Starving breast cancer to feed your health

Cancer, known to be one of the deadliest diseases globally with no ‘guaranteed’ cure, leaves affected individuals feeling the social and psychological effects of hopelessness, helplessness, grief and perhaps even self-pity; especially if those individuals are not equipped with the needed financial resources or emotional support.

To many, cancer represents a silent killer, looming overhead like an imposing figure on the horizon, waiting to destroy one’s mind, body and spirit. This notion, however, does not have to be anyone’s reality – all hope is not lost.

PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION (PAHO)

According to the Pan American Health Organization, breast cancer causes more disability and adjustment to years lost by women affected, more so than any other cancer and is the most common cause of cancer deaths in women in the Americas.

The burden posed by breast cancer is disproportionately larger in developing countries, where most breast cancer deaths occur prematurely in women younger than 70 years.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the share of women affected by the disease before the age of 50 years (32 per cent) is much larger than in North America (19 per cent).

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for nearly a quarter of new breast cancer cases, with more than 210,000 new diagnoses and nearly 68,000 deaths.

JAMAICA CANCER SOCIETY

The Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation established in 1955, with a mandate to fight and defeat cancer in all its forms. The organisation provides services for cancer of the breast, cervix uteri, lung and prostate through:

• Fixed and mobile community-based screening at a subsidised rate

• Access to screening of women and early detection

• CME credits to participate in its medical symposiums

• Information to the public

Perusing the Jamaica Cancer Society’s website on October 19, 2023, it highlighted that as at 2018, the University Hospital of the West Indies recorded 7,348 persons affected by cancer and of that many persons affected, only 400 survived. The website revealed that based on further studies, 3,495 males versus 3,853 females were affected. There was no specific information related to breast cancer, per se.

Bearing that in mind, detecting cancer through mammograms, colonoscopy and other mechanisms, DO NOT prevent the disease from occurring. Therefore, preventative mechanisms must always supersede screening and intervention, followed by individuals educating themselves through their own research.

Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of health and wellness, in his recent address at the launch of the 66th Annual Health Research Conference, stated that “it is through research that we ground the policies that provide the protection for the people”. The minister went on to add that “the strategic priority of the Ministry of Health and Wellness includes the prevention and care management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)”.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness revealed that according to the Jamaica Health & Lifestyle survey, in 2015 a staggering seven out of 10 Jamaicans died from an NCD. This included diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer.

Research studies at The Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicate that carcinogenic effects of pesticides, insecticides and herbicides used on fruits and vegetables all contribute to the growth and progression of cancers.

It is against this background that it is imperative for the health and agriculture ministries to adopt policies to eradicate the use of such hazardous toxins and instead ensure initiatives that will maximise its citizens’ health.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

It should be noted that there is no one-size-fits-all remedy and no “magic” cure for cancer, as it can be widely different for each patient. People diagnosed with the disease usually undertake a series of optional treatments – depending on size, stage and body-type. Treatments may include conventional and/or functional medicines.

Conventional treatment involves surgery (removal of the tumour), chemotherapy (tends to attack only the fast dividing cells and NOT the stem cells that divide slower) and/or radiotherapy (tends to damage your bone marrow).

Functional medicine tends to the root cause, instead of just symptoms. This treatment acknowledges the body as an ecosystem, taking on an integrative approach to optimise the pillars of our well-being – emotional, physical, spiritual and nutritional – making it an unwelcome environment for cancer to proliferate.

When abnormalities are identified during the screening phase, there should be further tests to establish a definitive diagnosis. Individuals are advised to seek appropriate treatment protocol from their medical team if cancer proves to be present.

CANCER LOVES NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENT

Research shows that the following elements contribute to the growth and progression of cancer:

• Sugar: a conduit for cancer cells. Cancer feeds on sugar. Avoid it.

• Increased insulin: promotes the growth of cancer cells.

• Toxins (destroy your mitochondria and gut health): environmental toxins, mould, BPA, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, heavy metals.

• Chronic stress: increases your cortisol levels and weakens your immune system.

• Oxidative stress: occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals (reactive oxygen species) and the body’s ability to neutralise or detoxify these harmful molecules (antioxidant defences). Oxidative stress can cause damage to cells, tissues, and organs.

• Cancer thrives when there is lack of rest or inadequate sleep.

• Processed foods: cancer thrives in unhealthy diets.

• Negative thoughts and feelings.

• Lack of spiritual connection may create a general feeling of emptiness or lack of meaning in one’s life. This may also increase a sense of disengagement, or detachment from deeper and more meaningful aspects of life.

• Isolation (voluntary or involuntary): being separated or cut-off from others.

• Loneliness: lack of meaningful social connections, which may characterise feelings of sadness, emptiness or longing for companionship

• Lack of purpose: having no sense of meaning to life or feeling disconnected. Lacking direction in relationships, daily activities or work endeavours

• Lack of exercise: a sedentary lifestyle or a failure to engage in regular physical activity. This can have negative effects on your physical, mental, and emotional health

CANCER HATES POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT

Starve cancer to feed your health. The elements where cancer does not thrive include:

• Improved energy: oxygenating your body through deep breathing exercises, physical exercise (strength training, flexibility, core, balance, and endurance), ice baths and hot saunas help to boost the immune system, flush out toxins from your lymph system, reset the autonomic nervous system, increase circulation and increase blood flow to the brain.

• Adequate nutrition: organic fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, spices, healthy fats, herbs, herbal teas, water, vitamins and minerals.

• Positive thoughts: optimise your mind optimistically and constructively.

• Shutting off the supply of increased insulin and carbohydrates in the body.

• Interconnectedness: surround yourself with people who support your choices and who care about you on your good days as well as the bad days.

• Fasting (with doctor’s supervision): activates autophagy, which builds and repairs damaged cells.

• Mindfulness: prayer, meditation, journalling and expressing appreciation.

• Doing what brings you joy and makes you feel most alive.

• Spending time outdoors: rivers, beaches, mountains, parks, home garden.

• SMILE: always find a reason to smile even when it seems difficult to do so. Smiling doesn’t always mean you are happy, sometimes it simply means that you are strong!

• Following your intuition: trusting your inner feelings, instincts, or gut reactions when making decisions. Relying on your subconscious knowledge and beliefs to guide you.

• Rest!

The smartest doctor in the room is your body, so promote yourself to the CEO of your own health and wellness. Treat the soil NOT the plant. Acknowledge that the body is an ecosystem, as it operates on the fundamental pillars of: Spiritual, Emotional, Mental, Physical and Nutritional practices for optimised health and wellness.

So, regardless of your treatment options, starving cancer to feed your health is applicable to everyone.

We have CONTROL over the future of our existence!

Self-care IS healthcare!

Love and light!

Klandine Thomas is the host and producer of IMPACT 360° with Klandine. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and impact360ja@outlook.com