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Watercress: A Lung Cancer Prevention Vegetable Every Smoker Should Eat

August 8, 2018

We’ve all probably smoked a cigarette, or been exposed to cigarette smoke, during our lives, therefore, lung cancer prevention is important. And if the following stats don't scare you into putting down the cigarettes I don't know what will: 80% of lung cancer in men is due to cigarette smoking 50% of lung cancer in women is due to smoking Watercress is a potent cancer-fighting vegetable in the cruciferous family. In a previous post we discussed why cancer patients, cancer survivors, and those that want to prevent cancer should be eating cruciferous vegetables every day. Well for those tobacco smokers here is a compelling reason to eat watercress every day for lung cancer prevention: Watercress contains PEITC (phenethyl isothiocyonate) and PEITC protects the lungs from the harmful effects of...

How to Eat a Mediterranean Diet to Prevent Cancer

July 2, 2018

anti-cancer, Natural Ways to Prevent Cancer

The Mediterranean Diet is all the rage. I'm sure you’ve seen those eye-catching, colorful, plant-based food bowls on social media. Some may throw a small portion of lean meat on the side. Noticeably absent is bread, pasta, dessert. So this diet is heavy on plant-based foods, minimal meat, and very little white flour and white sugar. Which makes the Mediterranean Diet great for cancer prevention. The Science-based Cancer Prevention Diet There are hundreds of studies that have looked at how the Mediterranean Diet prevents a wide variety of cancers. A recent study called a “meta-analysis” (it reviews many other studies, combines the data and analyzes it) found that the Mediterranean diet has the potential to prevent certain cancers. (Reference: L. Schwingshackl’s, et al., “Adherence to the Mediterranean...

Pau D’Arco: Anticancer Herb from the Amazon

May 16, 2018

anti-cancer, breast cancer, Cancer, Colon Cancer, Leukemia, Prostate Cancer

How many cancer drugs can one find in nature? Well according to recent reports, approximately 60% of cancer drugs get their start from a plant, with 84 anticancer drugs isolated from Brazil’s Amazon forest [1]. The Lapacho tree, also known as the herb pau d’arco, is one of them, having been hidden to those outside of the Amazon for centuries, perhaps millennia, with historical uses in indigenous medicine for the following: Bacterial infections Cancer, several types including breast, lung and leukemias Fever Fungal infections Inflammation Malaria Stomach ailments Viral infections In recent years the ingredient that gives this tree its healing properties was discovered and coined beta- (β) lapachone, a natural quinone compound. If you’re a malaria survivor, or familiar with the disease, then you’ve heard...

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Estrogen Receptor Negative Breast Cancer and Cruciferous Vegetables

May 9, 2018

breast cancer, Natural Ways to Prevent Cancer, Uncategorized

Can We Trust the Reports on Cancer Prevention? I just came back from a relaxing and enjoyable weekend in suburban Boston getting trained on yoga for breast cancer patients and survivors. The focus was on reducing the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation with gentle yoga. Our breast cancer yogini was Camille of exclusive yoga, and she did a fantastic job of not only demonstrating the movements, but also on the science behind benefits of yoga. The added bonus of this training was learning about how to read the statistics of scientific studies. Camille expertly explained that reports of the latest drugs for treating breast cancer may overly state the benefits. Could that be true for healthy eating studies focused on cancer patients? I went back...

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Treatment Options for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients

February 21, 2018

breast cancer

Last week I had a consult with a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Besides her fear of the diagnosis, which is understandable, she expressed concern about the treatment options given to her by her doctor. It seems that she was offered an extremely long course of radiation therapy. She expressed to me that she remembered hearing a story on NPR some months ago that there were shorter treatment options for women with early-stage breast cancer. I assured her that she was correct, there are shorter courses of radiation treatment. Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy For women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, breast-conserving therapy is the standard of care that should be offered to every woman. What does this treatment entail? 1) Breast-conserving therapy means just that: the breast is...

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Forget cancer awareness, focus on this instead

February 12, 2018

Natural Ways to Prevent Cancer, Uncategorized

What exactly does “cancer awareness” mean? After years of being conditioned into thinking that it has to do with finding a cure for cancer, we can now say the exact opposite to be true. Based on recent statistics, 14 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2012 resulting in 8.2 million cancer-related deaths (National Cancer Institute (NCI); available at: www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/what-is-cancer/statistics. Accessed February 23, 2016). Despite the millions of dollars raised during various cancer awareness months, it seems that this does not translate into cancer prevention. And with February being cancer prevention month, it's a good idea to highlight ways the public can prevent certain cancers. We all know someone who's been affected by cancer. And for those with a family history, there may be a heightened...

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VIDEO – 5 Ways to Naturally Prevent a Breast Cancer Recurrence

January 8, 2018

breast cancer, Uncategorized

If you're a breast cancer survivor, you'll want to check out our new video on 5 ways to naturally prevent a breast cancer recurrence. Lots of information on integrative oncology and how a holistic lifestyle can help prevent a breast cancer recurrence....

breast cancer breast cancer survivors disease proof against cancer integrative oncology prevent breast cancer

Could Vitamin D Improve Your Prostate Cancer Status?

November 24, 2017

Natural Ways to Cure Cancer, Natural Ways to Prevent Cancer, Prostate Cancer

In a previous post I explained how during a recent doctor’s visit with one of my prostate cancer clients I asked the question if supplementation with Vitamin D could slow the progression of disease. The healthcare provider said it could be helpful in lowering risk of disease, however, there were no human studies that showed it benefited men with low-grade disease on active surveillance. Well, I pulled out my tablet and did a quick search of the medical literature while the doc and patient (my client) continued discussing other topics. I came across an interesting study, which is discussed below. Do high doses of vitamin D slow progression of prostate cancer? 43 Men diagnosed with low-grade prostate cancer, and on active surveillance, had a biopsy to remove portions...

high dose vitamin d and prostate cancer vitamin D and prostate cancer

How Low Vitamin D Increases Risk of Prostate Cancer in African-American Men

November 23, 2017

Natural Ways to Prevent Cancer, Prostate Cancer

I recently attended a doctor’s visit with a prostate cancer client serving as his Patient Advocate. I was there to help ask questions my client didn’t feel comfortable asking or might not have thought to ask. We discussed his recent lab results and lifestyle interventions with his healthcare provider and I asked ‘what about his Vitamin D level?” After a quick glance, the HCP said they were on the low end (less than 30 ng/mL), but not too low. I decided to share recent research suggesting low levels of Vitamin D could impact prostate cancer risk. The HCP responded that his patient currently has prostate cancer and there’s no research on if Vitamin D could slow the progression of prostate cancer (read my response in the...

Does Losing Weight Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer in African-American Men?

November 22, 2017

Natural Ways to Prevent Cancer, Prostate Cancer

During a recent coaching session with a prostate cancer client, I listened closely as he explained how his weight had decreased while eating more plant-based on our program. He asked, “why didn’t you tell me that I’d lose weight on your program?” I thought for a second and replied, “it never crossed my mind to tell you that. I’m more concerned with you eating more plants and improving your health outcomes than promoting a weight loss program.” Facts on Obesity and Prostate Cancer Obesity is now linked to over 13 cancers and prostate cancer is no exception. Prostate cancer has dire consequences in African American men that are obese. Their risk of low-grade prostate cancer increases by 122% Their risk of high-grade prostate cancer increases 88% Estimates...

Want to slow prostate cancer tumor growth?

November 21, 2017

Natural Ways to Prevent Cancer, Prostate Cancer

In a previous post, I discussed how men who adopted a vegan diet and exercise could help reverse the signs of prostate cancer. That study included men who were vegan for 1 year. After 1 year all the men who went vegan saw their PSA levels stay the same, while men who did not adopt a vegan diet had an increase in their PSA. As previously mentioned, PSA (prostate specific antigen) is a marker in the blood that indicates the presence of prostate cancer. So what if the men ate vegan for more than one year? Well, Dr. Dean Ornish extended the study for two years and the results are still promising for men on active surveillance and want to adopt a vegan lifestyle: How can 2 years of eating...

How a vegan diet slows spread of prostate cancer

November 20, 2017

Natural Ways to Cure Cancer, Natural Ways to Prevent Cancer, Prostate Cancer

Recently I was consulting with a gentleman newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. While his cancer was diagnosed as “early stage” (doctors put him on “active surveillance”) he wanted more facts on how changing his eating habits could help slow the progression of cancer. When I shared with him data on how a vegan diet can reverse the progression and blood markers for prostate cancer he was intrigued but skeptical. As most cancer patients are when they hear news like this since these scientific studies are not shared in mainstream news outlets as commonly as that shiny new drug that is the cure for cancer (so we think...

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