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|  The number of cancer survivors living in the US is expected to surge by 2022. In the UK this means that over 3 million and the USA over 18 million people will be expected to survive the disease (men prostate 43% and women 41%). This estimate comes form a report from a collaboration between The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute called Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Facts and Figures. Even though cancer incidence rates are decreasing in many cases, the number of survivors is growing due to the aging and growth of the population, as well as improved rates in cancer survival. The report argues that survivourship issues are even more important for healthcare providers. - more about Breast | Prostate cancer. |
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|  Research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology suggested that ginseng may be a tool for fighting fatigue. The study included 340 people who were either currently undergoing cancer treatments or just finished. Each day, participants were given either a placebo or a pill that contained 2,000 mg of ginseng root. Participants who took the ginseng capsules by eight weeks reported they felt less worn out, fatigued, sluggish' or tired, compared to those who took the placebo, the investigators found - more about sleep hygiene |
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|  Losing as little as 5% of one's body weight drives down levels of estrogen and other hormones that raise breast cancer risk, according to a new study published in the JCO. Researchers found that the more weight a woman lost, the greater the reduction in hormones linked to breast cancer risk. Although many studies have linked obesity to breast cancer, this is the first to show that losing weight will drive down that risk. The women with the best outcome also ate more fruits, vegetables and fiber, reduced fat intake and added regular exercise into their lives. After losing the weight, the women's estrogen levels were >25 % lower and testosterone levels were 15.6% lower. Postmenopausal women, in particular, benefited most - tips to loose weight |
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Double your survival chances by quitting smoking |  Patients with early lung cancer double their chances of survival by quitting smoking.
A UK study showed that 70% who quit survived for five years as opposed to 33% who kept smoking survived for that long. According to the paper in the BMJ, the survival seemed to come from a lower likelihood of tumor recurrence, not from heart/lung improvements - tips to quit smoking |
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|  Group sessions during which cancer survivors are taught meditation, mindful yoga, and communication techniques significantly improve psychological symptoms and quality of life (QoL) according to findings presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons meeting. Researchers randomly assigned 77 female cancer survivors to either attend weekly two-hour classes for eight weeks plus a single for-hour weekend retreat or be on a waiting list (control group). Patients in the intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement in qoland a reduction in stress - Find classes in your area |
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Polyphenol/antioxidant trial completes recruitment 10 months early |  The national NCRN badged UK Pomi-T study has now completed the statistical power calculated recruitment target 10 months ahead of schedule. 201 men with early or relapsed prostate cancer have been randomised to placebo or a mix of 4 polypenol/anti-oxidant rich superfoods. The trial was just been granted further approval from the UK ethics sponsored by Prostate Action and supported by the NCRN..read more about the Pomi-t study |
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Over 500 poems about cancer submitted to Cancernet website |  For three years the cancer information and lifestyle website Cancernet.co.uk has been hosting poems sent to it from across the world. There are now over 500 across three pages. Some or motivating, most are poignant and moving but be warned - grab a tissue before reading many of them as they will being a tear to the eye - read the poems or even submit your own |
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Pomegranate is not Androgenic |  Three studies have confirmed that pomegranate has no androgenic or oestrogenic properties. In the first, researchersfound no steroid estrogens including estrone, estradiol and testosterone. Two laboratory study in 2005 and 2007, evaluated the effect of Pomegranate extract on cells which were conditioned to grow faster in the presence of androgens (male hormones). When pomegranate was added the cell growth significantly slowed rather than increased - many of them committing suicide (apoptosis).
The only potential issue was a small phase II study from Edinburgh which gave 60 volunteers Pomegranate juice daily. After 2 weeks there was a reduction in blood pressure, elevation in mood and lowering of anxiety. They also found that salivary testosterone levels increased. No explanation was given for this but as pomegranate has no direct androgen activities this is likely to reflect a general improvement in the metabolism and a reduction in stress which is known to be associated with higher testosterone levels in saliva (Hellhammer D et al Psychoneuroendocrinology Vol.10, 1985, p77). The Ongoing Pomi-T study is evaluating the effects of pomegrante, green tea, broccoli and turmeric in men with prostate cancer and is measuring serum testerone as part of its evaluation - read more about the pomi-T study |
| Potentially harmful chemicals In Consumer Products commonly used daily. |  The Consumer Watchdog division of ABC news has reported over 120 chemicals in care products such as cream, shampoos, are used every day by women and men. This average woman applies twelve beauty products to her body every day. For men, it's six cosmetics. The research team listed and described chemicals such as formaldehyde, a known carcinogen; dioxin in some shampoo; lead on your lips; parabens, aluminum ( a metaloestrogen) and even mercury, in skin-lightening creams; toluene, known to cause headaches in nail polish; and diethyl phthalate, linked to allergies, hormone disruption and dermatitis in perfume. The European Union has banned 1,200 such chemicals but only 10 in the United States. Fortunately there are alternatives - read about artificial chemical free natureMedical Lip remedy | nail balm | anti-inflammatory balm |
| Low Vitamin D levels linked to more aggressive cancer types |  A study presented in the American Society of Breast Surgeons meeting reported that 155 women with breast cancer with low levels of vitamin D had more aggressive tumors and poorer outcomes. The risk was significantly greater if vitamin D levels were lower than 32 mg/ml. This finding is concerning because the results of the first cohort of individuals who used the cancernet micro-nutrient analysis service (published in the UK NCRI conference) showed that over half had vitamin D below this level - read lifestyle tips to increase uour VItamin D. |
| Exercise rehabilitation course - a continued outstanding success |  The Wright Foundation, government recognised, qualification in cancer rehabilitation, has forged a successful new path for UK survivorship programmes. This is a great step forward for cancer rehabilitation in the UK as gyms, who have an instructor with these level 4 skills, are now able to accept referrals on the nationall exercise referral scheme. Instructors with this qualification also have a another "quiver in their bow" and are able to take on private clients for individual rehab. The course empowers trainers with a knowledge of what, why and how exercise is pivotal for cancer survivors - to sign up or read more about the course |
| Online micro-nutritional testing |  The online micro-nutrient service launched by cancernet measures over 50 of the bodies essential micronutients. The results of the detailed blood test are issued with a comprehensive bespoke which aims to empowering the recipient to a diet and lifestyle which aims to optimise their nutritional balance - read more about micro-nutrient testing |
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Natural remedies aim to ease some of the burdon of chemotherapy. | |
Chapped lips can occurs in up to 60% of people during chemotherapy yet this troublesome symptom is rarely mentioned in information materials. Chemotherapy also damages nails which can lead to pain and infection. Two natural products have been designed with these conditions in mind.
 natureMedical lip remedy has been developed to moisturise and soothe the lips during and after chemotherapy. It containing only natural waxes and oils (bees, shea, cocoa, olive) and rare essential oils selected for their anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties - read lip care guidelines (order).
natureMedical nail balm aims to moisturising the nail beds and prevent splitting and defects. This cream uses 100% natural, organic waxes and African Sage which has anti-septic and anti-fungal properties...read nail care guidelines (order) |
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Lifestyle after Cancer - the facts | |
 The new edition of Lifestyle after Cancer dispells the myths by providing clear evidence based advice, to help readers cope with side effects, speed up recovey and reduce the risk of relapse. You can order online or send to a friend or family (�8.95).
A new scheme is also now available to advocacy groups - The publishers are able to supply at cost price to groups who can sell on to members at a discount Contact us about joinng this scheme
Read foreword by Paula Radcliffe Download a free Chapter - Avoiding carcinogens |
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