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