of bloodroot. I smeared a thin coating of the paste over the growth, and repeated the application every morning for three days. On the fourth day, when I called Coca over for the treatment, I was alarmed to see blood running down her side. The tumor had turned grayish and seemed to be separating from the skin, leaving a gaping wound underneath. I stopped applying bloodroot, cleaned the area with hydrogen peroxide, and resolved to keep an eye on the area. Two days later, the whole tumor, then whitish gray, fell off, leaving a raw, circular area that quickly healed over. The end result was a perfectly circular, slightly depressed area of skin, with no trace of tumor. The bloodroot had removed it more neatly than one could have done with a scalpel. Later, hair grew over the spot, concealing it completely. I could not have asked for a better outcome, especially as the dog had showed no signs of discomfort. Shortly afterward a friend came to visit who showed me a mole he was worried about on his chest. His name is John Fago, a photographer, who had lost a leg to bone cancer some years before. He had been an avid downhill skier before the operation and now was an avid and very skillful one-legged skier. Statistically, john's chances of being cured of his cancer were excellent, and he was careful to follow a lifestyle that increased them even more. Still, he was understandably nervous about strange growths. This one was a pigmented mole that had been enlarging. When I told John about the bloodroot cure of my dog, he did not hesitate. "Let's do it," he said. Unlike my dog, John had no coat of fur, so it was easier to watch the process. On the second day of applying the paste, the skin around the base of the mole became inflamed, an obvious immune reaction, and John said it was quite sore. On the third day, the mole turned pale and began to swell. On the fourth day, it fell off, leaving a perfectly circular wound that healed quickly. Later I asked John to describe his experience to a group of medical students. He did so, with the result that I began getting requests for nonsurgical removal of moles. Over the years, I have given out bloodroot paste and instructions on how to use it to a number of medical students, and the outcomes have been consistent and satisfactory. The most recent was a young woman with a large mole at the collar line at the base of the neck. A dermatologist wanted to take it off, but his description of the size of the incision he would have to make put her off, and she knew that healing would be difficult because of the location. She asked me if I knew any alternative to surgery. Bloodroot solved her problem. "It got pretty scary-looking on the third day," she told me afterward, "but I remembered your description of what would happen, and I tried not to worry. Now the mole is gone completely, and I think it's a much better job than the dermatologist could have done. I'm amazed." So here is an example of a discovery made by paying attention to a testimonial. I would hope it would inspire scientific inquiry into the mechanism by which bloodroot is able to stimulate rejection of abnormal tissue and into possible applications of it for treatment of growths other than moles. Chaparral-For more than 100 years, chaparral has been a popular folk treatment for cancer. The National Cancer Institute has received many testimonials from people claiming the herb cured their cancers. Some laboratory studies agree chaparral has anti-tumor effects. According to Dr. Charles R. Smart, M.D., an internationally known cancer specialist, who retire in 1985 as Chief of Surgery of LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, "chaparral tea produced regression of tumors but not necessarily cures" with "the possibility of the cancer continuing to exist". The medical literature contains several case reports of tumor shrinking in people who used chaparral. One published in Cancer Chemotherapy Reports tells of a man (Ernest Farr) diagnosed by University of Utah physicians with malignant melanoma, the most serious skin cancer. The doctors urged surgery, but the man refused, saying he intended to treat himself with chaparral tea. The Utah medical team was aghast, but 8 months later, the man returned with "marked regression" of his cancer. He lived for another 9 years and died at the age of 96. The irony here was that some of his children and grandchildren wouldn't permit him access to any more chaparral, believing the success he had attributed to it to be a figment of his imagination. And several other impressive successes have been recorded with this desert shrub in Unproven Methods of Cancer Management published by the American Cancer Society in 1970. Four patients responded well to treatment with tea-two with advance melanomas, one with metastic choriocarcinoma and one with widespread lymphosarcoma. After 2 days of treatment, the patient with lymphosarcoma experienced a 75% disappearance of his disease. The choriocarcinoma patient who hadn't responded well to other therapies, responded well to chaparral tea for several months. And the 2 melanoma patients, one experienced a 95% regression and the remaining disease was excised, while the other remained in remission for up to 4 months before another lesion developed. Echinacea-scientists in Italy have documented a protective effect of polyphenols from echinacea against free radical damage. This indicates a powerful potential for echinacea extracts for topical use for the prevention and treatment of photo damage of the skin by UVA and UVB radiation. Collagen is the main connective tissue of the skin. It is also extremely sensitive to ultraviolet damage. Damaged collagen cross-links and loses its contractile properties, resulting in skin wrinkling and skin surface roughness. Topical use of echinacea is widespread in Europe, but has been slow to catch on in the U.S. The Italian research points to a remarkable number of antioxidant compounds in echinacea, described in at least ten previous studies. The current study focuses on echinacoside and a class of specific antioxidants known as caffeoyl derivatives. The authors comment on the results: "The results of this study strongly support the view that extracts from echinacea species can be used for the prevention of skin photo damage, and since the commonly used echinacea extracts contain caffeoyl derivatives in appreciable amounts, effective local concentrations of the compounds might be obtained by topical application." - Rob McCaleb Ginseng Biol Pharm Bull 1995 Sep;18(9):1197-202 Inhibitory effect of tumor metastasis in mice by saponins, ginsenoside-Rb2, 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, of red ginseng. Mochizuki M, Yoo YC, Matsuzawa K, Sato K, Saiki I, Tono-oka S, Samukawa K, Azuma Institute of Immunological Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. We examined the inhibitory effect of two saponin preparations from Red ginseng, 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, in comparison with that of ginsenoside-Rb2, on lung metastasis produced by two highly metastatic tumor cells, B16-BL6 melanoma and colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma, in syngeneic mice. In an in vitro analysis, both saponin preparations showed a significant inhibition of adhesion to fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LM) by B16-BL6 melanoma. Similarly, they significantly inhibited the invasion of B16-BL6 cells into the reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel)/FN in a dose-dependent manner. In an experimental metastasis model using B16-BL6 melanoma, consecutive intravenous (i.v.) administrations of 100 micrograms/mouse of 20(R)- or 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 1, 2, 3 and 4 d after tumor inoculation led to a significant decrease in lung metastasis. The inhibitory effect of i.v. administration of both ginseng saponins on the tumor metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma was also recognized in a low dose of 10 micrograms/mouse. The oral administration (p.o.) of both saponins (100-1000 micrograms/mouse) induced a significant decrease in lung metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma. Moreover, both ginseng saponins were effective in inhibiting of lung metastasis produced by colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma. When 20(R)- or 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 was orally administered consecutively after tumor inoculation in a spontaneous metastasis model using B16-BL6 melanoma, both of them significantly inhibited lung metastasis. In the experiment involving neovasculization by tumor cells in vivo, both mice groups given each saponin preparation after tumor inoculation exhibited a significant decrease in the number of blood vessels oriented toward the tumor mass, with no repression of tumor size. These findings suggest that both ginseng saponins, 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, possess an ability to inhibit the lung metastasis of tumor cells, and the mechanism of their antimetastatic effect is related to inhibition of the adhesion and invasion of tumor cells, and also to anti-angiogenesis activity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1998 May 29;246(3):725-30 An intestinal bacterial metabolite of ginseng protopanaxadiol saponins has the ability to induce apoptosis in tumor cells. Wakabayashi C, Murakami K, Hasegawa H, Murata J, Saiki I Department of Pathogenic Biochemistry, Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan. Our previous study demonstrated that the in vivo anti-metastatic effect induced by oral administration of ginseng protopanaxadiol saponins was mediated by their metabolic component M1, and that the growth, invasion and migration of tumor cells were inhibited by M1 but not by ginsenosides. Here we investigated the inhibitory mechanism of M1 on the growth of tumor cells. M1 inhibited the proliferation of B16-BL6 mouse melanoma cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with accompanying morphological changes at the concentration of 20 microM. In addition, at 40 microM M1 induced apoptotic cell death within 24 h. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that dansyl M1 entered the cytosol and quickly reached the nuclei (approximately 15 min). Western blot analysis revealed that M1 rapidly up-regulated the expression of p27Kip1, but down-regulated the expression of c-Myc and cyclin D1 in a time-dependent manner. Thus, the regulation of apoptosis-related proteins by M1 is responsible for the induction of apoptotic cell death, and this probably leads to the anti-metastatic activity in vivo. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao 1996;31(10):742-5 (Differentiation of B16 melanoma cells induced by ginsenoside RH2) (Article in Chinese) Xia LJ, Han R Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing. The effect of ginsenoside Rh2, a constituent isolated from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, on the growth of tumor cells in vitro was investigated. The results showed that Rh2 inhibited the growth of B16 cells at the concentration of 10 micrograms.ml-1 (IC50: 4.1 micrograms.ml-1). Rh2 was found to significantly induce the activity of differentiation of B16 cells at the concentration of 10 micrograms.ml-1 in vitro. The melanin synthesis of Rh2 in treated B16 cells was increased. Morphologically, the Rh2 induced B16 cells turned to be epithelioid cells. B16 cells became dendrite shaped morphologically at higher concentration of Rh2. Flow cytometry demonstrated that the B16 cells treated with Rh2 were blocked at G1 phase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1998 May 29;246(3):725-30 An intestinal bacterial metabolite of ginseng protopanaxadiol saponins has the ability to induce apoptosis in tumor cells. Wakabayashi C, Murakami K, Hasegawa H, Murata J, Saiki I Department of Pathogenic Biochemistry, Research Institute for Wakan-Yaku, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan. Our previous study demonstrated that the in vivo anti-metastatic effect induced by oral administration of ginseng protopanaxadiol saponins was mediated by their metabolic component M1, and that the growth, invasion and migration of tumor cells were inhibited by M1 but not by ginsenosides. Here we investigated the inhibitory mechanism of M1 on the growth of tumor cells. M1 inhibited the proliferation of B16-BL6 mouse melanoma cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with accompanying morphological changes at the concentration of 20 microM. In addition, at 40 microM M1 induced apoptotic cell death within 24 h. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that dansyl M1 entered the cytosol and quickly reached the nuclei (approximately 15 min). Western blot analysis revealed that M1 rapidly up-regulated the expression of p27Kip1, but down-regulated the expression of c-Myc and cyclin D1 in a time-dependent manner. Thus, the regulation of apoptosis-related proteins by M1 is responsible for the induction of apoptotic cell death, and this probably leads to the anti-metastatic activity in vivo. Green tea This tea, frequently touted as an anti-cancer agent, works because it is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Researchers at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., tested green tea on mice both topically as the polyphenol fraction epicatechin and as a beverage. The animals were fed carcinogenic chemicals and then placed under UV lighting. Topical use inhibited cancerous skin tumors by 94 percent. Drinking only green tea for two weeks before and during exposure diminished sunburn as well as malignancy in these mice. The stronger the tea and the more the mice drank, the less severe were their sunburns. The mice in the study drank green tea exclusively. A person, however, would need to drink one to two quarts of green tea daily for significant benefit. Licorice needs to be looked further into. It's immune stimulation may help explain it's anti-tumor activity against cancerous melanomas in experimental animals. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum): Silymarin, a compound found in the milk thistle plant, may help prevent skin cancer. Animal studies at Case Western Reserve University show the chemical, normally used to protect the liver, reduces the number of skin tumors that develop in mice after exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In fact, there were 40% fewer tumors. And when animals in the test group did get a skin cancer, the tumor was 9% smaller than those in the control group. Researchers need to do more clinical studies to see if silymarin can be use as a skin cancer defense for humans. Pokeweed J Natl Cancer Inst 1987 Jun;78(6):1101-6 Immunotoxins to a human melanoma-associated antigen: resistance to pokeweed antiviral protein conjugates in vitro. Morgan AC Jr, Bordonaro J, Pearson JW, Sivam G Pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) from the summer leaves of Phytolacca americana was purified and conjugated via N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate to 9.2.27 anti-melanoma antibody to a glycoprotein-proteoglycan complex. The conjugate was highly potent (50% inhibition dose of 5 X 10(-11)-10(-13) M on antigen-positive melanoma) and highly selective (5 X 10(-8) on antigen-negative melanoma). Human melanoma cells were selected for resistance to in vitro killing of the PAP conjugate by cycling through a killing and recovery sequence. Resultant cultures were shown to be more than 2 logs less sensitive to the killing of the PAP conjugate than untreated cultures. Isolation of clones by limiting dilution and reanalysis indicated that the resistant polyclonal culture contained clones with a range of sensitivities. Resistant cultures were also resistant to other A-chain conjugates of 9.2.27, but not to intact toxins like ricin and abrin. Resistant cultures showed no change in antigen expression after selection with the PAP conjugate of 9.2.27. Thus, just as with many other chemotherapeutic agents, tumor cells can become resistant to agents inhibiting protein synthesis even when targeted with monoclonal antibody. The mechanisms of this resistance and modalities to minimize resistance are currently being explored. St. Johns Wort: Photochem Photobiol 1996 Aug;64(2):375-81 Photodynamic effects of hypericin on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in melanoma cells. Hadjur C, Richard MJ, Parat MO, Jardon P, Favier A laboratorie de Biochimie C, Centre Hospitalier Regional Universitaire A. Michallon, Grenoble, France. hadjur@dgr.epfl.ch Photodynamic-induced cytotoxicity by hypericin (HYP) was studied on three human melanoma cell lines: one pigmented cell line (G361) and two amelanotic cell lines (M18 and M6). No significant variation in the rate of uptake and in the maximum level of HYP incorporation for the different cells was observed. In the dark, no cytotoxicity was observed in the range 0-10-6 M HYP for the three cell lines. Amelanotic cells were found to be more sensitive than pigmented cells to irradiation of HYP with visible light (lambda > 590 nm). In addition, for the three cell lines HYP-induced photocytotoxicity was found to be drug-dose and light-dose dependent. Under the conditions used, thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARs) were significantly increased in amelanotic cells after irradiation (P < 0.0001). By contrast, the amount of TBARS remained unchanged in pigmented cells. Antioxidant defenses including enzymes and glutathione (GSH) were assayed before and after HYP photosensitization. Significantly increased total SOD activity was observed after photosensitizaton for amelanotic cells (P < 0.05), while glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase (Cat) activities but also GSH levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). In pigmented cells a significantly increased Cat activity was found (P < 0.05), whereas GSHPx was unaffected after irradiation. It can be inferred that (a) HYP may be an effective PDT agent for melanoma and (b) there is a relationship between melanin content and sensitivity to HYP phototoxicity in human melanoma cells. It can, in some individuals, increase sensitivity to light. Side effects aside, this photosensitivity makes hypericin a good candidate for cancer treatment. Photodynamic therapy is based on the ability of cancer cells to selectively take up a specific compound. This compound then makes the cancer cells more sensitive to specific wavelengths of light, so that irradiation kills only the cancer cells. In experiments using mice, hypericin was shown to accumulate specifically in tumor tissue. When these hypericin-treated mice were irradiated, tumor growth was inhibited. Similar results have been found in human tumor cell lines. Hypericin was taken up by the tumor cells, rendering them more vulnerable to the killing effects of specific types of light. These results suggest that hypericin can be used as a phototherapy tool when treating cancer. St. John's wort has additional anticancer properties. For instance, hypericin inhibits various protein kinases that are involved in both cell growth and apoptosis (cell death). This action has caught the attention of scientists who are studying the basic mechanisms of cell and tumor growth. Skin Disease: Clinical trials are now underway to evaluate a synthetic form of hypericin for the topical treatment of several skin disorders. Hypericin-containing extracts may prove useful for the treatment of psoriasis, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, warts, melanoma and Kaposi's sarcoma. A role for hypericin may also be found in the treatment of melanoma. Future Research: Although hypericin gets most of the attention as an active ingredient of hypericum extracts, some 10 other constituents of St. John's wort possess pharmacological activity. Among these are pseudohypericin, flavonoids, xanthones and bioflavonoids. Future research should evaluate possible medicinal uses for these compounds. Although modern science may think that the use of SJW for skin cancer is a new and novel thing, but this is not the case. A story by Heinerman the medicial antropologists gives proof of this: I remember some years ago, while lecturing in Athens, Georgia, of visiting with an old herb folk healer by the name of Bo "Big Swede" Erikson. He passed along some valuable instructions to make a fairly simple herb oil which he'd formulated for treating certain skin cancers and gangrene. The one skin cancer with which, he said, he always had the most success was basal cell carcinoma-the kind that forms on the forehead, face or nose of light-complexioned people. His key ingredient was St. Johnswort and his main method of preparation was exposing this herb to as much direct sunlight as possible. "Big Swede" (as he preferred to be called) would first go out and collect some fresh St. Johnswort from nearby fields in his locale. These he would thoroughly macerate with a wooden mallet and then put about 2 handfuls of the crushed plant materials into a gallon jar filled about 1/3 full of olive oil, 1-1/2 pints of good white wine and I cup of gum turpentine. He would seal the jar with a loose-fitting lid and set it in the sun for 10 days. After this, Big Swede would take a large pot used for canning fruit, and, before filling it 1/3 full of water, would place a large soup bowl upside down on the bottom. On top of this inverted bowl he would then put the gallon jar with the lid left on very loosely, so as not to build up pressure inside the jar. The pot would be set on the stove on medium heat and the water permitted to boil for an hour. Following this procedure, the remaining liquid in the jar was then strained several times and put into another clean gallon jar, Into this second jar, an equal amount of more freshly macerated St. Johnswort leaves and flowers were put, but with no more oil, wine or turpentine added. This jar was also set in the sun, but only for 5 days instead. After which the entire preparation was set aside in some cool, dry place without being strained again until needed. When treating basal cell carcinoma, he would transform some of this St. Johnswort oil into a simple salve. This was done by heating up I cup of the oil inside a pint jar which had been set inside a pot on an inverted dish, with the pot half full of boiling water. When the oil was hot enough he would then add 1-2 tbsps. of melted beeswax and frequently stir until it had been sufficiently dissolved enough to yield a salve-like consistency. A little gum benzoin or tincture of benzoin was also added to help preserve the salve (about 1/2 tsp. of tincture per pint of salve). His patients would then rub this salve on their skin and leave it exposed to the sun. He claimed to have better than a 75% success rate for this. His remedy was also used to treat bums, wounds, sores, bruises, eczema and psoriasis. Suma-Micheal Tierra says that suma reduces tumors and cancers. It contains Six saccharide derivatives of the pfaffic acid structural type. Five of the six pfaffosides have been found to inhibit cultured tumor cell melanomas. He says he personally prescribed many pounds of suma in my clinic and have corroborated its efficacy for the relief of pains associated with cancer. Varrro Tyler does not agree with what Tierra has to say about suma. Here is what Typer has to say about suma: Japanese investigators have conducted chemical studies of suma root. They succeeded in isolating and characterizing a new nortriterpene, designated pfaffic acid, and six new saponin derivatives of that acid, which were designated pfaffosides A, B, C, D, E, and E Preliminary tests revealed that certain of the pfaffosides inhibited the growth of cultured tumor cell melanomas (Bl6). This preliminary indication of cytotoxicity is interesting but by no means indicative that the plant is a useful anticancer agent in humans. Additional studies are required to determine if these constituents possess a sufficiently selective degree of toxicity to render them safe and effective drugs. A preliminary pharmacological study by Italian researchers did show that an ethanolic extract of the root produced mild anti-inflammatory activity with analgesic effects, but did not reduce noninflammatory pain, raising questions about its possible mechanism of action. Aside from this study, recent scientific literature is limited to a report that the powdered root produced occupational asthma after exposure during the process of manufacturing capsules. Often when unproven recommendations are made for an herbal remedy, it is possible to take some comfort in knowing that the plant has at least been used as a folk medicine for hundreds, if not thousands, of years without apparent adverse effects. It is not unreasonable to assume that such an herb is probably safe for consumption by normal persons. That is not the case with suma. Although we are told that it is an ancient remedy in Brazil, no confirmation of this statement appears in the standard medicinal plant literature. Testing of its safety (toxicity) has not taken place, and appropriate studies of its efficacy are also lacking. In view of these deficiencies, it is not possible to recommend utilization of this remedy for any condition. Turmeric Chem Biol Interact 1996 Oct 21;102(2):117-32 Inhibition of glutathione S-transferase activity in human melanoma cells by alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives. Effects of acrolein, cinnamaldehyde, citral, crotonaldehyde, curcumin, ethacrynic acid, and trans-2-hexenal. Iersel ML, Ploemen JP, Struik I, van Amersfoort C, Keyzer AE, Schefferlie JG, van Bladeren PJ Department of Toxicology, Wageningen Agricultural University, Netherlands. Marlou.vanlersel@ALGEMEEN.TOX.WAU.NL The glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene in intact human IGR-39 melanoma cells was determined by the quantification by HPLC-analysis of the excreted glutathione (GSH) conjugate (S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione; DNPSG). The major GST subunit expressed in these melanoma cells is the pi-class GST subunit P1. Using this system, the effect of exposure for 1 h to a series of alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds at non-toxic concentrations was studied. Curcumin was the most potent inhibitor (96% inhibition at 25 microM), while 67 and 61% inhibition at 25 microM was observed for ethacrynic acid and trans-2-hexenal, respectively. Moderate inhibition was observed for cinnamaldehyde and crotonaldehyde, while no inhibition was found for citral. The reactive acrolein did not inhibit the DNPSG-excretion at 2.5 microM, the highest non-toxic concentration. Up to about 50% GSH-depletion was found after treatment with crotonaldehyde, curcumin and ethacrynic acid, however the consequences for GST conjugation are presumably small. Reversible inhibition of GST was the major mechanism of inhibition of DNPSG-excretion in melanoma cells, except in the cases of curcumin and ethacrynic acid, which compounds also inactivated GSTP1-1 by covalent modification. This was clear from the fact that depending on the dose between 30 and 80% inhibition was still observed after lysis of the cells, under which conditions reversible inhibition was is absent. Intracellular levels of DNPSG remained relatively high in the case of ethacrynic acid. It is possible that ethacrynic acid also inhibits the transport of DNPSG by inhibition of the multidrug resistance-associated protein gene encoding glutathione conjugate export pump (MRP/GS-X pump) in some way. Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Several common household plants and remedies double as sunburn cures. Witch hazel is found in many homes and used as an astringent for bruises and swelling. In Japan, Dr. Hitoshi Masaki and his colleagues from Skiga Central Laboratory in Youkaichi and Kyoto Pharmaceutical University wanted to see if witch hazel worked against sunburn. In a test-tube experiment using skin cells and fractions of witch hazel, they discovered this herb, like so many others, functions as an antioxidant. Witch hazel is also renowned as a vulnerary (wound healer) and anti-inflammatory. This set of properties makes it an ideal sunscreen ingredient. Dr. Christopher's Black Healing Salve/Ointment: 3 quarts liquid mutton tallow (1 quart for each 4 oz of dry herbs of for each 10 oz. of fresh herbs, which is approximately 6 pounds of very clean mutton tallow and is obtainable from the butcher). 2 ounces Chickweed herb (stellaria media) dried (5 oz. fresh) 2 ounces Comfrey Rood (Symphytum officianlis) dried (5 oz. fresh) 2 ounces Marshmallow root (Althaea officianalis) dried (5 oz. fresh) 2 ounces Goldenseal Root (Althaea Canadensis) dried (5 oz. fresh) 2 ounces Lobelia herb with seed (Lobelia inflata) dried (5 oz. fresh) 2 ounces Kino (Pterocarpus marsupium) (when possible) 1 ounce Poke root (Phytolacca americana) dried or fresh 2 ounces of Beeswax 6 ounces Olive Oil (Olea Europaea) 2 ounces Wheat germ oil (if not available substitute more olive oil) 1 pint Pine tar (Pinus sylvestris) can be obtained from a nursery Preparation: Cut up the mutton tallow, place it into a stainless steel pan(never use iron or aluminum but you can use pyrex or enamel if it is not chipped), cover and render in oven at 170 degrees F. Pour off the tallow as it renders, press out the remainder and throw away the crackling. Place the tallow back into the pan and warm up to a liquid. Place all the herbs in the liquified tallow base, (acts as a catalyst and draws the medicinal virtues of the herbs into the fat) and place into oven for 4 to 8 hours. Remove and strain through a fine wire strainer, add beeswax and put back into oven to warm to a liquid again. Add the olive oil, wheat germ oil and pine tar (do not cook after the pine tar is added or it will curdle), use a beater (hand or electric) to homogenize or whip while hot and then pour it into an ointment or wide mouthed jar to set. Do not try to move the jars until cool enough to be firm or there will be a nasty mess to clean up. Administration: apply externally or internally as needed. Note: this particular ointment has been on the market for a number of years. According to reports sent in it has been used successfully to cure various complaints, including skin cancer. Extra Strength "black" drawing and healing salve/ointment: To the herbs in the recipe above add the following: 2 ounces Red Clover blossoms (Trifolium Pratense) 2 ounces Mullien (Verbascum thapasus) 4 ounces Plantain (Plantago major) 4 ounces Chapparal (Larrea tridentata) Sufficient Additional mutton tallow to contain all the herbs (if necessary) Sufficient Additional Olive oil and beeswax to acheive the desired consistency. Hoxsey formula: Perhaps no therapy has had as colorful a history as that of the late Harry Hoxsey. An herbal folk healer with a fanatical following, Hoxsey's herbal therapies date to the 1840s and his great-grandfather who bred horses in Illinois. One of his horses had cancer on its leg and was put to pasture to die. Instead, the horse began grazing on certain plants in the pasture, and was cured. Hoxsey's great-grandfather later mixed the plants into a salve and used it to treat horses. Hoxsey's father, who was a veterinarian, also used the salve. Harry Hoxsey, who assisted his father, also learned how to make the salve. The Hoxsey therapy is a mix of internal and external herbal preparations, including an emphasis on diet, vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as personal counseling. Although vigorously attacked by the ACS, Hoxsey herbal remedies were also used by Native Americans to treat cancer and the formula contain herbs with established anticancer properties. Among the herbs used in the Hoxsey external formula is Sanguinaria canadensis, also known as bloodroot, which has been used by Lake Superior Native Americans to treat cancer. Doctors using bloodroot paste in the 1960s healed cancers of the nose, external ear, and other organs. The major component of the internal tonic is potassium iodide. The herbs include red clover, buckthorn bark, burdock root (which has known antimutagenic properties ), stillingia root, berberis root, poke berries and root, licorice root, Cascara amarga, and prickly ash bark. Actual proportions and methods of extraction have been kept secret. Patients taking the tonics are cautioned to avoid tomatos, alcohol, processed flour, and vinegar, because of their ability to negate the tonic's effect. Cancers which have responded most favorably to the Hoxsey tonics include lymphoma, MELANOMA, and skin cancer. The Hoxsey method was placed on the ACS Unproven Methods List in 1968. The Hoxsey Clinic, located in Tijuana, Mexico, estimates that 80 percent of the patients who use the Hoxsey formula benefit substantially. |
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Dimethylglycine (DMG) (Aangamik DMG from FoodScience Labs) improves celluar oxygenation. Coenzyme Q10 improves cellular oxygenation. Garlic enhances immune function. Proteolytic enzymes or Wobenzym N from Marlyn Nutraceuticals is a powerful free radical scavenger that also reduces inflammation and aids in proper breakdown and absorption of nutrients from foods. Selenium is both an essential trace element and an important part of the free radical-quenching enzyme glutathione peroxidase, selenium is good for the skin. So it should come as no surprise that when eight women volunteers rubbed a lotion containing this mineral on their skin before sun exposure, they were less apt to burn. Lotions containing selenium have been used for years. Besides preventing sunburn, topical selenium helps heal a fungal skin infection called tinea versicolor, as well as seborrhea and dandruff. Superoxide dismutase(SOD) destroys free radicals. Vitamin A plus natural beta carotene or carotenoid complex(Betatene): Vitamin A May Fight Melanoma By Theresa Tamkins NEW YORK (Reuters) -- High doses of vitamin A could help fight malignant melanoma, a new study in mice suggests. The study found mice who ate 10 times the normal intake of vitamin A were less likely to develop tumors and more likely to survive when injected with melanoma cells. In comparison, all the mice fed a normal diet developed tumors and fewer survived, according to the study scheduled to be presented this week at the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons meeting in San Francisco, California. "There is a strong suggestion that vitamin A, in and of itself, in doses that are probably higher than we just recommend to prevent disease, may in fact have some salutary effect," said study co-author Dr. Richard Zienowicz, an assistant professor of plastic surgery at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. "We can't say anything until we've been able to pick this up in a larger series." The vitamin appears to promote a capsule to form around tumor cells, slowing their growth. Vitamin A is known to promote wound-healing and to have other cancer-fighting properties in mice, including fighting breast and lung tumors. "There are a number of different types of cancers in mice, breast and lung tumors specifically, that with vitamin A you can see encapsulation around the tumors which helps it to fail to progress as rapidly," he said. In the new study, 60 mice were split into three groups, one fed a normal diet, one fed a vitamin A-rich diet starting immediately after the cancer cells were injected, and one given a vitamin A diet 10 days before being given the cancer cell injection. In the first group, all the mice developed tumors and 60% survived. In the second group, 40% of rodents developed tumors, but 100% of the mice survived. In comparison, none of the mice fed the vitamin A for 10 days before inoculation developed tumors. The mice were fed about 150,000 international units (IU) of vitamin A, about 10 times the intake necessary to prevent vitamin A deficiency. There was no apparent toxic effects in the mice, the researcher noted. However, high doses of vitamin A are not necessarily safe -- for humans or mice. Vitamin A "can cause hypervitaminosis and can have lethal effects in very high doses -- certainly we are not encouraging that," Zienowicz said. More study is needed to determine if the high doses of vitamin A are safe and effective in humans. The study does suggest that those at risk for the skin cancer should ensure an adequate intake of the vitamin, he said. "Anybody that does have melanoma or even a predisposition, such as dysplastic nevi (unusual moles) should just make sure their diets are at least receiving adequate amounts of vitamin A," Zienowicz said. The study is encouraging because there are few treatments for malignant melanoma. Melanoma is the rarest type of skin cancer, but the most deadly. About 40,000 people will be diagnosed with malignant melanoma in the U.S. this year, and 7,300 will die of it, according to the American Cancer Society. "Right now, we don't have a great deal to offer," Zienowicz said. "We have interferon therapy which does have some significance in terms of long-term survival rate, but still it's not that dramatic." Vitamin B complex and/or brewer's yeast is necessary for normal cell division and function. Vitamin C is a powerful anti-cancer agent and boosts immunity. Douglas Darr, Ph.D., from Duke University in Durham, N.C., applied a 10 percent vitamin C solution in 20 percent propylene glycol thickened with 0.5 percent hydroxypropyl cellulose to the skin of pigs (pig skin is very similar to human skin) 15 to 30 minutes prior to UV-light exposure. The treated animals experienced less redness and sunburned cells than the untreated group. Sitting in the sun too long severely depletes vitamin C, one of the skin's more important defenses against sunburn. It is also possible that low vitamin C levels impair the skin's other repair mechanisms. In addition to its antioxidant and tissue-mending actions, vitamin C is a primary replenisher of vitamin E. Vitamin E promotes healing and tissue repair. This vitamin's benefit as a natural sunscreen was demonstrated at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Researchers oiled hairless mice with vitamin E three times weekly for three weeks before placing them under UV lights. Vitamin E was also applied during UV exposure. These precautions decreased the animals' incidence of skin cancer by almost half compared to untreated mice. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, which in turn enhances skin immunity. Applying vitamin E oil after sun exposure also helps heal a sunburn. Maitake or reishi or shitake, these mushrooms contain substances that inhibit the growth and spread of cancerous tumors and also boost immune response. Phtocharged nutrional supplements from Schiff is a daily supplement that protects against damage from sunlight and promotes health. Pycnogenol or grape seed extract are antioxidants that protect against UV-induced oxidative changes in the skin. Shark cartilage(BeneFin) has been shown to inhibit and even reverse the growth of some types of tumors. Also stimulates the immune system. Zinc is important in activity of enzymes; cell division, growth, and repair; and proper immune function. Acidophilus has an antibacterial effect on the body. Aerobic 07 from Aerobic Life Industries or Dioxychlor from American Biologics are antimicrobial agents. Concentrace from Trace Mineral Research to nourish skin and hair. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) promotes healing. Use only DMSO from a health food store. Herpanacine from Diamond-Herpanacine Associates contains antioxidants, amino acids, and herbs that promote skin health. Kelp for mineral balance. L-Cysteine and L-methionine to detoxify harmful substances. Multienzyme complex to aid digestion. Multivitamin and mineral complex, all nutrients are necessary in balance, do not used sustained-release formula. N-A-G from Source Naturals supples glucosamine, which helps in the formation of mucous membrane and connecitve tissues. Para-aminobenzoic acid(PABA) helps to protect against skin cancer. Raw glandular complex plus raw thymus glandular stimulates glandular function, especially the thymus, an important component of the immune system. Taurine functions as a foundation for tissue and organ repair. Vitamin B3(niacin) plus choline and folic acid-B vitamins improve circultaion, build red blood cells, and aid liver function, but do not take niacin if you have a liver disorder, gout, or high blood pressure. Vitamin B12 to prevent anemia. Be cautious of taking this supplement: Do not take this supplement if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you suffer from panic attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, or PKU. Supplemental phenylalanine should not be used by pregnant women or by people who suffer from anxiety attacks, diabetes, high blood pressure, PKU (phenylketonuria), or with pre-existing pigmented melanoma (a type of skin cancer). |
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PINKOWISH, MARY DESMOND Patient Care March 30, 1999 Several recent studies have suggested that sunscreens may actually increase the risk of skin cancer. A new European study suggests how this may happen. Researchers in 4 cities conducted nevi counts on 631 children in primary schools. (A high acquired nevi count is a strong predictor of melanoma in adults.) Parents were interviewed about sun exposure, sunscreen use, and physical sun protection of their children. After adjustment for eye color, sun exposure, and other factors, the children with the highest levels of sunscreen use also had the highest nevi counts. Those with the fewest nevi were those who most often wore sun-protective clothing. The results suggest that parents become cavalier about a child's sun exposure when using a high-SPF sunscreen. Children may be better off wearing sun-protective clothing and spending less time in the sun. Autier P, Dore J-F, Cattaruzza MS, et al. Sunscreen use, wearing clothes, and number of nevi in 6- to 7-year-old European children. J Natl Cancer inst. 1998;90:1873-1880. COPYRIGHT 1999 Medical Economics Publishing Detecting Melanoma : Harvard Health Letter May 1, 1999 People whose melanoma tumors are detected early have a much better chance of surviving this sometimes lethal form of skin cancer than those whose cancer has spread to underlying tissue. Many individuals know that examining their skin for suspicious-looking growths or moles is often critical in detecting skin cancer. Not surprisingly, a new study suggests that periodically asking your doctor to do additional skin evaluations can provide even more protection. The investigation found that physicians were more than four times as likely as patients to detect early melanomas. Researchers led by those at Johns Hopkins University surveyed 102 patients with melanoma. More than half of the melanomas were detected by the patients, 24% were identified by a physician, 12% by a spouse, and 10% by someone else. Melanomas found by physicians were substantially thinner than patient-detected tumors, meaning that they were identified at an earlier stage. Indeed, 46% of the physician-detected melanomas were confined to the upper layer of skin compared to only 14% of the malignancies picked up by patients. In addition to detecting thinner melanomas, physicians were more likely to identify those on less visible parts of the body, such as the back and buttocks. Amazingly enough, a skin inspection is not included in the governments recommended routine screening tests for cancer, so people must take the initiative and ask their doctor to look carefully at their skin during regular physical exams. Those with a history of moles, previous melanoma, or a relative with melanoma should see a dermatologist for more frequent examinations. And everyone should, of course, continue to check themselves for any change in the number, size, shape, and color of moles. (Journal of the American Medical Association, February 17, 1999, pp. 64043.) COPYRIGHT 1999 President and Fellows of Harvard College Gerson Healing Center--Overcoming Skin Cancer: In early 1997, the Gerson Association for Natural Medicine opened the Gerson Healing Center, an inpatient cancer treatment center occupying part of a 28-bed facility in Sedona, Arizona, a tourist town widely known for its art galleries and progressive interests, set in the high redrock plateau of northern Arizona, two hours north of Phoenix. The Center's treatment program is based on the pioneering work of Max Gerson, M.D., (1881-1959), an emigré German physician who practiced his scientifically based nutrition and detoxification cancer therapy during the 1940s and '50s in Nanuet, New York. Dr. Gerson was highly regarded by some of his medical peers, including Nobel laureate Albert Schweitzer, M.D., who wrote: "Many of his basic ideas have been adopted without having his name connected with them. I see in him one of the most eminent geniuses in the history of medicine." Gerson Therapy Highlights: Fresh Vegetable Juices-The typical Gerson patient consumes up to 20 pounds of fresh, raw, organic vegetables and fruits in the form of juice at hourly intervals (13 glasses in all) every day of the week. The purpose of giving copious amounts of concentrated vegetable nutrients (primarily drawn from carrots, apples, and leafy greens) is to nourish a body whose digestion is dysfunctional and could not handle such a high intake of vegetables in their whole form, says White. For patients who have difficulty retaining the juice, some oatmeal gruel is mixed with it (one part meal to 12 parts juice). Typically patients stay at the Gerson clinic for three to four weeks, but they continue with many of the Gerson protocols, especially the fresh juices, often for one to two years. "During these crucial first three weeks, the patient gets started and stabilized on the program, comes to understand the approach, and lets their body begin to respond to the powerful changes that occur as the treatment proceeds". Changing the Diet-In addition to the fresh juices which provide about 1300 calories, each Gerson patient consumes another 1700-2200 calories daily from vegetarian sources, over the course of three meals. The Gerson food plan is based on restricting protein and fats because excesses of these can suppress immune activity in the cancer patient. Nonfat proteins (usually nonfat yogurt) are added to the diet between weeks six and twelve of the program. Sodium intake (from salt and vegetables) is also severely reduced as excess sodium in the system leads to cellular water retention and an undesirable biochemical imbalance with respect to potassium. "Sodium, protein, and fats are restricted to help reverse cellular and tissue damage and water retention, called intracellular edema, produced by the cancer," says White. One of the interesting results of this purification and concentration of the diet is that people who are overweight lose weight and those who are emaciated gain weight. For example, the Gerson staff often witnesses a cancer patient who is fifty pounds overweight drop ten to twenty of those pounds in the first two to three weeks of treatment. The weight is actually mostly water (from the intracellular edema). It is not unusual for these patients to urinate three dozen times a day as the excess water is eliminated from their cells. The combination of sodium restriction and potassium supplementation forces sodium and the water to which it binds out of the body-hence the copious urination and weight loss. Enhancing Potassium-When cells have retained too much water, the proper relationship between the sodium inside the cell and the potassium outside is disturbed. Sodium levels rise while potassium levels diminish. One way Gerson physicians deliver potassium to the cancer patient is by way of potassium salts, including acetate, gluconate, and monophosphate. Typically, the patient receives four teaspoonsful of this powdered potassium salt blend mixed into every serving of fresh juice. Supporting the Thyroid-One of Dr. Gerson's therapeutic hallmarks was the use of Lugol's solution, a source of iodine, a nutrient crucial to proper thyroid function. The thyroid, an endocrine gland located in the throat, is responsible for maintaining the body's metabolic thermostat, controlling body temperature, and regulating energy use. The cancer patient typically has severely diminished thyroid activity. In supporting the thyroid by providing its key nutrient, iodine, you boost the gland's overall metabolic rate (the conversion of nutrients into energy) and enable "the body's 'engine' to run faster by opening the throttle or, to put it differently, the body's 'fire' can burn hotter," explains White. The goal is to increase energy availability so that the body has enough life force to take advantage of the anticancer therapies and start eliminating the tumor. Lugol's solution is a well-tested traditional form of delivering iodine, originally developed by the French physician Jean G.A. Lugol (1786-1851). The full-strength solution consists of 5 g of iodine and 10 g of potassium iodide in 3.4 ounces of water. At the Center, Lugol's solution is used at half-strength and a general dosage is 18 drops per day, reduced to six drops per day after two weeks. The dosage is adjusted frequently based on new developments as indicated by changing symptoms and monthly follow-up blood tests. Gerson patients also receive a thyroid glandular extract in tablet form, at an initial high dosage of up to five grains daily for a few weeks, followed by a reduced dosage of two to three grains per day. Vitamin B3/Niacin-The typical Gerson cancer patient takes vitamin B3 in the form of natural, not synthetic, niacin (one 50-mg tablet, five times daily). "It is well documented that one of niacin's functions is to dilate blood capillaries and thereby increase blood flow." This in turn increases the cellular availability of thyroid hormones and potassium. Vitamin B12 Injections-At Hospital Meridien in Tijuana, cancer patients receive an intramuscular injection of 100 mcg of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) every day for about the first three months, followed by every second day for six months. Patients at the Gerson Healing Center in Sedona receive it orally, as a tablet dissolved under the tongue, says White. This vitamin plays a critical role in energy metabolism, immune system activities, and nerve function. One possible benefit to using vitamin B12 in a cancer program, according to Dr. Gerson, is that it appears to help amino acids combine to form proteins. "A sick body and especially a cancer-bearing body, is unable to combine amino acids to build proteins properly," he said. Digestive Aids-A variety of natural substances are given to improve digestion and nutrient assimilation in Gerson cancer patients. Acidoll is a combination of betaine hydrochloride (stomach acid) and pepsin (a stomach enzyme), given at the rate of two capsules per meal. Pancreatin, an enzyme formula based on enzymes produced by the pancreas, is given at the rate of 12 tablets daily (325 mg/tablet). These enzymes assist in the breaking down and "digesting" of the tumor itself. Coenzyme Q10-This natural substance was not part of Dr. Gerson's original plan but was introduced as a replacement for raw liver juice, which is being phased out of Gerson therapy due to the poor condition and frequent toxicity of source animals. Co Q10 is not made by the human body, but must be acquired from food or supplements. It is found in beef hearts and some fish. Needed to prevent the depletion of substances that recharge the cellular energy system of the body, Co Q10 boosts energy levels. A typical dosage is 90 mg once daily, increasing over the next three to four days to 600 mg/day. Castor Oil for Detoxification-Castor oil is used intensively in the Gerson detoxification regimen. Once inside the body, castor oil stimulates the secretion of large amounts of bile and, with it, large amounts of toxins. Bile is produced by the liver, concentrated in the gallbladder, and poured into the small intestines. Castor oil enhances the liver's ability to detoxify the body by removing toxins via bile through the intestines. At six o'clock in the morning, the patient takes two tablespoons of castor oil orally, then five hours later, does a castor oil and coffee enema to help flush out the collected toxins. "The castor oil enema helps whatever is moving through the lower digestive track to be eliminated rapidly and completely." The castor oil program is not given to patients who have already undergone chemotherapy. The reason is castor oil's powerful ability to draw toxins out of the body; the chemotherapy-treated patient has not only the toxins associated with cancer but the additional drug-delivered toxins from chemotherapy. Were all these to be flushed out of the system at once, it would overwhelm the body and possibly prove quite dangerous In fact, patients who arrive at the Gerson clinic pretreated with chemotherapy usually have to be treated in a slower, much gentler way overall. Care must be taken to prevent the patient's system, highly toxic from chemotherapy, from dumping these toxins and drug residues too quickly and overwhelming the body's capacity for detoxifying and removing them. Coffee Enema-The coffee enema is administered frequently (often up to five times daily) to support the liver in its detoxification, principally by stimulating an enzyme system called glutathione-S-transferase, "You might think of this as a scrubber for the blood. It is one of the enzyme systems that helps to pull toxic materials out of the blood." Coffee enemas, can augment the production and activity of this enzyme system by up to 700%. "We know of no other means of stimulating the glutathione system this much." The caffeine in coffee also stimulates bile flow. As the tumor tissue starts to break down rapidly, the patient may temporarily require additional coffee enemas to process the excess flow of toxins through the intestines. Sometimes, cancer tissue death is so rapid that patients become disoriented and groggy, with headaches and other signs of toxemia; a few additional coffee enemas can quickly resolve these symptoms and free the system of the intense toxic buildup. Conventional physicians sometimes warn that frequent enemas can deplete the body of vital electrolytes and produce dehydration. However, the copious amounts of fresh juices consumed (high in electrolytes) in the Gerson approach prevent either problem from developing. (Electrolytes are substances such as potassium, magnesium, phosphate, sulfate, bicarbonate, sodium, chloride, and calcium that provide inorganic chemicals for cellular reactions.) In addition to its detoxifying benefits, the coffee enema has a pain-reducing effect. "In many cases, patients are able to reduce or eliminate their use of conventional analgesics (painkillers) within several days of beginning the Gerson regimen." The Healing Reaction-In most cases, at some point during days seven to ten of the treatment, patients experience symptoms including nausea, aches, increased body temperature, increased pain or swelling in the affected area, and a generalized malaise. These are transient symptoms of a positive healing reaction and tend to last no more than two to four days. Occasionally the detoxification process produces a healing reaction that appears to make the tumor look worse, says White. Sometimes the tumors seem to get bigger, prompting frantic calls from cancer patients about the sudden increase in their tumor mass. "In almost all cases, however, this is a sign that the patient is going into a healing reaction." "The body forms an inflammation, a kind of water jacket around the tumor as it acts on the tumor. Within three to five days, the inflammation goes away and the tumor is now revealed to be much smaller than it was originally. In some cases, MELANOMA patients see their tumors shrink by 50% in size in two to three weeks." Additional Modalities-Other treatments or substances offered as part of the Gerson program include flaxseed oil, pancreatic enzymes, bovine and shark cartilage, chromium picolinate, homeopathic remedies, water and oxygen therapies, chiropractic adjustments, herbal formulas, and "other nontoxic materials or procedures used in specific cases to enhance patient response." The Patient's Attitude-One of the key elements in Dael's recovery from a stage IV MELANOMA according to conventional cancer thinking, should have killed her, was her positive attitude. "She was definitely not ready to 'check out' the next week. Although she had MELANOMA all over her body, Dael was still able to move, walk around, and eat on her own. She absolutely refused to consider that she might not survive. She was always laughing, and making the other patients laugh. You can definitely pinpoint that positive attitude as a key factor in her recovery." There are of course exceptions to every generalization and sometimes pessimistic patients survive in spite of their attitudes. But as a rule, the cancer patient who maintains a pessimistic attitude is likely to have a much poorer prognosis than the one who believes it is possible to get better, despite outward appearances. Research evidence suggests that coping style can also help prevent the recurrence of cancer. A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine (1988) of women with recurrent breast cancer found that joy, levity, and happiness are associated with longer periods of being free of symptoms. Another study of over 2,000 men, followed for 17 years, revealed that those who scored highest on depression tests had twice the incidence of cancer-related deaths (Psychosomatic Medicine, 1981). Patients at the new Gerson Healing Center in Sedona and their families or friends can draw upon the Center's professionally managed support groups as a way of dealing with the intense emotional trauma that invariably accompanies a cancer diagnosis. "Our psychotherapist helps them deal with these strong feelings (such as despair or pessimism) and to see how they might be counterproductive to their own healing." Instruction is also offered in stretching and yoga exercises as well as creative visualizations in which patients employ the power of the mind and focused imagination to marshal healing energies. In the view of many, Sedona itself has a healing ambiance, and an informal therapeutic support community offering innovative alternatives adds to this environment. "Even the kitchen staff, who make all the juices, practice meditation and look upon food as medicine. "There is a kind of healing magic that comes about when your staff holds as foremost the nourishing of the body, mind, and spirit of cancer patients." The Politics of Medicine: NCI IGNORES THE FACTS: Government Agency Misinforms the PublicIn their official handout for public inquiries regarding the Gerson Therapy for cancer, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a division of the U.S. Public Health Service, brazenly misinforms the public. "Dr. Gerson's methods were reviewed on a number of occasions; in no case was any evidence of effectiveness against cancer observed," NCI states. As a result, the Gerson method, which prescribes high amounts of carrot and apple juice, a vegetarian diet, and coffee enemas, "is not considered to be an effective means of cancer treatment" and no further evaluation is "necessary." However, if NCI were to keep up with new medical developments, they would realize how out of touch they have become with true clinical efficacy. A recent retrospective British study of the 5-year survival rates of 153 MELANOMA patients treated with the Gerson method instead of surgery, shows a high degree of success. Patients with localized MELANOMA (stage I and II skin cancer) had a 100% survival rate with Gerson compared to 79% for conventional treatment. For patients with "regional spread MELANOMA" (stage III), the Gerson survival rate was 71% compared to 39%; and for "superficial distant spread" (stage IVA), Gerson scored 39% compared to 6% for orthodox methods. Lord Baldwin, Joint Chairman of the Parliamentary Group for Alternative and Complementary Medicine in London, England, urged the NCI to take up the challenge of this evidence "and give alternative therapies a proper trial." -SOURCE Edward Baldwin, "Ground-breaking Results in Cancer Research," International Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol. 13, No. 10, October 1995, pp. 9-11. Immuno-Placental Treatment for Cancer: Dr. Valentin I. Govallo The immunologic treatment of cancer has been on the research agenda since the 1960s, when physicians and scientists in all countries started looking for ways to strengthen or fortify the immune system of the cancer patient in the hope and expectation that the tumor or other malignancy would thereby be suppressed. However, one scientist -- Dr. Valentin I. Govallo, a physician and immunologist in Moscow -- at a very early date concluded that this was an inadequate approach. He reasoned that the tumor possesses its own defense systems which protect it from attack by the immune system of the host -- the patient -- and that a more effective approach to treatment would be to undermine the immune defenses of the tumor itself. After many years of work with cancer patients he discovered VG-1000, made from human placentas obtained after a normal pregnancy and live birth -- the world's first therapeutic vaccine for cancer. Dr. Govallo found that VG-1000 is most beneficial in the kind of cancer known as carcinoma. These are the typical "cancers" from which most people suffer, i.e. "breast cancer," "lung cancer" and the like. VG-1000 is also very helpful in MELANOMAs (a type of skin cancer). Dr. Govallo has also found that patients treated with chemotherapy or radiation respond poorly to VG-1000, as do patients with advanced metastases, especially to the liver or bones. However, patients recently diagnosed with cancer and who have had neither radiation nor chemotherapy, respond extremely well. Thus VG-1000 is clearly indicated as the first line of treatment for recently diagnosed cancers. It is also recommended for persons whose cancers have apparently been treated with success in the past but who are concerned about relapse. The IAT Clinic can test for likelihood of relapse and, if the data suggest it, employ VG-1000 prophylactically. VG-1000 is among the most effective cancer treatments available today. And since it acts as an immune stimulus, it has no toxicity or side effects. In this respect alone it is far superior to chemotherapy -- which employs some of the most toxic substances known to medicine. But until recently VG-1000 was unknown outside Russia. For these reasons, in the summer of 1994 medical historian and writer Harris L. Coulter, Ph.D., founder and President of Empirical Therapies, Inc., Washington D.C., visited Moscow to discuss with Dr. Govallo the possibility of introducing VG-1000 into the West. In 1996 Empirical Therapies, Inc., brought this medicine to the Immuno-Augmentative Clinic (IAT) in Freeport, Bahamas, and in 1997 to the Max Gerson Memorial Center Hospital, in Tijuana, Mexico. VG-1000 is manufactured at the IAT Clinic according to strict standards of quality and purity, being tested for bacterial and viral sterility at several points in the production process. It is administered on an outpatient basis in the form of two injections, spaced one week apart. The patient may be required to return after 1-2 months for a booster shot. Dr. Harris L. Coulter Thirty-Five Cases Treated in Moscow by Dr. Govallo since 1974 In 1994 Dr. Govallo compiled a list of his 35 best cases, upgrading it in 1997 to incorporate the increased life extension of these patients. It is a typical cross-section of the cases he has treated at his Institute since 1974. It should be emphasized that he has applied strict standards in his selection of patients, accepting for treatment only those in whom his treatment was likely to be effective. He estimates that one patient in five does not benefit greatly from VG-1000. His very first case, Mrs. A.S., born in 1917, was operated in November, 1975, for a large tumor proceeding from the mediastinum, intimately connected with the vena cava superior, and growing through the pericardium. Large dense formations, 2 cm. in diameter, were found subpleurally in segments V-VI-VIII. The tumor was removed from the vena cava superior with partial resection of the pericardium and middle lobe of the lung. Wedge-like resections were performed in areas of segments V-VI-VIII where the dense formations were palpable to the touch. Histology of the tumor revealed a squamous cancer with sites of necrosis. After the operation, the patient was injected with placental extract, and within a month the shadows of the metastases in the left lung had substantially diminished in size. Within three months the rounded foci in the right lung were hardly to be felt. Lung tissue was normal four years after surgery and again, when examined a second time, 7 and a half years after surgery. More placental extract was injected a year later as a preventive measure, since the patient's condition was impaired by a cold. In 1983 the patient died of a heart attack; autopsy revealed no trace of cancer. Dr. Govallo's second case was Mr. A. Sh., born in 1912, the husband of Case 1, who was admitted to the clinic at the same time as his wife. He was operated in November, 1975, with resection of the lower lobe of the right lung and enucleation of the lymph nodes in the lung root and mediastinum. Histological analysis of the removed parts revealed a squamous cancer with sites of necrosis. Shortly after the operation he was immunized with placental extract, and a second immunization with placental extract was performed a year later. November 1990 marked the fifteenth anniversary of his surgery. The patient was alive and well and working full time. Since 1990 he has been lost to follow up. Case 3 was Mrs. L.P., born in 1925, who in November, 1974, had a non-radical operation for sinovial sarcoma of the right foot. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. She received an injection of placental extract in December, 1975, and a second injection a year later. She subsequently emigrated to Canada where she was contacted in December, 1996. In 1997 she was contacted by telephone; she was alive and well, 22 years after treatment, with no trace of relapse or of metastases, and very grateful to Dr. Govallo. Case 4, a male born in 1930, developed breast cancer (very rare in males) and started placental extract therapy after being operated and taking some chemotherapy. Since February, 1986, he has had twelve injections; today, in 1997, he is alive and without health complaints. Case 5, a male born in 1935, was operated on twice for a malignant MELANOMA near the ankle. The first operation, in December, 1989, was followed by chemotherapy (vincristin and others), and the second operation was necessitated by metastases to the lymph nodes of the groin. He received 10 injections starting in December, 1991. Today, in 1997, he is alive and working at his job. The other thirty cases are very similar to the above in the sense that they had histologically verified cancers, were operated and were then prescribed VG-1000. Whenever possible, surgery is recommended to debulk the tumor, whose dissolution and absorption otherwise impose an excessive burden on the patient's metabolism. Of the 35 patients, 19 were cases of breast cancer (one in a male), 7 of lung cancer (smooth-cell and others), 2 of rectal cancer, 2 of sarcoma, one of MELANOMA, and one each of cancers of the salivary gland, ovary, kidney, and vaginal glands. When reviewed in March, 1997, it was found that one more had died (in 1992, ten years after treatment), while seven were lost to follow up -- 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, and 15 years after treatment. All the rest were alive, 20 having survived from 10 to 23 years after treatment with VG-1000. While these statistics are, of course, very good, it should be remembered that Dr. Govallo generally refused to treat the most seriously ill patients (Stage IV with metastases). Furthermore, during this period he treated an additional 60-70 patients who were lost to follow up after 5-6 years and do not figure in his records. Keishi-ka-kei-to Anticancer Res 1997 Mar-Apr;17(2A):873-8 Keishi-ka-kei-to, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, inhibits pulmonary metastasis of B16 melanoma. Suzuki F, Kobayashi M, Komatsu Y, Kato A, Pollard RB Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0835, USA. Keishi-ka-kei-to, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine composed of a mixture of crude extracts from five medicinal plants (Cinnamomi cortex, Paeoniae radix, Zizyphi fructus, Zingiberis rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae radix), inhibited experimental pulmonary metastasis in mice implanted with B16F10 melanoma cells. When 136 to 145 metastatic colonies were produced in lungs of mice inoculated with 1 x 10(5) cells/mouse of melanoma cells, less than 15 metastatic colonies were demonstrated when these tumor-inoculated mice were treated orally with 80 to 320 mg/kg doses of Keishi-ka-kei-to. The most active component in the mixture was shown to be 6-gingerol, derived from the Zingiberis rhizoma extract. The antimetastatic activity of 6-gingerol was expressed through the host's antitumor immune functions, as the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells was not affected by this substance in vitro. The splenic CD8+ T cells from mice treated with the compound showed inhibitory activities on pulmonary metastasis when these T cells were adoptively transferred to mice bearing B16F10 melanoma cells. These results may suggest that Keishi-ka-kei-to inhibits pulmonary metastasis in mice bearing B16F10 melanoma cells through the stimulation of CD8+ T cells. Livingston Clinic: Immune Enhancement Therapies: The basis of Livingston therapy is restoration of the immune system using a diet of vegetarian raw foods, vaccines, and nutritional supplements. The vaccines are derived from a culture of the patient's own bacteria "It comes from the patient's own tissues, either from the tumor, the urine, the blood or the pleura [lung fluid], and it's specific for each person" Dr. Livingston explained. The Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is also used, which is a mild tuberculin vaccine that stimulates the immune system. According to Dr. Livingston, BCG helps stimulate white blood cells to kill cancer cells. It's important to be certain that the patient has enough white blood cells to receive the vaccine, she noted, otherwise a waiting period is necessary for the white blood cell count to rise. Dr. Livingston also discovered that pleomorphic microbes secrete a hormone that is remarkably similar to human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). During pregnancy, HCG coats the placenta, safeguarding the fetus from being destroyed by the mother's immune system. Dr. Livingston theorized that when a cancer cell forms, stimulated by Progenitor cryptocides, it is protected by a similar hormone. Her research, though initially ridiculed, was proven accurate through the work of researchers at Rockefeller University, Princeton Laboratories, and Allegheny General Hospital who found that all cancer cells do indeed contain HCG. Another key to Dr. Livingston's program was her discovery that naturally occurring retinoid abscisic acid (a plant hormone and derivative of vitamin A) neutralizes HCG production. According to Dr. Livingston, abscisic acid is a plant growth regulator which "causes seedlings to go to sleep in the Fall." Similarly, Dr. Livingston found, abscisic acid may cause cancer microbes to go to sleep. Her research has shown that cancer patients tend to have low levels of this naturally occurring anti-cancer chemical. Foods rich in abscisic acid include carrots, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and cereals. Unfortunately, the liver must be functioning optimally in order to convert vitamin A to abscisic acid, and the acid can be destroyed by cooking. However, the liver function of cancer patients is often subpar. To help counteract this condition, Dr. Livingston recommended drinking carrot juice with liver powder, noting that the enzymes present in the liver powder break down the vitamin A into abscisic acid. She also advocated eating a near raw foods diet as a method of preserving their abscisic acid content. No sugar or refined flours, or high-sodium foods are allowed, and few, if any, animal foods, because of their high likelihood of being contaminated. Dr. Livingston reported success with advanced breast cancer patients, as well as individuals with cancer of the esophagus (which had spread to the liver), colon cancer, Hodgkin's disease, and MELANOMA. Many of these cancers had spread to other portions of the body, and the patients were considered terminal. Although she passed away in 1990, Dr. Livingston's work is being carried on by other physicians. Using the Livingston vaccine, they have noted shrinkage or disappearance of tumors, as well as complete remissions in patients with lymphocytic leukemia and malignant lymphoma. According to Neil Nathan, M.D., who carries on Dr. Livingston's work at the Livingston Foundation in San Diego, California, the success of the Livingston therapy depends on whether or not the cancer has metastasized. "When we work with people whose tumors are localized, such as in the prostate or the breast, and who haven't received chemotherapy or radiation, the remission rate ranges from 70 to 95 percent," he says. "If the cancers have moved into the bone, local lymph nodes or other areas that we consider signs of metastasis, then the remission rate drops down to 40 to 50 percent. And in cases that are considered terminal, meaning the cancer has spread to the major organs, and the patient has maybe three months to live according to conventional standards, we have about a 20 percent rate of remission. But even that rate is still better than what conventional medicine offers." U.N. Rules Against Milk Additive: About 30 percent of U.S. dairy cows are being given a bovine growth hormone (rBGH) to increase their production of milk. Yet in 1993 the European Commission declared a moratorium against its use for fear of health dangers to people who drink the milk produced by these cows. Now the United Nations Food Safety Agency has ruled unanimously in favor of the European moratorium despite the fact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared the hormonal milk "is safe for human consumption." Also, the FDA does not require that the rBHG milk be labeled, so Americans do not know if they are drinking it or milk from untreated cows. Samuel S. Epstein, M.D., professor of environmental medicine, University of Illinois School of Public Health, recently issued a news release stating that this "unexpected ruling" has been "greeted by the press with deafening silence." Some of the media, however, have carried stories on the dangers of rBHG. Here are a few concerns expressed in an editorial by the Los Angeles Times as early as 1989: "--Increased levels of cell-stimulating growth factors, apparently identical to those in humans, have been reported in BGH milk. These could induce premature growth and breast stimulation in infants, and possibly promote breast cancer in adults. "--Steroids and adrenaline-type stressor chemicals induced in cows by these hormones are likely to contaminate milk and may be harmful, particularly to infants and young children. "--The fat and milk of cows are already contaminated with a wide range of carcinogenic contaminants, including dioxins and pesticides. Bovine growth hormones reduce body fat and are likely to mobilize these carcinogens into milk, with cancer risks to consumers." Since that time, a health committee commissioned by the European Commission, according to Dr. Epstein, confirmed earlier reports that "excess levels of Insulin-Like-Growth-Factor (IGF-1), including its highly potent variants, in rHGB milk and concluded that these posed major risks of cancer, particularly of the breast and prostate, besides promoting the growth and invasiveness of cancer cells by inhibiting their programmed self-destruction." The milk, incidentally, is also made into ice cream, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products that are available throughout the United States. In fact, Ben & Jerry's ice cream containers carry a notice stating that "We Oppose Recombinant Growth Hormone" and that "the family farmers who supply our milk and cream pledge not to treat their cows with rBGH." Monsanto, the company producing the bovine growth hormone, has claimed that its studies have shown that "rats fed high doses of the hormone over a 90-day period showed no evidence they had absorbed the hormone," according to a report by ABC News. The FDA is reported to have used the Monsanto study in its public report. But ABC News pointed out that Canadian studies "came up with startlingly different conclusions." Canadian scientists "say that the data showed that some male rats developed cysts in the thyroid, and that higher levels of the hormone were detected in the prostate." ABC News also noted that Vermont's two senators have asked "Donna Shalala, secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, to formally investigate the FDA's approval of BGH and whether the agency 'overlooked' important evidence about its safety." A recent article written by Hans R. Larsen, editor of International Health News, noted that researchers at Harvard Medical School in January 23, 1998, released a major study "providing conclusive evidence that IGF-1 is a potent risk factor for prostate cancer." He added that anyone drinking milk produced in the United States should be concerned. He also pointed to a study in 1995 by researchers at the National Institutes of Health citing that "IGF-1 plays a central role in the progression of many childhood cancers and in the growth of tumors in breast cancer, small cell lung cancer, melanoma, and cancers of the pancreas and prostate." (The article was carried in Annals New York Academy of Sciences, Vol. 766, September 7, 1995, pp. 402-08.) Larsen concludes that "despite assurances from the FDA and industry-paid consultants there are now just too many serious questions surrounding the use of milk from cows treated with synthetic growth hormone to allowed its continued sale." The Los Angeles Times editorial urged that "State legislatures should be pressured to ban BGH." and "The FDA should be petitioned to ban the manufacture, domestic sale and export of the hormones until all safety questions can be resolved." August 23, 1999 |
