Proven risk factors that increase likelihood of cancer
The best way to avoid the need for conventional or alternative medicine for cancer is to live a life that avoids the common risk factors associated with cancer and strengthens the immune system.
Alternative medicine stresses the importance of prevention and alternative medicine for cancer can also be used on healthy people for preventative measures. An example is using acupuncture to fine tune the immune systems and encourage energy to flow freely through the body. Acupuncture is also used to treatment cancer patients, because it strengthens the body for recovery. Also, herbs, yoga and hypnotherapy can all be used as both preventative and alternative medicine for cancer.
Infectious agents and cancer
While factors like exercise, diet, stress, exposure to carcinogens and toxins, genetics, and excess weight are thought to increase the likelihood of developing cancer, these factors have not been proven to cause cancer. The following is a summary of infectious agents such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses that have in some instances been scientifically linked to various types of cancer. Most of these infections are easy to cure and even left unchecked do not guarantee cancer.
"Infectious diseases have been known to play a role in cancer in animals since the beginning of the 20th century. Only recently has infection with certain viruses, bacteria, and parasites in humans been recognized as a risk factor for several types of cancer."
"Overall, infections are linked to only a small percentage of cancers. In the U.S. and other developed countries, it is thought that fewer than 10% of all cancers are linked to infectious agents, but they account for as much as 20% of all cancers in developing countries. Although the infections described below can increase a person's risk of developing certain types of cancer, most people with these infections never develop cancer."
"The likelihood of developing a cancer is also influenced by other risk factors. For example, infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria may increase a person's risk of developing stomach cancer, but that risk is also influenced by what they eat (high intake of smoked and salted foods and starches with low intake of fruits and vegetables) and smoking." (www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_3X_Infectious_Agents_and_Cancer.asp?sitearea=WHO)
Viruses
" Viruses are very small organisms-most cannot even be seen with an ordinary microscope. They consist of a small group of genes (in the form of DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coating. Viruses cannot reproduce on their own. They need to enter a living cell and "hijack" the cell.s machinery to make more viruses. Some viruses do this by inserting their own DNA (or RNA) into that of the host cell. When this insertion affects the host cell.s genes, it may push the cell toward becoming cancerous."
"Several viruses are now known or suspected of being associated with cancer in humans. Increasing knowledge of the role of viruses as a cause of cancer may lead to the development of vaccines to prevent or treat certain human cancers in the future. These suspect viruses include Epstein-Barr Virus, Human T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma Virus, Human Papillomaviruses, Human Herpes Virus 8, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and Hepatitis B and C Viruses." (www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_3X_Infectious_Agents_and_Cancer.asp?sitearea=WHO)
Bacteria
"Long-term infection of the stomach with Helicobacter pylori may lead to chronic atrophic gastritis (inflammation and damage to the inner layer of the stomach), a possible precancerous change of the lining of the stomach. Patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach (the most common type of stomach cancer) have a higher rate of infection with this bacterium than people without this cancer. H. pylori infection is also associated with some types of lymphoma of the stomach. But most people who have this bacterium in their stomachs never develop cancer."
"Chlamydia trachomatis is a relatively common bacteria that can infect the female reproductive system. It is spread by sexual contact. Although infection may cause symptoms, many women do not know they are infected unless samples taken when they have a pap test are studied for this type of bacteria."
"Some recent studies suggest that women whose blood test results show past or current chlamydia infection are at greater risk for cervical cancer than are women with a negative blood test. Although further studies are needed to confirm this finding, there is already good reason to avoid this infection and to have it treated with antibiotics promptly after diagnosis. Long-term chlamydia infection is well known as a cause of pelvic inflammation that can lead to infertility." (www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_3X_Infectious_Agents_and_Cancer.asp?sitearea=WHO)
Parasites
"Certain parasitic worms that can live inside the human body can also increase the risk of developing some kinds of cancer. While these organisms are not found in the U.S., they can be a concern for people who live in or travel to other parts of the world."
"Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis are liver flukes (a type of flatworm) that have been associated with increased risk of developing cancer of the bile ducts (the tubes that connect the liver to the intestines). These infections occur almost exclusively in east Asia and are rare in other parts of the world. Schistosoma haematobium is a parasite found in developing countries of Africa and Asia. Infection with this parasite, known as schistosomiasis, has been associated with cancer of the urinary bladder." (www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_1_3X_Infectious_Agents_and_Cancer.asp?sitearea=WHO)
Unproven risk factors
While there is evidence that diet and lifestyle play an enormous role in cancer risk, there are no guarantees on either side. There are environmental factors suspected of contributing to the body.s toxicity level and being carcinogenic. These factors are pesticides, toxic waste, nuclear power plants, and non ionizing radiation.
Though most people would agree that these things are toxic in large amounts, their effect really does depend on the strength and frequency of exposure, the state of the immune system and other lifestyle factors such as attitudes, daily exposure to pollution and other toxins, diet, exercise, happiness level and stress.
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