Research

Why Don’t We Get More Cancer?

Posted on Feb 5, 2017 in Research

A cancer diagnosis is shocking and devastating. Many of my patients reasonably ask why this illness happened to them, especially after years of excellent health and good self-care. As a physician, I wish that no one got cancer. Sadly, 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will get cancer in their lifetime. As a scientist, though, I’m actually surprised that we don’t all get MORE cancer. Sounds strange, right? Here’s the thing: if we take the dominant theory of cancer literally, then we should all have cancer. We’re all exposed to daily doses of carcinogens from air pollution,...

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What Feeds Cancer: A Closer Look at Fats and the Ketogenic Diet

Posted on Feb 1, 2017 in Research

Many of my patients ask questions about cancer as a metabolic disease. Perhaps you’ve read that “sugar feeds cancer”, or have learned of the Warburg effect. In the next few newsletters, I’ll be digging deeper into the complex story of cancer as a metabolic disease. Some of my colleagues recommend a ketogenic diet for cancer patients. They reason that if cancer cells eat sugar, then feeding protein and fat might be a better choice. The ketogenic diet is mostly fat with moderate protein and very little sugar and starch. It’s tough to follow, and it can be...

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A Breast That May Not Need Surgery?

Posted on Oct 2, 2015 in My Cancer Type, Research

It seems perfect to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month with news about a breast condition that may benefit from more awareness — and less treatment. The time may have come to start treating some DCIS like early prostate cancer — watching and waiting instead of treating. Some women with low grade DCIS and low risk tumor genomes may not need surgery. A 23-year retrospective study of 57,222 women found that surgery on low grade DCIS did not save lives from breast cancer. Instead, these women could be managed with watchful waiting (also called active surveillance). Who does this...

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Target BRCA & Cancer-Causing Genes

Posted on Sep 29, 2015 in Research

While the commonness of the BRCA gene has stayed stable for generations, the number of BRCA-caused cancers continues to rise. Why? Because diet and lifestyle guide the expression of the BRCA gene. What does the BRCA gene do? BRCA is an “off switch” for damaged cells, which scientists call a tumor suppressor gene. Our bodies make cancer cells all the time. Tumor suppressor genes tag these damaged cells for destruction before a cell can multiply and become a cancer. I’m a man. Why should I care? BRCA is one of many tumor suppressor genes. P53 is another, and is mutated in...

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Copper, Zinc, And Tumor Blood Vessels

Posted on Oct 4, 2014 in Research

Copper… Gorgeous on roofs and in sculpture. And I love skiing at Denver’s Copper Mountain. But copper in my cold water pipes or cookware? No thanks! For tumors to grow, they need blood and the oxygen that it brings. Avastin targets tumor blood vessel development, but the blood vessels then come back as soon as the Avastin is stopped. So, what else targets tumor blood vessels? Copper and Zinc To grow new blood vessels, tumor cells need specific growth factors. To activate, these growth factors have to bind to copper. Copper is believed to be a key switch that turns on tumor blood...

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European Mistletoe: Season’s Greetings and Healings to You!

Posted on Oct 4, 2014 in Research

Mistletoe is more than Christmas and kisses. The purified extract is a powerful immune boosting therapy used by 60% of German cancer patients. Clinical trials show that mistletoe: Lengthens lifespan 77% in people with pancreatic cancer Improves quality of life and immune function in people with stomach cancer Improves quality of life in breast cancer survivors Slows progression of sarcoma, melanoma, and colon cancer.  Is active against ovarian cancer May increase survival in metastatic cervical cancer Extends survival in stage II and stage III melanoma Mistletoe is an immune therapy. It...

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