Category Archives: Alternative Therapies

The Holistic Approach to Cancer Treatment

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Most people are probably at least somewhat familiar with the more conventional forms of cancer treatment: chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, etc. However, these conventional approaches do not always serve as the best option available for the cancer patient. In such instances, patients may choose to look for alternative forms of cancer treatment. Some people also refer to this as holistic healing, which deals with cancer by attempting to treat the whole person and not just the disease itself. In fact, there are a wide variety of holistic cancer treatment centers located around the United States. Their holistic doctors…

Treating Patients With Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

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It’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and today we are focussing on some new developments in lung cancer research and treatment. Metastatic cancers are generally incurable by radiation therapy because such cancers are present throughout the body, and radiation cannot treat the entire body. Therefore, it would seem that for extensive stage (ES) small cell lung cancer (SCLC), a metastatic form of lung cancer, radiation therapy is a questionably effectual form of treatment. Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Clinical Trial A clinical trial is taking place in Jacksonville, Florida… at Integrated Community Oncology Network (ICON) to research whether

What an Obama Presidency Has Meant for Cancer Research

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While campaigning for the Presidency in 2008, President Obama and his running mate Joe Biden had been pretty vocal about the continued need for federal funding of cancer research. During the 2008 campaign, they even published their plan to effectively combat cancer while in office by doubling the federal funding for cancer clinical trials and research studies within the next 5 years. Obama would primarily focus on working with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute…, and Congress in order to increase the national funding for cancer related research grants as well as to provide more

The Importance of Cancer Clinical Trials

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If you have been diagnosed with cancer, then you may want to consider taking part in a cancer clinical trial. These cancer clinical trials have proven to be a very viable option for a large number of cancer patients. Currently, there are numerous cancer clinical trials… which are looking to enroll patients with just about every form of cancer. This may be an option which is perfect for you, but do you even know anything about these clinical trials for cancer? A clinical trial is conducted with a group of volunteers in order to conduct research for a variety

Ten Foods That Can Help Lower Your Risk of Cancer

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There are a number of foods that contain high amounts of antioxidants… and agents that help reduce your chances of getting cancer. Below is a list that contains the names of these foods and there benefits to the body. Turmeric This brightly yellow colored spice is a first rate anti-inflammatory herb. It has been proven to aid in cancer prevention, skin damage, cataracts and Alzeihmers. Chia seeds Chia seeds contain the highest amount of omega-3 and fiber than any other seeds or plants known to man. These seeds are great for lowering cholesterol, normalizing blood pressure, and improving digestion. The

Medical Marijuana: an Issue of State’s Rights

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In 1996, the voters of California passed Proposition 215, which declared the medical use of marijuana legal in the state. Proposition 215 came into conflict, however, with Federal Law, which prohibits the use of medical marijuana, even for medicinal purposes. After Proposition 215 passed, Angel Raich used homegrown marijuana (cannabis); an act which was now legal under California law, but illegal under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. Ms. Raich, who suffers from Radiation Necrosis, an inoperable brain tumor, sued the Federal Government. In addition to claiming that marijuana was the only way to ease her pain from the …

Israeli Vaccine ImMucin Kills Cancer and Tuberculosis

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What if there was a miracle vaccine that could program people’s immune systems to locate and obliterate malignant cells? What if there was a guarantee that after surgical removal of tumors, radiation and chemotherapy a person could get vaccinated to ensure that all cancer cells are eradicated? What if people could just get vaccinated and not have to undergo severe cancer treatments…, drugs and recovery? What if cancer deaths became rare? ImMucin, a new vaccine that boasts the ability to perform the above criteria, is currently undergoing advanced clinical trials in a hospital in Jerusalem, Israel. ImMucin is

Antioxidants, Free Radicals…and Cancer

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What are antioxidants and free radicals?… Free radicals (don’t you just love the name of these things?) are molecules in our bodies that have lost an electron and as a result are considered to be unstable. Free radicals affect other molecules in our bodies causing damage to DNA. It is suggested that free radical damage may lead to cancer. Sounds like an enemy to me. Enter the superhero to fight these villains: the Amazing Antioxidants. Antioxidants can help prevent damage to cells caused by free radicals. How, you ask? They neutralize the free radicals by providing the lost electrons to

Alternative Treatment May Not Be So Alternative Anymore

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The phrase “alternative medicine” comes with a lot of baggage.  To some patients, it offers a pathway to healing.  To others, it suggests charlatans and quacks. But to a growing number of health care professionals, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), the umbrella term for these practices, is a growing field with much to offer, particularly for cancer patients…. According to a recent report in the Journal of Patient Study, inpatient integrative medicine, a relatively new field of medical practice that combines CAM therapies with conventional treatments, has proven highly effective for pain relief, one of the most common and

Food and Cancer: How To Interpret the Research

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There is no shortage of advertising and news articles about the health benefits of everything from ginger to green tea, but often claims are based on preliminary or incomplete research findings. Here are four questions to ask yourself when you’re reading about the latest health craze. The answers will help you navigate ‘superfood’ claims so that you can make educated decisions about whether or not you really need to eat, say, sea kelp. Have these claims been tested in humans? A recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan showed that sulforaphane—a chemical found in broccoli—destroyed breast cancer cells…

Cancer Doctors Recognize the Potential Benefits Of Yoga Therapy

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Physicians are beginning to understand the relationship between stress and cancer. As a result, a growing number are advising patients to practice their downward and upward dogs as they undergo conventional cancer treatments like surgery and chemotherapy. By complementing the state-of-the-art biomedical therapies of Western medicine with practices like yoga and counseling, oncologists… hope to improve quality of life and symptoms while aggressively attacking cancer cells. There are many factors to consider when deciding which type of yoga therapy is best. Here are some guidelines that cancer patients can discuss with their physicians. Finding a Yoga Instructor A properly

Massage Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Cancer Patients

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The period following a diagnosis of cancer can be a devastating, stressful time for the patient. Immediately following the diagnosis, the patient will meet with his/her oncologist to discuss treatment options. Traditional treatment usually includes chemotherapy and radiation treatments to eliminate the cancerous cells. Other options that may be discussed include life style changes, diet, and exercise to be utilized with the traditional treatments. Many doctors are now also seeing the benefit of massage therapy in cancer patients. Massage therapy is used in addition to, not as a replacement for, traditional cancer treatment. Check out our directory of message therapists… to find

The Center for Natural and Integrative Medicine

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I met Dr. Kirti Kalidas M.D., N.D., last year through a friend who recommended that I speak with him about his overall approach to cancer treatment…and wow was she right! Dr. Kalidas is the founder and medical director of  The Center for Natural and Integrative Medicine (TCNIM) in Orlando. He is a leading proponent of blending conventional medical practices with scientifically validated alternative and natural therapies – and he has the experience to back it up…! Read on to see how his incredible approach can help… Dr. Kalidas is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and a Licensed Naturopathic Physician. He

Xeros Dry Mouth Pump Aids Cancer Survivors

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Hi. I’m Al Toman, and I am a cancer survivor. I live in eastern North Carolina so all y’all are welcome to stop by anytime and share stories or just talk about things! If you like the beach we’re just 6 miles up the road from the white sands and blue water. If travel is out of the question, please drop by our site… and leave us your story. Your story will help the next person who’s about to go through what you already did, and they will thank you for it. The kind people of Knowcancer.com invited me to

Medical Marijuana now being grown in America’s Garden (State)!

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On Monday, The New Jersey Legislature approved a measure that will legalize marijuana for medical use by those with chronic illnesses like cancer, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gherig's Disease and AIDS. This move makes New Jersey one of the few east coast states to take such action, and only the 14th state to pass such legislation.Within 9 months, the state plans to have 6 dispensaries in which cancer patients can receive prescribed doses of medical marijuana from their doctors. It will be interesting to see the reaction from Oncologists in New Jersey… over the next few weeks as

The IsoFlow Catheter: Giving Tumors a Taste of Their Own Medicine

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I came across an article the other day regarding a new medical device that just obtained marketing clearance from the FDA.  It’s called the IsoFlow Infusion Catheter and is designed by Vascular Designs, a company founded by Robert Goldman.  Mr. Goldman had no prior experience inventing medical equipment and had already made his money selling intellectual property in the late 1990’s. It was his sister’s cancer diagnosis that inspired him to start researching various cancer treatments…, which spawned the idea of the IsoFlow Catheter.  This device allows direct delivery of drugs to a targeted area such as

Shambhala Mountain Center hosts “The Courageous Women and Fearless Living Retreat”

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Shambhala Mountain Center…, the name alone brings an air of peace and tranquility; a welcoming place where Buddhist spirituality is brought to our modern lives in hopes of conscious awakening and ultimate enlightenment.  For close to forty years, this 600 acre Colorado mountain valley center has represented one of the basic truths of Buddhism: that people can be profoundly open to the wisdom of the present moment. In accordance with ancient tradition, Shambhala Mountain Center seeks to create an enlightened society where it is understood that humans inherently possess wisdom, compassion and goodness. The Center also boasts hundreds of

Anti-Up! A Quick View into Antioxidants, Free Radicals, and Your Body

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Recently there has been a ton of build up about antioxidants: drink green tea, eat pomegranates, try acai juice! All the hype is not totally overrated, evidence has been shown that antioxidants slow or reduce cancer… and other diseases by fighting free radicals. Most of us already know that antioxidants are good cancer fighting agents, and free radicals are bad cancer causing molecules. What most of us don’t understand is what these guys actually do for… or to the body, and the science of it all. Let’s take a look and comprehend how antioxidants and free radicals work. Free

Medical Marijuana: a Sticky Situation for Cancer Patients!

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For centuries, marijuana has been used as an herbal therapy to treat an array of ailments. It was seen as early as 2737 B.C. when the Chinese Emperor Shen Neng prescribed marijuana tea for the treatment of gout, malaria, rheumatism, and oddly enough… poor memory .The mysterious healing powers were a phenomenon in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and ancient Greece. It even made its way over to Jamaica where Bob Marley enjoyed the feel good effect! Today, marijuana has proven itself to assist in treatments and ease the symptoms of common diseases like cancer. There are currently thirteen states…

“Cancer”…no such thing in Chinese Medicine!

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Constance Fraatz is a dear friend of mine and a skilled acupuncture specialist. In her lifetime she has unfortunately had to deal with cancer in some of her closest family members. Constance was kind enough to offer her expertise at our Know Cancer “Community Awareness Fair” on February 22nd of this year…and her display of dedication to giving back through health, well being and Chinese Medicine was truly inspiring. Here is some insight she provided for the Know Cancer Community……enjoy! “Cancer” is a modern day term and has no parallel word in Chinese Medicine.  However, the recognition and study