Monthly Archives: December 2015

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Care Tips, Cancer Research

Cancer and the Link to Inactivity

mid section view of a man sitting on a bench in a park --- Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis
Obesity Is Linked To Cancer

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States, affecting both children and adults. If you need any more motivation to lose those extra pounds, consider the fact that increasing evidence suggests excess weight creates a risk for developing certain types of cancer.

Cancer and obesity by the numbers

  • Studies show that being overweight or obese is a likely risk for developing at least 13 types of cancer.

Why obesity increases cancer risk

Excess weight has a negative impact on hormone and protein levels as well as the body’s process of cell division and growth. Your immune system can become compromised, reducing its ability to fight cancer and other diseases. A non-toxic cancer vaccine can stimulate your immune system and prompt it to take action against tumors.

What can you do?

The safest and most effective formula for weight loss is decreasing the number of calories taken in while increasing the number of calories burned through physical activity.

  • Skip “supersized” portions and get at least half of your calories from fruits and non-starchy vegetables.
  • Limit the amount of sugar and processed foods in your diet.
  • Get a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity five times a week.

A non-toxic cancer vaccine is just one of the tools in our innovative Issels® immuno-oncology treatment programs. Contact us for more information about our personalized therapies.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Breast Cancer, Cancer Research, Living with Cancer

Watchful Waiting – A New Treatment for Some Breast Cancer Patients

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New Treatment for Breast Cancer
New Treatment for Breast Cancer

Despite significant improvements in cancer treatment, such as the development of immuno-oncology, patients often have a knee-jerk reaction to a cancer diagnosis. This may be particularly true for women, who are mindfully watching the efforts to increase public awareness of breast cancer. They may feel that there are mixed messages in the news in regards to the appropriate treatment for their breast cancer.

Some women, along with their physicians, have begun taking a path that may seem counterintuitive. They are choosing to defer traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy and lumpectomy, in favor of a course often referred to as “watchful waiting.”

What is watchful waiting?

Desiree Basila, a 60 year-old woman diagnosed with DCIS or stage 0 breast cancer, participated in a clinical trial that exemplifies watchful waiting. She began taking tamoxifen, a drug that blocks estrogen, which can often cause tumors to grow. In addition, she visited her doctor twice a year for checkups that alternated between mammograms and MRIs.

The reasons behind watchful waiting

  • Studies show that women with DCIS have a mortality rate of three percent regardless of their form of treatment, which corresponds to the average for the general population.
  • Each case of breast cancer is unique based on a woman’s biological profile, meaning treatment should be determined on an individual basis rather than using a cookie-cutter approach.
  • Mastectomy, radiation and other aggressive treatments sometimes cause seriously harmful side effects that may have been avoided with a more moderate approach.

Assessment of a patient’s individual lifestyle, genetic profile and personal needs has always been a part of our immuno-oncology protocols at Issels®. Visit our website to learn more about our innovative and non-toxic cancer treatment programs.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Care Tips, Cancer Caregivers

Caregiving: Your Role in Their Recovery Makes a Difference

Happy family having fun outdoors in spring field against blue sky background
Let Others Help You While You Battle Cancer

If you are a caregiver for a patient who is in treatment for cancer, it can literally be a full-time job. The American Cancer Society quotes a study that shows more than 50 percent of cancer caregivers spend upwards of eight hours a day tending to the needs of their loved one.

Caretaking is most effective when you are at your best mentally and physically, but it’s easy to neglect your own needs in an effort to meet those of the patient. Use these helpful tips to maintain your own health and quality of life.

Schedule time for yourself

What activities relax you and renew your spirit? Whether it is exercise, reading, painting or any other pastime, plan time to enjoy simple pleasures in your schedule just like an appointment. Include activities that involve contact with others so you don’t feel isolated.

Seek individual and group support

No matter what emotions you are feeling, others have been through it as well. Contact the American Cancer Society or talk to healthcare workers about joining a support group for cancer caregivers. If you have outside employment, check your benefits to see if they include an Employee Assistance Plan or other provisions for individual counseling.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

You’re not weak if you can’t do it all on your own. The demands placed on cancer caregivers are a challenge for even the strongest person. Keep your family and loved ones in the loop and ask for help when you need it.

Our newsletter contains valuable information for both cancer patients and caregivers. Visit our website to subscribe.

Alternative Cancer Treatment, Cancer Care Tips, Cancer Research, Cancer Survivors

New Support for Cancer Treatment During Pregnancy

Happy mother, father and daughter in the park
Keeping Baby Safe Even With Cancer

Patients who receive a cancer diagnosis have some difficult choices to make regarding treatments such as chemotherapy or immuno-oncology. Pregnant women have two lives to consider, placing additional weight on their decision for cancer treatment. Is there any option that will not pose significant risk to the fetus?

Some doctors recommend erring on the side of caution, suggesting a preterm delivery or even termination. The results of a study that was presented at the recent European Cancer Conference in Vienna show that cancer treatment may not necessarily interfere with a healthy, full-term pregnancy.

Dr. Frédéric Amant of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium was the lead author of the study, which involved more than 100 children born to women who underwent cancer treatment within the last two trimesters of their pregnancy. Results revealed no difference in cardiac and cognitive functions between these children and those in the control group.

Since birth defects are most likely to occur during the first trimester, none of the women participating in the study received treatment during that period. Premature delivery was found to have a greater impact on fetal development than cancer treatment. Each additional week in the womb added two points to a child’s score on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, which was used in conjunction with a neurological exam to measure results.

Our non-toxic immuno-oncology therapies at Issels® are personalized to account for lifestyle and other elements of your individual situation. Visit our website for more information about our innovative, state-of-the-art treatments as well as testimonials from our patients.