Cancer Treatment Information and Resources

As many people now recognise, oxygen is cancer's number one enemy. But an enemy of oxygen in the body is refined sugar, which increases acidosis and thereby eliminates oxygen. Refined sugar is the prime energy source for fuelling cancer cells, and it is found in large quantities throughout the modern diet. So is there any wonder that the incidence of cancer in the western world has multiplied many times throughout the past century!

In today's food industry, the presence of sugar is regularly concealed under its many pseudonyms, such as fructose, cane extract, corn syrup solids and so many other contemporary euphemisms. However it is particularly found in many popular soda type drinks, so heavily promoted and avidly consumed by millions around the world.

What about artificial sweeteners like aspartame? Can't they be used instead of sugar? Yes indeed, they are regularly used as a sugar replacement in many diet drinks. I'm sure you know which ones they are. But what you might not be aware of is the long-term toxicity of many such products and the damage and illnesses to which they can lead. Evidence is accumulating and perhaps one day it will be sufficient to have them taken off the market.

However, as an alternative to artificial sweeteners, there is one totally natural sugar-substitute readily available today which stands out above all the rest, and that product simply goes by the name of Stevia.

For centuries, the native Americans of Paraguay and Brazil used a species of Stevia, Stevia rebaudiana which they called ka'a he'e (or "sweet herb"), as a sweetener in yerba mate and medicinal teas for treating conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, and heartburn. Stevia is a herb belonging to the daisy family, possessing zero calories, zero carbohydrates and a zero glycemic index. Fortunately Stevia has recently gained greater attention with the rise in demand for low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternatives. It is also now available as a health food supplement in the USA and Europe.

It was not until 1931 that French chemists isolated the glycosides that give Stevia its sweet taste. These extracts were named steviosides and rebaudiosides. These compounds are around 250-300 times sweeter than sucrose (in the form of ordinary table sugar). Stevia's sweet taste has a slower onset but a longer duration than that of sugar. At high concentration it possesses a bitter and liquorice-like after-taste, which varies depending ipon which glycoside is consumed.

As a sweetening agent Stevia has almost zero calories, in contrast to table sugar that possesses 4.5 calories per gram. Stevia does not significantly alter blood glucose, and so is attractive as a sweetener to diabetics and those on carbohydrate controlled diets.

In the early 1970s, the Japanese began cultivating Stevia as an alternative to artificial sweeteners such as cyclamate and saccharin, suspected carcinogens. Stevia sweeteners have been produced commercially in Japan since 1977 and are widely used in food products, soft drinks, and for table use. Japan currently consumes more Stevia than any other country, accounting for about 40% of the sweetener market.

Stevia is also able to perform a number of other beneficial tasks. For example, it has been shown that it may enhance moods and increase energy levels and mental alertness. The cosmetic industry also employs Stevia in many skin care products, where its topical application has been shown to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes.

Whether you are a cancer sufferer, a diabetic, or simply want to lose weight painlessly, I highly recommend that you add Stevia to your nutritional regime. It is inexpensive and available through many health stores or via the Internet.

The insidiousness of breast cancer is without parallel – affecting over a million people a year worldwide and claiming the lives of women at a rate second only to lung cancer. As women battle for their lives on a daily basis, a grassroots movement to educate the women of the world continues to surge.

Those who are affected by breast cancer know that recovery stems from early detection and proper treatment; and in order to detect symptoms and find effective treatment, women need to have access to up-to-date information; thus evolved the promotion of breast cancer awareness.

Breast cancer awareness encompasses the education and empowerment of women and men worldwide and encourages them to act as advocates for their own care; it includes a comprehensive plan for focusing on the whole person and the many ways in which breast cancer and prevention can be approached.

One of the first components of raising breast cancer awareness includes awareness of education, literacy, and research. There is so much research being done on a daily basis to further the cause of treatment and to one day find a permanent cure. In order for patients and families to feel connected to the process, they must be kept informed as to what advancements have been made.

The breast cancer awareness campaign works to make sufferers and families aware of the places in which to find comprehensive information. In today's age of technology, most people find their information via the Internet; there are a host of reputable and valuable websites that provide a wealth of continually updated information.

Prevention is a large part of awareness and part of the work of the campaign is to make people aware of the ways in which they can prevent breast cancer. This includes making people aware of up-to-date information regarding diet and exercise, as well as the effects of other lifestyle and environmental stressors on the possibility of getting this cancer.

Most importantly, awareness focuses on the importance of screening for early detection so that treatment options are immediately available to increase the chance of survival and ongoing health. Doctors recommend screenings from 35 years of age and up; more than 50% of diagnosed cases of breast cancer are found in women over the age of fifty. Such screenings include routine gynecological examinations, mammograms, breast ultrasound and, most importantly, breast self-examination. Spreading the message of screenings is especially important in low-income areas where women tend to avoid medical care because of the cost.

Of course, breast cancer awareness also includes knowing where to turn for treatment and what that treatment may entail. In the spirit of providing people with accurate and up-to-date information, many of the websites and other informational centers that feature educational resources, will also include comprehensive information regarding treatment options. This is vitally important for people struggling to make choices regarding their health.

But one of the most important aspects of awareness is reminding the people that are engrossed in the fight that they are a part of a larger community where they can find support and camaraderie.

Breast cancer awareness saves people's lives. It can be the bridge from people – to information. And for those who are faced with a frightening diagnosis and unsure of where to turn, the information imparted through the awareness campaign can be a beacon of hope.