Surviving Small Cell Cervical Cancer - The Journey Continues!

It has been awhile since I last posted an article having to do with my journey through "cancerland" and my survival of Small Cell Cervical Cancer. It has been a bumpy road, but never a dull moment. My hope is that anyone reading this will find the information laid out here in this article, helpful and supportive and any woman facing this diagnosis will find hope and a place to walk this journey with others who have been where she is going. So much has happened; it has been a truly remarkable journey so far.
Flash back to November 2008. I had found my partner in crime and we had found a way to help women you had been diagnosed with SCCC. There was no information on the web at that time, and we were so happy to have put something together were women could find resources, but more importantly, others sharing this connection. I was personally told that I would never find or meet another living soul diagnosed with SCCC, as it is so rare and the prognosis is so poor. Yet, by November of 2008, we had connected with more than 16 women and/or their families who had been diagnosed with this disease. Mel and I also found out something about ourselves; we were deeply connected to each of these people and could not let them go. The emails were daily and plenty to keep in touch with each other and the members. It was getting harder and harder to keep up, but we were managing. Finally Mel came up with the idea to open Facebook pages of our own and that way we could keep up every day, real time connections with our members. From there we quickly grew. We also suffered our first losses within a year. Instead of deterring us, it made our resolve even stronger. Although broken hearted, we kept it going.
During this time of growth, I was having an issue of my own. My cancer had come back! In January 2009, I was re-diagnosed with Small Cell. It had spread to my right ovary, my peritoneum, and there was a tumor inside the opening of my vagina, which they suspected may actually be in my bladder and bowl. Not a good sign. There was also a hotspot in my inner thigh muscle, but they weren't sure what that was. I was facing another round with this stupid cancer and not at all happy. But this time I wasn't alone. I had Mel... and all the others as well. But I was reluctant to share this information as I wanted to give hope, not scare the hell out of women who were newly cancer free, or going through treatment. I worried how it would affect Mel, but she was a trooper. Mostly I was worried as it had already devastated us financially and pulled the "safety rug' out from under my children. Could we take much more? They told me the first time around, that if it came back they could not save me, merely prolong my life. I had a decision to make; treatment or prepare to go HOME. I had so much outpouring of support from my family and friends, but the biggest game changer came from the women in this group that I had grown so close to, even if only knowing them virtually. They supported me 100% and I think we all held our breath, while I made the decision to go ahead with more treatment, then surgery.
Flash forward to December 2012; You can guess the outcome of my treatment with the recurrence as I am here today, writing this article, 3 and 1/2 years cancer free from the end of treatment! I beat it again. It was hard on the family and finances. The children are much older. The stress and worry have come out in many ugly ways over the years, but as a family, we are doing well today. Every day it gets better. Financially it has been horrible; but again we made it through and many lessons have been learned. This too gets better all the time. We will survive. The most amazing aspect of this journey, besides beating something twice they told me I probably wouldn't beat once, is all the amazing women I have met along the way and all the fabulous work these women have done to spread awareness, raise funds for research and help grow this group.
As our numbers continued to grow on Facebook, it soon became a topic of our discussions what the next step would be. One of our strongest, most devoted women in the group, created what is today, our main private support group for women diagnosed with Small and also Large Cell Cervical Cancer. Through the presence on the web, many women have found us. Today our numbers are more than 90 women surviving and/or fighting as well as about equal that number in supporters. We also have information for the public to help spread awareness.. This was the key source for reaching out to an organizer at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas and getting their backing to start a fund for research. Our group has become a Model for the use of Social Media to gather the much needed information on patients when looking to do research on rare tumors such as ours. Before this, there was no way to do any type of research and our group, along with MD Anderson, are making medical history. But the most amazing thing I have been a part of was when 20 of our "sisters" met for the first time in Vegas and were able to take our virtual love and support to a whole new level, bringing the resolve of the group to much higher heights.
It has truly been a journey of unexplainable joys and triumphs. One, had I never been given this diagnosis, I would have never had the honor of taking. I wouldn't trade this for the world. There have been terrible losses of phenomenal women whose walk took them home and from our world. I know they are standing behind us each step of the way. They will never really leave us and have become who we are and who our future members will be as well. My physical and emotional self has changed forever. Some for the better and some not! It is a work in progress every day. I am grateful to be here and take on this challenge.
I truly hope that any women finding themselves with the diagnosis of Small or Large Cell Cervical Cancer, find this article. I have been told on a few occasions that my last two posts, brought some women to our group and gave comfort to fight this beast, knowing there was a light at the end. Knowing there is survival. They said I would never find another living soul with this diagnosis... they were wrong!
"I will be a positive force while on this earth".

 

Chronotherapy in Cancer Treatment

Chronotherapy refers to the use of circadian or other rhythmic cycles in the application of therapy. Chronotherapy is used in the treatment of asthma, cancer, hypertension, and multiple types of depression and bipolar disorder. Apart from the clinical applications, chronotherapy is becoming increasingly popular in non-clinical settings, for example in the group oriented works, where it is used to increase productivity and performance.
Existence of a circadian clock has been observed in behavioral and physiological patterns in all living organisms (plants and animals). These patterns seemed to regulate themselves very strictly around the 24 hour cycles of day and night and hence early biologists suggested that there was an inner mechanism that regulated these changes. They regulate important bodily functions such as sleeping, hormone production, digestive secretion, and immune activity. Management of the circadian clock is important because disruption of the expression of these genes can lead to the disruption of the cell cycle which is the basis for cancer development. Now, doctors after studying the patient's biorhythms, coordinate the timing of their medical treatments to these biorhythms. This is called chronotherapy. Cancer chronotherapy is one of the latest developments in the treatment of cancer patients.
Cell physiology is regulated along the 24-hour timescale by the circadian clock. This circadian organization is responsible for predictable changes and efficacy of anticancer agents, and possibly in tumor growth. It has been found that often patients receiving chronotherapy reduce what would have been recurring side effects of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. The science of Chronotherapy, i.e., timing medicines or therapies according to the patients circadian and biological clock, to optimize benefits and minimize side effects, has been shown through various studies to have material benefits with health issues such as: cholesterol, asthma, blood pressure, and arthritis.
A cancer is an uncontrolled proliferation of cells because of irregularities in the regulation of the cell cycle. In order to achieve cancerous growths, several mutations must take place to knock out the cell cycle's natural defense against cancer. Several studies have shown a strong correlation between the expression of circadian genes and various cell cycle phases. Therefore, the circadian clock can indirectly control the expression of genes. The hormones are under the influence of the circadian clock as we can monitor the 24 hour rhythmic changes in their levels in the body. Therefore, any disruption of the circadian clock will have an adverse affect on the secretion of these hormones and as a result disrupt cell proliferation rates. As a result, a disrupted circadian clock can lead to a compromised immune system which in turn leads to cancer development.
Cancer chronotherapy works to improve the negative effects on the body. The main ideology behind chronotherapy is that it takes advantage of the fact that normal cells all follow the circadian rhythm when it comes to the cell cycle. As a result, it can easily be determined at which phase the cell cycle in normal cells is at a particular time of the day. However, tumor cells do not follow the 24 hour circadian rhythm and are more often than not at a different phase of the cell cycle than normal cells. Therefore, the treatment is given at the time of day when there will be least damage to host tissues.
Cancer chronotherapy is currently in practice and positive signs are emerging from clinical trials in which this treatment is being used and hopefully in the near future. Chronotherapy concepts appear to offer further potential to improve current cancer treatment options as well as to optimize the development of new anticancer agents.

 

Living - Is Living Cancer Free

What is Integrative oncology? The science of combining both medical, conventional treatments of cancer mixed with biobehavioral techniques, nutrition, supplementation, exercise, limiting or eliminating the many poorer lifestyle habits such as being sedentary, a poor diet that is supportive of cancer growth, alcohol & smoking.
Living cancer free - goes a long way to slow down aging, prevent diabetes, prevent heart disease... and feel extremely energetic, focused & productive.
People don't die from Cancer - they die from complications & consequences of the disease. An inflammatory cascade, biochemical toxicity, pneumonia, embolism... Therefore optimizing the biochemical environment & helping people thrive through the treatment with integrative oncology (those lifestyle habits nutrition, & exercise) is just as important as zapping tumors.

1. Omega 6s make you sick. Omega 3s & 9s make you healthy. Stick to walnut, olive, avocado, canola, rice bran & sesame oils. Watch the smoke point, no reusing oil.


2. Dietary choices have a massive impact on the body's biochemistry - creating either an environment of cancer hospitality or hostility


3. 5kg of weight gain in a breast cancer patient increases mortality by 14%


4. Alcohol: anything more than a tiny amount of alcohol can fuel cancer and increase recurrence, progression & mortality. Breast cancer - any alcohol is the enemy. BTW - very small amount = 1 glass per week. Alcohol is putting lighter fluid on a fire. Again - all of us have cancer - alcohol encourages replication of cancer cells. Alcohol takes advantage of sparks we all have- we all have periodic immune suppressions - don't add lighter fluid.


5. A diet of less than 20% fat, has a 24% reduction in the risk of reccurrence - that is on par with tamoxifen - or any drugs available for treatment of breast cancer & other tumors. Unfortunately, most oncologists do not even discuss diet details - its just "eat a healthy diet".


6. Consuming the right fats, can reduce the recurrence & mortality from many cancers - the EPA/DHA ratio - eat your cold water fish! 25g of flax seed a day - another great choice for getting your fatty acids.


7. Cancer cells love sugar! One of the thousands of reasons to ditch sugar, refined flours, aka empty carbs. These cancer promoters raise insulin - fuel that cancer!


8. Get an assessment & profile to know the right foods to create an anticancer environment suited to you. But lots of berries, eat a rainbow, vegetables, plant based proteins, beans & lentils...


9. EXERCISE! Keep active through out the day. Walking 6 hours a week can drop colon cancer mortality by 60% - one of many examples - I don't care how busy you are at your computer - there is no excuse. You don't have to go to a gym. Aerobic exercise for 10 minutes before chemotherapy - can cut the toxicity by 50% - Wow! But yes, speak to a cancer trained exercise professional for the right type of exercise


10. Biobehavioral aspects of cancer - psychological reduction of stress for immunity - Breast cancer recurrence rates reduced by 45%, mortality 56%, mortality all causes by 49%. Don't ever underestimate the power of the mind.


11. You smoke? Stop! Success rates of smoking cessation are far greater with a counsellor rather than the dance of quit relapse.


12. Excess adiposity - body fat - again - much better success rates when done as part of a take control health modification program with trained health coaches. Proper guidance with a health coach can help you ditch the yo yo. Retraining our minds, our attitude, self empowerment are equally as important as the diet and exercise


13. Transforming our biology: our ecosystem - do we support a malignancy, or do we inhibit cancer growth? Comprehensive blood & tissue testing necessary to measure individual markers of cancer resilience.


14. This is why Integrative Oncology is a must in cancer treatment. Mapping patients - obtaining markers from cancer patients to help focus in on individualized cancer treatments. There are NO TWO PATIENTS WITH THE IDENTICAL DISEASE. Treatments of the disease are very dependent on the biochemical markers & tissue testing, genomic related biomarkers - very different story from one patient to another. Playing piano chords on patients let's play a symphony not a cacophony.


15. Assessments in biobehavioral aspects: psychological & emotional profiling. False hope over false hopelessness - the latter creates the biology that supports the disease.


16. Your Muscle mass - critical to cancer prevention & recovery


17. Circadian health - so much more than getting enough sleep. Known as a critical factor in health biology to kill cancer.


18. An anti inflammatory environment - basics of cancer prevention. Inflammatory biochemistry is a tumor promoting toxic soup. Again, diet & exercise - huge here. A cancer prevention diet, not a fad diet, a very specific cancer prevention diet that protects us from all chronic diseases.


19. Vitamin D - Unfortunately our RDIs have not targeted this number for cancer prevention. Look into Vitamin D as part of a complete lifestyle modification program & transforming our biology.


20. Chronomodulated chemotherapy - Both cancer cells & cancer drugs are time dependent - Each drug has a personality of its own and better given at certain times of day, at different rates. This technique provides up to an 87% reduction in toxicity of the drugs - very often the drug is the limiting factor in treatment because of drug tolerance. Making it through a treatment is paramount to cancer recovery.


21. Summarizing tips: Eat a plant based diet as much as possible, smaller cold water fish, a variety of exercise, sleep in a blacked out room (don't suppress those melatonin levels!), don't fall asleep to TV, stress management, meditation or prayer twice per day to calm & focus. "You can't build a strong foundation on top of quicksand"


22. Please, if facing cancer, insist on an integrative approach - but caution is necessary- there are ranges of integrative oncology. I hope this article guided you to recognizing a true integrative cancer treatment program. Much of this cancer prevention & management information comes from Dr. Keith Block, in a recent interview.

These points are from an interview between the author & Dr. Keith Block, of the Block Center for Integrative Oncology - world renowned oncologist. Listen to the full Interview with Dr.Block, author of Life Over Cancer on Bestinhealthradio.com
Shira Litwack -
Medical Fitness Professional,Lifestyle & Weight Management Health Coach,Fitness & Nutrition for chronic illness recovery, online Health & nutritional tracking
Radio Talk Show Host/Producer bestinhealthradio.com
Director of Health Mentoring & External Resources Canada Obesity Control Center
Cancerfitcare Provider & Regional Director

 

The Impact of Oxidative Stress on Cancer

Cancer, the second leading cause of death in the United States, is a serious concern among people. It can affect a person of any gender, age, and culture. It is estimated that over the course of a lifetime, one in every three women and one in every two men will develop cancer. While many cancers are treatable and can be combatted with medical intervention, cancer still manages to take the lives of nearly 1,500 Americans a day.
There are many factors that can contribute to an individual developing cancer. Genetics, tobacco and smoking, poor diets and exercise, sun or UV exposure, and carcinogens can all contribute to the development of a number of different types of cancer. Over the past few years, scientists and doctors have been looking at the correlation between oxidative stress and cancer. You may have heard about these little things called "free radicals" and the damage that they can cause to our systems and body, but thought it was just a passing fad. These "free radicals" are caused by oxidative stress, and can seriously harm and age our bodies, organs, and systems in such a manner that it could end up causing diseases or cancers to develop.
Oxidation and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an unavoidable consequence of normal, everyday life. It happens in our bodies and it happens in the world around us. Under normal circumstances, our bodies can combat a low number of ROS and free radicals. Unfortunately, when we are exposed to a large amount of unhealthy practices or environmental factors, our system produces too many free radicals to fight off. The ROS caused by oxidative stress are a constant source of assaults upon our genetic material, cells, and organs.
ROS often attack and damage DNA along with additional cellular components (like lipids & proteins) which then leave behind a reactive species. These can and will attach themselves to DNA bases and can form a DNA lesion. These lesions are, to some extent, relatively easy to create and mutate. This mutation can become a biomarker for the development of cancer. It's important to note that elevated levels of oxidative DNA lesions have been shown in a number of tumors which implicates the damage caused by oxidative stress as a cause in the development of cancer.
So how can we prevent high levels of oxidative stress in our systems? Switching to a healthy lifestyle complete with exercise, adding super fruits that contain antioxidants to our diets, and staying away from harmful chemicals or fertilizers and other environmental toxins can greatly decrease the amount of oxidative stress we experience.

 

It Isn't Just About Cancer

That year, 1987, was my youngest son's senior year of high school -- his year of celebration and I was now stealing the spotlight. The surgery to remove my breast took place at our small town hospital in March. Erich came to visit and nearly passed out. I don't know what part of me, in that hospital bed, caused his reaction. I watched his face turn white and his eyes begin to roll. I felt sad that I caused his discomfort.
The surgeon explained that the malignant lump was encased in a cyst, making it easy for him to scoop out. He said he was sure that by removing the breast I would not need further treatment. That was really good news. With five weeks left of my six-week leave from work, I studied the multitude of books stacked on shelves, unread, and knew this would be my opportunity. My work as an elementary school counselor was on hold.
Headed home at the end of the week, I felt intense pain but was upbeat with the knowledge that once healed I could return to work. Life would get back to normal. The next week my oldest son asked if he could come home from college for a while. He had been diagnosed with "the kissing disease," Mononucleosis. He laid on one sofa, I the other. We did not kiss!
A few days later I received a call from my doctor telling me he was referring me to another doctor in the practice -- the one who handles cancer patients. Why? I was healing and the surgeon said he "got it all." My new doctor explained that the type of cancer removed with my breast was an aggressive form and he was recommending six months of chemotherapy. He said I would be taking medication by pills every day and by IV every other week. If he gave me the IV drugs on Friday I would have two days to crash and be ready for work on Monday. In my innocence I believed him and took the stance that I would continue working to prove to him that I was tough. That would ultimately become fallacy as my strength dwindled.
Upset about the "treatment plan" I sat at the dining room table working on a puzzle. Erich, my youngest son walked by and I asked him to join me. Through my tears I told him about the decision for chemo and reassured him that I didn't intend to die of cancer. He brought a smile to my face as he jokingly said, "You'll probably get hit by a car on the way to your last chemo treatment!"
In June I watched my youngest son receive his high school diploma. The wig I wore was a constant reminder of cancer and it made my head hot. My emotions of pride and fear tumbled about. July was the month Erich's chosen college conducted a "Parent's Weekend." I was there, but don't ask me any details. The chemo fog had taken over.
The first week of September came and my husband and I moved our son into the dorm. Awkwardly we asked if he wanted us to make the bed or unpack the boxes and suitcases. A brief pause told us it was time to leave. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as we walked away. Would I live to see him graduate from college? Would cancer prevent me from following him into his new world?
September was a month of great conflict. I was down to two remaining IVs. The daily dose of pills continued. Since March I had expected the chemo drugs to have less impact as time passed but I was wrong. Each day led to greater weakness.
My job as an elementary school counselor had been held for me and I thought returning to work would boost my spirits and help me focus on events outside of my body. However, after lunch I would find myself fatigued to the point of needing to lie down. The floor of my office was the only option -- with the door closed. I felt guilty, as though I were cheating the children and teachers. My vision blurred after my noon pills and I was no longer a safe driver when making home visits or leaving at the end of the day.
On Wednesdays I stayed home to rest -- the body that is. My mind was filled with abnormal energy that caused me to feel anxious, inadequate, guilty, angry, nervous and depressed. There were no substitutes for my position so when I stayed home the work piled higher. My body had abandoned me. Legs weak, eyes blurred, and newly developing hearing loss made classroom discussions far below my standards. I completed the school year but felt no satisfaction.
Over the years I have wondered how I would react to another bout of cancer. It hasn't happened in 26 years and even though I am now retired, these are the choices I would make based on prior experience:

• Rest is necessary with no need to feel guilty.
• Alternative therapies, along with the medical community, are beneficial.
• Others offer to help. I would accept their help and be specific about my needs.
• Cancer does not suddenly appear in isolation. It intrudes into your life and demands attention. I need to look at it and adjust my activity as energy allows.
• It is important to establish priorities.
• Doctors do not know everything. I am a consultant in the process.

It isn't just about cancer. Cancer and its treatment rudely thrusts itself into an already occupied life. Relationships and daily tasks are pushed about and chaos occurs unless a great deal of space is made available for the disease. Cancer demands to be recognized and accommodated and I am the one who must give it the attention it demands.

A Cure For Cancer Will Always Be 10 Years Away

A Cure For Cancer Will Always Be 10 Years Away

For the last hundred years we have had a medical care system which is profit driven. That's why our medicine is drug based and drugs are always synthetic or man made. Anything that comes from nature cannot be patented so isn't nearly as profitable as substances that are artificial which can be patented. The owner of that drug can then market it for a period of 17 years while they hold that patent and that means a much greater profit.
We will never win the war against cancer with our current approach. When you understand what cancer is and why there is so much of it today you will understand why they will never find a cure. It is the same as trying to find a cure for scurvy which of course everyone knows is a vitamin C deficiency disease. With scurvy it is easily cured by eating a food item that contains the missing vitamin.
Research has been underway since 1971 when the president of the USA declared war on cancer and allocated funds to find a cure. However 40 years have now pasted and the best they have come up with is a range of drugs which are marginally more effective but still don't cure but may give someone a little more time. These drugs are very expensive costing around 4000 US dollars a month and one of them, herceptin used for a type of breast cancer was said to be 0.6 percent better than some of the earlier drugs.
The focus today with cancer is to remove it at all costs because that is the only way our medicine system can profit from the disease. Whereas the focus should be addressing the underlying cause or causes which will strengthen the immune system and the immune system will remove the cancer, but nobody can profit from that. The reason is, that is only achievable by natural means.
The cure for cancer will remain elusive unless scientists rethink the role of nature and the food it produces such as berries, broccoli, turmeric, and a host of others which have cancer fighting properties. It is widely known that the substances in these foods boost the immune system which then corrects the reason why the disease appeared in the first place. But unfortunately you can't patent our food because it is a natural product and nature can't be patented. That's why it won't be offered.
If you study our medical care system you will find there are many health problems we suffer from that we don't have a cure for, the common cold being just one of them. Also there are many health problems we do have drugs for but these drugs don't cure but merely control the symptoms. Asthma and diabetes are a couple and people with those problems are usually on a lifetime of medication which is good business for the companies that are supplying the drugs.
If we weren't trying to make a profit from cancer we would have a cure for it tomorrow because nature has a cure.

What to Do When Cancer Knocks at the Door

Cancer isn't any other disease; it's quite stressful for the person, and his/her family. Of course, treatments are there, but still it's pretty much difficult to hold the tears in eyes, and say to your family that everything will be okay. I've met many cancer survivors, and believe me, meeting them was truly magical. These are the people who've gone through all the pain, all the treatments, but never lost hope. Here is what they suggested for those in whom cancer has been diagnosed.
1. Don't Lose Faith
Just hold on; things will get better. There are treatments for cancer, and success chances of cure are great if the disease is detected at an early stage, so just hold on. Don't lose your faith.
2. Family and Friends
Let them be around you. Let them be your support system. Let them tell you that you'll be fine.
3. Take the Best Cancer Treatment
Not all hospitals are equal when it comes to the best cancer treatment. Do your share of research. Find out the hospitals that are known to have the best medical professionals in the Oncology field. Fix an appointment at the earliest.
4. After Treatment
Look for the people who've had cancer treatments, and are now leading a healthy lifestyle. They'll tell you a lot about life after cancer. I've found a number of blogs and websites, which have been created by cancer survivors to help the cancer patients.
5. Exercise and Diet
Let's talk food first. Include more and more of whole grains, veggies, and fruits. Cut back on unhealthy fats and sugar. As far as exercise is concerned, morning walks are great to go for.
6. Stress Management

Cancer can be quite stressful for the entire family, so you got to manage it. Amongst the many things that you can do is dating each-other frequently (for the couples), getting outdoors, and practicing living in the present. Yoga is also quite effective in managing stress.
7. Positive Attitude
A positive mindset is all you need. The family can sit together, and plan for different things, such as hiking and horse riding. The couple can plan a romantic getaway.
Remember, cancer is not something we would ever wish on someone else, but it's changed life of many. Cancer made them rethink their priorities in life, creating healthy living choices, taking more risks, and living life a little extra.