The 2016 “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” Lists Are Out
EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” for the first time rates strawberries as the #1 most toxic produce item. They are contaminated by pesticides linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental damage, hormone disruption and neurological problems. BUY ORGANIC!
30 Minutes Of Light Box Therapy Reduces Fatigue And Depression
The right kind of light exposure is critical for maintaining a healthful balance of key brain hormones. A light box might be the best prescription for you if your suffer from depression or fatigue, and you don’t get enough sunlight each morning.
Read our article on the benefits of light box therapy
Make Sure To Look For Potential Conflicts Of Interest When You Read Any Study
Always look at the financial conflicts of interest when reading any medical study. “Unfortunately, there is much evidence that financial conflicts of interest are in fact distorting medical research. Studies of drugs sponsored by manufacturers are more likely to conclude the drugs are beneficial than research sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. Worse, industry-sponsored research that does not show benefit is very often not published at all. For example, a review (published in NEJM, Jan. 17, 2008) of 74 company-sponsored clinical trials of antidepressants found that 37 of 38 positive studies — that is, studies that showed effectiveness — were published. But of the 36 negative studies — those that failed to show effectiveness — 33 were either not published, or published in a form that wrongly conveyed a positive outcome. The cumulative result of this sort of thing is that both the public and physicians come to believe that drugs are better and safer than they are.”
Social Support, Not Marriage, Per Se, Improves Cancer Outcomes
Having excellent social support improves cancer outcomes, not being “married,” per se. The cancer journey is not an easy one. Getting through cancer treatment, making it to your oncology appointments, catching side effects and complications early before they become more serious, following a more healthful lifestyle and not feeling scared and alone are just some of the factors that social support offers which improve cancer outcomes. I’ve seen many patients who are married and have terrible support from a spouse, and I’ve seen many unmarried patients do well because of an amazing team of loving friends.
You May Be Able To Slow The Growth Of GBM Brain Tumors With A Ketogenic-Like Diet
Mice on a very low carbohydrate, high fat diet survived 50% longer with glioblastoma brain tumors (GBM.) This diet is less stressful on the body than the ketogenic diet, and may increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation and chemotherapy. The fat used in this study was from medium-chain triglyceride oil, derived from coconuts, which is readily available and easy to add to diets. The investigators believe that this diet is more palatable to cancer patients because they can eat more carbohydrates and protein than they could on a classic ketogenic diet. Human trials are next.
That Thyroid Cancer You Had Might Not Be Cancer
Big news for thyroid cancer patients and survivors! 1 out of 6 people who were diagnosed with thyroid cancer will now need to be told that they actually never had cancer. A new classification of a common thyroid tumor now indicates that it is, in fact, not a cancer and requires no treatment (i.e. surgery and radioactive iodine.) If you’ve ever had thyroid cancer, find out if this new classification applies to you, as you will no longer need follow up for cancer.
More Reasons To Drink Filtered Water
Great video from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center that makes it clear why we need to drink filtered water. I recommend reverse osmosis filtration, although it unfortunately wastes 3 gallons of water for each gallon of purified water it produces.
Check out the EWG’s Water Filter Buying Guide
Lose Your Eyebrows After Chemotherapy? Check Out These 3-D Tattoos
3-D eyebrow tattoos are becoming a popular way to deal with the permanent loss of eyebrows after chemotherapy. Most of the time, eyebrows will grow back weeks-to-months after completing chemotherapy, but eyebrow tattoos may be a desirable option for those with permanent thinning.
Your Cancer Is Different Than Everyone Else’s. Selecting The Best Drugs Should Be Assay-Directed
The days of treating cancers based on their tissue of origin, instead of selecting a personalized regimen identified as likely effective on a functional drug sensitivity assay or a genetic/molecular assay, are numbered. One-size-fits all drug therapies be gone.
Read our article on one of Dr. Lawenda’s favorite cancer assays (EVA-PCD)
Walking 30+ Minutes Per Day Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk And Improves Outcomes
Men who walk greater than 30 minutes every day, before being diagnosed with prostate cancer, have a one-third lower risk of dying from their cancer. Previously reported studies have found that prostate cancer survivors who exercise after their diagnosis also have an improved prostate cancer specific survival. To me, the most important point in all of these studies is that walking is all that is needed to improve survival, not hardcore exercise.
Read our article: How To Begin An Exercise Routine (for cancer patients and survivors.)
If You Have An Early Stage Breast Cancer, This Test Will Tell You If Chemotherapy Is Recommended
Chemotherapy is not needed for breast cancer patients who have a low risk score on the MammaPrint test. MammaPrint looks at a panel of 70 genes within the tumor to assess its aggressiveness and the odds it will come back without chemotherapy. Tests like these will become standard for many cancers types over the next few years.
OncoType is another test that does essentially the same thing as MammaPrint.
Chemotherapy Hair Loss Can Be One Of The Most Upsetting Issues Experienced During Breast Cancer Treatment
This quote sums up why I counsel other oncologists to talk with their breast cancer patients about cold cap therapy: “Women who had chemotherapy as part of their treatment often described hair loss as even more traumatic than losing their breast(s)”
Read our article: Keep Your Hair With Scalp Cooling (“Cold Cap Therapy”) During Chemotherapy
98% Of Early Stage Prostate Cancers Eradicated Using This Non-Invasive, 5-Session Treatment
98% of prostate cancers eradicated with minimal side effects after receiving five 10-minute, non-invasive treatments. This treatment is called SBRT, an excellent alternative to surgery, radioactive seed implants and 9-weeks of radiation therapy, for the vast majority of men with prostate cancer. Long term outcomes (beyond 5 years) for side effects after prostate SBRT are still under investigation, but are looking very similar to other targeted radiation techniques which have proven to be safe and effective.
