Cancer Confusion
Does "X" cause cancer? Does "Y" prevent cancer? Each day seems to bring a new announcement that one can bring cancer upon oneself, or spare oneself from cancer, by simply changing something about diet, lifestyle, or some other small modification. There is one enormous example of this - smoking. Smoking clearly causes lung, head and neck, bladder, esophageal, pancreatic, cervical and other cancers, and is the #1 source of preventable cancers.
Beyond that, much of what passes for "cancer prevention" is supported by very limited data, conjecture, and may even be misleading. This is particularly true for claims about vitamins, foods, or nutrients that might be linked, or not, to cancer risk or prevention.
The study identified in this recent WebMD article suggests that the bombardment of claims about cancer causes and prevention has led to massive confusion in the public mind.
Are you puzzled? Where do you think reliable information about cancer risk comes from? What things do you believe might prevent cancer? I'll start with quitting smoking, getting regular exercise, and using effective sunscreen.
Now it's your turn. Post a comment and tell me what you think of all the cancer studies in the news.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: cancer, cancer prevention, health and wellness
Beyond that, much of what passes for "cancer prevention" is supported by very limited data, conjecture, and may even be misleading. This is particularly true for claims about vitamins, foods, or nutrients that might be linked, or not, to cancer risk or prevention.
The study identified in this recent WebMD article suggests that the bombardment of claims about cancer causes and prevention has led to massive confusion in the public mind.
Are you puzzled? Where do you think reliable information about cancer risk comes from? What things do you believe might prevent cancer? I'll start with quitting smoking, getting regular exercise, and using effective sunscreen.
Now it's your turn. Post a comment and tell me what you think of all the cancer studies in the news.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: cancer, cancer prevention, health and wellness
21 Comments:
Dr. B,
Your blog is great.
I will always wonder why people smoke. Since 1960 there has been a warning on the side of cigarett packs telling the smokers the dangers of smoking.
There are a lot of things out there to help anyone stop smoking if their life is important.
I wish we had known about the sun when I was growing up. I am paying for it now. Sliced, diced and frozen many times. Always dreading, is this one melanomia.
Much as I love outside, I only go out in the shade. No sun for me,
even with sun screen.
I hope people that read this will get a yearly check up with a dermatologist and if a mole changes see a dermatologist ASAP.
A thick head of hair is no protection from the sun.
Now I wam working on a much better diet.
I want to thank you for being here for all of us.
God bless you
Kay
P.S. I pray that one day, cancer will be a thing of the past.
There are actually a lot of good studies out there that have evaluated diet and environment and their effect on cancer. In response to watching too many friends, family members and patients develop cancer at young ages, my brother (an epidemiologist that had does extensive cancer cluster studies) and myself (a physician that left practice because nothing was being done in primary prevention of cancer), we tore apart every study on cancer prevention we could find. We looked for solid, credible studies, such as those published in the New England Journal of Medicine and Lancet, but some of those lacked the p factors or credibility we desired, and published a resource for those who do not want to wait 30 years, of things that can possibly make a difference now.
We tend to act fatalistic, but with a little knowledge, we can make a big difference for ourselves and our families.
A few simple examples. We tossed the brass cleaner we had that listed two well known carcinogens, and use worcestershire sauce instead. It works as well, is cheaper, and, no carcinogens. We have houseplants in our home that NASA has researched extensively for their ability to absorb common indoor air carcinogens. Is that important? Well, the Environmental Protection Agency ranks indoor air 4th in environmental causes of cancer. My children chart their daily fruit and vege intake. Silly? Those who eat five to nine servings per day have half the risk of cancer of those who eat one to two servings per day.
Back to household products. Sunscreen. There is currently only one product in the US that protects against UVA rays. In studies to date with other products, we could only find one study that showed a protective effect against cancer from sunscreen. In that study in rats, sunscreen lowered the risk of basal cell cancer 7 percent but did not touch the risk of melanoma. Do we really want to put carcinogens on our skin if they don't make a difference? The EWG site has some good information and I don't think it is too alarmist. Why should consumers not be told that Sponge Bob Squarepants shampoo for children contains ingredients that have been shown to cause cancer. As a mother I am very grateful for this site!
Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time: Practical Advice for Preventing Cancer"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com
Dear Dr Burstein,
I am a nurse of 37 years. 3 years & 8 months ago I posted a question to you about stage 3C ovarian cancer which I had just been diagnosed with. When the words cancer were said to me I forgot everything about nursing that I knew. You were very kind and answered my question with truthful sensitivity. I still read your site 2 to 3 times a week and learn so much from it about clinical trials. I have been dancing with NED since my surgery & 1st chemo. I want to thank you for doing what you do so well.
Bertha C
Hi Doc
My father has MDS and a semi bad case of Lukimia. I just have one question at this point. he is getting transfusions - weekly - the platlets seem to be a biggest problem at the moment. Was wondering how long can you recieve Platelets - ( as in i was told that there is a limit to how long the platlet transfusions will work).
I hope this question made sence.
he is taking kemo by mouth at this point and they seem to have the white blood cells kinda in check at this point.
HI Doc
regarding cancer treatment and the cost.
In 2004 I was diagnosed with non-hodkins lymphoma.
the diagagnoises test were over 50/m then came the battle with my oncoligest he recomended r-chop chemo I insisted on low dose radition (200 rads)we found a research lab that gave me treetment over 2 years aprox. 50/m
but let me say that I changed my life style in 2004 my blood preasure was 185/135 my weight 210
in five to six months and still today 110/63 wgt 125 I made the committ to grt healty I went on the hallaujah diet. I had runed my body for 63 years my tumors are mostly gone two momths ago I was anemic and found 35-40% lymphoma in
my bone marrow I am submitting to R-cvp the suprising item regarding $ is that the v is given in the office $6,000.00
wsmith@hhealth.net
Dr.,
Glad that you take time to write/respond.
As far I can find--Early Detection is the least costly option with better quality of life.
The new treatments/surgeries also work best for Cancers in early stages.
Early detection is not taken seriously by patients and even general practitioners who are under pressure from Insurance co.to limit referal to a specialist.
I read a news story that a FP in Illinois who saw a patient in June,2003--patient was found with terminal cancer in Oct.2003--later sued and won 1.5 million$ in 2007--I guess his family will get the money.
WHY DO'NT all FP/GP accept the fact that they DO NOT KNOW everything--and therefore refer the patient to a specialist for a second opinion?
Secondly--Why do'nt FP/GP realize that they MUST TAKE A TOUGH POSITION with their patients on Colon Cancer/Breast Cancer/Lung Cancer/Other cancer screenings.They should give it in writing--to patients that Cancer Screenings must be done and ask their nurses/staff to follow up with patients to ensure that patients are listening.
In 1999 I had a squamous cell cancer that was spreading across my face from the right side of my nose. It was removed with lot of tissue from that side of my face. I then received radiation therophy. I have had yearly skin exams and the first 2 years had numerous precancerous spots burned off. I was told to stay out of the sun and even that would not stop these. I did not change my lifestyle except to start taking 3mg Melatonine nightly. Never again have I had another precancerous spot to remove nor have I had any polups in my colon. There is heavy cancer problems in my family no one else belives my story. I am now 61 years old and very healthy most people think I am in my late 40s or early 50s.
Hi Doctor,
I have recently lost an excessive amount of weight in a short time while eating the same amount of calories and basically doing nothing different. My doctor is very concerned and has done a brain CT scan, Chest Xray, tons of bloodwork, urine tests, ultrasound of my chest. ALL TESTS HAVE SHOWN TOTALLY NORMAL RESULTS.
I am currently purposely eating high calorie foods and weight gain powder to try to not lose more.
I just lost 6 lbs in the last week......this is in addition to 20 lbs over the last 6 months.
Would you be kind enough to let me know what the typical symptons are for cancer and/or comment on my situation specifically.
JMK1955:
I'm sorry, but Dr. Burstein can't offer you a diagnosis or even suggest a possible diagnosis online. You're doing the right thing by working with your doctor toward an understanding of what is going on with your body.
You might try using our Symptom Checker to get some information to share with your doctor.
Thank you for your understanding.
age 76 yr old female.
begining symptoms; numbness,tingling hands and feet.
Found; small cell lung cancer
treatment; chemo, cancer now in remission. then brain radiation.
problem; since radiation two months ago loss of balance, hearing, memory and gets more so everyday. before all this patient was outgoing, very active. is this a normal side effect of cranial radiation or could the radiation cause a quick onset of dementia in the elderly.
To anonymous above:
For questions about specific issues relating to cancer, please visit Dr. Burstein's message board.
Thank you!
I am currently researching embryonic stem cell advancement dealing with cancer research. I am wondering if you might be interested in answering some questions that would further my study:
Do you believe that stem cell research will provide a cure for cancer?
Do you feel that the government should fund this type of medical research?
Please respond if you feel comfortable answering these questions. Any other information or opinion you may have on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou,
Katie Hannigan
My wife has Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain Syndrome and Gastro issues to include 5 small bowel obstructions.
She is experiencing severe pain on her left side around to her spine and goes down to her cervix. Cat Scans, MRI's and xrays show nothing. We have been to the MAYO clinic in Florida but they too keep doing the same above tests. Her quality of life is very poor as she has been sick for the past 15 years and she is only 47 years old. We have seen dozens of doctors and specialists. We NEED HELP as the tests being ran keep returning normal. Please HELP
I just had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my shin. I want to know whether getting a bcc means that one is more likely to get cancers in other parts of the body later on in life. Thank you.
With all the advances made in Cancer Studies and Treaments, I must ask myself why Doctors do not want women younger than 30 to check for and report suspicious lumps or other breast related symtoms? My wife was diagnosed by me finding the lump and getting her to her ob/gyn as quickly as we could. I beleive wemon and doctors especially, should be advocated for early detection, and the earlier the better. Having weman and young girls checked at an early age just might reduce the stats even more. And it won't cost them their retirement savings later.
There is a saying that "Smoking is not good for our health". When you buy any cigarettes i know that saying is always present or printed in the cigarette box, but im wondering why all these smokers cant live without cigarettes, they'll know that it can cause cancer but still they continue using that.
Some cancer now is treatable so that i think that's the reason why they are not afraid of.
Cancer is a group of diseases in which cells are aggressive (grow and divide without respect to normal limits), invasive (invade and destroy adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastatic (spread to other locations in the body). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited in their growth and don't invade or metastasize (although some benign tumor types are capable of becoming malignant). Cancer may affect people at all ages, even fetuses, but risk for the more common varieties tends to increase with age. Cancer causes about 13% of all deaths.
my brother in law is 33 and about 6 months ago he had a knot come up on his face and then another they are around his nose area, today he has 7 knots around the eyes on the mouth and nose and the doctors say they are not sure, we know it is cancer but that is all we know and I can not find anyone else that has had these same symptoms (one doctor said non-hogkins lymhoma t-cell) Please if anyone else has had anything like this please post so we can know something about this. Thanks
I am a breast cancer patient and see my oncologist weekly. I recently had a problem which may or maynot be related to my Herceptin treatment. I had a throidectomy 4 years ago and need to have that monitored. My question is do I need more than one doctor for each problem, ie. cardiologist, endocrinologist, oncologist, etc.
My sister-in-law (38 years) was recently diagonased with neurocytoma (brain tumor)-grade2. I would like to know the right treatment process that should be followed. Also can this kinda tumor reoccur again later in life. What's survival chance of this patient.
Thanks.
To anonymous above,
Please visit Dr. Burstein's message board and post your question there.
I hope all goes well with your sister-in-law's treatment!
Dr.B,
My father recently got results back from lab work. The report says his monocytes levels are 18.0 , absolute monocytes levels are 2.21. Also, his Basophils levels is 3.0 and absolute Basophils levels are 0.37. This is all greek to me. His spleen was removed a few years ago, and he hasen't felt "good" for quite sometime now. He has starting having nosebleeds also. Could this been a red flag as to some sort of cancer? If so could you give me any ideas what to do next? He is 67 years old but sees no need too worry. I am very concerned!! Thank you for any advice. N. S.
Post a Comment