Definition

Cancer is a large group of different diseases, which have in common uncontrollable cell growth.   Cancer occurs when cells somehow become damaged, start abnormally dividing, and keeps forming more cells without control or order.

All parts of the body are made up of cells. Normally, cells divide and produce more cells for growth and structure  only when the body needs it.  However, if cells keep dividing even when not needed, a mass of tissue forms. This mass of extra tissue cells is called a growth or tumor.  The growth can be benign, meaning non progressing, or malignant, meaning growing worse and threatening to lead to death .

Benign tumors are not cancerous. They do not spread to other parts of the body, and most often can be surgically removed.  Skin tags are a good example of benign growth.  Benign tumors are rarely life threatening.

Malignant tumors are cancer.  Cancer cells invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. They can also break away from the parent site, enter the bloodstream or the lymphatic system, and metastasize to other parts of the body.  This is how cancer spreads from the primary tumor to form new tumors of the same type in other parts of the body.  For example, breast cancer that spreads to the bone or brain is still considered breast cancer, not bone or brain cancer.  In this case, the disease would be called metastatic breast cancer.

Most common types of Cancer

• Breast Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Lung and Bronchus
• Colon and Rectum
• Bladder Cancer
• Kidney and Renal Pelvis
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Melanoma
• Skin Cancer (non melanoma)
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Uterine Cancer
• Endometrial Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer
• Oral Cavity and Pharynx (Head & Neck)

 Causes of and risk factor for Cancer

Cancer develops gradually as a result of a complex mix of factors related to environment, lifestyle, and heredity. Scientists have identified many factors that increase the risk of getting cancer however, they estimate 80 percent of all cancers are related to the use of tobacco products, to what we eat and drink, or, to environmental exposure to carcinogenic agents like radiation, electromagnetic waves, and toxic chemical.  Heredity causes some people to be more sensitive than others to risk factors that can cause cancer.

• Tobacco
• Poor diet
• Ultraviolet sunlight
• Alcohol
• Radiation
• Toxic chemicals in the environment
• Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
• Close relatives with history of cancer

Treatment options

• Naturopathic medicine
• Neurotransmitter (urine) testing
• Hormonal (saliva) testing
• Other lab testing
• Nutritional counseling
• Nutritional/Immune IV therapy
• Homeopathic drainage (Unda)
• Psychological and educational counseling
• Massage
• Microcurrent
• Hydrotherapy

Naturopathic treatments for cancer are an important adjunct to your health plan to fight against cancer.  I will work with your oncologist and other health care professionals.

Contact Rosetta Koach, LMT, ND at 503-628-6357 for treatment of cancer