ANTI-CANCER DIET: NIGHTSHADE FAMILY – CAPSICUM, EGGPLANT, POTATOES AND TOMATOES

Capsicum or green peppers are rich in phytochemicals and tend to decrease the incidence of stomach cancer. This little vegetable is extremely rich in vitamin Ñ and bioflavonoids (Vitamin P). Vitamin P is essential for the absorption of vitamin C, making capsicum better in value than a vitamin Ñ tablet. Capsicum is an optimal provider of living nutrients including iodine and vitamin A.

Eggplant may help prevent cancer by counteracting possible cancer agents found in the diet. Eggplant contains gallic acid, which prevents many carcinogens from causing chromosome mutations in cells.

Potatoes may prevent cell mutations that lead to cancer, due to their chlorogenic acid content. A regular intake of potatoes is believed to prevent several types of cancer. Ensure that you do not consume green potatoes and be careful how you cook potatoes. Potatoes should be cooked with the skin on to ensure that the potassium and other essential nutrients are not lost in the cooking process. Potatoes are a good source of magnesium, sulphur, silicon, iodine and chlorine. Being a starchy food, they are able to provide an abundance of energy. Potato juice is an age-old treatment for liver cancer.

Tomatoes are believed to prevent several forms of cancer, particularly stomach, lung and breast cancer. Two phytochemicals in tomatoes (p-coumaric and chlorogenic acid) prevent the formation of cancer-causing digestive nitrosamines. Tomatoes also stimulate the growth or regeneration of liver tissue. Strawberries, grapes, carrots, green peppers and other fruits and vegetables are also rich in these cancer-fighting substances. Tomatoes are believed to significantly decrease the risk of developing bladder and prostate cancer. In addition, tomatoes contain another cancer fighting substance called lycopene. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that reduces the risk of cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, prostate, colon and rectum. Lycopene helps to guard against the toxic effects or radiation therapy, especially burning of tissues.

The lycopene content in tomatoes is dramatically increased in products such as tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes and tomato powder. The rich intake of tomato products in Mediterranean countries may be the prime reason why their native people have a lower incidence of prostate cancer and related problems.

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CANCER AND IMMUNE SYSTEM: SPECIAL TISSUE CELLS

Macrophages

These large cells, found in the liver, spleen and lymph, engulf foreign particles and protect against invasion by micro-organisms and damage to the lymphatic system. Macrophages are the ‘clever gobblers of the immune army’. They engulf a foreign agent and highlight their antibodies so the helper T cell can quickly identify the invaders. After marking the enemy cell, macrophages release lymphokines (interferon, interleukin-3 and 1) that attract more macrophages and WBCs to eliminate the invading threat.

Mast Cells

These are basophils that reside mainly along blood vessels and release histamine in response to allergic reactions.

Platelets

In addition to their role in clotting, platelets attract white blood cells to sites of injury.

Specialized Serum Factors/Lymphokines/Monokines

Interferon, interleukin 2 and complement fractions enhance the immune system, produced by white blood cells. These serum factors activate white blood cells to destroy cancer cells and viruses. Complement fractions are produced in the liver and involved in the final destruction of viruses, bacteria, immune complexes and cancer cells.

Antibodies

Antibodies or serum proteins known as immunoglobulins (Ig) serve as the primary cellular secretions of the humoral branch of the immune system. These  cell lymphocytes fall into the following categories:

IgG – main serum protein, coats micro-organisms leaving them open to destruction.

IgA – found in secretions such as milk, saliva and tears. Stops localized infections from spreading.

IgM – Initial immune response to foreign invaders.

IgE – These bind tightly to mast cells and basophils and are involved in allergic reactions.

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EMOTIONS EXPERIENCED DURING CANCER TREATMENT: WITHDRAWAL

As humans, we rarely want anyone to know about our faults. Think about when we’re courting the loves of our lives; initially we rarely let out our little treasure trove of bad habits. Our partner seems perfect and vice versa, and in an instant we’ve got starry eyes; we’re in love with most perfect person in the world. This is part of being human. We want our loved ones to know we are as close to perfect as possible, as we believe it attracts more admiration and attention, which is really a form of love. Love is what we all desire and what we all seek, from birth through to death. We forget that love is already present within our own hearts and what we should really be searching for and attaining is inner peace.

It is no wonder that when we develop a disease such as cancer, we experience the need or desire to withdraw from people we care for and society in general. Sometimes it just seems much easier to withdraw, to avoid the questions, which at this stage we may not have an answer for, or the answer we like. By withdrawing we do not have to face questions or to expose ourselves to pity – which can be humiliating for many. By slipping into our own world we do not have to admit to ourselves or to others that we are not perfect, in a world where most people are trying to act perfect.

It is difficult for those who have never had cancer to understand the complex feelings, emotions and questioning that the cancer patient experiences. Many people associate cancer with ‘stressed, weak or aged’ individuals. This is a total fallacy. It is another reason why people with cancer withdraw from society and loved ones, as they may become labeled in this category. A category considered imperfect. Society can be extremely judgmental and no one likes to be judged. Cancer patients find it easier to withdraw to avoid judgmental attitudes.

It’s really funny how complex we have made our lives. We mentally run in circles every day, worrying what people think of us, and we often go into hiding until we are happy with the way we look, or the way we feel. This is another reason cancer patients withdraw. ‘I will come back out when I look better or when my hair grows back’.

Choose wisely whom you tell your condition to, as many people are simply gossips and live for human tragedy. Share your feelings with understanding souls whom you love and trust with your heart and you are sure to feel safer and more supported in your fight against cancer. For family and friends in this situation, ensure the cancer patient knows how much you love them unconditionally, without expectations or conditions. The cancer patient needs to be reassured of your unconditional love especially during this unstable period.

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CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY: TREATMENTS USED TO COUNTERACT SIDE EFFECTS

Diarrhoea

Diet

Make sure you drink plenty of water, fruit and vegetable juices, and herbal teas to replace lost fluids and avoid dehydration. Drink the cleansing vegetable broth regularly (refer to recipes in Part Three of this book). Choose plain, bland foods and eat small frequent meals. Eat banana, pineapple or papaya juice, oat-bran, rice-bran, raw foods and yogurt.

• Avoid dairy products and coffee.

• Watermelon juice should be drunk regularly.

Vitamins and Nutrients

• Essential fatty acids aid in forming healthy stools. Eg DHA/EPA, flaxseed oil.

• Take acidophilus powder or capsules to replace friendly bacteria.

• Psyllium husk or a fibre formula may be beneficial.

• Glutamine repairs intestines damaged by chemotherapy. Take 1 to 4 gm per day.

Herbs

• Use cinnamon in tea (1 teaspoon per cup) or on food. OR

• Goldenseal, citrus seed extract, oregon grape, barberry root bark, pau d’arco or raspberry leaves are useful. OR

• Slipper}’ elm bark is soothing to the digestive tract. OR

• Charcoal tablets (4 tablets/hour with water until diarrhoea subsides).

Herbal Teas

• Try either chamomile, dandelion tea, peppermint, pau d’arco, papaya or raspberry leaf tea to ease diarrhoea.

Effects on the Mouth

Once again, diet is an important factor. Mouth ulcers, metallic taste in the mouth, a furry or coated tongue, sore throat and dry mouth are common symptoms experienced. Mouth ulcers are often caused from a zinc deficiency.

Diet

• Eat plenty of clear vegetable soups with brown rice. Use a food blender to blend foods.

Avoid extremes of temperature and highly spiced foods.

• Avoid alcohol and cigarettes.

• Figs contain demulcents, which soothe the mouth, oesophagus and digestive tract.

• Suck on natural ice blocks or ice cubes made from fresh juice. Natural fruit sorbet helps to

keep your mouth moist and feeling fresh.

Vitamins and Nutrients

• Glutamine helps to protect the body’s mucosa and prevents mouth ulcers. Glutamine soothes

and relieves the pain of and quickly heals sores in the mouth.

• Vitamin E reduces the occurrence of oral mucositis 250 iu to 500 iu/day.

• Zinc and L-lysine are useful in healing mouth ulcers. Take 4 ml of zinc liquid per day or an

80 mg zinc tablet or suck on zinc and L-lysine lozenges.

• Â complex vitamins are essential in preventing mouth ulcers.

Herbs

• Add 5 to 10 drops of myrrh oil or myrrh tincture and add to a glass of water. Use as a

mouthwash – good for healing mouth ulcers.

• Another powerful and useful herb for healing/preventing ulcers is red sage.

• Aloe vera juice is also very soothing and healing on mucous membranes. Drink 1/4 cup

morning and night.

Other Advice

• Brush teeth with a soft toothbrush. Use a small amount of bicarbonate soda/water after eating

(1/4 teaspoon in 1/2 glass of water).

• Use a natural lip balm or beeswax to keep lips moist.

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DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER: ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES

Environmental causes are believed to contribute to a vast majority of different cancers. Below are some suspected environmental cancer-causing agents.

• Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, benzo (a) pyrene, dibenzo (a) anthracene and 1-nitropyrene are produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Benzene is used to make other chemicals which are then used to make resins, rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, pesticides, nylon and synthetic fibres. It is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke. Benzene is a cancer causing agent that may lead to leukemia and cancers of other blood forming organs. These hydrocarbons are known to be breast carcinogens.

• Cadmium, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, from environmental exposure.

• Chloroform (chlorine vapors produced in hot showers) is another risk factor. In studies, animals that ate or drank water containing chloroform developed cancer of the liver and kidneys, indicating that this chemical may be a possible cancer risk.

• Chronic exposure to electromagnetic frequencies omitted by power lines, unshielded video, computer terminals, television, radio waves and electric blankets all increase the risk of developing cancer.

• Asbestos is the name given to six fibrous minerals that occur naturally in nature. However, asbestos is tough and fibrous and is commonly used in building materials, friction products such as brake pads, heat resistant fabrics, packaging and even in some talc products. Asbestos has been classed as a ‘carcinogen’ that may cause cancer in some people. In fact, a combination of cigarette smoking and asbestos dramatically increases one’s chances of developing lung cancer.

• Excessive exposure to gamma rays can cause various forms of cancer.

• Excessive ultraviolet exposure from the sun and sun lamps.

• Formaldehyde is a proven carcinogen.

• Iatrogenic causes from x-rays and chemotherapeutic drugs (unless used in conjunction with the amino acid – glutamine).

• Industrial and agricultural chemicals and pesticides (including chlordane and heptachlor). Chlordane is a man-made pesticide that was used on crops such as corn and citrus. It was banned in the US in 1988, however it can stay in soils for over twenty years. It causes serious health problems and small amounts of chlordane given to mice leads to liver cancer.

• Many types of cough medicine may be carcinogenic (high chloroform content).

• Pink fluorescent light increases the risk of some forms of cancer. White fluorescent light is thought to be safer.

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is strongly suspected of causing some forms of cancer (particularly brain tumours).

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SYPHILIS: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The symptoms of syphilis are numerous and varied. Any organ system can be affected. Those who have compromised immune systems, such as persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), may have a more aggressive course of infection and less typical symptoms.

Syphilis is divided into early and late stages of infection. Early infection is further subdivided into primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, and early latent syphilis. Late infection is also subdivided, into late latent syphilis, tertiary syphilis, and neurosyphilis. How long the infection has been present and the nature of the symptoms determine which stage of infection is present, what type of treatment is necessary, and for how long it must be administered.

After infection with syphilis, symptoms of primary syphilis can take between ten and ninety days to appear, with the average interval being around three weeks. The first symptom is an ulcer, called a chancre, which is usually painless. There is usually only one chancre, which occurs at the site where infection took place. This can be on any area of the skin or on any mucous membrane. Rarely, the lesion is slightly painful, especially if there is a secondary infection with skin bacteria. (Other STDs that can cause similar symptoms are herpes, chancroid, and granuloma inguinale. A swab taken from the chancre is usually seen to contain the syphilis-causing bacterium, Treponema pallidum, when examined under the microscope. There is usually a nonpainful swelling of the lymph nodes in the area of the infection. Often the infected person does not realize that he or she is infected, especially since a painless lesion is easy to miss, particularly if it is in the vagina or on the cervix for a woman or in the urethra for a man. The lesion usually disappears on its own after a few weeks without treatment.

If a person is not diagnosed and treated at this point, then, several months later, symptoms of secondary syphilis can appear. This stage occurs when the syphilis-causing bacterium enters the bloodstream from the lesion. It can seed any organ and cause a variety of symptoms, including

—A red, flat, nonitching rash over the whole body, including the palms and soles

— Swelling of the lymph nodes throughout the body

— Fever

— Sore throat —Joint aches

— Headaches

— Patchy hair loss

—Wart-like lesions in the genital area that are not warts but manifestations of secondary syphilis

There can also be painless lesions on the mucous membranes and neurological changes, among other symptoms. People with secondary syphilis may also feel like they have the flu, and in fact these symptoms are so vague that they can easily be mistaken for other medical problems. All of these symptoms will eventually resolve without causing further problems, but this does not mean that the infection has gone away.

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RECOMMENDED DOSAGES

FOR THE TREATMENT OF HERPES OUTBREAKS
MEDICATION
DOSAGE
FIRST EPISODE OF GENITAL INFECTION
Acyclovir
400 mg by mouth three times a day for ten days, or 200 mg by mouth five times a day for ten days
Valacyclovir
1000 mg by mouth twice a day for ten days
Famciclovir
250 mg by mouth three times a day for ten days
RECURRENT EPISODIC GENITAL INFECTION
Acyclovir
400 mg by mouth three times a day for five days, or 200 mg by mouth five times a day for five days
Valacyclovir
500 mg by mouth twice a day for five days
Famciclovir
125 mg by mouth twice a day for five days
SUPPRESSION OF GENITAL INFECTIONS
Acyclovir Valacyclovir
400 mg by mouth twice a day

500 mg by mouth once a day or 250 mg by mouth twice a day for those with nine or fewer outbreaks a year, and 1000 mg once a day for those with ten or more outbreaks a year
Famciclovir
250 mg by mouth twice a day
TREATMENT OF COLD SORES
Acyclovir
400 mg by mouth three times a day for five days, or 200 mg by mouth five times a day for five days
Penciclovir cream
Applied every two hours while awake for four days
SUPPRESSION OF COLD
Acyclovir
400 mg by mouth twice a day

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STD GENITAL WARTS: TREATMENT

About 20 percent of small warts disappear on their own without treatment. Therefore someone who has a history of warts may want to delay treatment for a few weeks to determine whether the new wart will resolve on its own. For someone who has difficulty in identifying warts, a visit to a health care provider is probably a good idea.

The goal of treatment is getting rid of the visible warts, since as yet there is no way to get rid of the virus once infection has taken place. Although some people may spontaneously clear the virus once they are infected, no treatment clears the virus completely. Treating the entire genital area using the methods described here—most of which destroy the skin cells in which the virus resides—has not proven effective in eliminating the HPV, and it is extremely painful. If the warts are irritating, uncomfortable, or cosmetically unacceptable, then treatment is recommended.

There is no good evidence that treating the warts eliminates the risk of transmission to others, but it may at least decrease the risk. Treatment of the warts also does not eliminate the possibility of recurrences. In fact, most people who have symptomatic warts will experience recurrences. Warts can be difficult to treat in people who smoke, women who are pregnant, people whose immune systems are suppressed (from cither drugs such as steroids or medical conditions such as AIDS), and people with autoimmune diseases such as lupus or skin conditions such as eczema.

Vaccines are being developed that may prevent people from becoming infected with the warts virus and may possibly aid in the treatment of warts in people who are already infected. Until they become available, however, the following treatments are recommended. You and your health care provider should together decide which treatment is best for you.

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FOR SAFE OR SAFER SEX: EXPLORE “OUTERCOURSE” INSTEAD OF INTERCOURSE

Not all sexual pleasure has to derive from penetrative intercourse, although as a culture we are often programmed to think this. Outeicouise is a term used to describe sexual contact that does not include penetrative anal, oral, or genital intercourse and the exchange of body fluids. Many people have found creative ways to derive pleasure through outercourse in the era of HIV Masturbation in each other’s presence, sharing fantasies, hugging and dry kissing, the use of sex toys that are not shared, and sensual massage are all options for safer sex.

Masturbation is a safe option for sexual pleasure, whether or not a person is in a sexual relationship. Masturbation can be done either alone or with a partner, either masturbating individually in each other’s presence or masturbating each other, a practice called “mutual masturbation.” Masturbation is a normal release of sexual tension and pleasurable for both men and women. Many people masturbate, but there is still a taboo about discussing it, and a number of people still grow up thinking that it is “dirty” or immoral. In fact, masturbation allows a person to explore his or her own genital area and learn what is sexually pleasing, and it provides a safe and healthy alternative to sex with a partner if a person is not currently in a relationship. All the myths about physical harm coming to people if they masturbate are simply that: myths. They have no basis in fact.

Touching your partner’s genitals or anal area during masturbation could possibly result in STD transmission. You may want to use some method of protection, such as latex gloves for the whole hand or a finger cot for just the finger. Latex gloves can be purchased in most pharmacies, and finger cots can be purchased from stores or mail-order businesses that sell sex toys. Lubricants can be used with these devices to enhance sexual pleasure. Oil-based lubricants may cause latex products to break more easily, so be sure to use a non-oil-based lubricant with latex gloves (and with latex condoms as well).

Sensual massage is another option. Many people derive pleasure from being sensually touched in areas other than the genital area. This can be done before intercourse, as a form of foreplay, or instead of intercourse. Sensual massage allows people to explore other types of sexual pleasure that can enhance their sex lives. It is also a safe sexual practice if o body fluids are exchanged.

There are many other outer course options, limited only by are generally safe, and they can also be a lot of fun.

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SYMPTOMS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN BOTH MEN AND WOMEN: GENITAL SORES, RASHES, ABRASIONS, OR BUMPS

Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale). Even rarer in the United States than chancroid, donovanosis also causes genital ulcers, which can persist for a very long time if left untreated. Usually the lesions continue to enlarge over time and can form large, beefy-red heaped-up sores in the genital area. These lesions may be difficult to distinguish from those of skin cancer without a biopsy.

Epidermoid cysts. Epidermoid cysts are yellow bumps that can occur anywhere on the skin, but the genital area, particularly on the scrotum, is a common location. These cysts do not hurt or itch, but they can become larger and painful if infected with bacteria.

Herpes. The classic herpes lesions are painful blisters or ulcers in the genital area. However, there are many exceptions to this rule. The reactivation of the herpes virus may cause a recurrent red, itchy, or tingling area on the genital skin or buttocks; a small slit in the skin; or a typical blister or ulcer. There may be a discharge from the vagina and diffuse or localized itching or tingling in the genitals. There may be pain down the back of the legs or lymph node swelling in the groin. There are many variations from person to person, and sometimes from outbreak to outbreak in the same person. Herpes lesions will usually spontaneously resolve whether or not they are treated, but the infection is not gone and may recur with time.

Infected hair follicles (folliculitis). Hair follicles anywhere on the body can become infected with staphylococcus, a bacterium that is normally present on the skin. Folliculitis tends to occur most often where the skin is rubbed with clothing, such as the thighs, pubic area, belt line, and buttocks. It is not a sexually transmitted disease. The infection may involve one hair follicle or many, and it is revealed by the presence of tiny pimples on a small red area of skin, each with a hair follicle in the center. Sometimes the infection can spread and cause infection of the surrounding skin, called cellulitis. Although cleansing the area with a mild soap generally clears up the infection, sometimes topical or oral antibiotics are necessary as well.

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