How To Outsmart Cancer

Have you or someone you know had cancer? If not, you’re part of a very small minority. Cancer, in one way or another, has touched most of our lives. In the United States it is second only to heart disease as the largest killer; and it has surpassed heart disease in several poor countries around the world.

According to MD Anderson, the renowned cancer hospital in Houston, Texas, there are more than 150 types of cancer. Even more disturbing is the American Cancer Society research indicating that a whopping 41% of Americans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer at some point in their lives! The good news is that most cancers are preventable, even for those of us with an underlying genetic predisposition.

Let me explain...

Only 20% percent of cancer is caused by genetics and heredity; the remaining 80% percent is caused by diet (including foods containing pesticides, herbicides or insecticides; irradiated foods; additives; nutritional deficiencies, tap water, and parasites); environmental influences (such overexposure to the sun, exposure to toxic chemicals, and heavy industrial metals); and lifestyle choices (such as smoking and hormone replacement therapy). To complicate matters further, many causes of cancer still remain a mystery. Science is verifying that many cancers are caused by viruses (such as HPV in the cervix) and bacteria (such as H.pylori in the stomach).

But instead of focusing on these statistics, I’d rather tell you about how having a powerful immune system can prevent cancer. I've always known that living a healthy lifestyle is well worth the effort, and my twenty-five years of studying human physiology and holistic medicine have only confirmed this. Our healthcare system focuses on treating diseases, handling infections and emergency care, not prevention. The current philosophy is, "If it's not broken, don't fix it." My philosophy is, “prevent the break and then you might not have to fix anything”. The old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” still holds true, but unfortunately there is little profit in preventative medicine.

Everyone must take responsibility for maintaining their health, including disease prevention. I consider it my responsibility to help folks do this in any way I can, and that’s why I'm giving you these eight, cost-effective strategies that will help keep you healthy and cancer-free.

Get a blood test.
Scientists have found that Vitamin D prevents cancer. We absorb this vitamin just by being in the sun; however, as we all know, too much sun exposure has been linked to skin cancer. So how do we know if we have enough Vitamin D in our system? A single blood test reveals the levels of vitamins, minerals, and proteins in your body. Knowing our levels of Vitamin D, for example, will help us get enough sunlight to prevent certain cancers, while not increasing our risk of skin cancer. After a year, you can retest and see if your holistic lifestyle program is working.

Limit your sugar intake.
Science has linked the consumption of too much refined sugar with premature aging. That’s why my second strategy for overall health and disease prevention is to control your sugar insulin levels. Now, this doesn't mean you can't have any sweets at all, but you should be mindful of the sugar content in your foods and beverages. Do you add sugar to your coffee or tea? Do you drink soda, which has around five teaspoons of sugar per glass? Remember that every piece of chocolate—no matter how tiny—has refined sugar in it; so does that pasta sauce you are pouring over your whole wheat rigatoni. Actually, just about every packaged product in the supermarket contains sweet.
According to the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Investigation in Milan, Italy, the consumption of sugar between meals stimulates the proliferation of the epithelial cells of the intestines. This promotes the formation of cancers. Additionally, a study in Iowa involving 35,215 women found that the more sugar one eats, the higher her risk of colon cancer.

Eat Omega 3 oils.
These oils are found in certain types of fatty fish, such as salmon, herring and tuna. Just be aware that a lot of fish—particularly farm-grown—contains mercury and other contaminants. Whenever possible, be sure to get fresh, deep ocean fish.

Drink water.
As incredible as it sounds, the human body is made up of 70% water! Drinking a liter of water a day helps flush the body of environmental toxins and chemicals. Avoid tap water, though, as it contains chlorine and fluoride—two culprits in cancers that affect female organs. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed that tap water has over 140 types of chemicals in it. Even more disturbing is that scientists recently found medications in our nation's water supply! Since most restaurants serve tap water, avoid it whenever possible (or ask for bottled water). Please also avoid the water on soda machines; it also comes from the tap.

Manage stress.
We all have to deal with stressful situations from time to time, and there are occasions where those negative emotions just seem to stick with us. These feelings can build up and lead to illness. The CDC in Atlanta believes that many diseases are rooted in our emotions; and other scientists have found a link between traumatic events and cancer. Therefore, releasing negative feelings is critical to our health. Most likely, your medical physician will not consider the emotional connection. There is a technique called N.E.T. that helps people to let go in their body, mind and spirit. Some patients attract cancer; N.E.T. will not only verify that you are not attracting negativity, it will also confirm that you are attracting positive feelings and experiences. Now,who couldn’t use more of that?

Eat your veggies.
I cannot impress upon you how important fruits and vegetables are to overall health. Yet, according to statistics, only about twenty-five percent of the population eats enough of them. To give you one example of how critical a healthy diet is, The Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics found that the consumption of tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, green tea, vitamin E and selenium seem to decrease the risk of prostate cancer. On the other hand, men who consume a lot of highly processed or charcoal-cooked meats, dairy products and fats seem to be at greater risk. For more scientific data regarding diet, check out the highly acclaimed book, The Anticancer Diet, by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD.

Slim down.
Science has linked obesity to both cancer and diabetes, yet 60% of our population is overweight. Exercise is key to maintaining a healthy weight, so it’s time to get moving. You don't have to do a marathon or triathlon—just walk! Start at your own pace and be patient with yourself. It can save your life.

You snooze or you lose.
Sleep releases stress and rejuvenates the body and mind; yet it remains the most overlooked aspect of a healthy lifestyle. The American Association for Cancer Research has reported that among physically active women, those who slept less than seven hours a night had a 47% higher risk of cancer than those who got more sleep.

These eight suggestions may appear very simple, but they are the necessary ingredients for a healthy lifestyle. It is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Remember though, you don’t need to fret about being healthy, or about getting sick. It's okay to have chocolate or wine. The bottom line is moderation.

Think positive, get some exercise and keep the faith!
Know that most cancers are preventable. Don’t fear cancer.