Archive for the Battling Books category
Shark Cartilage Therapy
Shark Cartilage Therapy involves the use of shark cartilage as a food supplement. Cartilage is a connective tissue. Found in the head and fins of sharks, it is ground into powder and used in capsule form. Many people prefer the enema form due to the size and taste of the capsules. It can also be injected Bovine cartilage is another type of therapy not to be confused with shark cartilage.
Shark Cartilage Therapy is considered a form of antiangiogenesis.
Antiangiogenesis or anti-angiogenesis is a type of therapy that uses pharmacology or other substances to stop cancer cells from creating new blood vessels.
Antiangiogenesis agents don’t target the cancer tumor; their focus is the blood vessels that nourish the cancer tumors, literally starving the tumors.
Dietary supplements are available and marketed as Carticin, Cartilade, and BeneFin. These supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Per NCCAM (The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) “In the United States, herbal and other dietary supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as foods. This means that they do not have to meet the same standards as drugs and over-the-counter medications for proof of safety, effectiveness, and what the FDA calls Good Manufacturing Practices.”
In 2004 the FDA did order the manufacturers of BeneFin to stop advertising the product as a cancer cure and to refund customers.
Primary side effects of cartilage include alterations in taste.
The National Cancer Institute also reports the following side effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Constipation
- Low blood pressure
- Higher than normal blood sugar
- General weakness.
- A higher than normal blood calcium levels
Neovastat (AE-941) is a new drug from highly purified extract of shark cartilage. Neovastat is regulated by the FDA and is not available to the public, as it is still undergoing investigative research. Used as a liquid form it may be more readily utilized by the body than other forms which are thought to be simply excreted.
Cancer News, Friday July 18, 2008
Friday.
For us Monday through Friday folks this is a beautiful thing.
Hope your weekend is great!
Thyroid Cancer Basics
Thyroid cancer is the single most common endocrine cancer and the most curable. If diagnosed before it spreads, thyroid cancer has a 97 % five year survival rate.
Per The American Cancer Society: 2008 about 37,340 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Of those, about 28,410 will occur in women, and 8,930 in men. A three to one ratio. AND…nearly 2 out of 3 cases are found in people between the ages of 20 and 55.
Cancer News Friday, June 27, 2008
Happy Friday.
Battling Cancer readers…this is your last day to post for a chance to win free books.
The rules are simple. Let me know you are out there by posting a hello by 8 pm, MST. Tonight!!
Reminder!
Stop by and say hello on Battling Cancer this week for a chance to win free books.
Check out Bibliophile is Back!
Bibliophile is Back!
Bibliophile is back on Battling Cancer.
And that means free books.
Here are some of the most recent books in fiction and non fiction featuring cancer topics.
Two readers will be able to choose the book of their choice from these great offerings.
The rules are simple. Let me know you are out there by posting a hello between now and next Friday, June 27 at 8 pm, MST.
Then if your name is drawn and I email, drop me a note back with your mailing address and real world name.
Fiction:
Fool On the Hill: A Tess Camillo Mystery by Morgan Hunt (April 1, 2008)
Product Description: When amateur sleuth and breast cancer survivor Tess Camillo discovers the body of her housemate’s favorite rock star—crucified—everyone’s shocked. After all, he seemed to have no enemies. Why would someone nail him to a cross? With quirky wit, Tess and her loopy hetero housemate Lana snoop Hollywood music producers, Lego Land, a church, and a carousel to solve the murder. Fool on the Hill zips along on a sometimes-poignant, sometimes-zany trajectory, slowing down only for zoo critters and erotic encounters.
Lymphedema
It is a swelling or ‘edema’ caused by a build up of fluid in the lymphatic system. Secondary lymphedema is what is seen in cancer patients after surgery to remove or dissect the lymph nodes in the arm, groin or pelvis. Normally the lymphatic system and the fluid of this system move to flight infection. Once the lymph nodes are removed fluid collects in the spaces between cell tissues. The buildup of fluid causes not only swelling but inflammation, pain and thickening of the skin in the area affected.
Exercise and the Cancer Patient
The Mayo Clinic lists 11 alternative cancer therapies, three of which are exercise, yoga and Tai Chi. Per the Mayo Clinic: “Alternative cancer treatments won’t play any role in curing your cancer, but they may help you cope with signs and symptoms caused by cancer and cancer treatments. Common signs and symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, difficulty sleeping, and stress may be lessened by alternative treatments. ”
What’s Yoga? Yoga is a mind and body therapy that includes gentle stretches, breathing practices, and progressive deep relaxation. Visit the Yoga Center site for information on the many types of yoga.
What’s Tai Chi? A form of exercise that utilizes slow gentle movements and deep relaxed breathing. A weight bearing exercise it builds strength, muscle tone, improves circulation, balance, flexibility, posture, coordination and range of motion. For more information on Tai Chi and cancer and limited research studies see the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center site. While there are only minimal differences between yoga and Tai Chi; Tai Chi is also a martial art.
Tina Radcliffe spent ten years as a Oncology Certified R.N. working with in-patients on oncology and med-surg units. She also has a background in home health and geriatrics. Her other experiences include ... .. 
