Alternative Cancer Therapies

Alternative Cancer Therapies

There are many alternative cancer therapies available. The following descriptions encompass those which are most widely sought. There are additional therapies which we are adding on a second page that are not used as widely to treat cancer.


ACID/ALKALINE BALANCE: This treatment is a combination of acid-neutralizing minerals like calcium and magnesium to supply proper mineralization and to correct the acid/alkaline balance of the body. Two proponents of this treatment are Carl J. Reich, M.D. and Bob Barefoot. In addition another approach is the use of Potassium, Rubidium and especially Cesium, which are alkaline elements. When taken, it is believed they alkalinize cancer cells (neutralize their acid nature). Cancer cells do not survive in the higher PH ranges and die off.

ADJUNCTIVE THERAPIES: Adjunctive therapies are used in conjunction with others. Most cancer patients are found to be deficient in selenium, so many doctors add it to their protocol. Therefore, it would be considered an "adjunctive therapy." Other adjunctive therapies would include: detoxification, specific vitamins and supplements like Vitamin C and Co-Q 10, water therapy, and nutrition balancing.

• 
  Detoxification, the removal of toxins from the body, is considered by many clinics as a very important part of their treatment. A variety of approaches are used, including colon cleansing, fasting, chelation, water therapy, heat therapy, and nutritional, herbal, and homeopathic methods. Max Gerson introduced coffee into the enema procedure, which causes the liver to release stored up toxins into the digestive system to be eliminated. Increasing your water intake may be one of the best ways to get rid of toxins in the body.
  
• Nutritional therapy: Two types or approaches are emerging. One is a specialized combination of nutrients used as a targeted cancer therapy, depending on the individual needs of the patient. The other, which also depends on the needs of the patient, is a more general approach seeking to boost health and strength.
  
• Psychology and Psychotherapy, although used at most clinics, would be considered an adjunctive therapy. Psychological counseling, support groups and even psychotherapy make up a critically important aspect of therapy in the world's most successful cancer treatment centers. Some doctors have reported that a traumatic psychological event in a person's life may trigger the appearance of cancer one to two years later. Music, meditation, relaxation techniques, and stress reduction have proven to significantly enhance the power of the immune system. Some therapists include emotional and even spiritual counseling, not only for the person's regular life, but in dealing with the trauma of cancer. Biofeedback can also be used, where a person visualizes the immune cells of the body attacking the cancer cells.

AMYGDALIN (LAETRILE): When the natural substance called amygdalin is purified and concentrated for use in cancer therapy, it is called Laetrile. Amygdalin is extracted from apricot seeds and prepared in both tablet and injectable form. The injectable is more concentrated and capable of delivering higher doses in a shorter period of time. It is usually recommended at the onset of treatment for patients who are seriously ill. After several weeks or a month, if the patient responds well to treatment, the physician will reduce the dosage and prescribe tablets to replace injections. This therapy is usually used in conjunction with the proteolytic enzymes, a broad-spectrum nutritional program, and a diet calling for fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and the elimination of meat and dairy products for the duration of treatment. For more information go to our Laetrile information page.

ANTINEOPLASTONS: These are amino-acid compounds (called peptides) found in the blood and urine of healthy people but which are deficient in cancer patients. They were discovered in 1967 by Stanislaw Burzynski, M.D., Ph.D., while a graduate student in Poland. When Burzynski came to the United States to practice medicine, he patented a process for manufacturing these substances and began to administer them to cancer patients on the theory that they will cause cancer cells to revert back to normal cells. In spite of fierce opposition by the AMA and FDA, many patients claim that their cancers have been controlled by this treatment.

CAAT - Controlled Amino Acid Treatment is a novel nutritional approach to cancer treatment developed by Angelo P. John at A.P. John Cancer Institute.

ELLAGIC ACID: Ellagic Acid is a newly discovered extract derived from various fruits such as red berries and pomegranates. Tests conducted at the Hollings Cancer Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina show that Ellagic Acid has "proven to be effective in preventing cancer, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells." In addition, Ellagic acid acts as a scavenger to bind cancer-causing chemicals, making them inactive. ELECTRONIC THERAPIES: Rife, Beck, Clark, and others have used electronic therapies to treat cancer. Many have had successes treating cancer using these devices

Electrotherapy, also known as electrochemical tumor therapy, Galvanotherapie and electro-cancer treatment (ECT), was developed in Europe by the Swedish professor Björn Nordenström and the Austrian doctor Rudolf Pekar. The therapy employs galvanic electrical stimulation to treat tumors and skin cancers. ECT is used most often as an adjunct with other therapies. Using local anesthesia, the physician inserts a positively-charged platinum, gold or silver needle into the tumor and places negatively-charged needles around the tumor. Voltages of 6 to 15 volts are used, dependent upon tumor size. To enhance the cancer-cell-killing power of ECT, sometimes small amounts of chemotherapy agents are applied to the skin and driven into the tumor by a kind of sweating effect of the electric current ("iontophoresis"). ECT works by influencing the acid/alkaline (pH) levels within the tumor and causing electrolysis of its tissue, which is more susceptible to direct current than normal tissue. The pH change depolarizes cancer cell membranes and causes tumors to be gently destroyed. The ECT process also appears to generate heat shock proteins around the cancer cells, inducing cell-specific immunity. This process triggers Natural Killer cells.

• Magnetic Resonance or Bio-resonance: A newer technique based on an older technology. All cells have a natural frequency of resonance and cancer cells differ in frequency from normal cells. Radio waves set to resonate with cancer cell frequencies can destroy them similar to the way a high pitched note breaks a glass. It has never been adopted by the conventional medical establishment in the United States, but Bio-resonance devices have been in use in Europe for 23 years.
  
• Radiowaves set to resonate with certain frequencies can harm the cancer cells similar to the way in which a tone set to the proper pitch can shatter glass without harming other adjacent substances.
  
• Rife machines were developed by Royal Rife, one of the originators of this bio-technology. These devices transmit specific electronic signals to deactivate or destroy living pathogens, bacteria, and cancers. Rife also developed special electron microscopes. Rife machines have been outlawed by the FDA, but some clinics like American Metabolics use them in treatment. http://www.rife.org for more information.
  
• Zappers are discussed below

ENZYMATIC THERAPY: Enzyme therapy is generally broken down into two types: food enzymes and Proteolitic enzymes. Several researchers including Dr. John Beard, Dr. Ernst Krebs, Jr., and Dr. Dean Burk found that the cancer cell is coated with a protein lining and that it is this protein lining (or covering) that prevents the body’s normal defenses from getting to the cancer cell. They found that, if you can dissolve the protein lining from around the cancer cell, the body’s normal defenses, the leukocytes (white blood cells), will destroy the cancer cell. Woebenzyme is a product from Germany that appears to do just that. Chapters five and six of the book World Without Cancer describe this process in more detail.

• The FDA has approved the Orphan Drug application of Wobe-Mugos as an adjunct therapy for multiple myeloma. Wobe-Mugos is a combination of systemic enzymes, used successfully in Europe in conjunction with chemotherapy since 1977.

DIET AND FOOD THERAPIES: Many centers are using a variety of food therapies to treat cancer. Max Gerson began in the fifties saving lives using a strict diet of fresh vegetables and fruit. Many people have had successes just using a macrobiotic diet, vegetarian diets, and the Budwig diet. Others add products like wheat grass, barley green, and broccoli sprouts to their diet because of special properties they contain. For example, broccoli sprouts (not just broccoli) contains a cancer-fighting agent known as sulforaphane that prompts the body to make an enzyme that prevents tumors from forming. For more information, go to our list of cancer fighting foods

• Budwig diet/flax seed oil: The Flax seed (Linseed) oil diet was originally proposed by Dr. Johanna Budwig, a German biochemist and expert on fats and oils in 1951. Her simple formula of two tablespoons of flaxseed oil to a quarter cup of low fat cottage cheese (or other foods containing sulfur) helps increase metabolism, boosts the immune systems, reduces cholesterol levels, and helps inhibit cancer-cell growth.
  
• Hallelujah Acres Diet developed by Dr. George Malkmus is a vegetarian diet that has helped with a variety of diseases, including cancer. For more information, go to their website at http://www.hacres.com/.
• Low sugar Diets seem to starve cancer cells. Cancer cells seem to use sugar as their basic "fuel." In addition, a high sugar intake seems to increase factors in the body responsible for creating conditions that encourage cancer to grow - for example, high acidosis, immune system suppression and prosglandin production.

HERBAL EXTRACTS/PLANT PRODUCTS: There are many herbal extracts and concoctions and plant products used to treat cancer. These include:

• Artemesia, also known as wormwood is being researched as a safe, non-toxic, and inexpensive alternative for cancer patients.
  
• Italian researchers have found that an extract from the chuchuhuasi tree fights tumors and reduces inflammation. (It is often used for arthritis.) We have not had time to research this product.
  
• Essiac tea is an herbal concoction composed of Burdock, Indian Rhubarb, Sorrel, Slippery Elm and other ingredients. It was developed by a nurse in Canada, Rene Caisse (Essiac is Caisse spelled backward). Caisse gave the formula to a company in Canada who markets the product today. Indian Rhubarb contains benzaldehyde, one of the components of Amygdalin (Laetrile). Many alternative physicians use Essiac to help cleanse the blood, especially if a patient has been on chemotherapy or radiation. Note: Not all formulas being sold today are authentic. To read more about Essiac go to Rene Caisse's story.
  
• Graviola is a product from a tree in the Rain Forests of the Amazon. Producers claim it is stronger at killing colon cancer cells than common chemotherapeutic drugs and that it hunts down and destroys prostate, lung, breast, colon, and pancreatic cancers, while leaving healthy cells alone. It is supposed to help one's immune system as well. Go to http://www.graviola.org/ for information. We have not heard from anyone that has successfully used this product. If you are aware of anyone that has, be sure to let our webmaster know.
  
• Hoxsey is an herbal concoction composed of poke root, burdock root, barberry root, buckthorn bark, and stillinga root. It is administered in two forms. One is taken orally and the other is a salve (containing blood root) which, if the tumor is on or close to the surface of the skin, is applied topically. The formula was first used in 1924 by Harry M. Hoxsey, a controversial and colorful figure who said he obtained it from his grandfather. The elder Hoxsey was a farmer who observed one of his horses apparently cure itself of cancer by instinctively eating certain plants. Many plants which animals seek when they are ill contain nitrilosides. Amygdalin (Laetrile) is classified as a nitriloside. For more information on Hoxsey, go to our books and videos section or the clinic page.
  
• Pau D'Arco is an extract from the inner bark of a certain South American tree. Lapachol, the active ingredient, can produce strong biological responses against cancer. It is said that the pau d'arco tree yields lapachol and 20 other compounds that may be useful in treating cancer, lupus, diabetes and Hodgkin's Disease.
  
• Radium weed, also known as petty spurge or Euphorbia peplus, may hold the key to treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer. It has been used as a folk treatment for skin conditions for hundreds of years. An Australian company Peplin Biotech has been studying the active compounds in the weed and finding very good results.
  
• Red Clover - Used for centuries. The National Cancer Institute researched the herb and found 4 anti-tumor compounds in red clover.
  
• Saw Palmetto is often used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
  Tian Xian (pronounced "Dianne Sean") is a Chinese herbal supplement with ingredients that help control, inhibit and destroy cancer cells. Go to http://www.tianxian.com/english/index.shtml or http://www.cancer-herbs.com/contact/index.html for information.

HYPERTHERMIA: The theory behind hyperthermia (heat therapy) is that raising the temperature of the body increases circulation and also increases the supply of oxygen to the cancer site. Cancer cells do not thrive in the presence of oxygen. Tumors and cells located near the surface of the body are more vulnerable to heat treatments than those protected deep inside. Although the prolonged high temperatures can be uncomfortable to the patient, this treatment has produced excellent results.

IMMUNE-SYSTEM BOOSTERS/IMMUNO THERAPIES: Also called Biological Response Modifier Therapy. A biological response modifier is a substance that stimulates the body's response to infection and disease. Products like Colostrum, MGN3, IP6 (Inostal), Iscador (Mistletoe), and mushroom extracts help rebuild the immune system and have been successful in fighting and in many cases reversing cancers. Many centers use some form of immuno therapy. Some use herbs, such as Echinacea, Pau D'arco, and Mistletoe, while others use those factors found in a healthy immune system already such as interferon, interleukin, gamma globulin, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

• Agaricus mushrooms from Brazil have been found to be very potent.
  
• Aloe vera helps the body fight infections and malignant cells. It is also a detoxifier and an immunomodulator, meaning it will balance your immune system. One company, Mannatech, produces a stabilized aloe extract in pill form called Ambrotose.
  
• Alpha lipoic acid has been found to have a number of positive impacts in relation to cancer. In its antioxidant capacity, it protects a complex called NF kappa B. NF Kappa B is involved in controlling cell division and is often damaged in cancer cells (by free radicals). When this damage happens NF Kappa B is activated and oncogenes can take over the cell cycle leading to uncontrolled cell division and cancer. ALA in conjunction with N-Acetyl Cysteine has been found to repair functional defects in the immune systems of cancer patients as well.
  
• Beta Glucan helps build up ones immunity and can have anti-tumor effects.
  
• Carnivora is an extract of the Venus Fly Trap plant. Carnivora externally applied has helped with skin cancers and when taken in capsules, may stop the halt or reduce tumor growth. The active component of carnivora is plumbagin, a powerful immunological booster.
  
• Chlorella, a single cell algae, also helps build the immune system.
  
• Colostrum is the fluid given by the mother's breast within 24 hours after giving birth. It is a nutrient loaded with immune-system boosters. Colostrum collected from calves are a good source and can be found at many health food stores.
  
• Ganoderma is a unique product containing vitamins, minerals, and different mushroom species. It helps build the immune system and helps with detoxification, especially of the liver. It also helps with the side effects of chemo and radiation.
  
• Graviola - see Herbal/Plant Products above
  
• Inositol is a natural phytochemical (plant chemical) found in rice bran. Several studies since the mid-1980s have shown it to increase Natural Killer (NK) cell activity and exhibit anti-tumor activity.
  
• Interferon, or the Koch serum which is supposed to force the body to create interferon, stimulate the growth of certain disease-fighting blood cells in the immune system, and to help slow tumor growth. These substances are normally produced by the body, but some are produced in the laboratory.
  
• Interleukin-2 is a synthetic version of a naturally-occurring cytokine found in the human immune system. In conventional treatment, larger doses of this are used vs. smaller amounts used by alternative clinics. Also, recent studies seem to indicate that melatonin combined with IL-2 may be more effective than chemotherapy in treating lung cancer.
  
• Iscador is an extract of Mistletoe.
  
• MGN3 was developed by Dr. Mamdooh Ghoneum from extracts of rice bran and mushrooms. In published studies, MGN-3 was shown to greatly increase NK cell activity. One source is Lane Labs.
  
• Shark Liver Oil (below) is another good immune system builder.

Insulin Potentiation Therapy: IPT is an innovation in cancer care using insulin to magnify the powerful cell-killing effects of ordinary chemotherapy drugs, which can then be used in very low doses. Because cancer cells have so many more insulin receptors than normal cells, insulin acts on them much more strongly. The end result here is that the chemotherapy drugs get effectively targeted just on the cancer cells to kill them, with little or no effects on normal tissues. Thus IPT can avoid the dose-related side effects of chemotherapy. One of the clinics using this approach is Contemporary Medicine, run by Dr. Steven Ayers.

METABOLIC THERAPY: The dictionary definition of the word metabolic is that which pertains to the physical and chemical processes involved in the maintenance of life. There are two kinds of metabolism: anabolism, the process by which simple substances are synthesized into complex ones; and catabolism, the process by which complex structures are broken down into simple ones. Anabolism is associated with the growth and repair of healthy tissue. Catabolism is associated with the disease state and the breakdown of tissue. When the term metabolic therapy is used by doctors of alternative medicine, it denotes, not a specific therapy, but a category of treatments which are non-toxic, non-invasive, and which support the anabolic process. Diet and enzymes are key in this type of therapy. Dr. William Kelly and Dr. Nicholas Gonzales are well known for their use of metabolic therapy in treating cancer. Dr. Kelly's book is online at www.drkelley.com/CANLIVER55.html, or you can order it from Christian Cancer Volunteers at 316-290-2128.

Different Types of Cancer

Different Types of Cancer?

One of the primary differences between conventional and alternative medicine is in how cancer is defined. Conventional doctors see a malignant growth in the body and call that the cancer. Consequently, their treatments consist primarily of attacks against the tumor. Their preferred choices are surgery (cut out the tumor), radiation (burn the tumor), or chemotherapy (poison the tumor). If the tumor is removed or even reduced in this fashion, the doctor pronounces that the therapy is a success, and we often hear such reassuring statements as "We got it all." All-too-often, however, the malignancy returns either to the same location or spreads to another, and another, and yet another. At that point, we are told that the cancer has returned, and the attack against the new tumors is repeated as before.

By contrast, practitioners of alternative medicine do not consider the tumor to be the cancer, but merely the symptom of the cancer. They are more concerned with what caused the tumor to grow in the first place. They reason that it is more logical to fix the cause of the tumors than to attack the tumors themselves. If they can accomplish that, then the malignancies will stop growing, become harmless lumps, and eventually be re-absorbed and discarded by the body.

When a farmer sees black spots on the leaves of his corn crop, does he run around the corn field cutting the spots out of the leaves? Of course not, because he knows that the spots are caused by tiny organisms called blight. Even if he could succeed in cutting out all the spots, by the next day, they would be back on other parts of the leaves and there would be twice as many as the day before. The only way to get rid of the spots is to treat his entire crop to get rid of the organism that causes them. This is the approach of alternative medicine. Under microscopic examination, malignant growths usually appear to be quite different from each other, depending on their location and maturity. Since doctors of orthodox medicine think that these growths are cancer, they conclude that there are many different types of cancer. They give them distinctive names and often have a different approach for the treatment of each of them.

The doctor of alternative medicine, however, sees all malignancies as merely different manifestations of the same disease. What makes them appear different is that they take on some of the characteristics of the organs in which they grow. However, the more malignant the growth, the less they resemble their host organs and the more they resemble each other. The most malignant growths of all are practically indistinguishable from each other. They are, for all practical purposes, the same. (For a more complete understanding of this phenomenon, see World Without Cancer; The Story of Vitamin B17, by G. Edward Griffin, referenced in the Sources of Information section of this website.) The doctor of alternative medicine, therefore, views cancer as a general, systemic disease rather than a localized, organ-related disease. Consequently, the treatment is aimed primarily at strengthening the patient's natural defense mechanisms and assisting the whole body to overcome the malignancy.

In some cases, especially those where a malignancy has become life-threatening due to its proximity to a vital organ – such as the heart or brain – most doctors of alternative medicine will prescribe surgery to remove the immediate threat. But they do not consider that to be treatment of the disease. It is merely a procedure to buy valuable time in which to apply the slower-acting therapies of re-building the natural defenses.

However, since prevention and early detection is important, we have set up a page to let you know what some of the symptoms of cancer can be. We also have a page devoted to tests for detecting cancer.

Oral Cancer



Counting chromosomes to predict chance of oral cancer


Doctors at the University of Oslo have found an easy way to predict one of the world's most deadly cancers - oral cancer.




More than 300,000 people around the world, and about 30,000 in the United States, are diagnosed each year with oral cancer, making it the 11th most common cancer in the United States, and the ninth most common worldwide. More than half of those people die within five years, largely because the cancers are hard to diagnose early.

The most common sign that cancer may develop is a white patch inside the mouth, called oral leukoplakia. The patches don't always signal cancer, but doctors often remove them because they have no way to know whether the patches will develop into cancer.

In a study done by Dr. Jon Sudbo and reported in the New England Journal of Medicine., it was found that the number of chromosomes one has can help predict oral cancer.

Oral cancers usually develop from white patches that can develop into cancer. It was rare for patches made up of cells with the normal 46 chromosomes - 23 from each parent - to develop into cancer, but it increases when the cells have double the usual number of chromosomes, and it occurs most often when the number was not a multiple of 23 - what doctors call “aneuploid.”
Thirty to 50 percent of all oral cancers have the normal 46 chromosomes and the test can't predict those cancers, but it is at least a predictor and may help identify some oral cancer sooner so it can be treated.

Many mouth cancers can be prevented by staying away from tobacco and alcohol.


Breast Cancer


October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is now the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Breast cancer is a condition in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the breast.

At this time, no one knows the cause of the majority of breast cancers. There are many theories, including an inherited tendency, genetic mutations and environmental exposure; pesticides, and even bras (though many feel it is the metal in the bras and not the bras themselves); however, the cause of breast cancer is the subject of ongoing research. Every woman is at risk for developing breast cancer. Breast cancer is 100 times more common in women than in men. Following skin cancer, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women.

While many risk factors have been identified, approximately 70 to 80 percent of breast cancer cases occur in women with no readily identifiable risk factors. Factors associated with an increased risk of female breast cancer do include: Increasing age: 75 percent of cases are diagnosed in women greater than 50 years of age; previous history of breast cancer; family history of breast cancer; prolonged estrogen exposure; genetics; and lifestyle behaviors, as well as hormonal therapy used to treat other medical conditions and radiation therapy. The primary risk factor associated with male breast cancer is advancing age.

Signs and Symptoms

Some women may not experience any symptoms. The first clue leading to the diagnosis of breast cancer may be the presence of a tumor as seen on a mammogram or thermogram. For women that do experience symptoms, the earliest one is typically the discovery of a lump in the breast or underneath the armpit. Usually there is no pain associated with the lump. Women who discover a lump or any of the following symptoms should see their physician:

• Change in the normal appearance of the breast, including size and shape of the breast, or color or feel of the skin
  


• Swelling
  


• Nipple retraction
  


• Nipple discharge, either clear or bloody
  


• Sudden onset of breast pain or tenderness
  

The most common symptom of male breast cancer is a painless lump. Additional symptoms may include nipple discharge (clear or bloody), nipple retraction or skin ulceration.


Types of Breast Cancer and Risks associated with them:

Each breast has 15 to 20 sections called lobes, which have many smaller sections called lobules. The lobes and lobules are connected by thin tubes called ducts. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal cancer. It is found in the cells of the ducts. Cancer that begins in the lobes or lobules is called lobular cancer. Lobular cancer is more often found in both breasts than other types of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is an uncommon type of breast cancer. In this disease, the breast is warm, red, and swollen.Hereditary breast cancer makes up approximately 5% to 10% of all breast cancer cases. The genes in cells carry the hereditary information that is received from a person's parents. Several genes have been found to be defective in some breast cancer patients. Relatives of breast cancer patients who carry these defective genes may be more likely to develop breast or ovarian cancer. Some defective genes are more common in certain ethnic groups. Tests are being developed to determine who has the genetic defect long before any cancer appears.

Hormonal contraceptives may be another factor to consider. Research findings suggest a link between contraceptive use and a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer.The



Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Generally, the earlier a breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the prognosis. The traditional screening methods include: Breast self-examination (BSE); physical breast examination by a health care professional, and mammogram. There are also many alternative tests that can be used - go to our Tests to Detect Cancer page. Once breast cancer is diagnosed, the next step is to determine whether or not it has spread - normally a biopsy, but there are also alternative approaches also discussed on our Tests page. For a list of places that offer thermography screening, go to our Breast Cancer Thermography page.

If it is determined that there is cancer, some feel it is important that certain tests (called estrogen and progesterone receptor tests) be done on the cancer cells. Estrogen and progesterone receptor tests may tell whether hormones affect the way the cancer grows. They may also give information about the chances of the tumor coming back (recurring). The results help a doctor decide whether to use hormone therapy to stop the cancer from growing.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the stage of the cancer (whether it is just in the breast or has spread to other places in the body), the type of breast cancer, certain characteristics of the cancer cells, and whether the cancer is found in the other breast. A woman's age, weight, menopausal status (whether or not a woman is still having menstrual periods), and general health can also affect the prognosis and choice of treatment.

Estimated new cancer cases and deaths in the United States for the year 2002, according to the American Cancer Society (Year 2002 Surveillance Research from the American Cancer Society) for breast cancer are: There is an estimated 203,500 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women and 1500 in men, and 54,300 new cases of in suti breast cancer. The estimated number of deaths for 2002 is 39,600 for women and 400 for men.

Improved screening techniques allow earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment options, and the mortality rate for breast cancer has declined. The 5-year survival rates for women and men with node-negative cancer are 92 and 79 percent, respectively. The survival rates decrease for node-positive cancers and vary depending upon the extent of metastatic spread. If cancer has spread regionally, the rate drops to 78% and for women with distant metastases, the rate is 21%. There are many who disagree with these figures, but these are the figures reported by the

American Cancer Society.




What are the Treatments for Breast Cancer?

Most of the current conventional approaches to treating cancer include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, biological and hormonal therapy, including Tamoxifen and Herceptin. The treatment of male breast cancer is similar to that of female breast cancer.

Monoclonal Antibody approach may also be used - This is where an antibody is produced in a laboratory to isolate and clone individual B-lymphocytes, resulting in the production of a pure antibody. This approach attempts to block or inhibit cancer receptor sites. This approach is an attempt to prevent the spread of cancerous cells and sensitizes the immune system in fighting off cancerous cells.

Breast cancer prevention:


Breast cancer prevention includes watching your diet; exercising and avoiding toxins. It is most important to lower the saturated fat content in your diet, but to include "good fats" such as fish oils and olive oil.


Eating organic foods will help you avoid pesticides, which have been linked to this and many other forms of cancer. It is advised to stay avoid estrogen as it can raise the risk of cancer.


Daily exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer significantly.


Minimize your exposure to ionizing radiation.


Recurrence:

Once a person has had breast cancer, there is a greater risk of reoccurrence. A diligent maintenance program and lifestyle change is important to optimize the duration of remission. The use of a mega-nutrient nutraceutical, plus detoxification will enhance traditional approaches and may function on its own as a good adjunctive program. Using these protocols not only detoxifies the body, but strengthens the immune system.

Bi-annual check ups are important for physical exams, overall blood tests (chem panel/CBC differential), selective tumor mark blood tests, such CA15-3 or CA-27.29 (Breast), and/or various instrumental techniques to monitor a possible reoccurrence of cancer. Early detection of a breast cancer reoccurrence can enhance success of various treatment modalities for cancer.

News Reports:

The Lancet, 2002;360:187-195 reports a study on breastfeeding and family size. Researchers now believe small family size and reduced breastfeeding may be a significant factor fueling this ever-growing epidemic. Researchers reported the overall risk of breast cancer decreased by 4.3 percent for every year a woman breastfed in her lifetime. Additionally, there was a 7-percent decrease for every birth regardless of whether the mother ever breastfed. The authors of the study said that if women were to breastfeed each of their children for an additional six months, this could prevent about 5 percent of breast cancers each year. An additional 12 months could decrease that number by as much as 11 percent.

ASIA WorldSources, Inc. reports on a couple of studies. One claims Healthy diet helps reduce cancer risk for breast cancer and secondary cancers in women. Zubairi Djoerban, internist and hematologist at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday that eating vegetables and fruit five times a day or taking a daily 30-minute brisk walk could reduce the risk of breast cancer. He said that eating fatty foods, smoking and drinking alcohol made women susceptible to breast cancer. Another study conducted in the U.S., Soehartati said that early detection could help reduce breast cancer deaths by up to 30 percent

Colon and Colorectal Cancer

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In the U.S., cancers of the colon and rectum combined (colorectal) are the third most common site of new cases. It is estimated that 148,300 will be diagnosed this year and that approximately 56,600 Americans will die of the disease this year. It is estimated that eighty percent of colon cancers occur in people with average risk of the disease, and about 20 percent occur in those at high risk, including those with a personal history of ulcerative colitis or a family history of colon cancer in a mother, father, sister or brother who receives a diagnosis before age 50. Anyone can get colorectal cancer, but over 90% of the cases occur after age 50. The median age at which colorectal cancer occurs is 62 years, but the risk of developing colon cancer starts rising at age 40. In addition, many younger people have colon cancer risk factors.

Rectal cancers occur in the final six inches of the digestive tract. Tumors that arise in the bowel above the rectum are colon cancers.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 90% of all colorectal cancer cases and deaths are thought to be preventable. Risk factors for colorectal cancer include a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and inflammatory bowel disease. Other risk factors include a sedentary life-style (not enough exercise) high fat/low fiber diet and inadequate ingestion of fruits and vegetables. (Note: Garlic and its cousins (onions, chives, scallions and leeks) appear to help prevent cancers of the digestive system, including the colon and rectum.)

In addition, according to a study reported by Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, 2002;11:227-234, people with a family history of colon cancer may be able to reduce their risk of developing the disease with a few simple dietary changes. The study was based on the Nurses' Health Study, an ongoing project that has tracked the health of more than 100,000 female registered nurses in the United States for more than 25 years. It appears a diet high in folic acid, high in methionine (an essential amino acid), and low in alcohol intake, when followed for at least five years, significantly reduced colon cancer risk in those with a family history of the disease.

As with all cancer, early detection is important. This cancer may exhibit no signs in its early stages. Gradually, as it progresses, any of the following may be noted: a change in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation or a sense that the bowel is not empty, blood (either bright red, or dark) in the stool, abdominal discomfort, pelvic pain, weight loss for no apparent reason, constant tiredness and fatigue, anemia due to blood loss, and vomiting.

There are a few tests normally used to diagnose colon cancer. These include:

The fecal blood test. Note: This test can have some false positives, as there are some other reasons for blood in the stool, such as if a person has hemorrhoids.

A sigmoidoscopy presents a visual picture of the colon so a doctor can clearly see the polyps that

might be cancerous, but the procedure only looks at the lower part of the colon, and there is some discomfort with the procedure.A colonoscopy, which is what is often recommended as a follow-up to other procedures if there is evidence of possible cancer, offers the most thorough look at the whole colon and only needs to be done every 10 years if no cancer is found. However, it is more expensive than the other procedures and requires preparation a day ahead of time.

When any suspicious signs or symptoms are encountered, further testing might be done - often a double contrast barium enema (DCBE). If cancer is found, a biopsy is normally performed. Additional tests that are available include:

Tests for Colon/Colorectal Cancer:

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  Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a cancer marker. Go to our cancer tests page for more information.
  


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  DR-70 is a simple blood test - Go to our cancer tests page for more information.
  


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  Hemoccult Test for colorectal cancer tests for blood in the stool. A positive finding warrants having further tests, like a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to detect polyps and tumors. This test can be performed by almost any doctor's office. Note: A hemoccult test can yield a false positive if the person has recently consumed fresh fruits and vegetables, red meat, iron tablets or vitamin C tablets. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also cause false positives. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
  


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  PreGen-26 - a new DNA Test for Colorectal Cancer is not a predictive test but a test to detect the presence of actual disease in people with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). People with HNPCC have an 80% lifetime risk of developing the disease. The test, a stool-sample test was developed by Exact Sciences Corp. and is being commercialized by Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp, Burlington, NC, USA). In active colorectal cancer, DNA from tumors is shed into the colon and carried out of the body in stool. Patients collect stool samples and send them to LabCorp, who will send the test results to the patient's doctor for use in determining future monitoring and treatment.


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  CEA is a blood test which indicates the presence of the cancer. Go to our cancer tests page for more information.

More Aggressive Colon Cancer Screening Urged - Reported July 15, 2002 - HealthScoutNews -- More evidence that early screening reduces death from colon cancer has prompted a government group to boost its recommendation that everyone over 50 be screened for the disease. According to The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), studies show that a fecal occult blood test, a colonoscop, or a sigmoidoscopy are effective is reducing mortality from colon cancer. They feel people at a higher risk for the disease, like those with a family history, should be tested at younger ages, but that 90 percent of colon cancers appear in people over age 50, they feel that is a good age to start undergoing screenings. The American Cancer Society also feels that beginning at age 50, both men and women should have a fecal occult test every year or a sigmoidoscopy every five years, or both, or a barium enema every five to 10 years, or a colonoscopy every 10 years

Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon Cancer - as reported on Ivanhoe Newswire's website - Jun. 28, 2002. A new study reported in The Lancet, 2002;359:2224-2229 claims colon cancer patients have fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and longer survival rates when they receive laparoscopic surgery (LAC), a less invasive surger, to remove their tumors.

Although colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Western countries, prognosis for people with the disease has been improving in recent years. Better diagnostic tests can uncover the cancer in its early stages, making treatment more effective, and new medical therapies have improved survival rates after surgery. LAC, which has been used for other types of gastrointestinal surgery, causes fewer complications because it is less invasive, but it has not been used on a regular basis for colon cancer due to the difficulty of performing the procedure. Even more important, LAC patients, particularly those with more advanced tumors, had a 60 percent reduced risk of suffering a relapse of their tumor than those in the conventional group.

Vitamin D May Be Crucial to Protect Against Colon Cancer- New studies by researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute indicate that vitamin D protects against colon cancer by helping to detoxify cancer-triggering chemicals that are released during the digestion of high-fat foods. One should not overdue the amount of vitamin D they take as it can produce hypercalcemia, but if one gets adequate exposure to the sun, the body can manufacture Vitamin D. Go to Howard Hughes' website for more information.
Research reported in the journal Nutrition and Cancer in May 2002 shows black raspberries may help thwart colon cancer. They are rich in antioxidants, thought to have cancer preventing properties - even more than blueberries and strawberries.

Since prevention is one of the most important cancer-fighting tools, it is important that cancer be detected as early as possible before it spreads.

Telltale Signs of Cancer include: A lump or thickening in the breast or testicles; a change in a wart or mole; a skin sore or a persistent sore throat that doesn't heal; a change in bowel or bladder habits; a persistent cough or coughing blood; constant indigestion or trouble swallowing; unusual bleeding or vaginal discharge; and chronic fatigue.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a physician for testing. We also have a web page that lists some of the tests that are available to detect cancer.

The following are symptoms that may occur in specific types of cancers:

Bladder cancer: Blood in the urine, pain or burning upon urination; frequent urination; or cloudy urine

Bone cancer: Pain in the bone or swelling around the affected site; fractures in bones; weakness, fatigue; weight loss; repeated infections; nausea, vomiting, constipation, problems with urination; weakness or numbness in the legs; bumps and bruises that persist

Brain cancer: Dizziness; drowsiness; abnormal eye movements or changes in vision; weakness, loss of feeling in arms or legs or difficulties in walking; fits or convulsions; changes in personality, memory or speech; headaches that tend to be worse in the morning and ease during the day, that may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting

Breast cancer: A lump or thickening of the breast; discharge from the nipple; change in the skin of the breast; a feeling of heat; or enlarged lymph nodes under the arm

Colorectal cancer: Rectal bleeding (red blood in stools or black stools); abdominal cramps; constipation alternating with diarrhea; weight loss; loss of appetite; weakness; pallid complexion

Kidney cancer: Blood in urine; dull ache or pain in the back or side; lump in kidney area, sometimes accompanied by high blood pressure or abnormality in red blood cell count

Leukemia: Weakness, paleness; fever and flu-like symptoms; bruising and prolonged bleeding; enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, liver; pain in bones and joints; frequent infections; weight loss; night sweats

Lung cancer: Wheezing, persistent cough for months; blood-streaked sputum; persistent ache in chest; congestion in lungs; enlarged lymph nodes in the neck

Melanoma: Change in mole or other bump on the skin, including bleeding or change in size, shape, color, or texture

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin; persistent fever; feeling of fatigue; unexplained weight loss; itchy skin and rashes; small lumps in skin; bone pain; swelling in the abdomen; liver or spleen enlargement

Oral cancer: A lump in the mouth, ulceration of the lip, tongue or inside of the mouth that does not heal within a couple of weeks; dentures that no longer fit well; oral pain, bleeding, foul breath, loose teeth, and changes in speech

Ovarian cancer: Abdominal swelling; in rare cases, abnormal vaginal bleeding; digestive discomfort

Pancreatic cancer: Upper abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss; pain near the center of the back; intolerance of fatty foods; yellowing of the skin; abdominal masses; enlargement of liver and spleen

Prostate cancer: Urination difficulties due to blockage of the urethra; bladder retains urine, creating frequent feelings of urgency to urinate, especially at night; bladder not emptying completely; burning or painful urination; bloody urine; tenderness over the bladder; and dull ache in the pelvis or back

Stomach cancer: Indigestion or heartburn; discomfort or pain in the abdomen; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea or constipation; bloating after meals; loss of appetite; weakness and fatigue; bleeding - vomiting blood or blood in the stool

Uterine cancer: Abnormal vaginal bleeding, a watery bloody discharge in postmenopausal women; a painful urination; pain during intercourse; pain in pelvic area

Different Types of Cancer?.................in next page

Cancer Symptoms

Cancer Symptoms

Common cancer symptoms are as follows:

1. Lack or loss of appetite (Anorexia)
2. Difficulty with thinking ability or memory loss
3. Persistent cough or blood-tinged saliva
4. A change in bowel habits
5. Blood in your stool
6. Unexplained anemia
7. Breast lump or breast discharge
8. Lumps in the testicles
9. A change in urination
10. Blood in the urine
11. Hoarseness
12. Persistent lumps or swollen glands
13. Obvious change in a wart or a mole
14. Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
15. Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge
16. Unexpected weight loss, night sweats, or fever
17. Continued itching in your anus or genitals
18. Non-healing sores
19. Headaches
20. Back pain, pelvic pain, bloating, or indigestion

ANOREXIA : LACK OR LOSS OF APPETITE

Anorexia is the lack or loss of appetite. It is a common cancer symptom, occuring in the early stages of the disease which leads to weight loss. The body burns fat and muscle stores instead of calories and nutrients because it does not get the required amount from the food or lack thereof.
Anorexia and subsequent weight loss are very common in cancer patients. While in treatment, there may be a loss of appetite and weight loss due to radiation therapy or chemotherapy as a side effect. Anorexia may be a result of other physical or psychological causes also.
When the cause of anorexia is cancer, it is due to the change in metabolic rate of the patient. Cancer can also be mentally depressing causing change in eating habits. These changes lead to weight loss.

MEMORY LOSS, CONFUSION

Memory is the ability for you to recall or remember information. Memory problems occur when you are having trouble recalling information. Mild memory loss is a part of aging. Memory loss or the reduction in the ability to think can be a cause of cancer or cancer treatment. Memory loss (amnesia) can be caused by brain damage due to disease or injury, or it can be caused by severe emotional trauma. It is important to treat if possible the underlying cause of the memory problems, whether it is due to medications or the disease itself. Loss of memory may last from minutes, to days, or longer.

PERSISTENT COUGH, BLOOD TINGED SALIVA

Cough is a defensive, protective reflex. It may signal the presence of a problem in the respiratory system and may serve to eliminate the condition, which is stimulating the cough as occurs with an infection. However, when a cough persists and no longer serves this function it becomes a concern to both patient and physician. a persistent cough is a common lung cancer symptom. A persistent cough is a common cancer symptom and should be verified immediately by a qualified doctor.

Coughing up blood is the expectoration or spitting up of blood or bloody mucus from the lungs, throat, or mouth. Coughing up blood from the lungs (hemoptysis) is sometimes confused with bleeding from the mouth, throat, or gastrointestinal tract.
They could be symptoms of cancer of your lung, head, and neck. Anyone with a cough that lasts more than a month or with blood in the mucus that is coughed up should see a doctor.

A CHANGE IN THE BOWEL HABITS

Changes in bowel habits may include diarrhoea, constipation or both, anything that is abnormal, or which lasts more than two weeks. These changes can be cancer symptoms. You may find yourself going to the toilet more than once a day, and your stools are persistently watery for weeks and months. On the other hand, you find yourself needing to go to the toilet only once every three days. This goes on, for weeks or months. This is called a change in bowel habits, and calls for evaluation by a specialist. The reverse can happen. You may find yourself going to the toilet more than once a day, and your stools are persistently watery for weeks and months. Some patients have “narrowing of stools”. By this, I mean in diameter. This happens when the rectal cancer actually constricts the passage of stools.

BLOOD IN THE STOOL

Finding blood in your stool can be alarming. Often, the underlying cause can be treated or controlled. Even if the condition isn't serious, early diagnosis is essential. Blood in your stools can be caused by various conditions such as constipation, hemorrhoids or infections. It is also a common colorectal cancer symptom. Most colon and rectal cancers begin as small, harmless clumps of cells called polyps. Eventually, some of these polyps may become cancerous. You may notice rectal bleeding, along with a change in bowel habits, narrow stools, abdominal discomfort, a feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely and unexplained weight loss.

ANAEMIA

Anaemia is a general term meaning a lack of red blood cells in the circulation and there are many possible ways in which anaemia can arise. As red cells have the job of transporting oxygen around the body, anaemia is one of the common causes of breathlessness and tiredness.
Anaemia in cancer patients is multifactorial and may occur due to the direct effects of the cancer cells in the body, or as a result of biologically active products of the cancer cells or even as a consequence of the treatment of cancer. The clinical symptoms of anaemia vary according to the individual's capacity to respond to blood loss or reduced red cell production.

BREAST DISCHARGE

Breast discharge is a common problem and is rarely a symptom of cancer. Discharge is most concerning if it is from only 1 breast or if it is bloody. In any case, all breast discharge should be evaluated.

A woman's breasts have some degree of fluid secretion activity throughout most of the adult life. The difference between lactating (milk producing) and non-lactating breasts is mainly in the degree or amount of secretion and to a smaller degree in the chemical composition of the fluid.
The majority of nipple discharges are associated with non-malignant changes in the breast such as hormonal imbalances. However, any woman with a suspicious or worrisome nipple discharge should consult her physician.

Warning signs : discharge is bloody or watery, sticky and clear, appears spontaneously without squeezing the nipple, persistent and only on one side of the breast.

LUMPS IN THE TESTICLES.

Testicles are oval-shaped, smooth, firm organs about 5cm long, contained in a sac called the scrotum. Testicles produce sperm. Any lumps in the scrotum are potentially serious and need to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. Lumps within the testicle or on the testicle’s surface could be cancerous. If the testicle feels enlarged, heavier or harder than previously, it could also suggest cancer. Lumps elsewhere in the scrotum or lumps loosely adjacent to the testicle are more likely to be innocent.

Although testicular cancer is rare, it is not at all uncommon to find a lump in your testicles. There are many conditions that can be easily confused with testicular cancer and are not serious. A proper examination is called for.

A CHANGE IN URINATION

Urinary symptoms can include frequent urination, small amounts of urine, and slow urine flow. These symptoms can be caused by urinary infections or, in men, by an enlarged prostate gland. Most men will suffer from harmless prostate enlargement as they age, and often will have these urinary symptoms. These symptoms may signal prostate cancer. Cancer of the bladder and pelvic tumors can also cause irritation of the bladder and urinary frequency.

If you notice a change in urination habits, call your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment improve the chance that treatment will be successful.

BLOOD IN THE URINE

Hematuria or blood in the urine can be caused by urinary infection, kidney stones, or other causes. For some people, it is a symptom of cancer of the bladder or kidney. Any episode of blood in the urine should be investigated.

Blood in the urine can indicate quite severe problems. Bleeding can arise within the urinary system in areas such as the kidneys, bladder, prostate or other parts of the urinary tract. Blood in urine may appear as reddening or darkened urine or other urine color changes such as smoky, orangish or pinkish hues. Streaks of blood may also appear in the urine. The appearance of blood in the urine or any urine color changes needs prompt professional medical investigation.


HOARSENESS

Hoarseness is a condition resulting in a rough or harsh sound to the voice. Hoarseness may be caused by many things. Hoarseness may be acute (of short duration) or chronic (of long duration). Hoarseness not caused by a respiratory infection or that lasts longer than 3-4 weeks should be evaluated. Hoarseness can be caused by simple allergy or by vocal cord polyps, but it also could be the first sign of cancer of the throat. Unexplained hoarseness in the voice is ann early symptom of throat cancer.

PERSISTENT LUMPS OR SWOLLEN GLANDS

Lumps most frequently represent harmless conditions. But your doctor should examine any new lump or a lump that won't go away. Lumps may represent cancer or a swollen lymph gland related to cancer. Lymph nodes swell from infection and other causes and may take weeks to shrink again. A lump or gland that remains swollen for 3-4 weeks should be evaluated.

Lymph nodes are a part of the immune system. The purpose of lymph nodes is to protect the body from "foreign" invaders. These invaders may be bacteria, viruses, cancer, injury, or other harmful substances. Lymph node swelling may or may not cause pain. Common causes of swollen glands include: colds, throat infections, insect bites and stings, and cancer, such as the cancers of the blood called leukemia and lymphoma. Any other cancer that spreads throughout the body can also cause swollen glands.

OBVIOUS CHANGE IN A WART OR A MOLE

Multicolored moles that have irregular edges or bleed may be cancerous. Larger moles are more worrisome. Removing a mole is simple. You should remove any suspicious mole. The doctor will send it for examination under a microscope for skin cancer.

Warning signs: Check,

1. If the mole look the same in all parts or are there differences.
2. If the borders sharp or ragged.
3. The colors seen in the mole.
4. If the mole bigger than 6mm.

INDIGESTION OR DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING

Feeling of pressure in throat or chest which make swallowing uncomfortable. Pressure or feeling full without food or with a small amount of food.

what the person means by difficulty swallowing. For example, a person may feel as though food is "sticking" in the throat or chest. Another individual may also have trouble when he or she starts to swallow. An individual may have pain with swallowing, but be able to swallow without difficulty.

Most people with chronic heartburn do not have serious problems. People who suffer from chronic or lasting symptoms despite using over-the-counter antacids may need to consult with a qualified physician. A condition called Barrett esophagus, which can lead to cancer of the esophagus, can be treated with medication and then monitored by a doctor. Difficulty swallowing is a common problem, especially in the elderly, and has many causes. Swallowing problems need to be investigated, because nutrition is always important. Difficulty swallowing solids can be seen with cancer of the esophagus.

UNUSUAL VAGINAL BLEEDING OR DISCHARGE

The usual cause of vaginal bleeding is menstruation (the monthly period). However, any vaginal bleeding that is not normal menstrual bleeding or mid- cycle spotting (which often occurs during the first few months of taking the oral contraceptive pill) may be abnormal and must be investigated. This is because it may be a sign of a problem within the vagina, uterus (womb) or ovaries. This includes irregular or excessively heavy menstrual bleeding, and any vaginal bleeding in a woman who has passed the menopause.
Unusual vaginal bleeding or bloody discharge may be an early sign of cancer of the uterus. Women should be evaluated when they have bleeding after intercourse or bleeding between periods. Bleeding that comes back, that lasts 2 or more days longer than expected, or that is heavier than usual needs to be evaluated by a qualified physician.

UNEXPECTED WEIGHT LOSS, NIGHT SWEATS, OR FEVER

These nonspecific symptoms might be present with several different types of cancer. Various infections can lead to similar symptoms.

CONTINUED ITCHING IN YOUR ANUS OR GENITALS

Anal itching is a common but annoying problem. It occurs more often in men, and, most of the time, no cause can be identified. Anal itching occurs around and near the anus, which is the opening for the bowels. Numerous factors may cause anal itching to be more intense — including moisture, the abrasion caused by your clothing, and the pressure of sitting. Anal itching is usually most noticeable and bothersome at night or right after a bowel movement.

Precancerous or cancerous conditions of the skin of the genital or anal areas can cause persistent itching. You may notice skin color changes. Several infections or skin conditions also can cause these symptoms.

NON-HEALING SORES

Non-healing sores, bleeding, pain especially associated with ear pain, or odor need to be examined by your dentist or physician and may require a biopsy to find the diagnosis. If a sore fails to heal, you may have cancer and should see a doctor. Nonhealing sores in your mouth or persistent white or red patches on your gums, tongue, or tonsils are also should raise concerns.

HEADACHES

A headache is often the first symptom of a brain tumor, although most headaches are not caused by brain tumors. A headache due to a brain tumor usually recurs more and more often as time passes. It eventually becomes constant without relief. It is often worse when the person lies down and may awaken the person from sleep. A gradually growing tumor causes a headache that typically is worse when the person first awakens. If headaches with these characteristics start in a person who has not had headaches before, a brain tumor may be the cause.

BACK PAIN, PELVIC PAIN, BLOATING, OR INDIGESTION

These are common symptoms of daily life. But they also can be seen in ovarian cancer. This cancer is particularly difficult to treat, because it is frequently diagnosed late in the course of the disease.