Is Lemon 10,000 Times Stronger Than Chemotherapy in Fighting Cancer?

A message purporting to be from the Institute of Health Sciences in Baltimore that claimed that lemon is a "miraculous product" that can kill cancer cells, is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy, and is "a proven remedy against cancers of all types" has been circulating on the internet for a while now.  Below is an example of such email:

Subject: FW: Lemon - kills Cancer Cells

The surprising benefits of lemon!

================================

Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 1201.
This is the latest in medicine, effective for cancer! 

Read carefully & you be the judge. 

Lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. 

Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy. How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large corporations? As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes. You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc... It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors. This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant, combats stress and nervous disorders.

The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that: It destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas ... The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect healthy cells.

Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Cause Street, Baltimore, MD1201

This claim sounds too good to be true, so I tried to find out the truth about this claim. And here it is:

Studies have indicated that citrus limonoids, a compound found in citrus fruits (including lime) targeted and stopped neuroblastoma cells in the lab which makes the compound promising as a potential anti-cancer agent. Also, research by the Texas Agriculture Experiment Station scientists but the claim that flavonoids and limonoids – nutrient-packed pigments that give colour and taste to fruit – may work against cancer in any of three ways: prevent it from forming, slow the growth of existing cancer, or kill cancer cells.

Also, report on the medicinal uses of lemon by the University of Florida EDIS noted that:

Citrus flavonoids have potential antioxidant (prevents aging), anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory activities, effects on capillarity, and cholesterol-lowering ability. The principal carotenoids in pink grapefruit are lycopene and beta-carotene. Lycopene-containing fruits and vegetables have been shown to contribute to a significant reduction in prostate and mammary cancer risk. Recent studies have further shown that limonoids inhibit the development of cancer in laboratory animals and in human breast cancer cells as well as reducing cholesterol. Researchers have also suggested that, if ingested, limonoids may not be absorbed in the large intestine, and therefore could be distributed throughout the body, with beneficial effects.

However, the claim that citrus fruits (especially lemon is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy has never been validated by a legitimate medical research.

Also, the email did not originate from the Health Sciences Institute of Baltimore as claimed by the widely circulated email. According to a spokesman of the institute, the information did not come from the institute. Below is his disclaimer in his own words (which is also available on their website):

The email and information in question did not come from the Health Sciences Institute. Whoever started this scam email did use some of our published material – which had nothing to do with lemons in any way – and inserted the information about lemons. It is erroneous and has caused us a great deal of trouble. However, most troubling is that it is giving false or un-tested medical advice to people suffering with cancer. Perhaps citrus fruits have some anti-cancer properties or perhaps they don’t (I’m not qualified to speak on that), but the one thing I know for certain is the provided “source” of this information – the Health Sciences Institute – did NOT publish this information. We had nothing to do with this email or the information it contains.

This alone put the integrity of the claim in serious doubt.

In conclusion, though scientific studies indicate compounds in citrus, including lemon, have real potential as anti-cancer agents, the message significantly exaggerates the potential of lemon as a cancer remedy, contains false and misleading information. Besides, for such important claims to be valid, it has to be validated by credible medical sources.

So, at best, the email is just another internet hoax!

Finger Length Can Predict Your Risk of Prostate Cancer

Men whose index fingers are longer than their ring, or fourth, fingers run a significantly lower risk of prostate cancer, according to a study published Dec. 1 in the British Journal of Cancer.

 

The chance of developing the disease drops by a third, and even more in younger men, the study found.

 

"Our results show that relative finger length could be used as a simple test for prostate cancer risk, particularly in men aged under 60," said Ros Eeles, a professor at theInstitute of Cancer Research in Britain and co-author of the study.

 

Finger pattern could help identify which men should undergo regular screening, especially in combination with genetic testing or other risk factors such as a family history of the disease, she said.

 

From 1994 to 2009, Eeles and colleagues questioned more than 1,500 prostate cancer patients in Britain, along with 3,000 healthy control cases.

 

For more than half the men, the index was shorter than the ring finger. Compared to this group, men whose index and ring fingers were the same length — 19 percent of the cohort — had a similar prostate cancer risk.

 

But when the index finger was longer, the risk of developing the disease dropped by 33 percent.

 

Men under 60 were 87 percent less likely to be in the cancer group.

 

The relative length of the two fingers in question — set before birth — appears to be a marker of different levels of sex hormones to which a baby is exposed in the womb, with less testosterone correlating with a longer index finger.

 

Earlier research has shown that testosterone promotes the growth of prostate cancer.

 

Underlying the unexpected connection between digits and cancer are two genes, HOXA and HOXD, that control both finger length and the development of sex organs.

 

Other studies have found a link between exposure to hormones before birth and the development of other diseases, including breast cancer and osteoarthritis.

 

Copyright 2010  AFP Global Edition

Top 4 Cancer-Causing Foods You Should Stop Eating Now

Today, cancer is estimated to hit about roughly one in three people; a statistic that should alarm anyone into taking preventative action in his life.

Pollution, genetics and diets are all contributing factors to how much cancer risk we expose ourselves to. While we may not have control over pollution or genetics, we can certainly take control with what we eat. Read on to see the top four pro-cancer foods you should start eating less of:

Potato chips and French fries are sadly found to be extremely  high in the carcinogen acrylamide, which the World Health Organisation has found to pose a "a major concern" to human health. Acrylamide is a chemical usually reserved for industrial purposes like making paper and plastics, but it is also formed in cooking when certain foods are heated to high temperatures - such as the frying of potatoes to make our salty fries and crunchy chips. Better to avoid exposure to this nasty chemical and make some baked sweet potato fries instead.

Also Read: Top 4 Cancer-Fighting Foods You Should Start Eating Now

Oxidized fats. Fats found in unsaturated oils, such as olive oil, canola oil, or other vegetable oils, become rancid when they are exposed to both air and heat. Typically, the amount of air exposure they receive during storage and cooking is nominal, but the heat treatment they get during frying or repeated usage in the kitchen become dangerous. Researchers have found oxidized fats to produce "a variety of mutagens, promoters, and carcinogens," all of which are related to the formation of the cancer. Reduce your exposure to fried foods of all sorts, including fried chicken, vegetable tempura or even the carnival favourite - churros.

Nitrites. Sodium nitrite is a chemical additive that preserves the appearance and integrity of certain foods, usually processed meats, bacon and hot dogs. Cured foods like smoked fish will also usually contain nitrites (check the labels). This well-intended chemical becomes carcinogenic when it combines with the amines in the protein-rich food (exactly the animal foods they are applied to in the first place), and the carcinogen nitrosamine is formed as the by-product.

Grilled or charcoaled foods. Researchers have shown that the longer foods are exposed to intense direct heat - especially meat foods - the more carcinogens, called heterocyclic amines, are produced.

Are you at risk of Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a health condition in which cancer cells develop in the tissues of the cervix. The cervix is the neck of the uterus, and marks the upper end of the vagina. Globally, it is the second most common type of cancer found in women after breast cancer (according to Woman Health Sexual Resource Centre).

In its earliest stage, cervical cancer usually gives no symptoms. At late stage, irregular bleeding or pain during or after coitus, or vaginal discharge is suggestive of more advanced state of the disease.

All women are at risk of developing cervical cancer while several factors can increase a woman's risk of developing the disease. According to the American Cancer society, these are some of the factors that can increase a woman's risk of cervical cancer.

• History of sexually transmitted disease especially infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This is sexually transmitted infection which is transmitted through skin to skin contact with an HPV infected genital area.

• Smoking cigarettes. This expose the body to cancer-causing chemicals (known as carcinogens) which can damage the DNA in the cells of the cervix making cancer more likely to occur there.

• A diet low in fruits and vegetables. Women who don't eat many fruits and vegetables miss out on protective antioxidants and phyto-chemicals such as vitamins A,C,B and beta-carotene which have all been shown to help prevent not only against cervical cancer but other forms of cancer.

• A compromised immune system related to certain illness such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and tuberculosis can increase one's susceptibility. A compromised immune system is less able to fight cancers.

• A family history of cervical cancer is another major predisposition. If one's mother or sister had cervical cancer, it may imply one has a genetic tendency or high risk for the disease.

• Long term use of oral contraceptives (OC) for up to 5 years or more may slightly increase a woman's risk of cancer of the cervix.

• Women with multiple sexual partners.

• Early exposure to sexual intercourse (at less than 17 years of age).

• Sexual active females more than 35 years old who do not screen regularly.

• Virgin girls not getting HPV vaccine (this is the vaccine for prevention of the virus causing 90% of cervical cancer, its protection efficacy is about 70% and protect better when received before a lady becomes sexually active).

Women of all ages are at risk of cervical cancer. it is important that all, even  postmenopausal women continue having regular pap smear if they still have a cervix.

Pap smear is the process of scrapping the cells of the cells to be studied for any abnormal, precancerous or cancerous cells.

WHEN WAS YOUR LAST PAP SMEAR DONE?

Top 4 Cancer-Fighting Foods You Should Start Eating Now

Today, cancer is estimated to hit about roughly one in three people; a statistic that should alarm anyone into taking preventative action in his life.

Pollution, genetics and diets are all contributing factors to how much cancer risk we expose ourselves to. While we may not have control over pollution or genetics, we can certainly take control with what we eat. Read on to see the top four anti-cancer foods you should be eating more of:

Berries. Fresh berries, particularly those with dark and purple hues, have been well-documented to contain strong doses of antioxidants which can help to prevent cancer. In addition, a powerful chemical known as phytoalexin has been shown to have inhibitory effects on the process of carcinogenesis, giving even more proof to consumers that these delicious sweet treats of nature deserve to be our daily desserts.

Turmeric. The yellow, slightly pungent spice used in Indian cuisine may have much to offer as an anti-carcinogen. It contains a chemical called curcumin which has been shown to inhibit cancer formation in cells. Spice up your tofu scrambles and baked fish fillets with a few dashes of this healing powder.

Tomato products. Lycopene has been proven time and again to be a strong anti-carcinogen in research laboratories. Tomato products, from tomato sauce to tomato paste, may contribute greatly to prostate cancer risk reduction.

Cruciferous vegetables. You probably can still hear your mother nagging into your ear at the dinner table: "Finish your broccoli!" But, she was right! Broccoli as well as cabbage, kale and other cruciferous vegetables, contain both antioxidants as well as minerals like selenium, which prevent cancer in a number of ways: Protecting the cells against oxidation; increasing detoxification of the cells; decreasing carcinogenic activity of the body; and slowing tumor growths. So eat your cabbage!

Pap Smear: The 5-Minute Test That Saves Women’s Lives [VIDEO]

A Pap smear test is a screening test to check for changes in the cells of your cervix which may develop into cancer later. It is a simple procedure where cells are collected from your cervix and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The test takes only a few minutes and can be done by a nurse or a doctor.

All woman aged between 25 and 69 years old who ever have had sex are advised to have a Pap smear done once every 3 years.

Where can I have a Pap smear done?

The Pap smear is available at general practitioner clinics and all polyclinics.

How do I prepare myself for the Pap smear?

• Schedule your appointment 2 weeks after the start of your menstrual period
• Avoid sexual intercourse 48 hours before the test
• Do not use spermicides, vaginal creams, lubricant jellies, vaginal medications or tampons two days before the test.
• Wear a two piece outfit as you would need to undress from waist down.

What happens at a Pap smear appointment?

The diagram shows what typically happens when a woman attends for Pap smear appointment at the polyclinic.

How is Pap smear test done?

The Pap smear test is a quick and simple test. First, you will be asked to lie down. A small instrument called a speculum will be inserted into your vagina to get a clear view of your cervix (neck of the womb). The nurse or doctor will then use a small brush to collect some cells from your cervix and smear them onto a glass slide. The cell sample will be sent to the laboratory for tests. The video below explains the procedure better.

Will the procedure be painful?

You may experience some discomfort during the procedure. To help you relax, take slow deep breaths as the speculum is inserted. If you feel pain, inform the doctor or nurse immediately.

Can cervical cancer be treated?

Yes, cervical cancer can be treated. It is important that you have a Pap smear test once every 3 years so that the cancer can be detected early, when treatment is most effective.

How to Prevent Cancer for Free

www.stayinghealthyplus.com

8 Top Tips in Reducing Your Cancer Risk

There are so many reports in the media about what might give you cancer and what might protect you from it that it is easy to become confused. The good news is that up to three quarters of some cancers can be prevented. So  what are the most important things you can do to keep yourself healthy and to lower your risk of cancer? Here are the eight top tips:

1. Don’t smoke. Smoking is the number one preventable cause of cancer. In addition to causing most cases of lung cancer, it substantially increases the risk of cancers of the upper airway, stomach, mouth, tongue, bladder and liver. The best idea is not to start smoking at all, but the good news is that even if you smoke, your risk of these cancers starts declining about two years after you quit smoking. The sooner you do so, the more your risk comes down. The other good news is that if you stop smoking you decrease your risk of a whole range of other chronic illnesses including heart disease, emphysema and bronchitis.

2. Keep your weight in the healthy range. Being overweight or obese is one of the most important single risk factors for a number of cancers including cancers of breast, colon, kidney, pancreas, uterus and oesophagus. Try and keep your weight in the healthy zone and you’ll also reduce your risk of diabetes.

3. Exercise regularly. You’ll feel better for it and you’ll reduce your risk of two of the most common cancers; colon and breast. You’ll also be less likely to develop heart disease and osteoporosis.

4. Drink little or no alcohol. Drinking alcohol is related to cancers of the breast, colon and liver. Even a little bit of regular alcohol increases the risk of these cancers, so minimise your intake.

5. Eat a healthy and varied diet. Keep your calorie count within a healthy range, and eat plenty of plant-based foods including fruit, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Keep your diet low in salt, animal fats and processed meats. You’ll reduce your risk of cancers of breast, colon, oesophagus and stomach, and you’ll also reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

6. Avoid excess sun exposure. The sun causes thousands of skin cancers every year. Keep out of the sun in the middle of the day, wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses and use sunscreen.

7. Get regular screening. There is good evidence that being screened regularly for breast, cervical and bowel cancers reduces your risk of dying from those cancers as long as the screening is carried out as part of an organised programme. The evidence for prostate cancer screening is not so clear and it is important to be aware of the risks and benefits before being screened.

8. Avoid chronic infections. Certain chronic infections can increase your risk of cancer. For example, chronic carriers of Hepatitis B and C have a higher risk of developing primary liver cancer, and human papilloma virus (HPV) causes most cervical cancers. So practice safe sex, vaccinate girls against HPV and get Hepatitis B  vaccinations if they are recommended.        

5 Ways to Scratch Recharge Cards without Risk of Skin Cancer

Sometimes ago, the news was all over the place: social media, mass media, emails, text messages and every other imaginable places about an health alert reportedly emanating from the United States about the danger of contacting skin cancers from scratching recharge cards with your nails.

Below is a sample of the warning:

“ATTENTION. Medical Research Authority of the US have found new cancers in human being caused by ‘Silver Nitro Oxide’. Whenever you buy recharge cards or calling cards, don’t scratch them with your nails as it contain ‘Silver Nitro Oxide’ coating and can cause skin cancer. Copy and paste this message and spread awareness please”

A careful analysis of the message however revealed the following fundamental flaws:

• ·         There is no scientific evidence for any chemical called ‘Silver Nitro Oxide’. There are two chemical compounds with similar names: Nitrous oxide (Laughing gas) and Nitric oxide (a diataomic gas that plays a role as a cell signalling molecule in mammals) neither of which is used as coating for scratch cards or causes any form of skin cancer.

• ·         The coating of recharge cards are made from specialized latex or Ultraviolet (UV) inks. UV inks are a mixture of coloured monomers, oligomers and photo-initiators which become active on exposure to UV light to form a solid plastic polymer.

• ·         Latex which are used in making this coatings are also used in making more than 40,000 everyday products including mattresses, gloves, condoms, swim caps and balloons all of which have no known link with cancer.

• ·         The organisation mentioned in the alert, “Medical Research Authority of the US” does not exist in the United States or anywhere in the world. The closest one can find, from search engine suggestions is the US-based Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) whose website does not have any information supporting this claims.

The about stated facts thus clearly confirms that, this is another internet hoax.

However, there are still reasons to exercise caution when scratching recharge card coatings with your fingers. The reasons are not farfetched:

• ·         There have been reports of allergy to latex and this has been well documented in medical circles.

• ·         The causes of cancers are yet to be fully elucidated and there might just be an element of fact in this alert after all, I guess you don’t want to be a “guinea pig” in finding the link between recharge card coatings and skin cancer.You should therefore minimize your contact with the coating as much as possible if you can.

Below are 5 (five) methods that help you achieve this:

• ·         Use a coin – the edge of a coin works just fine

• ·         Use a car key or any other suitable key – you must be a bit careful with this as there is a risk of over-scratching and you losing the digits that may be hard to guess.

• ·         Sand – pour a small quantity of fine sand on the coating and rub gently.

• ·         Chalk – you read that right, chalk! The one used in classrooms. Get a piece of chalk; rub it on the coating just like you are erasing pencil marks with eraser. It works!

• ·         Your nails – we have just shown that this is an internet hoax anyway. However, if you are allergic to latex you should consider using the other methods.

Staying healthy is a healthy venture, so you should consider taking notes of these tips too.

The top five cancer-causing foods

1. Hot Dogs
Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.

2. Processed meats and Bacon
Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.

3. Doughnuts
Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.

4. French fries
Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .

5. Chips, crackers , and cookies
All are usually made with white flour and sugar.. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.