Pancreatic Cancer – It Doesn’t Have To Mean The End

Perhaps for some of us pancreatic cancer was a lesser known cancer until we read or heard about it from the news. Actors Steve McQueen, Michael Landon, Patrick Swayze, tenor Luciano Pavarotti, and of course Apple’s founder Steve Jobs, all of whom battled with pancreatic cancer, and died as a result of it.

The pancreas contains two types of glands: exocrine glands that make enzymes to break down fats and proteins, and endocrine glands that make hormones insulin and glucagon to regulate sugar in the blood.

Pancreatic cancer originating from the exocrine glands is said to be more aggressive of the two. However unless detected early and operated, pancreatic cancer at its metastasized stage is deadly because it is difficult to treat. It has a depressingly low survival rate – very few make it beyond 5 years after diagnosis, just 4 to 5 percent. The incidence of pancreatic cancer increases with age, usually between 50 and 80 years of age.

Strategies Against Pancreatic Cancer

• Stop Smoking and Drinking
  Smoking and alcohol are believed to increase the risk.

• Diet and Exercise
  Eating a diet rich in clean and fresh fruits and vegetables, low in refined sugar and carbohydrates and exercising, cut risk.

• Colourful Flavonols
  In a first of its kind study, researchers from the German Institute of Human Nutrition noted that flavonols helped cut pancreatic cancer risk by about 25 percent and 59 percent for smokers. The three types of flavonols analysed were: quercetin, found in apples and onions; kaempferol, present in spinach and cabbage; and myricetin, found in berries and red onions.

  Flavonols are a class of flavonoids, which are known for their powerful antioxidant properties.

• Vitamin D
  Studies are showing a link between vitamin D and pancreatic cancer risk. Two studies from Harvard each found this correlation. One compared people taking 150 vs 600 international units (IU) (3.8 vs 15 mcg) vitamin D per day and reported a 40 percent lower cancer risk in people who took more vitamin D. The other study found a 35 percent lower risk for those with higher vitamin D blood levels. According to Vitamin D Council, taking 1000?4000 international units (IU) (25?100 mcg) daily of vitamin D may reduce pancreatic cancer risk.

An Alternative Treatment That Works

The Gonzalez regimen, named after Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez, is a nutritional protocol based on the findings of Drs John Beard and William Donald Kelley. The therapy is focused on treating cancer, including pancreatic cancer and has achieved success. Testimonies of those who underwent this treatment have survived 5-15 years after diagnosis. The regimen involves a strict diet, taking enzymes and supplements, and using coffee enemas.

The much reported NCI (National Cancer Institute) study stating that patients undergoing the the Gonzalez regimen had a shorter survival rate compared to those who underwent chemotherapy was not clearly represented. Hear about Dr. Gonzalez’s side of the story here for a better picture.

If all it takes is that we would change our unhealthy habits, take the right foods and supplements so as to reduce pancreatic cancer (or an other cancer) risk, prevention is within our reach and within our control.

To get a headstart on a full dietary and healthy lifestyle plan to help guard against cancer, check out the Total Health Breakthrough today.

[Source: Risk factors for cancer in hereditary pancreatitis, Medical Clinics of North America, 2000 84:565-73; Vitamin D and Pancreatic cancer; Flavonols and pancreatic cancer risk, American Journal of Epidemiology, 2007 166(8):924-31; Cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells exposed to eicosapentaenoic acid in vitro, British Journal of Cancer, 1996:74:1375-1383; Tolerance and incorporation of a high-dose eicosapentaenoic acid diester emulsion by patients with pancreatic cancer cachexia, Lipids 2001 36:347-51; Life Extension]

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