Skin Cancer
Skin Cancer Treatments The Gerson Therapy
When a person is diagnosed with skin cancer they will face very few possible treatment plans from their health care provider. The initial treatment will consist of the surgical removal of the tumor. The next step will depend on whether the tumor is a melanoma or not. Then the alternatives will be between radiation therapy and chemotherapy. But what of the many other alternatives out there that are not offered to skin cancer patients. Are there some that should be considered? The Gerson Therapy is one very well known treatment plan.
The Gerson therapy plan goes by the philosophy that the immune system needs to be boosted to help the patient’s body fight off the skin cancer, or any other cancer. This therapy can be done at home by the patient on his or her own with materials gleaned from the Internet on the right way to practices this therapy. But it is suggested that instead the patient finds a clinic licensed in this treatment specialty and at least begin their treatment plan there. The treatment plan is always slightly modified to suit the individual patient’s requirements.
Dr. Gerson first wrote up his ideas on boosting the body’s immune system by using natural means in 1945. His theories seem to stand the test of time. His observations are that these cancers seem to be worse in cultures where mankind eats too many prepackaged foods with additives. He believed that man needed to use the natural things we grow to purify and boost the patient’s ability to fight off the cancer. What Gerson promoted was the consumption of organically grown fruits and vegetables daily. On his plan the patient is to drink one glass of fresh organically grown juice every hour for a total of thirteen hours daily. The patient must eat three vegetarian meals daily as well and they should consist of a salad, a vegetable soup, cooked vegetables, baked potatoes and juice to drink. Snacks and desserts are encouraged as long as they are also fruits or vegetables.
Gerson’s beliefs were that the uses of natural medications to boost the immune system and to clean the body were the only way to properly fight cancer. All patients must use potassium compound, Vitamin B12, thyroid hormone, pancreatic enzymes, crude liver extract and they must have coffee or chamomile enemas. The enemas are to stimulate bile flow and improve liver function. They are to enable the body to get rid of the toxicity in the body. Interestingly patients of the Gerson philosophy often report a lessening of pain, improved healing and a feeling of wellbeing from the enemas.
A couple of warnings about this treatment plan. It is not to be used when a patient is using chemotherapy. Also even those who swear by the curative powers of the Gerson Therapy will tell you that this does not work for everyone. Never stop the treatment you are having in mid-therapy to begin something else without consulting with your health care provider.
Skin Cancer Worries for Skiers
With all the talk about skin cancer and ultraviolet rays from the sun isn’t it interesting that no one thought about the skiers until very recently. The reflection the sun makes off the snow and the high altitudes that skiers ski at combine for a very dangerous sport. The thing is that the dangers have nothing to do with avalanches, falls causing broken bones or frostbite but with growing instances of skin cancer among skiers
To prove their point of view researchers designed badges capable of monitoring ultraviolet radiation. They learned that on the ski slopes the ultraviolet rays that a skier would be exposed to were far higher than expected and that it increased the higher the altitude. The more snow there was the higher the UV levels. This was caused by the reflection of the sun’s rays on the white snow. It was also caused by the lesser amount of pollution at the higher altitudes. Clearer air meant more ultraviolet light getting through. The researchers current feeling is that the less air there is, as the higher you go the thinner the air, there is less to help disperse the radiation and so there is more to reflect off the snow. Therefore an afternoon of winter skiing is just like a day at the beach in the summer.
So, the advice for skiers is to put on sunscreen before they go on the slopes. Wear a hat, for warmth, but also for protection from the sun. Just as importantly, be sure to wear sunglasses. The suggestion for this is not just your normal sunglasses that are used for the beach but wrap around sunglasses for bigger better protection. Still, that leaves a couple of places uncovered that researchers are concerned about. These include under the nose and under the chin. If you wear a scarf wrapped around your face on the slopes this should not be a problem. But so many skiers do not wear enough protective clothing. It is suggested that if you’re going to wear sunscreen on the slopes that it is wiser if the SPF, sun protection factor, is thirty instead of the usually recommended fifteen.
Most people have trouble understanding that it is not how hot the day is that determines how much of the sun’s ultraviolet rays are shining on your delicate skin. On the ski slopes the peak exposure hours are from late morning to early afternoon. Don’t assume just because you are not one of the fair skinned blonds or red heads with blue eyes that you will not be at risk. Even those with olive skin or dark skin, who may think that they are safe because they do not burn, are still exposing their skin to the same ultraviolet rays. What this means is that all skiers are at risk.
Odd when you think about it, that the ski slopes pose at least as much, if not more, of a danger of skin cancer than sunbathing on those summer beaches.
Skin Cancer
Cancer consists of more than 100 diseases. Each type of cancer is different to other types in many ways although all cancers are a disease of some of the cells in the body.
Those cells that are healthy and make up the body’s tissue grow before dividing and replacing themselves. This is how the body grows, keeps itself healthy and in good repair. However some of these cells can lose their ability to perform these tasks limiting their growth and development. They may divide themselves too rapidly or grow without order. Some times too much tissue can be produced, resulting in tumours being formed. Tumours may be benign or malignant.
Benign tumours are not cancer. They do not spread to the rest of the body and are not life threatening. These type of tumours are often removed via surgery and usually do not return. They are often more of a nuisance than anything else.
Malignant tumours are cancerous. They cause illness to the body by invading and destroying the nearby healthy tissues and organs. They can form new tumours in the body by spreading or metastasizing to other organs.
The two main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma. A carcinoma is the term used to describe a cancer that begins in the cells that cover or line an organ.
More than 90% of skin cancers in the United States are Basel cell carcinoma. This type of cancer grows slowly and rarely spreads to other areas although it is essential all types of skin cancers are found and treated as early as possible to prevent them invading and destroying the nearby tissues.
Basel cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinomas are often called nonmelanoma skin cancer. A melanoma is another type of cancer that can occur in the skin, which begins in the melanocytes.
Skin cancer is currently the most common type of cancer in the United States. It is estimates that between 40 and 50% of Americans who live to the age of 65 years and beyond will develop skin cancer at least once. However, it must be remembered any age and nationality can develop skin cancer. Those who are fair skin and freckled with red/blond hair and blue or light coloured eyes are the types of people who are at most risk of developing the disease.
The ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun is the prime cause for skin cancer. There are two types of ultraviolet radiation – UVA and UVB. There are also artificial sources of UV radiation, for example sun beds and tanning booths which can also cause skin cancer.
The location where a person lives affects the risks of a person developing skin cancer. Some people live in areas where they get high levels of UV radiation and are more likely to develop skin cancer. For example the Texas sun is particularly strong. There are also high rates of skin cancer found in South Africa and Australia where the population receive high amounts of the sun’s radiation.
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