Cancer: How The Mainstream Got It Wrong Again

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Cancer is one of those words that provokes a sense of fear in most of us. This is hardly surprising, given the statistics... like those which show how 1 in 3 of us will be affected by the disease at some stage in our lives... and whilst statistics may just be a bunch of numbers on paper for some people, the reality is much more hard-hitting if you or a loved one receives a diagnosis.

In my immediate family and close circle of friends, I’ve already seen loved ones suffering - and some even dying - from colon, skin and breast cancer. I am 37... Three years ago, I went through a very distressing time after I was told that there was a possibility I may have prostate cancer. Luckily the doctors got it all wrong... but it was a watchful wait I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy - believe me you don't want a cancer diagnosis hanging over you!

After that experience, one thing is crystal clear in my mind: Cancer needs to be talked about, no matter how scary or how personal it may be.

If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it

Of course, no one is going to think about a disease (let alone talk about it), until it directly affects them, which is one of the main reasons why people don’t act preventatively!

Infuriating as it is, the majority of people don’t realise that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 85 per cent of all cancers are entirely avoidable and half of these are related to nutritional deficiencies.

Even more galling, is that when people start to act or think preventatively, the mainstream cashes in on the fact that Joe Public has been conditioned to believe that pharmaceutical drugs are the answer.

Take cardiovascular disease (CVD) for example, Big Pharma has been relentless in its efforts to establish the idea that cholesterol-lowering, side effect ridden statin drugs are the be-all-and-end-all when it comes to successfully preventing CVD... This could not be further from the truth!

Earlier this week, a panel of cancer experts, writing in Lancet Oncology, suggested that drugs like tamoxifen could reduce the chances of developing breast cancer... Obviously, cancer is now the mainstream's next target... once again they're determined to make people believe that dangerous pharmaceuticals are the only viable option..

Professor Jack Cuzick, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary, University of London, expressed his hope that current trials on tamoxifen might eventually persuade the National Institute for Clinical Health and Excellence (NICE), the UK health watchdog, to back it as a preventative treatment.

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Are drugs really the only way out?

Other related research, was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. It showed the results of the first large study comparing five years on tamoxifen to just two years on the drug, over a 10-year follow-up period...

Let the results speak for themselves: Cancer returned in 46 per cent of the women who took tamoxifen for two years, but in just 40 per cent of the women who took it for five years.

Just 40 per cent? Six fewer in every 100?

Which begs me to ask the question: With results like this, is it really worth pushing this drug forward as an effective preventative measure?

And we haven't even talked about side effects yet!

When asked to explain the risk-benefit ratio of tamoxifen, Prof. Cuzick said: "For every 1,000 women on tamoxifen for 10 years, we estimate there would be 20 fewer breast cancers. But there would be three more womb cancers and six more deep vein thromboses."... yet, he still wants NICE to back tamoxifen as a preventative treatment?!

As is the case with most medicines, it comes down to an assessment of risks versus benefits... this is especially important when considering whether to give healthy individuals a drug as a preventative measure.

So before healthy individuals jump on the ‘Big Pharma Cures All’ bandwagon, they should first take a look at the side effects tamoxifen can cause:

• In patients treated with tamoxifen for metastatic breast cancer, the most frequent adverse reaction to the drug is hot flushes;



• Increased bone and tumour pain and, also, local disease flare ups have occurred;



• Constipation, coughing, muscle pain, nausea, tiredness, vaginal discharge and weight loss;



• Severe allergic reactions like rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, and unexplained hoarseness;



• Abnormal menstrual periods, abnormal vaginal bleeding or bloody discharge, chest pain, coughing up blood, dark urine, decreased sexual desire or ability, and depression;



• Fever, chills, or persistent sore throat, and groin or pelvic pain or pressure;



• Loss of appetite, loss of balance or coordination, missed menstrual periods, new or unusual lumps, one- sided weakness, pain or swelling in one or both legs, red, swollen, blistered and/or peeling skin;



• Severe or persistent tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath, skin changes, stomach pain, sudden severe headaches, swelling of the arms or the legs, unusual bleeding or bruising, vision or speech problems and yellowing of the eyes or skin.

It shouldn’t be difficult to make up your mind after reading through this list...

The truth is, there are many other safer alternatives that can successfully help prevent the disease... sadly they are being completely ignored by the mainstream. For instance, making simple changes to your lifestyle — such as taking regular exercise, eating healthily, avoiding smoking and reducing your alcohol intake — can really pay off and dramatically reduce your risk of developing cancer.

In her latest book, The Cancer Survival Manual—Tomorrow’s Cancer Breakthroughs Today, Rachael Linkie lifts the lid on innovative and cutting-edge cancer therapies you’re very unlikely to hear about from your doctor... or anywhere else for that matter. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to stay cancer-free, or increase their odds of making a successful recovery following a cancer diagnosis.

Cancer: Related Reading

Studies Reveal CoQ10’s Cancer-Fighting Potential

Mediterranean Diet Cuts Breast Cancer Risk in Older Women

The Most Promising Alternatives For Treating Cancer

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Sources:

‘Am I right to be taking tamoxifen?’ published online, 24.03.11, guardian.co.uk

‘Preventive medicine for breast cancer’ published online, 28.03.11, bbc.co.uk/blogs

‘Preventive therapy for breast cancer: a consensus statement’ published online 28.03.11, The Lancet Oncology, Early Online Publication, doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(11)70030-4

‘Tamoxifen Side Effects’ published online drugs.com