Decreasing Rate of Cancer Deaths

The battle of mankind against cancer has been an ongoing one. Even with several cutting edge technological breakthroughs we have not yet been able to completely cure this deadly disease. However, there is hope yet, because recent research findings show a positive trend of declining death rates due to cancer. The death rate is seen to drop steadily; the rate of decrease has almost doubled in 2002-2004 from the figure in 1993-2002.

The overall death rate still remains higher for men than women. But the death rate decreased for the top 15 cancers in both men and women. Most a href=” http://www.empowereddoctor.com/cancer-treatment “ target=”_blank” cancer /a related deaths in men are due to prostrate, lung and colorectal cancers. Breast, lung and colorectal cancer related deaths in women have also seen a dip.

The reason for this decline in death rate could be because of progress that has been achieved in anti-smoking drives, regular screening and commencement of treatment as soon as the disease is detected. Surprising news is that even cancer detection rates have reduced which means that we are slowly but surely overtaking this killer disease.
The reason for the drop in breast cancer rate in 2001-2004 is believed to be increased mammography screening and decrease in the usage of hormone replacement therapy. Lung cancer also shows similar decreasing trend in both men and women.

Experts say that the fight against cancer could show even better results if everyone in the US had access to essential healthcare facilities. Most important are the screening, prevention services and the primary healthcare.
What seems to be working is the greater awareness among people about the disease itself, prevention, early detection and prompt treatment. The awareness on healthy lifestyle and diet also contributes significantly to this positive trend. If we can just keep up this healthy trend, the day that we overcome cancer is not too far.

Cancers: Porphyrins and Photodynamic Therapy

Liberman describes a number of experiments done with full spectrum light and /or specifically selected colors. Studies done on mice that were bred to develop tumors, indicated that a pink light environment resulted in the earliest development of tumors while full spectrum light inhibited the development of tumors for a twenty percent longer period of time. Older cells are more at risk for accumulated DNA damage that precedes cancer. Experiments done on fish and paramecia using near-ultraviolet radiation indicated that the damaged cells not only repaired themselves but also reversed their aging. What if it is discovered that human cells have the same capabilities?

Since 1900 when scientists first noted that certain substances were damaging to living tissue when exposed to light, but were not toxic in the dark, it has been discovered that many of these substances belong to a family of light-activated chemicals called porphyrins produced by almost all living organisms and necessary for cell respiration.

During World War II (1942) it was noted that if porphyrins were present in one’s body, tumors would floresce under light, brilliant red under ultraviolet light. This discovery was built upon in 1973 when technology made photodynamic therapy
possible. Scientists found that certain photosensitive chemicals selectively identify cancer cells under ultraviolet light and accumulate in these cells. Then, under red light, these chemicals destroy the cancer cells. 1

As of the 1991 publication date of Light-Medicine of the Future, only Photofrin (DHE) had been FDA approved for human use. After injection with a prescribed amount of Photofrin, the patient has to wait for up to seventy-two hours in an environment free of direct sunlight or other bright lights so that some of the Photofrin which also collects in certain normal tissues (kidneys, liver, spleen, and pancreas) can be eliminated. The treatment is delivered to the site of the tumor by hair thin fiber optic tubes. The result is that within hours the cancer cells begin to die leaving most normal tissues unharmed. “Even in tissues that are just partially cancerous, only the cancerous portions of the tissue will die. Since the specific photosensitive dyes are combined with highly tuned Laser light, the treatment is extremely precise.” (113)
On February 26, 2008 I did an on line search on Photofrin (DHE) through Encarta Encyclopedia to ascertain any further clinical trials/developments utilizing Photofrin. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Drug Dictionary, Photofrin is still the U.S. brand name and (DHE) the abbreviation. Synonyms are: dihematoporphyrin ether, Photofrin II, and Porfimer. The name Photofrin II indicates some new version of the original Photofrin.

The National Cancer Institute, as of February 26, 2008, lists two closed published clinical trials (1/1/2000, and 10/2/2003), three active published trials (3/22/2007, 9/12/2007, and 1/24/2008), one active non-published trial and two approved but not yet active trials. All deal with Photodynamic Therapy using one or another of the brand names (synonyms) for photofrin. The studies deal with an array of cancers: Bilary Tract Tumors, Cholongiocarcinomas, Bladder, Upper Digestive Tract, Esophageal, Lung and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx.

It certainly appears that Light based therapies and medications are the Medicine of the Present and Future


Endnote:

1 Jacob Liberman, Light-Medicine of the Future (Santa Fe, New Mexico: Bear and Company.1991) pp. 111-112. This and subsequent direct references from this work are reprinted by permission of Inner Traditions International, Rochester, Vermont.

A New Light on Cancer

There are a number of light centered applications that reinforce the mind-body-spirit connection in the medicine of light.

In his book Light – Medicine of the Future, Liberman writes that we must expand our vision regarding the purpose of light. It is much more than illumination for our environment. It is “potentially one of the most disease-prevention tools at our disposal.” 1

In a “leading edge” paper written by engineer and inventor David Tumey and his associate, William Sheline, entitled “Royal Rife Revisited: Reconstruction of the Original Rife Ray Tube,” the authors describe a fascinating piece of equipment and its related therapeutical uses.

Royal Raymond Rife (l888-1971) was an accomplished scientist and microbiologist who developed an optical microscope that could provide magnifications, and resolutions heretofore unheard of…The major difference between visible light and electron microscopy is that by its nature, electron microscopes destroy the microorganisms while viewing them. Rife’s major advantage was that he could image living virus and other microorganisms and observe them in their natural state…
It is argued that Rife was the first person to empirically prove that viruses and bacteria are pleomorphic forms. Pleomorphism is the phenomenon by which one distinct life form mutates into another. Rife basically classified pathogenic disease causing bacteria into ten individual groups. Rife demonstrated that any organism within its group could be transformed morphologically into any other organism within the ten groups by carefully altering the media (light) in which it was cultured. Of course this discovery contradicts modern microbiology which teaches that a bacteria’s morphology is fixed and Unchangeable. 2 (Italicizing is mine)

Rife also discovered techniques for successfully culturing cancer virus. The virus he identified as BX and it was noted that the viruses refracted a purplish red color with a monochromatic beam under his microscope. In fact, Rife discovered that each organism depending on its state would refract unique spectra and have distinct coloration. By the late 1920’s and early 1930’s Rife discovered that by irradiating these pathogenic microorganisms with specific frequencies known as MOR’s for Mortal Oscillatory Rates, he could cause them to devitalize either by interrupting normal cytologic function or by inducing them to mutate into a non-pathogenic form. (2)

The authors go on to relate how Rife developed his original list of MOR’s by manipulating the dial of an audio frequency that had the ability to devitalize a particular organism. By the mid 1950’s he had developed a list of fifteen frequencies and the fifteen viruses they devitalized. The viruses on the list included Tetanus, Treponema, Gonorrhea, Staphylococci, Pneumococci, Streptothrix, Streptococci, Typhoid bacteria, Typhoid virus, Bacillus Coli Rod Form, Bacillus Coli Virus, Tuberculosis Rod Form, Tuberculosis Virus, Sarcoma (all forms?), and Carcinoma (all forms?) 3(The question marks are Stafford’s).
Tumey and Sheline describe how they went about reconstructing the Rife Ray Tube. In the conclusion of their paper they indicate that the next logical step might be to repeat the laboratory studies of Dr. Stafford and others whose work utilizing Rife’s MOR list in treating the associated viruses resulted in some amazing results as reported in Stafford’s paper, “Electromagnetic Field Therapy” (1963).

In the conclusion of his paper Dr Stafford writes:

Having worked with the specifically related field modality for the past six years, I am convinced that there exists some effective force in this form of therapy. This modality seems to exert some modifying force on the animal and human body…

If Mr. Rife’s theory is right, then a method must be developed to isolate the offending organism in each specific case and find the exact frequency which causes that organism to disintegrate. These facts should be determined before treating each patient in every instance. With data of this sort available for each specific case before treatment, more consistent results should be obtained. To date, we are merely using data developed by Mr. Rife years ago. We only can hope that we are approaching the critical resonant frequency of the suspected pathogen. This is a very blind and unscientific approach, admittedly. Perhaps with adequate research, these weaknesses may be overcome. (10-11)

The Contributions of Radiation Oncology to the Medical World

Oncology is a branch of medicine that studies cancerous tumors and develops methods and techniques for treatment. Those who practice oncology are known as oncologists. br

There are two main branches of oncology: br
1. Medical oncology
2. Radiation oncology
br

Medical oncology has contributed chemotherapy, while a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiation oncology /a has and continues to contribute many new technologies, mainly in the form of new radiation-delivery methods. br
Although it may seem that radiation oncology is limited in its ability to expand, grow, and develop increasingly improving treatments, the rapid advancements in computer and other technologies outside the medical field are assisting in the advancement of radiation oncology, making it a continuously changing field. br

Despite tough training and education requirements, it is the exciting changes in oncology that attract many doctors to this field. As amazing as it may seem, the advances in oncology from just the last two decades has resulted in far lower mortality rates and survival rates astronomically higher than they were just 20 years ago. br

Advances in cancer detection and public education about cancer have also contributed to increased survival rates. For most kinds of cancer, oncologists are now able to successfully treat the patients thanks to early detection, allowing treatment to begin before the cancer has a chance to grow out of control. br

One of the more recent advances in a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiation oncology /a is TomoTherapy, a commercialized type of IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy) that provides new and more effective radiation-delivery. TomoTherapy is a perfect example of the work being done in radiation oncology. br
TomoTherapy does not actually provide any new technologies, but rather integrates several older technologies into one detection and delivery system. It also improves on the delivery of radiation to a tumor site by rotating around the patient, allowing it to deliver a higher dose of overall radiation from several angles rather than many fixed beams of weaker radiation. br

Delivering high amounts of radiation is one of the best ways to treat cancer. However, since tumors are inside the body and surrounded by healthy tissue that you don’t want to damage, delivering such high amounts of radiation to effectively treat a tumor is enough to kill the patient. But thanks to modern delivery methods, radiation oncologists have been able to more precisely target the cancer while sparing healthy tissue, thereby allowing for higher doses of radiation, without extra harm or danger to the patient, which equates to faster recovery times and higher survival rates. br

Every advancement in radiation oncology, and oncology in general, leads to a day when cancer of all types will be as easily treatable as a broken arm.

Author Bio:- Vantage Oncology is dedicated to the idea of improving care for patients and their families who are affected by cancer. Our commitment to Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiation oncology /a , radiosurgery and a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ TomoTherapy /a continues as we search for newer and better ways to treat cancer and improve the lives of cancer survivors.

Radiosurgery: Brain Surgery without the Surgery

When tumors show up in the brain, and open surgery is not an option, a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiosurgery /a is often the therapy turned to. br

Tumors that appear in the brain do so without any known cause. Therefore, the best that can be done is to deal with them when they appear because there is no known method of preventing or reducing the occurrence of brain tumors. br
When a brain tumor is found, it may be discovered that surgery is not an option. This can happen if the tumor is in a non-operable area of the brain (surgery would cause too much damage to surrounding tissue), or the overall condition of a patient is such that open surgery is too much of a danger. Radiosurgery allows treatment of brain tumors without surgery. In many cases, even where surgery is an option, radiosurgery might be used in conjunction with surgery, or in replacement of it. br

Advantages of radiosurgery over conventional surgery include reduced mortality and avoidance of pain and post-surgical complications, such as hemorrhaging or infection. br

a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ Radiosurgery /a delivers a targeted dose of radiation to the brain tumor site. Depending on the location of the tumor, sensitivity of surrounding tissue, and size of the tumor, the treatment will involve either stereostatic radiosurgeryor stereostatic fractionated radiosurgery. br

Stereostatic radiosurgery attempts to minimize collateral damage by directing several weaker beams of radiation that converge on the tumor at the same time. This delivers a high dose of radiation to the tumor, but minimizes exposure to surrounding tissue. br

In highly sensitive cases, or where the tumor is larger, stereostatic fractionated radiosurgery delivers lower levels of radiation at a time across a period of several weeks. This minimizes damage to surrounding tissue, and also allows for damaged healthy tissue to repair itself between treatments. br

Because this form of radiation treatment is directed at the head, hair loss is a very common side effect to radiosurgery along with an irritated scalp. Hair usually grows back without any problems a few months after treatment.

Author Bio:- Vantage Oncology is dedicated to this idea of improving care for patients and their families who are affected by cancer. Our commitment to Image Guided a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ Radiation Therapy /a (IGRT), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiosurgery /a and radiotherapy continues as we search for newer and better ways to treat cancer and improve the lives of cancer survivors.

Choosing a Radiation Oncologist

For many of us, choosing a doctor is not really something that happens. We go to the hospital, a doctor sees us, sends us to another doctor who sends us to another doctor. We never question who were being sent to or if there are any other options. They’re the doctors, and they know best… right? br

But when it comes to something as important as cancer treatment, you are essentially putting your life into the hands of the doctor you choose for treatment. When being treated for cancer, experience counts for something. If you’re going to be receiving radiation therapy then your a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiation oncologist /a is going to play a big part in your overall treatment. br
With all the recent advancements in radiation therapy, a radiation oncologist should be trained on and have access to the latest treatment options, but you also want him or her to have the hands on experience of having treated others with the latest technology. br

Checking with other cancer patients to ask them about their a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiation oncologist /a is one way to find a good doctor. However, keep in mind that positive referrals are often the result of how a patient gets along with a particular doctor, and since the general public simply isn’t educated in medicine, knowing how a particular doctor compares to another is impossible to ascertain unless a person actually makes an effort to make those comparisons, digging into a doctor’s history and training. br

Fortunately, organizations like Vantage Oncology can lighten the burden of finding a highly qualified radiation oncologist. br

Founded in direct response to the growing needs of cancer patients, Vantage Oncology is made up of a network of some of the nation’s best and most qualified radiation oncologists, trained in and with access to the latest radiotherapy treatment options. br

Radiation oncologists that are part of the Vantage Oncology network strive to deliver the best healthcare services and support for both those diagnosed with cancer as well as their families. br

Author Bio:- Vantage Oncology is dedicated to the idea of improving care for patients and their families who are affected by cancer. Our commitment to Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiation oncologist /a , radiosurgery and a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiation oncology /a continues as we search for newer and better ways to treat cancer and improve the lives of cancer survivors.

What to Expect When Entering Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy, often referred to as a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiotherapy /a , has many uses. While it is useful for the treatment of non-malignant conditions such as thyroid eye disease, it is most commonly used as the result of a cancer diagnosis and as part of a treatment regiment to control malignant tumors. br

When used to treat cancer, radiation therapy is often administered in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy. In operable cases, surgery may be conducted to remove as much of the cancer as possible, then treatment is followed up by radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. The same is true of treatment in conjunction with chemotherapy. In some cases, a combination of all three treatments will be used. br

To treat a person with radiation therapy, a doctor known as a radiation oncologist directs high energy x-rays at the patient’s body in order to kill cancer cells and prevent their growth and proliferation. These x-rays are the same as those administered to image bones and teeth, and just like an x-ray of your arm or teeth, it is not painful. However, the concentration of x-rays is much higher as its purpose is to kill living cells rather than just obtain an image. br

At such high doses, the x-rays are capable of killing not just the cancerous cells, but health tissue as well. a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ Radiation therapy /a works, however, because healthy cells that are damaged are better able to recover whereas cancerous cells have a more difficult time. To minimize
damage to healthy cells, the radiation is targeted to the part of the body where the cancer resides. br

Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, decreased immune response, hair loss, and others. Side effects often result from the radiation of healthy tissue. However, new technologies are increasing the precision of radiation therapy, thereby reducing side effects and improving success rates.

Author Bio:- Vantage Oncology is dedicated to this idea of improving care for patients and their families who are affected by cancer. Our commitment to Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiosurgery /a and a href= http://www.vantageoncology.com/ radiotherapy /a continues as we search for newer and better ways to treat cancer and improve the lives of cancer survivors

Flax - a role in the treatment of cancer?

b Flax - a role in the treatment of cancer? /b

p Lignan, a fiber found in flax, is the latest hope in the b a href= http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Cancer.html treatment of cancer /a /b /p

p Flax - the plant that gave grateful world the classic look of linen - hot research property nowadays. Prized for millennia as a source of seeds and cooking oil as well as cloth, the flax plant has also been long celebrated for its medicinal properties, especially in easing coughs. But the therapeutic potential of flax really took off in the late 20th century, when scientists found that flax seed is rich in alpha linolenic acid, an inflammation-alleviating omega-3 fatty acid. /p

p The latest substance in the scientific spotlight: flax lignans. While many plant foods supply this unique type of fiber, flax seed is the richest possible source. Question is, what makes lignans so special? /p

b Hormonal Shifts /b

p Sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone affect a lot more than just libido and reproduction; if these powerful substances go out of balance, they can actually stimulate the overgrowth of breast or prostate tissue (which may lead to b a href= http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Breast-Cancer.html breast cancer /a /b or prostate cancer). Lignans act as phytoestrogens. When they are ingested, the body transforms them into a form that keeps hormones from over-stimulating cells, a process that helps support healthy cell growth. Lignans also interfere with enzymes that can promote cancer development and therefore may be helpful in the treatment of cancer. /p

p Populations that eat lignan-rich diets have lower breast cancer rates, and early research suggests that increased lignan intake may help protect breast tissue through cancer prevention. In one study, women newly diagnosed with breast cancer who ate muffins made with 2 1/2 tablespoons of flaxseed every day experienced reduced tumor growth (Breast Cancer Research & Treatment 11/00) suggesting a role for flax in the treatment of cancer. This may explain why some women find relief from mild menopausal miseries after taking flax lignans. /p

p Lignans are antioxidants, substances that can keep harmful free radicals from ping-ponging through tissues; scientists think that¡¯s why flax lignans have shown an ability to lower cholesterol and act in cancer prevention. Flax also appears to have an ability to reduce stress; among post-menopausal women who ate three different flax diets, the ones who consumed more lignans experienced the biggest drop in both b a href= http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Stress.html stress /a /b hormone levels and blood pressure (Journal of the American College of Nutrition 12/03). /p

b FLAX FACTS /b

p What is it?: A plant, I.inum usitatissimum, used for food, clothing and remedies
What it does: Flax seeds are high in an anti-inflammatory omega-3 fat called alpha linolenic acid; recent research has focused on flax lignan, a fiber that shows promise in the both the prevention and treatment of cancer, keep arteries clear and reduce prostate enlargement /p

b Keeping Men Comfortable /b

p While women certainly benefit from lignans, flax can be beneficial for men too. Prostate cells, like breast cells, can be kicked into overdrive by hormones which may result in prostate cancer. A pilot study at Duke University suggested that flax lignans, combined with a low-fat diet, may reduce cancer risk - yet another indication that flax may be useful in the treatment of cancer. The researchers gave finely ground flaxseed to 25 men with prostate cancer who were awaiting surgery; after a month, all had reduced hormone levels and their cholesterol levels were lowered as well. Tumor growth also slowed (L/ro/ogy7/01) /p

p What¡¯s more, flax¡¯s testosterone-moderating effects appear to help reduce benign prostate hyperplasia an uncomfortable predicament that vexes many men as they age. Rats fed a lignan supplement had comfortably smaller prostates then other rodents, and men scheduled for repeat prostate biopsy who took supplemental flax experienced reduced rates of benign prostatic growth (Urology 05/04). Flax may even help reduce hairloss in men. DHT, the form of testosterone that can harm the prostate, attacks hair follicles and spurs excess oil production in the skin, increasing the chances of pimple formation. Flax lignans interfere with DHT production. /p

p From the tiny flax seed mighty health benefits grow. Some forms of fiber really are special
- Lisa Janet /p

Asbestos the Silent Killer

An article about the history of asbestos and the potential future problems asbestos may cause. People fear that asbestos could cause an epidemic if it is not removed from places of business and homes quickly and appropriately.

Despite the fact the government banned the importation of blue and brown asbestos over twenty years ago and finally banned white asbestos in 1999, 3500 people currently die every year from asbestos related diseases.

Be it the lung choking “asbestosis” or the cancer “Mesothelioma” these diseases make asbestos the biggest industrial killer today.

In the 50’s and 60’s following World War 2, millions of tons of raw asbestos was imported into the UK to be made into building products and other industrial uses.

It was cheap, easy to mine and when added to various building products gave them extra strength and fire retardant properties.

Just what was needed to help the post war building boom.

However it was not until well into the sixties that it was discovered that the ingestion of its fibres caused terminal damage to peoples lungs.

All those people working in the factories using asbestos in their products had already been damaged by the microscopic fibres of asbestos. This was borne out by the climbing death rates in the late 80’s as it can take anything from 5 to 25 years for the asbestos dieses to kill you.

When the government brought in various bans on the importation and the using of asbestos in products they assumed by the turn of the new millennium there would be a fall in the number of deaths attributed to asbestos.

Unfortunately the exact opposite happened and the death toll continued to rise.

After some research the government found that because very few landlords or tenants of non-domestic buildings had bothered to have their building surveyed to find the whereabouts of any asbestos containing materials thousands of maintenance workers were coming into buildings and drilling holes or cutting out panels etc and disturbing the asbestos and on a regular basis breathing in small amounts of deadly fibres.

So as time went on they became infected and joined the numbers of people dying who had worked in the asbestos factories of the 50’s and 60’s.

Out of all this chaos was born the “Control of Asbestos in the Workplace” legislation.

From May 2004 for the first time every owner or tenant, whoever was deemed responsible under the terms of leases, was legally obliged to have their premises surveyed and the position, quantity, condition and type of all ACM’s noted in a report form with a management plan to deal with the risk.

These reports would then be available to any employee or outside contractor who may want to work in the areas containing asbestos and following laid out “Codes of Practice” take the necessary steps to minimise the release of harmful fibres into the atmosphere and subsequently into their lungs.

Simple precautions like not using power tools, wearing an appropriate face-mask, wearing throw away overalls and other very basic things will help stop the ingestion of deadly asbestos fibres.

Although this act will not immediately stop the death rate soaring to 10,000 deaths per year by 2020 eventually with the new knowledge and awareness of asbestos products contained in these reports we will see a decline in the death rate.

The message about asbestos is not to rip it out of buildings unnecessarily but to know of its whereabouts and manage it.

Only finally removing it under controlled conditions when it is damaged or disintegrating beyond reasonable repair.

Christopher Angus helps promote the following websites:

a href= http://www.the-printing-company.co.uk Printing Company /a br /

a href= http://www. mdhsasbestosconsultants.com asbestos training /a br /

a href= http://www.everest-oxfordshire.co.uk Oxford Double Glazing /a br /

Christopher Angus is a freelance writer and website promoter. He is available for hire.
Please contact him at chris (at) brilliantseo (dot) com


Christopher Angus is a freelance writer and journalist. He is available for hire and website promotion.
Chris@brilliantseo.com

He writes articles on behalf of clients for £20.00 each – These articles are then submitted to quality article directories.

Prostate Cancer Research

Pomegranates have long been used in traditional folk remedies to treat sore throats, inflammation, and rheumatism. And recent scientific research has suggested they are also potentially effective in both preventing and treating prostate cancer.

One study, conducted on human prostate cancer cells in lab dishes, at the University of Wisconsin, found that there were dose dependant improvements. Another study at the same facility injected mice with human prostate cancer cells. These mice developed malignancies. Some mice were fed plain water, whilst two other groups of mice were given water mixed with different concentrations of pomegranate extract.

Those mice that had water only had tumors that grew much faster than the pomegranate and water groups. The quantities given to the mice were comparable to that which people might get if they drank pomegranate juice on a daily basis. And whilst pomegranate juice hasnt been tested on humans with prostate cancer yet, the results are very good.

The study did not indicate what aspects of pomegranate juice were responsible for slowing down prostate tumour growth. But the scientists involved did mention the antioxidant polyphenolic compounds, which are more effective than green tea and red wine.

Pomegranate extract not only inhibited the growth of cancer cells, it also worked by another means - apoptosis.

Apoptosis refers to a way that cells can die. Cancer growths are characterized by an uncontrolled growth of cells that do not follow the normal processes of cellular differentiation of regular, healthy cells. Cellular differentiation means that the characteristics of a cell change and get the functions that a mature, healthy cell would. For example, liver cells have specialized liver functions, as do prostate, breast, kidney, and all other types of cells. This is normal and healthy.

In tumour growths, although some cells fully differentiate, many only differentiate partially, and some not at all. And the tumors which have more undifferentiated cells grow faster. So, inducing cellular differentiation is one approach to cancer treatment. The other two ways that doctors and researchers try to treat cancer is by causing the death of cancerous cells. They do this through apoptosis, mentioned above, and necrosis.

In apoptosis, cell death is programmed into the cell when it is born. So the cell dies in a more natural way that is less destructive on its environment. By this I mean it doesnt cause inflammation and the damage associated with it to neighboring cells that may be healthy. Cells die either when they reach cellular old age or when their death benefits the body as a whole. Necrosis, on the other hand, does cause inflammation.

Generally, prostate cancer grows very slowly, although it is unpredictable and can grow quickly and spread.

References:
1. John Boik, Cancer and Natural Medicine (Oregon Medical Press, 1996)
2. Australian Healthy Food, March, 2006
3. nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=62811
4. nutraingredientsusa.com/news/ng.asp?id=62811