Cancer Vaccine developed at Rosewell-Parks Cancer Institute

Here is a clip about a vaccine for cancer that has promise. This made me weep with joy and hope. I knew that several researchers have been working on vaccines in other countries, but this is the first I have heard of one here in the states.  Roswell cancer institute says it may have this vaccine on the market in 5 years. Clinical studies have been approved. Phase one will start with a small number of patients and last a year. If the vaccine is deemed safe and effective it will move to the next phase and then on to the market. Keep your fingers crossed on this one folks. For those of us who live daily with the fear of recurrence this is a very big deal!

http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/152242/37/Roswell-Park-Makes-Major-Announcement-on-Cancer-Vaccine

Thank you

A big think you to all who participated in the letter writing campaign to Washington. I am estimating that our group alone sent over 1000 letters. I noticed that Obama mentioned cancer cures in his state of the union address, so our letters are right on time! You can all feel good about yourselves for helping with this. I hope and pray that our daughters never have to endure what I did with this disease.

Help end breast cancer now by sending a pink letter on January 23rd

I wanted to let you know that members of BreastCancer.org are planning a mass pink mailing to Washington on January 23rd. Many are choosing to use the language in the petition drafted by the Breast Cancer Coallition (http://breastcancerbeast.blogspot.com/p/breast-cancer-c...ure-petition.html) and others are writing personal letters. Some of us are doing both.

Please ask everyone you know to join us in making an enormous pink delivery so that it can be picked up by the media. There is power in numbers.

The odds of the women and little girls in your life of facing breastcancer is now 1 in 8. Someone is diagnosed every 3 minutes in this country.

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
 

Power packed anti cancer dinner #1

I tend to eat lighter at dinner time. Here is what I had last night.

Organic egg salad sandwich on toasted Ezekiel bread.
I add  a tsp of fresh chopped parsley, 1/4 tsp of dill, and load up the greens. I like baby greens the best.

I sliced up 1/2 an orange and had it on the side.

For desert I had a cup of coconut chai tea sweetened with stevia and a splash of organic milk on top. Yum! If you haven't found Ezekiel bread yet, give it a try. It is made with sprouted grains. It has 4 grams of protein in each slice. Food for life is the company that makes it. Zhenas Gypsy tea makes the Coconut chai tea. It has cinnamon, ginger, cloves, & cardamom.

Power packed anti cancer lunch #1

Bean tostada w/ salsa and chopped red bell pepper, onion and lettuce
Desert: fresh cantaloupe drizzled w/ half a fresh lime juice

First let me say that I usually have some type of beans in my kitchen. Today I had pinto beans that had been made with a healthy dose of onion, garlic and black pepper. I just throw them in a crock pot overnight to cook them. I like to fry my taco shells in a small bit of grape seed oil to crisp them up. Then I just pile on the ingredients to my liking. I like my red bell pepper & onion chopped into about 1/8 inch squares. I use about 2 tablespoons. I serve this dish w/ home made salsa if I have time to make it, but today I used one of my favorite store bought types.

The only thing that would have made this lunch better would have been a Synergy Kambucha tea, but I settled for reverse osmosis water from the pretty crystal decanter I keep on my counter top.

There are at least seven healthy anti cancer, plant based, foods in this easy lunch. Also if you don't all ready know, grape seed oil is full of anti-oxidants. Easy to eat a delicious  rainbow and use food as medicine to prevent cancer.

Power packed anti-cancer breakfast #1

I am going to post my power meals. Really your creativity and personal tastes are your only limits to how much power you get from your food. By "power" I am referring to its ability to help you stay strong, full of energy, and fight cancer before you even know you have it.

Steel cut organic oats
1/4 tsp protein powder
hand full of your favorite nuts
hand full of your favorite fruit to sweeten- I like ripe banana for that
organic milk, almond milk  or coconut milk
dash of cinnamon

To this you can add any tincture nutrient such as B12, D3 or glutathione etc.... You can also add seeds of your choice. If you want bold flavor you can add coconut or almond oil (1/4 tsp) when you cook the oats. Be aware that if you use coconut or almond milk there is often sugar added. If you have a rushed morning you can make the oats ahead  of time and store it in the frig.

Serve with a nice cup of organic green tea steeped for 10 minutes to bring about full anti-oxidant power. I usually steep mine while I prepare the oats.

Light a candle and thank the universe for providing you with this power meal

Eat a rainbow to prevent cancer

Red fruits and vegetables are colored by natural plant pigments called "lycopene" or "anthocyanins." Lycopene in tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit, for example,  help reduce risk of several types of cancer. Lycopene in foods containing cooked tomatoes, such as spaghetti sauce, and a small amount of fat are absorbed better than lycopene from raw tomatoes. Anthocyanins in strawberries, raspberries, red grapes and other fruits and vegetables act as powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage.  Remember it is damaged cells that turn into cancer.

These are some examples of the red group:

• Red apples
• Beets
• Red cabbage
• Cherries
• Cranberries
• Pink grapefruit
• Red grapes
• Red peppers
• Pomegranates
• Red potatoes
• Radishes
• Raspberries
• Rhubarb
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Watermelon

Scientific evidence suggests that lycopene may help prevent breast cancer. In an epidemiological study published in 2008 in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," more than 84,000 postmenopausal women were followed for about seven years, while documenting their incidence of breast cancer and their intake of lycopene-rich food. The authors concluded that consuming lycopene was associated with a noticeably reduced incidence of breast cancer.

Anthocyanins may aid in the prevention of breast cancer according to a laboratory study published in Phytotherapy Research in 2010. In test-tube experiments, scientists showed that anthocyanins extracted from blueberries helped inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.

Orange/yellow fruits and vegetables are usually colored by natural plant pigments called "carotenoids." Beta-carotene in sweet potatoes, pumpkins and carrots is converted to vitamin A, which helps maintain healthy mucous membranes and healthy eyes. Scientists have also reported that carotenoid-rich foods can help reduce risk of cancer and improve immune system function, which when operating at peak will take care of any free radicals that want to mutate health cells into cancer cells. These foods are anti inflammatory as well, which leaves  your immune system free to take care of you rather than use its energy fighting information.

Some examples of the orange/yellow group include:

• Yellow apples
• Apricots
• Butternut squash
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Grapefruit
• Lemons
• Mangoes
• Nectarines
• Oranges
• Papayas
• Peaches
• Pears
• Yellow peppers
• Persimmons
• Pineapple
• Pumpkin
• Rutabagas
• Yellow summer or winter squash
• Sweet corn
• Sweet potatoes
• Tangerines
• Yellow tomatoes
• Yellow watermelon

I know it is a lot to absorb right? So much information is often overwhelming. I am trying my best to put it into bite size pieces here so that one can learn a bit at a time. One great suggestion came across  for simplifying what the heck to eat  was to try and have three colors of fruit or veggie with every  meal.

Next Post: Putting it all together-delicious power food recipes

Anti cancer Veggies?

Yes! Cruciform veggies contain a substance called  Indole 3-carbinol (I3C).  They also contain sulforaphane. Both of these substances are powerful anti-cancer molecules. They can detoxify certain carcinogenic substances. They prevent cancer cells from becoming tumors. They also promote cancer cell death. I3C can reduce the bad type of estrogen that fuels breast cancer. Rates of cancer are lower in countries where these veggies are used often.  Just google any of the terms above and you will find a plethora of info on the net.

Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, bok choy, Chinese cabbage make the short list.
Anyone interested in yummy recipes? Let me know and I can start a folder for them on the blog.

Next: Why are orange and red things good for you?

Spices for breast cancer prevention

When I started looking into way to fend off another recurrence, I was intrigued by the use of spices to enhance nutritional value of meals. Some herbs such as Turmeric are well known, but I wanted to know what else was out there that I could grow and use. Turmeric by the way if you do not know, is a powerful antiinflammatory. I like it, but one can only eat it so often and still be a happy person. So what else did I find that I like? Here is a list:

Turmeric      -antiinflammatory
Mint             -blocks cancer cells from spreading
Thyme         -blocks cancer cell from spreading
Marjoram    -blocks cancer cells from spreading
Oregano      -blocks cancer cells from spreading
Basil            -blocks cancer cells from spreading
Rosemary    -blocks cancer cells from spreading
Parsley        -inhibits  blood vessels from forming on tumors, strong anti-oxidant
Celery         -inhibits blood vessels from forming on tumors
Ginger         -inhibits blood vessels from forming on tumors, strong anti-oxidant
Garlic          -blocks cancer cells from multiplying
Onion          -blocks cancer cells from multiplying
Saffron        -inhibits blood vessels fro forming on tumors
Clove           -antiinflammatory, anti oxidant
Cinnamon    -stabilizes blood sugar
Chili             -antiinflammatory

Now, this is not a complete list. These are just the ones I have incorporated into my diet. Each one can be googled along with the word cancer and you will have plenty to read and learn about each one. I learned a few things that are interesting in addition to the list. For example,  some of them work even better when used together. Turmeric and black pepper for example seem to enhance the positive properties of each other. Garlic and onion should be cut and left to sit before using. It takes a few minutes for the chemicals that are most beneficial to come out after cutting.

Well, that is enough for one day, as this list will keep you busy. If anyone wants me to post a few recipes to demonstrate how I might use these  just ask. In the mean time, if you want to learn more about this Sloan-Kettering has a nice page on this topic. Here is a link:
http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/about-herbs

Next Post: Cruciferous veggies- what the heck are they and what do they do for breast cancer?

Breast Cancer .Org members

Here is a special welcome to the ladies from Breatcancer.org. who are coming over to have a look. Thank you so much!

If you are new to breast cancer and have not found Breastcancer.org yet, I would suggest taking a peek as it is a wonderful support forum with over 100,000 member from around the globe.
 www.breastcancer.org.

Glycemic Index and breast cancer

A German biologist won the noble prize for discovering that tumors are fed by glucose. Glucose is a form of digested sugar. Most PET scans commonly use glucose to check for cancer. If an area image shows a high consumption of glucose, cancer is very likely. Glycemic index is the measure of how quickly something turns to glucose after you eat it.

When we eat sugar or things that turn to sugar, foods with a high glycemic index make the blood sugar rise rapidly. This results in the body releasing insulin, which then triggers the release of Insulinlike Growth Factor (IGF). IGF has the job of stimulating cell growth. So sugar nourishes tissues and makes them grow faster. This is why sugar can make you fat.  The other thing sugar does is promotes inflammation which is like fertilizer for tumors. There is a high incidence of cancers in the diabetic population. Studies have also shown that in areas of the world were sugar consumption is the lowest there is also a low incidence of cancer. There are currently trials with medicines that work through the glycemic path. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/compound_that_blocks_sugar_pathway_slows_cancer_cell_growth

Here is the good news. It is not the sugar itself that triggers cancer cell growth, but the IGF.  There are three  things in the diet that can help reduce the amount of insulin produced by the body when you eat sugar and carbohydrates. These are protein, fat, and fiber. When eaten along with even the simplest sugars, these three items help the body to make less insulin in response to simple sugar.If you eat sugar with some protein, some fat, or some fiber, your body won’t produce as much insulin. Eating this other food helps your body process sugar more slowly, and this means that your body does not overproduce insulin. In short, protein, fat, and fiber help your body process sugar in a more healthful way.

Next Post: anti cancer properties of spices.

Dark chocolate- My kind of Medicine

Dark chocolate, the kind that is 70% cocoa, contains a number of anti-cancer elements. It is as good for you, in this respect, as a cup of green tea or a glass of red wine. Antioxidants, proanthocyanidins and polyphenols work to slow growth of cancer cells and limit the spreading of tumors.

A mere 20 grams a day is enough to do the trick. That is the equivalent of about 1/5 of a regular size bar. I have tried several brands and I like Newman's Organic the best. It is important that you by the 70%  or higher because if you buy the ones with a ton of sugar, you will be undermining your efforts due to the fact that cancer thrives on sugar. 70% dark chocolate has a lower glycemic index than a piece of white bread. So enjoy this treat and know that you are doing something good for our body.

Next Post: What the heck is glycemic index and what does it have to do with cancer?

Green tea can beat back the breast cancer beast

Teas: Green Tea and Black tea contain certain antioxidants known as polyphenols (catechins) which  prevent cancer cells from dividing. Green tea is best, followed by our more common black tea (herbal teas do not show this benefit). According to a report in the July 2001 issue of the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, these polyphenols that are abundant in green tea, red wine and olive oil, and protect against various types of cancer.

OK so what does a polyphenol actually do? They neutralize free radicals. OK, so what the heck is a free radical? A free radical is a molecule that circulates in the body and causes damage to cell structure.  Where the heck do free radicals come from in the first place?

Free radicals are natural by-products of everyday processes in human cells. Unfortunately, you can accumulate high levels of them from air pollution, tobacco smoke, UV radiation and other environmental sources. Free radicals contain a rogue electron, making them extremely reactive and destructive. They can trigger cancer cell division.

Green tea has a special kind of polyphenals called Catechins. One of these, EGCC keeps new blood vessels from forming on cancer cells. When you drink green tea EGCC spreads through the body by means of capillary vessels. These capillaries surround and feed every cell in the body. EGCC settles on the surface of cells and blocks the switches or receptors whose function is to set off the signal that allows penetration of neighboring tissue by foreign cells such as cancer cells. It also blocks the ability of cancer cells to create new blood vessels for themselves. Once receptors are blocked they no longer respond to the orders that cancer cells send out through inflammation factors to invade tissue and make new vessels needed for tumor growth. The sneaky little bastards are stopped in their tracks.

Green tea also acts as a detoxifier for the body by activating the liver to eliminate cancerous toxins from the body more rapidly. Some studies have shown that pairing green tea with dark chocolate increases the cancer fighting ability of both green tea and the dark chocolate. Didn't know dark chocolate was good for you? Come back tomorrow and learn why.

Next post: Dark Chocolate as breast cancer medicine?

Anti cancer foods

The first thing you need to know is that much of our food in the US is very toxic. Many things put on food are banned in Europe. Surprised? Let me convince you with soy as an example. Ever notice that soy bean fields don't have weeds? There is an ugly reason why not. Before the seeds are planted they are soaked in a chemical that makes them resistant to Round Up. Yes I said Round Up. Once planted, they are sprayed with roundup and bug spray, harvested and used in a bazillion products. Yuck right? This is just one example of our government FDA being ridiculously lax. This is why it is important to eat as much organic food as you can. Or better yet, grow  your own so that you know what is, and is not, in it. Milk and meat have gross beginnings as well. Cows are fed antibiotics & growth hormones to increase muscle mass and milk production. In addition they are fed with chemically sprayed food. The fat in milk and meat has been shown to hold onto these chemicals. Ever wondr why little girls are getting boobs and menses earlier these days?

You can look at these facts and more at the Environmental Working Group web site. http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/ They have a list of the top contaminated foods in regard to heavy pesticide use. Eye opening to say the least.

Now let's talk a bit about cancer preventing foods. How do some foods do this? Well there are a few things. First you have to understand a bit about how estrogen plays into feeding breast cancer. I will elaborate on this another day but for now just know that there is more than one type of estrogen, and often breast tumors have what are called estrogen receptors. The tumors can actually use the bad type of estrogen to fuel cell division. Some foods contain the good estrogen, and those are thought to fill up the estrogen sites, preventing the bad estrogen from entering.

High fiber is another way to reduce bad estrogen. It scoops it up in the intestines and does not allow for it to recirculate back into the body. So we will include foods on our anti-cancer list that do this job. We also have to understand the importance of antioxidants in cancer prevention. In short, anti- oxidants prevent cell damage, which is the root of cancer. There are also foods that act as anti-inflamatories which is important as well.

You will notice, that sadly, some of the foods on the anti-cancer list are also listed as the most contaminated by the EWG. It is important to buy organic, or be willing to wash them really well. It is also leagal for food stores to spray veggies and fruit with preservatives in the warehouses to extend shelf life.

Here is a starter list:


green tea
turmeric and curry
ginger
cruciform veggies ( broccoli cauliflower, cabbage etc...)
garlic
onions
carrots
yams
sweet potato's
pumpkin
squash
tomatoes
soy
fish ( if not full of mercury)
flax
Brazil nuts
yogurt and Kifer
berries ( all kinds)
citrus
pomegranate
grapes
sea weed
leafy greens
dark chocolate (my fav)
Spice- I will include a full list later

Notice that sugar is not on this list. Sugar is cancer fuel. Another day I will talk about sugar, glycemic index and how it relates to cancer. Alcohol turns into sugar in you body. Food for thought and later discussion.

Next post: I will pick apart this anti-cancer food list and explain how each food helps to prevent cancer.

Anti-cancer lifestyle

Before being diagnosed with brest cancer, I considered myself a health nut. I thought I was doing all the right things. Eating well, getting pleanty of exercise and such was what I had learned to do to stay well. Now after a crash course in survival I realize that inspite of my best efforts, I was very ignorant to the realities of many things.

For starters, you can eat all the "healthy food" in the world , but if it is contaminated with hormones, pesticides, and preservative you are fueling the division of  cancer cells. Which, by the way, we all have. I would also enjoy a glass of wine (or 3 sometimes) and had no idea that there is a relationship between alcohol use and breast cancer. A 50% increase in risk as a matter of fact.

 Today I plan to share a  list of the things I do each day, and over the next few weeks I will talk about each one and why I do them. I will aslo try to point you to some good research regarding each item. I generally look for what are called peer reviewed journal articles. Just a fancy way of saying that there has been sound research, which has strict requirements for it to be legit, and that a panel of experts have reviewed the research to check for any possible flaws.

I consider myself a life time student in wellness, and have learned a lot about how to keep myself as well as I can. It helps my mental frame of mind to know I am doing everything in my power to head off another terrifying recurrence. There are several aspects to wellness and within each category there or sub-categories. For instance mental wellness includes, thoughts,emotions,  brain function, and beliefs- which enters into the spiritual aspects. Physical aspects include what you fuel you body with, food, drink & supplements as well as movement, which in itself has several different reasons why it is essential. And then you must also consider your environment and the people you spend time with.

Here is the list of things I consider everyday:

Food-organic, and a good dose of those foods known as anti-cancer foods (Look for more on this later. You will be shocked at what I know about our food chain). We will also look at food synergy.

Vitamin supplements ( Later I will explain each one and why they help, and the timing of taking them, in relation to maximum absorption.

Movement- Many reasons, including the essential lymph system will be explained

Light- Sunlight or full spectrum light is essential, especially for cancer patients

Air-I have 78 plants in my house, two aquariums and several fountains for moisture.

Mental-Yoga, meditation, brain exercises, spiritual practices

Skin care- Did you know that toxins also exit through skin?

Cosmetics- You won't believe what is in some of the most common things such as lotion, deodorant and more.

Water- How it has become poisoned, what you can do about it, and how it relates to PH which is very important to well being and avoiding cancer

Environment- Your home is full of toxins, I will talk about how I have been eliminating them one by one.

Medicine-Anti -hormone meds and why they are proscribed to breast cancer patients

Stress-Where do I begin? There is research to suggest that it is a key factor in breast cancer

 Immune system- How does it work or not work in relation to breast cancer?
As you can see from my list there are many things you can do to protect yourself. I encourage people to be proactive, as much as we want a cure, no one actually wants to need to be cured from breast cancer. Prevention is the key, we don't want breast cancer to start with.

Tommorow: Anti-cancer foods