Vitamin Information Center

Cancer Palliative Care
Synonyms
Palliative therapy in oncology; Symptomatic cancer
palliation; Chemotherapy-effects and palliative care
Definition
Palliative care aims to improve the symptoms of
patients with advanced incurable cancer who may
undergo surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy,
and symptomatic treatments and may suffer the
unwanted effects of these therapies. The goal of cancer
palliative care is to improve the quality of the
remaining life. Palliative management usually is founded
on a multimodality approach based on the advice of
experts from various disciplines and careful coordination.

Cancer
Synonyms
Malignant tumors; Neoplasms
Definition
Cancer is the general term for more than 100 different
distinct diseases that can affect every part of the
body. Cancer is defined by a rapid abnormal cell growth
beyond usual boundaries that can affect adjoining parts
of the body including other organs. This process is
referred to as metastasis which is the major cause of
death from cancer. Cancer is caused by changes in the
genes responsible for cell growth and repair, driven by
interaction between genetic host factors and external
agents. These external agents can be categorized into
physical carcinogens, chemical carcinogens and biological
carcinogens. Prevention strategies play a vital role
in reducing the burden of cancer as up to one third of all
cases could be avoided by: changing tobacco and alcohol
use, adjusting dietary and physical activity patterns
or reducing exposure to sunlight, etc. Early detection
and treatment of cancer is another key element in reducing
the burden of cancer as it significantly improves the
prognosis. When cancer is treated, the main objectives
are curing, prolonging life and improving the quality
of life of the patients affected. The common treatment
methods are surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Adverse Effect
Synonyms
Adverse events; Adverse outcome; Complication; Side
effects
Definition
Adverse effects are harmful and undesired effects
resulting from either medication or interventions like
chemotherapy or surgery. Adverse effects that result
from medication are called  side effects when those
effects are secondary to the main or therapeutic effect
of the drug, sometimes due to unsuitable or incorrect
dosage or procedure. Adverse effects from medical procedures
may occur in the course of surgery, like infection,
hemorrhage, inflammation, scarring, loss of function,
or changes in local blood flow. Non-surgical procedures
like high intensity radiotherapy might result in
burned skin, for example. Adverse effects can cause
reversible or irreversible changes.
Cross-References
 Adverse Drug Reaction
 Side Effect

A new study finds high dose injections of Vitamin C can reduce cancerous tumors by half.

And what’s more — the treatment does not harm healthy cells, meaning
There are fewer difficult side-effects, often experienced with traditional cancer treatments like chemo and radiation.

Go home and die. That’s what doctors told 59 year old Arlindo Olivera.
His lung cancer was so advanced, it had spread to his brain and doctors
Said there was nothing they could do. Today, Arlindo is cancer free.

Arlindo believes his cancer is gone because of Vitamin C treatment.

Dr. Scott Greenberg says he has successfully treated many people with
Vitamin C infusions, including Arlindo.

Some doctors believe Vitamin C treatment works by killing the cancer
cells.

Researchers at the national institutes of health say it may also work as
An anti-oxidant protecting cells from the damage of free radicals.

The national institutes of health study treated mice with aggressive brain, ovarian and pancreatic tumors.
Tumor growth and weight was reduced by 41 to 53 percent and the brain cancer stopped spreading.
Doctor Greenberg says it only works in very high intravenous doses and can be used along with traditional chemo and radiation.
He says it’s a valuable option for those who don’t respond to other treatment.

Arlindo continues to be cancer free.
The treatment is not covered by insurance, but costs considerably less
Than standard chemotherapy or radiation.
It’s about 125 dollars per treatment versus several thousand dollars.

February 12, 2008 — Vitamin and mineral use is widespread among cancer patients and long-term cancer survivors, and frequently higher than among the general population. However, few patients discuss dietary supplements with their physicians, and doctors often do not ask about them. Unfortunately, these products can have an adverse effect on the cancer itself or on the drugs being used to treat it, researchers point out in the February 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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AN Edinburgh cancer survivor is among 48,000 women across Scotland gearing up to help raise £3 million to combat the disease.
Christine Kelly, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, is one of those planning to take part in Cancer Research UK’s annual Race for Life. Continue Reading…

There are more and more liquid products appearing on store shelves, but most people are unaware that they all fall into one of seven categories of people who should be using them. Below are the seven categories of people that can really benefit from liquid nutrition.
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