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and woods. As it is not soluble in water, it is also known as insoluble fibre. Insoluble fibre absorbs water, resulting in larger and softer stools, making peristalsis through the colon much quicker and easier. Water-soluble fibres include pectin found on the outer skin of apples, and beta-glucan from oat and psyllium, which will undergo fermentation in the large intestine, help control blood sugar, and reduce cholesterol. So, how should we take in fibre to achieve the most effective detox- ification? First and foremost, vary your intake of fibre. By placing all kinds of dietary fibres in different types of food, God is telling us not to be picky about food. In my clinical sessions, I discovered that detoxification by re- lying on a single type of fibre will not produce satisfactory results. That is why I always encourage people to consume a variety of dietary fibres. To attain the best detoxification results, I had put together a nutritious meal consisting of 48 types of organic components, including a variety of di- etary fibres, organic probiotic, and various nutrients. The meal can satisfy the nutritional requirements of our body, as well as detoxify and eliminate toxins; many people have yielded positive results with it. Once fibre enters into the human body, it will absorb a large quan- tity of water and soften up stools. However, if the body is dehydrated, or if stools remain in the large intestine for too long, then water will be absorbed by fibre and result in sticky stools. Those who consume large amounts of fibre for the first time may experience temporary bloating. This is because the “old stools” near the end of the large intestine are dry, hard, and dif- ficult to be passed out, while the “new stools” are hastening the process, resulting in a massive jam in the large intestine. To solve this, one must increase the water intake. If there are signs of bloating or discomfort, fibre should be reduced appropriately and probiotics should be taken in large amounts. In order to avoid the abovementioned scenario, it is best to develop the habit of going to the toilet regularly. In addition, you should cut down on foods that are harmful to the intestinal tract in your diet such as flour products, meats, coffee, chili, etc. Be especially careful of foods made of bleached flour. Not only do these foods lack dietary fibres, they are some- 102 Stay Away From Cancer

times even adulterated with talc, an antidiarrheal. Eating too much foods that contain bleached flour will delay your bowel movements. Reinforcements: Bifidobacterium A lot of bacteria reside in the human intestine: a group of bad bacteria that wreaks havoc in the human body, and a group of probiotics which fights against bad bacteria. Most probiotics are belong to the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Lactobacilli are the good bacteria that most of us are familiar with, and is often fostered through yogurt and may be obtained from tempeh, miso, and kimchi. On the other hand, Bifido- bacteria are very sensitive and would be totally wiped out once the tem- perature reaches 45 degrees Celsius. Within Bama County of Guangxi lies the famous Longevity Village of China. Scientists from Japan, Europe, and North America who visited this place found that many older adults in that locality have one thing in common; the Bifidobacteria count in their faecal samples were comparable to that of young adults. The scientists concluded from their studies that there is a close relationship between longevity and the quantity of Bifido- bacteria in the body.3 Experiments have also suggested that Bifidobacteria may bind with carcinogens (e.g. heterocyclic aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1) in the body to inhibit their car- cinogenic activity.4 Bifidobacterium is the leader of all probiotics, capable of adjusting and maintaining a healthy balance of intestinal flora. When intestinal flora is balanced, harmful bacteria would be inhibited from pro- ducing ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, indole, and skatole from impacted faecal. Long-term intake of Bifidobacteria would reduce the production of carcinogens and reduce digestive tract cancer risk, especially colon cancer and liver cancer risk. Bifidobacteria is often combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy to reduce the side effects of nausea and vomiting. Prof. Ian Rowland (Prof. of Human Nutrition, University of Ulster), who conducted the European Union funded SYNCAN Project, reported A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 103

that experiment volunteers fed with a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics had less DNA damage, a lower rate of cell proliferation in biopsies taken from their colon, and improvements in certain stool sample characteris- tics that may indicate reduced cancer risk.5 Different strains may act at different stages before and during cancer development, and the extent of protection may vary according to the type of probiotic.6 Vicky De Preter, a Belgian scientist, reported reduced levels of two toxic metabolites (p-cresol and ammonia) in the faeces of healthy volunteers who consumed either probiotics or prebiotics.7 A research showed that those who eat a diet high in fried ground beef, who are known to have increased levels of mutagenic amines, showed lower mutagen levels in their urine and faeces after the consumption of probiotics.8 Researchers have also discovered that probiotics in the gut can actually trigger the release of a cancer-killing chemical called sodium bu- tyrate from foods.9 Colon hydrotherapy Colon hydrotherapy is the injection of a water-based saline solution through the anus into the colon, followed by 30 to 40 minutes of cleansing. Colon hydrotherapy is able to dissolve faecal impaction and hard stools, and stimulate bowel movement to purge old waste materials out of the body. Even though colon hydrotherapy come with many benefits, pregnant women and patients who suffer from heart disease, severe anaemia, cir- rhosis, colon ulcer, and intestinal perforation must use the treatment with caution. Frequent use of colon hydrotherapy is not encouraged, and the best way to maintain a healthy colon is by developing good bowel habits. Lactic acid %LÀGREDFWHULXP Streptococcus Lactobacillus plantarum bacteria longum thermophilus Various probiotics required by the human body 104 Stay Away From Cancer

References 1) Chen, Thomas SN, and Peter SY Chen. “Intestinal autointoxication: a medical leitmo- tif.” Journal of clinical gastroenterology 11.4 (1989): 434-441. 2)Jensen, Bernard, and Sylvia A. Bell. Tissue cleansing through bowel management: from the simple to the ultimate. Healthy Living Publications, 2011. 3) Zhao, Liang, et al. “Correlations of fecal bacterial communities with age and living region for the elderly living in Bama, Guangxi, China.” The Journal of Microbiology 49.2 (2011): 186-192. 4) Koo, Malcolm, and A. Venketeshwer Rao. “Long‐term effect of bifidobacteria and Neosugar on precursor lesions of colonic cancer in cf1 mice.” (1991): 249-257. 5) Gill, C. I. R., and I. R. Rowland. “Diet and cancer: assessing the risk.” British journal of nutrition 88.S1 (2002): s73-s87. 6) Commane, Daniel, et al. “The potential mechanisms involved in the anti-carcinogen- ic action of probiotics.” Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 591.1 (2005): 276-289. 7) De Preter, Vicky, et al. “Effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota, Bifidobacterium breve, and oligofructose-enriched inulin on colonic nitrogen-protein metabolism in healthy humans.” American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology 292.1 (2007): G358-G368. 8) Hayatsu, Hikoya, and Toshiko Hayatsu. “Suppressing effect of Lactobacillus casei ad- ministration on the urinary mutagenicity arising from ingestion of fried ground beef in the human.” Cancer letters 73.2 (1993): 173-179. 9) Kotunia, A., et al. “Effect of sodium butyrate on the small intestine.” Journal of Physi- ology and Pharmacology 55 (2004): 59-68. A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 105

Strategy 4: Nutritional Therapy Nutritional deficiency is a common issue In a survey conducted recently, we found that most patients suf- fered from nutritional deficiency, especially vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, and magnesium deficiency. Life today is different from the past, where three full meals a day were hard to come by and malnutrition was more widespread. The ques- tion is, we have enough to eat every day, but why are we malnourished? The main reason actually lies in the cooking process. Nutrients have slipped away during food processing and absorption. Most vitamins are very tem- perature sensitive. For every increase in 20 degrees Celsius, vitamin reten- tion is reduced by 11 percent. This is especially so for vitamin C. Once the temperature increases, vitamin loss begins. If heating continues, then no more vitamin C would be left. Furthermore, when fruit is placed in the re- frigerator for more than a week, 50 percent of its vitamin C would be lost. The longer the period of refrigeration, the greater the loss of vitamin C. Meanwhile, people are also becoming more prosperous, leading to overeating and producing a new generation of gluttons. Excessive protein, coffee, desserts, and fried foods all lead to calcium loss. Can you imagine how much nutrients are lost in our daily diet? Typically, starting at age of 35, calcium in bones will begin to decrease at an annual rate of 0.8 percent. If nutrients are not supplemented in a timely manner, cells would age and waste away gradually. This may even lead to premature cell death. Nutritional intake with the use of supplements should be compre- hensive. From the time I started learning medicine, I have never stopped taking my nutritional supplements. A body that lacks certain nutrients is like a car with a few missing screws. These screws are very small; some are so small, they are unperceivable. However, if you keep driving around with screws missing, don’t be surprised when your car suddenly breaks down or malfunctions. This is dangerous and reckless. An air-conditioner mal- function may be considered a small issue, but failure of the brakes could 106 Stay Away From Cancer

cost lives. Don’t take the risks, it really isn’t worth it when disaster strikes. From now on, you should replace all your missing screws and service your “vehicle” to tip-top condition by starting on your nutritional supplements right away. Mucosal protectant: vitamin A Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that includes retinol, beta-car- otene and three other types of carotenoids. Many food products contain vitamin A, and their sources vary one from another. Vitamin A from ani- mal food products such as liver and cod liver oil belong to the retinol type. Vitamin A from fruits and vegetables are either beta-carotene or one of the carotenoids. Among these three types of vitamin A, beta-carotene has the best anti-cancer effects.1 Beta-carotene content in deep green leaves and carrots is very high, but spirulina contains the highest amount. Vitamin A’s most important role is to protect the skin, mucous membrane, and eyes. Vitamin A has special therapeutic effects on nasopharyngeal can- cer, gastric cancer, oesophageal cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer. It is commonly used to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy and chemothera- py, protect the mucous lining of the digestive tract, enhance immunity, and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. I recommend fresh and pure spirulina as the source vitamin A. Not only is spirulina rich in beta-carotene, it is also rich in protein and a variety of minerals, which is capable of balancing the body’s pH level.2 Spirulina is a truly excellent food for cancer patients. The nemesis of nitrosamine: vitamin C I believe most readers are taking, or at least have heard about vita- min C supplements. However, most patients are still deficient in vitamin C even though they take vitamin C supplements. What exactly is going wrong? It seems that most people are not aware of the secrets of vitamin C intake. A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 107

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. It dissolves in water, enters the body and is absorbed by the small intestine. It’s important to note that the time you take vitamin C is related to its absorption rate, and taking vitamin C after meals are a lot more beneficial than taking them before meals. Many people prefer to take one large dosage of vitamin C each day; however, because vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient, any extra vitamin C will enter into the kidney via blood flow and flushed out of the body. Due to this property, large amounts of vitamin C per dosage are helpful to dis- solve calcium phosphate kidney stones by acidifying urine. Furthermore, people with high concentrations of vitamin C in their urine have a lower risk of bladder and kidney cancer. Since vitamin C is flushed out when taken in excess, it should be taken in divided doses, about three to six doses a day, to supply your body with a continuous stream of vitamin C. As for the recommended daily amount of vitamin C? According to many nutritionists, 1000 mg to 2000 mg of vitamin C daily is necessary to maintain the body in an optimal state. Research has found that a daily supplement of vitamin C on a continual basis for 9 months will boost immunity. When a cancer patient took 5,000 mg of vitamin C, the number of lymphocytes in the patient increased. When the dosage increased to 10,000 mg, the number of lym- phocytes increased even further. Vitamin C is very much like the natural enemy of nitrosamine, a type of carcinogen.3 It is impossible for the formation of nitrosamine to take place in areas where vitamin C exists. In Europe and the United States, large amounts of vitamin C are often used as an alternative treatment con- currently with conventional cancer treatment. Vitamin C plays an import- ant role in the inhibition of cancer cells and the enhancement of NK cells. Clinical trials have also shown that final stage cancer patients who took high doses of vitamin C alleviated their pain and suffering, and their re- maining life span on average were four times longer than the other patients who did not take vitamin C. Choosing natural vitamin C is important because synthetic vita- 108 Stay Away From Cancer

min C often contains a number of sweeteners or flavourings. Long-term intake of synthetic vitamin C with a lot of sweeteners or flavourings is bad for health. It may result in many side effects, such as kidney stones and allergies. The best vitamin C is extracted from natural foods. Dividing your doses is essential for effective vitamin C absorption. Free anti-cancer gift: vitamin D When vitamin D is mentioned, the first thought that comes to the minds of most people is the sun. In order to get vitamin D, some people would go sunbathing. According to a research in Canada, daily exposure under the sun for an average of three hours would greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer in women.4 Latest research in the United States has also shown that a daily intake of 4,000 to 8,000 international units (IU) of vi- tamin D by adults can reduce the risk of breast cancer, colon cancer, pros- tate cancer, and cervical cancer by approximately 50 percent. These various studies have shown that vitamin D is able to enhance immunity and induce natural apoptosis in cancer cells, thereby achieving an anti-cancer effect. According to the French National Cancer Institute, a daily increase of 1,500 IU of vitamin D is able to reduce the mortality rate of cancer by 29 percent and total cancer incidence by 17 percent.5 This research has shown that vitamin D plays a significant role in cancer inhibition. The rec- ommended daily value of vitamin D for adults is only 400 IU and increases with age. However, as long as you have 30 minutes to an hour of sun expo- sure, about 20,000 IU of vitamin D would be synthesized.6 Unfortunately, A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 109

many office workers stay in the office from early in the morning until sun- set, missing the prime time to absorb vitamin D. The best time for sun exposure is before 10 a.m. in the morning and after 3 p.m. in the afternoon. The sun rays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. contain too much harmful ultraviolet rays. People who are unable to get sun exposure can supply vitamin D through oral supplements. However, it is important to take oral vitamin D supplements with caution, because excess intake will cause high blood calcium and health issues such as de- fects in children growth and development. Patients with skin diseases or sun allergy should consult their doctors before exposing themselves under the sun. Although sunscreens could provide protection to the body against ultraviolet rays, it also inhibits the production of vitamin D by blocking beneficial UVB rays, which is responsible for triggering vitamin D produc- tion. Therefore, the use of sunscreens is not encouraged. If you want to have a healthy body, do not hide indoors anymore. Come out and enjoy outdoor activities, enjoy a life of sunshine. The cancer cell destroyer: vitamin E Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, and is also known as tocopherol because it has always been associated with reproduction in the past (tokos means ‘offspring’ and pherein means ‘to bear’ in Greek). According to the latest research, vitamin E is also an antioxidant and has wide-ranging ap- plications. Vitamin E is a destroyer that strikes terror in cancer cells. Scientists have found that vitamin E could destroy the power plants of cancer cells, mitochondria, thus causing cancer cells to die off due to lack of energy.7 According to clinical research, vitamin E can inhibit 85 to 90 percent of fibrocystic breast disease, and long-term use can cause cysts to shrink and even disappear.8 9 Vitamin E rarely fights alone in the battlefield because it always acts as a bodyguard to protect other nutrients from being damaged by free rad- icals. Research has shown that vitamin E content in cancer patient blood 110 Stay Away From Cancer

is very low. Individuals who lack vitamin E are 2.5 times more likely to develop lung cancer than ordinary people.10 Vitamin E is often used to strengthen the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy by reducing its damage and side effects. The key to vigour: co-enzyme Q10 Starting up a machine requires energy from its generators. Ma- chines only run when energy is supplied to them, and this is the same deal with human bodies. The human body would die in the absence of energy. Scientists have discovered that the secret of aging lies beyond the power plant behind the cells, the mitochondrion, and the ‘fuel rod’ that provides energy to the reactor, is coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 content in mitochondrion is very high. This is es- pecially so when a person reaches the age of 20, where coenzyme Q10 lev- els in the body reach their peak. However, as we age, mitochondria are damaged by free radicals, causing the synthesis of coenzyme Q10 to di- minish. Coenzyme Q10 exists throughout the body, especially in the mus- cles, heart, liver, and kidneys. When coenzyme Q10 in these organs start to deplete, aging would quickly take place. Coenzyme Q10 is an effective fat-soluble antioxidant. It is recog- nized by China’s State Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) as being capable of increasing immunity, assisting blood lipid reduction, increasing physical strength, and resisting fatigue. Dr. Karl Folkers, PhD. from the University of Texas was known as the “Father of Coenzyme Q10 Research”. He set an example by consuming coenzyme Q10 for 40 years. Before he passed away at a ripe old age of 91, he was always known as a person full of A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 111

vitality and the most active professor around campus. Coenzyme Q10 was his secret to anti-aging. Modern studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 can activate an- ti-cancer effects, and it has been used as an adjuvant therapy in patients with various types of cancer.11, 12 In regard to diseases and conditions oth- er than cancer, CoQ10 has the ability to protect the patient’s heart and correct gastrointestinal problems. It can also improve the vitality, strength and mental condition of a patient, thereby extending the patient’s life ex- pectancy and improving their quality of life. A mineral drained too often: calcium A person has to replenish calcium continuously throughout his en- tire life whether he is a foetus, an infant, a child, a teenager, an adult, or a senior citizen. Calcium is the basic raw material needed for bone devel- opment in children. If it is not replenished, their growth will be affected. For teenagers and adults, although they are at their peak where they have the greatest amount of calcium reserve in their body, they may experi- ence great loss of calcium due to stress and unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyles. If calcium is not replenished in time, they may suffer premature aging and other sub-health symptoms. As people age, calcium loss can be as high as 50 percent.13 High calcium loss can lead to various degenerative diseases, and if calcium is only replenished at an old age, it may be too late. When we speak of calcium, many will think of bones and sleep. However, calcium supplements have also been prov- en to be related to cancer treatment and prevention. According to a research report from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, A cup of organic skim milk is a great source of calcium. women with the highest intake of calcium were 54 percent less likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer than their peers who consume the least dairy food.14 The researchers recommend women to include 1000 to 1200 mg of calci- 112 Stay Away From Cancer

um in their daily diet to lower their ovarian cancer risk. Another research also revealed that a daily consumption of over 1000 mg of calcium can reduce the risk of colon cancer and particularly rectal cancer, by up to 46 percent.15 A mineral too often neglected: magnesium Most people believe that many foods contain magnesium and view it is an easily accessible mineral. As a result, they neglect replenishing their body with it. However, magnesium is a mineral that is actually eas- ily lost. If you are particularly picky about your food or do not like green leafy vegetables, then you are more susceptible to magnesium deficiency. Furthermore, if you consume alcohol often or consume diuretics such as strong tea or coffee on a long-term basis, you might also face magnesium deficiency.16 Too much milk or dairy products can also lead to magnesium deficiency.17 As processed foods gradually assimilate into the human diet, the lack of magnesium becomes more widespread. This is because many foods lose magnesium during food processing. For example, wheat is originally a food with high magnesium content, but after being processed into white flour, 85 percent of the magnesium is lost.18 Nowadays, infants are fed with cow’s milk, which is low in magnesium, instead of breast milk, which is high in magnesium. Thus, children lack magnesium at a young age. In modern Asian diet, white rice has replaced brown rice, but the magne- sium content of polished white rice is less than a third that of brown rice. Human intake of magnesium is already low, and yet the absorption rate of magnesium in the intestine is only 30 percent or less.19 Can you imagine how severe our magnesium deficiency is? Some medical reports also point out that people with chronic di- arrhoea and stress are more prone to magnesium deficiency. This leads to headaches, poor appetite, chronic fatigue, hypertension, arrhythmia, mental clouding and other classic signs of magnesium deficiency. Latest research has proven that magnesium deficiency is very much related to the A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 113

development of cancer. Professor Boyce from the University of Montreal, Canada, found that magnesium deficiency can lead to chromosome deformity, which can lead to cell mutation and cancer. At the same time, magnesium deficien- cy weakens lymphocytes, which in turn compromises the body’s defence mechanisms; allowing oneself to be deficient in magnesium is akin to dic- ing with death. When intracellular magnesium content is too low, metab- olism slows down and other disorders follow. These conditions will lead to a variety of chronic diseases, including cancer. Magnesium is one of the main components of chlorophyll. As such, to avoid cancer, one should consume large amounts of dark green plants that are rich in chlorophyll. Foods rich in magnesium include seaweed, alfalfa, buckwheat, whole grains, and nuts. The U.S. Food and Nutrition Board states that adult men need about 400 mg of magnesium a day to prevent magnesium deficiency. Having a balanced diet and reducing the consumption of processed foods are your best bet in making sure that your body is taking in enough magnesium. If you discover that you are exhib- iting signs of magnesium deficiency, please do not hesitate to supplement your diet with magnesium. King of anticancer: trace element selenium Many people want to know the secrets of longevity, held within the famous village of longevity in Bama County, Guangxi, China. Scientists who conducted years of research and investigation there finally figured out what set them apart from the rest of the world: the selenium content of the soil and crops in that area are ten times more than that of other areas. The local centenarians take in an abundant amount of selenium every day, and thus have a selenium content in their blood six times higher than the average person. At the same time, scientists have also come to the same conclusion for Shitai County, Anhui, another longevity village in China.20 This shows that one must take in a sufficient amount of selenium to achieve 114 Stay Away From Cancer

longevity. Selenium is an essential trace element in the human body. It is a powerful antioxidant and active ingredient in the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), which is effective in eliminating free radicals and slowing down aging. Research on the anti-cancer effects of selenium shows that when selenium and chemotherapy drugs are used together, not only are the dam- ages of chemotherapy minimized, but the effectiveness of chemotherapy is also significantly enhanced.21 22 Patients often suffer from selenium deficiency while cancer is de- veloping within them. Japanese research shows that reducing selenium intake can increase the risk of breast cancer by four to five times. Thus, appropriate replenishment of selenium is extremely important. A study by the University of Arizona showed that a simple daily intake of 200μg of se- lenium significantly reduces cancer mortality by 50 percent, and decreas- es the incidence of prostate cancer by 63 percent, colorectal cancer by 58 percent, and lung cancer by 37 percent.23 To avoid cancer, one can increase their consumption of selenium-rich foods such as garlic, Brazil nuts, pur- ple sweet potatoes, and mushrooms. God’s fruit of healing: Noni The aborigines of Fiji, a cancer-free archipelago in the South Pacif- ic, never went to a doctor. When they are sick, they search for the miracle healing fruit—noni. The locals believe that noni fruit is a fruit for healing bestowed by God and can cure almost every disease. In a radically different location, American bio-chemist Dr. Ralph Heinicke found a substance that is essential for the body’s acti- vation, repair, and regeneration functions, which he gave the name Xeronine. There is a large amount of Xeronine and proxe- ronease in noni. This means that frequent consumption of noni A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 115

can help keep your cells young. The consequences of cellular aging and DNA damage are very se- vere, as cells will either become inactive, die rapidly, or mutate, ultimately leading to a malignant tumour. However, the anti-aging effects of noni are quite astonishing. Noni is capable of repairing DNA, extending cell life, and recovering unhealthy cells. When cells are healthy, their lifespans are extended, and the whole body will consequently achieve wellness and lon- gevity. Dr. Mian-Ying Wang of the University of Illinois College of Med- icine, made a startling discovery: noni could eliminate up to 90 percent of carcinogen-bound DNA segments!24 This is a great contribution to the prevention of cancer. Another component in noni fruit, Damnacanthal, is also a great anti-cancer agent as it is able to turn precancerous cells into normal healthy cells.25 Fighting at the frontline against cancer: Agaricus blazei Murill In 1987, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with colon cancer, prostate cancer, and skin cancer. After President Reagan went through surgery, he did not experience any recurrence for the next sixteen years. He passed away in 2004 from pneumonia at 93 years old. The secret behind his triumph against cancer was “Agaricus blazei Murill”. In Japan, more than five hundred hospitals use it as an adjuvant therapy for cancer. Agaricus blazei Murill plays an important role in the fight against cancer. Agaricus blazei Murill has been reported to have anti-mutagenic effects26 and anti-tumor effects.27 The International Journal of Gynecology Cancer reported that natural killer cell activity and quality of life were im- proved by consuming Agaricus blazei Murill.28 Chemotherapy side effects were all improved. At Kumamoto University, Japan, Prof. Ide Hiroyuki allowed tu- mours to grow on more than a thousand little mice. The mice only sur- vived for a maximum of 20 days. However, with the consumption of Agari- 116 Stay Away From Cancer

cus blazei Murill, the life span of these mice extended to three months. The experimental report revealed that the suppression rate of cancerous cells was as high as 99.4 percent and survival rate was 90 percent within test ani- mals who consumed 10 mg of Agaricus blazei Murill daily. The antioxidant effects of a small amount of Agaricus blazei Murill are a thousand times stronger than green tea. There are many benefits to Agaricus blazei Murill. Not only does it have strong immunomodulating properties, but it also stimulates mac- rophage activities, enhances liver functions, repairs renal functions, and restores pancreatic secretions. To a cancer patient, this translates to overall recovery. Moreover, it induces natural apoptosis in cancer cells and pre- vents healthy cells from becoming cancerous. Agaricus blazei Murill is often used clinically as an adjuvant supplement after chemotherapy and also makes significant contributions to cancer prevention. Agaricus blazei Murill Anti-cancer adjuvant: Maitake Another powerful mushroom with healing properties is maitake (Grifola frondo- sa). Prof. Sensuke Konno from New York Med- ical College asserts that maitake can increase a person’s immunity and inhibit the growth of cancerous cells. It has been clinically proven that maitake can reduce the size of cancerous Maitake tumours by 75 percent or more, and is espe- cially effective with bladder and prostate cancer.29 The bio-active beta-glu- can from maitake mushroom has a cytotoxic effect on prostatic cancer cells in vitro, and can lead to apoptosis.30 A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 117

Some researchers also noted that if maitake is consumed frequent- ly, breast cancer risk can be reduced by two-thirds.31 In 2005, maitake be- came used regularly by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York as an adjuvant supplement in the late stages of breast cancer. It can induce apoptosis in cancerous cells, inhibit tumour metastasis in vitro, and alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy. Maitake is particularly effective in relieving the pain of patients suffering from later-stage cancer. It also increases appetite and improves patient quality of life. References 1) Omenn, Gilbert S., et al. “The β-carotene and retinol efficacy trial (CARET) for che- moprevention of lung cancer in high risk populations: smokers and asbestos-exposed workers.” Cancer research 54.7 Supplement (1994): 2038s-2043s. 2) Annapurna, V. V., Y. G. Deosthale, and Mahtab S. Bamji. “Spirulina as a source of vita- min A.” Plant foods for human nutrition 41.2 (1991): 125-134. 3) Arranz, Nuria, et al. “Protective effect of vitamin C towards N-nitrosamine-induced DNA damage in the single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE)/HepG2 assay.” Toxicology in Vitro 21.7 (2007): 1311-1317. 4) Anderson, Laura N., et al. “Ultraviolet sunlight exposure during adolescence and adulthood and breast cancer risk: a population-based case-control study among Ontario women.” American journal of epidemiology (2011): kwr091. 5) Giovannucci, Edward, et al. “Prospective study of predictors of vitamin D status and cancer incidence and mortality in men.” Journal of the National Cancer Institute 98.7 (2006): 451-459. 6) Hollis, Bruce W. “Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels indicative of vitamin D suf- ficiency: implications for establishing a new effective dietary intake recommendation for vitamin D.” The Journal of nutrition 135.2 (2005): 317-322. 7) Dong, Lan-Feng, et al. “Mitochondrial targeting of vitamin E succinate enhances its pro-apoptotic and anti-cancer activity via mitochondrial complex II.” Journal of Biologi- cal Chemistry 286.5 (2011): 3717-3728. 8) Solomon, David, Deli Strummer, and Padmanabhan P. Nair. “Relationship between vitamin E and urinary excretion of ketosteroid fractions in cystic mastitis.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 203.1 (1972): 103-110. 9) London, Robert S., et al. “Mammary dysplasia: Endocrine parameters and tocopherol therapy.” Nutrition Research 2.3 (1982): 243-247. 10) Menkes, Marilyn S., et al. “Serum beta-carotene, vitamins A and E, selenium, and the risk of lung cancer.” New England Journal of Medicine 315.20 (1986): 1250-1254. 11) Folkers, K., et al. “Inhibition of two human tumor cell lines by antimetabolites of co- enzyme Q10.” Research communications in chemical pathology and pharmacology 19.3 (1978): 485-490. 12) Folkers, K. “The potential of coenzyme Q 10 (NSC-140865) in cancer treatment.” Cancer chemotherapy reports. Part 2 4.4 (1974): 19. 118 Stay Away From Cancer

13) Alldredge, Brian K., et al., eds. Applied therapeutics: the clinical use of drugs. Wolters Kluwer/Lipincot William & Wilkins, 2013. 14) Goodman, Marc T., et al. “Association of dairy products, lactose, and calcium with the risk of ovarian cancer.” American journal of epidemiology 156.2 (2002): 148-157. 15) Galas, Aleksander, Malgorzata Augustyniak, and Elzbieta Sochacka-Tatara. “Does di- etary calcium interact with dietary fiber against colorectal cancer? A case–control study in Central Europe.” Nutrition journal 12.1 (2013): 1. 16) Sheehan, John, and Aideen White. “Diuretic-associated hypomagnesaemia.” Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 285.6349 (1982): 1157-1159. 17) Miura, Tsutomu, et al. “Long-term high intake of calcium reduces magnesium utiliza- tion in rats.” Nutrition research 19.9 (1999): 1363-1369. 18) Schroeder, Henry A. “Losses of vitamins and trace minerals resulting from processing and preservation of foods.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 24.5 (1971): 562-573. 19) Lindberg, Jill S., et al. “Magnesium bioavailability from magnesium citrate and mag- nesium oxide.” Journal of the American college of nutrition 9.1 (1990): 48-55. 20) Winkel, Lenny HE, et al. “Global Advances in Selenium Research from Theory to Application.” 21) Hu, Ya-Jun, et al. “The protective role of selenium on the toxicity of cisplatin-con- tained chemotherapy regimen in cancer patients.” Biological trace element research 56.3 (1997): 331-341. 22) Sieja, Krzysztof, and Małgorzata Talerczyk. “Selenium as an element in the treatment of ovarian cancer in women receiving chemotherapy.” Gynecologic oncology 93.2 (2004): 320-327. 23) WITHERINGTON, R., et al. “Decreased incidence of prostate cancer with seleni- um supplementation: results of a double-blind cancer prevention trial.” British journal of urology 81 (1998): 730-734. 24) Wang, M. Y., and Chen Su. “Cancer preventive effect of Morinda citrifolia (Noni).” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 952.1 (2001): 161-168. 25) Macpherson, Helen, et al. “The potential for a new value adding industry for noni tropical fruit producers.” Australia: Rural Industries Research and Development Corpo- ration (2007). 26) Menoli, Regina Carla Rodrigues Notoya, et al. “Antimutagenic effects of the mush- room Agaricus blazei Murrill extracts on V79 cells.” Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicol- ogy and Environmental Mutagenesis 496.1 (2001): 5-13. 27) Ito, Hitoshi, et al. “Antitumor effects of a new polysaccharide-protein complex (ATOM) prepared from Agaricus blazei (Iwade strain 101)” Himematsutake” and its mechanisms in tumor-bearing mice.” Anticancer research 17.1A (1996): 277-284. 28) Ahn, W‐S., et al. “Natural killer cell activity and quality of life were improved by con- sumption of a mushroom extract, Agaricus blazei Murill Kyowa, in gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.” International Journal of Gynecological Cancer 14.4 (2004): 589-594. 29) Preuss, Harry G., MD Harry Preuss, and Sensuke Konno. Maitake Magic. SCB Dis- tributors, 2013. 30) Fullerton, S. A., et al. “Induction of apoptosis in human prostatic cancer cells with beta-glucan (Maitake mushroom polysaccharide).” Molecular urology 4.1 (1999): 7-13. 31) Zhang, Min, et al. “Dietary intakes of mushrooms and green tea combine to reduce the risk of breast cancer in Chinese women.” International journal of cancer 124.6 (2009): 1404-1408. A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 119

Strategy 5: Herbal Therapy The w isdom of Chinese medicine Many people interpret the first Chinese character ˖ (zhōng) in ˖ ӝ (zhōng yī, traditional Chinese medicine) as the same ˖ in ˖‫( ڍ‬zhōng guó, China). But it also refers to the ˖ in ˖क (zhōng yōng), which in Confucianism means “moderate, balanced, and unbiased”, alluding to the yin-yang balance emphasized in Yin-Yang theory. Traditional Chinese medicine is a medical study that stresses moderation. When Chinese Med- icine practitioners diagnose a patient, they will look at the conditions ho- listically. So it can be said that Chinese medicine practitioners do not treat illnesses alone, but also the person as a whole. Some cancer patients may show “heat syndrome”, while others show typical “deficiency syndrome”. There are also some with “stasis syn- drome” and “phlegm syndrome”. These are very complex. Therefore, the prescription and treatment for every cancer patient is unique and is based on their syndrome. However, the treatment’s main goal is to achieve an overall balance in the body through regulating the patient’s vital energy and blood, yin and yang, coldness and heatiness. The common traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles for treating cancer are as follows: 1 Law of strengthening healthy qi (body resistance) “Illness cannot interfere Commonly used Chinese medicine: with the body when adequate vestiges of healthy qi are stored Ginseng, Codonopsis (Dang Shen), Astrag- within.” “Healthy qi” holds great alus (Huang Qi), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), significance for a patient’s de- Poria (Fu Ling), Angelica Sinensis (Dong Quai), Rehmannia root (cooked and raw) fence and morbidity. Body resis- (Shu Di, Sheng Di), Scrophularia (Xuan tance is strengthened by taking Shen), Ophiopogon Root (Mai Dong), the right tonics and supplements Radix Polygonum multiflorum (He Shou to regulate the imbalance of yin Wu), etc. and yang and the imbalance of vital energy and blood, so as to improve the patient’s ability to fight cancer. Consuming tonics or supplements not 120 Stay Away From Cancer

only improves energy but also enriches blood, tonifies yin and yang, and strengthens the kidneys and spleen. The choice of supplements and tonics depends on the individual’s unique conditions. Do not take any tonics or supplements hastily before consulting professional advice. 2 Law of heat clearing and toxin-resolving Cancer patients of- Commonly used Chinese medicine: ten display “heat syndrome” during the early stages. Like the Hedyotis Diffusa (Bai Hua She She Cao), Scutellaria Barbata (Ban Zhi Lian), Sopho- herbal tea we are familiar with, rae Tonkinensis Radix (Shan Dou Gen), heat-reducing and detoxifica- Herba Taraxaci (Pu Gong Ying), Indigo tion medicines can clear heati- Naturalis (Qing Dai), Andrographis panic- ness from our body. Modern ulata (Chuan Xin Lian), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian), etc. scientific research discovered that some heat-reducing and detoxification medicines such as Hedyotis diffusa, Scutellaria barbata and Sophorae tonkinensis Radix not only pos- sess antineoplastic actions but also improve immunity. When used togeth- er with chemotherapy, they enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and re- duce its side effects. Moreover, patients who suffer from inflammation, can alleviate the symptoms with heat-reducing and detoxification medicines. These medicines are commonly used in Chinese medicine for treating can- cer. 3 Law of promoting blood circulation and eliminating stasis Previously, we men- Commonly used Chinese medicine: tioned about the close relation- ship between cancer and blood Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen), Ligusticum stasis. Now, we are going to take wallichii (Chuan Xiong), Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Chi Shao), Flos Carthami (Hong a look at the circulation-invig- Hua), Semen Persicae (Tao Ren), Radis No- orating and stasis-eliminating toginseng (San Qi), Olibanum (Ru Xiang), functions of Chinese medicine. Myrrha (Mo Yao), Rhizoma Sparganii (San These herbs can correct the hy- Ling), Rhizoma Curcumae (E Zhu). A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 121

percoagulable state of blood in the body and facilitate smooth blood flow, thereby allowing blood cells to transport nutrients to the different parts of the body. Chinese medicine that promotes blood circulation and elimi- nates stasis are often used together with radiation therapy to improve local sensitivity to radiotherapy and reduce fibrosis after radiotherapy. However, as medicine that promote blood circulation and remove stasis increase the possibility of cancer metastasis, they must only be used under professional guidance. 4 Law of expelling phlegm and removing stagnation Most people have experi- Commonly used Chinese medicine: enced phlegm as a type of lung secretion. However, TCM has a Pseudobulbus Cremastrae seu Pleiones (Shan Ci Gu), Radix Ranunculi Ternati broader view on phlegm, as it (Mao Zhua Cao), Rhizoma Pinelliae (Ban holds that “long-lasting phlegm Xia), Bulbus Frityllariae Cirrhosae (Ch- results in disease.” Chinese med- uan Bei Mu), Tuber Dioscoreae Bulbiferae icine practitioners believe that (Huang Yao Zi), Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiang Chan) phlegm is an excess product in the human body. It contains a wide variety of substances, including scrof- ula, jaundice, and liquid secretions. Scientists have discovered that certain phlegm expelling and stagnation eliminating Chinese medicines can in- hibit and kill cancer cells, eliminate benign tumours and reduce the in- flammatory secretions around the tumour. Is Chinese medicine scientific? Some people think that Chi- nese medicine refers to a traditional healing method which treats diseases based on the non-scientific theories of the Five Elements and Yin and Yang. Can we trust Chinese Medicine? Al- though the theories of Chinese med- 122 Stay Away From Cancer

icine cannot be explained with current scientific methods, a growing number of scientific experiments are suggesting that Chinese medicine is indeed effective. Since 1955, China has embarked on various Chinese medicine studies and have discovered that effective medicinal components can be extracted from Chinese medicine to treat diseases scientifically. For exam- ple, experiments have shown that Ligustrum lucidum,1 Dodder seeds,2 and goji berries3 contain strong antioxidants that can eliminate free radicals. Ginseng,4 Cordyceps,5 and Astragalus membranaceus6 can activate T-cells and macrophages, as well as regulate the content ratio of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which are extremely beneficial for fighting cancer. In addition, certain anti-cancer Chinese medicines are especially effective against spe- cific cancers. For example, the effective rate of cantharidin extract against primary liver cancer is 58.6 percent, while edible cremastra extract has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of breast cancer.7 However, due to commercialized planting, wild Chinese medicine is almost non-existent in the market. In Taiwan, many batches of Chinese medicine have been shown to contain pesticides and heavy metal levels that exceed acceptable standards. Also, lot of people cannot distinguish between authentic and fake Chinese medicine, and thus have no clue that they are consuming poisonous substances. I prefer to use reliable Chinese medicine processed by high-tech refin- ing and subjected to rigorous examination. Al- though they are more expensive, they are worth the cost, as people can then safely take the med- icine. Effective and to the point: acupuncture Acupuncture is a major subject in Chinese medicine study that is recognized globally. It has become one of the main treatments in naturop- A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 123

athy. The body’s meridian system is a complex body map that exists within the subtle body. It cannot be identified in conventional anatomy, yet it ex- ists in the human body. The three hundred and more acupuncture points in the body are like a physiological “remote control”—these acupuncture points just need to be stimulated and miraculous effects will appear on your body. I also did research on acupuncture because it is beneficial for enhancing a cancer patient’s immunity. Modern science has also confirmed “Hegu” that stimulation of the acupuncture points “Zusanli” (ST36), “Quchi” (LI11) and “Hegu” (LI4) has bi-directional regulatory effects on the immune system.8 An overreacting immune system can be supressed by the stimulation of these acupuncture points, while a feeble immune system can be activated by stimulating the same points. The stimulation of certain acupuncture points, such as “Dazhui” (DU14), “Zusanli” (ST36) and “Shenyu” (BL23), can also boost the phagocytic activities of macrophages. I very much encourage cancer patients to receive acupuncture treatment. For this purpose, I came up with the “Immunization Acupunc- ture Method”. Acupuncture can achieve the effect of direct stimulation, and certain curative effects which cannot be achieved by medicine alone can be achieved through acupuncture. I had a 50-year-old patient with na- sopharyngeal carcinoma. After surgery, her chin felt numb and her mouth felt dry from the lack of saliva secretion. This condition lasted for two years, and she thought that these side effects were irreversible. But after acupuncture treatment, the numbness in her chin disappeared and saliva secretion increased. She told me that the lack of saliva was like living in the desert, but now, she feels like she’s sitting next to a waterfall. Sometimes, acupuncture cures without delay. Other times, sev- eral treatment sessions are needed before results are felt. It depends on 124 Stay Away From Cancer

the patient’s condition and his body’s responsiveness. Acupuncture treat- ment produces favourable results for many diseases. Even when we feel healthy, the treatment can serve as a prevention against diseases. It is suit- able for people from all walks of life. You can perform simple acupuncture on yourself even at home, especially when you’re watching television. By applying pressure to your hegu—a spot located between your thumb and index finger—you can activate your immunocytes and relieve pain. This simple action can help prevent many diseases. $FXSXQFWXUHLVEHQHÀFLDOWKHLPPXQHV\\VWHP Western natural medicine: homeopathy Homeopathy was founded by Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann from Germany in 1755. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann was dissatis- fied with the state of medicine back then because during his medical prac- tice, he discovered that the medicine the doctors used in treating patients did more harm than good. He felt guilty, so he decided to give up his pro- fession as a doctor and turn to translating medical textbooks. One day, he learned from a book that the astringency of Cinchona is effective in treat- ing malaria. However, knowing wasn’t enough for him, he had to experi- ence the phenomena himself to satisfy his inner curiosity. So he ate some Cinchona and made a serendipitous finding: the chills and fever caused by Cinchona toxins were the same as those of malaria. Since then, the medical theory of “Like cures like” was born. After Dr. Samuel Hahnemann discovered that medical theory, he continued to carry out experiments on humans. However, due to the high toxicity of A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 125

these compounds, he diluted them before administering it to his subjects. The technique of “potentization” in homeopathy was thus invented. This method successfully dilutes drug toxicity, yet maintains the potency of the medicine. References 1) He, Zhen-Dan, et al. “Antioxidative Glucosides from the Fruits of Ligu- strum lucidum.” Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 49.6 (2001): 780- 784. 2) CHEN, Lin-lin, Chun WU, and Wei LI. “Study on antioxidative activity of flavonoids from Semen Cuscutae [J].” Science and Technology of Food Industry 11 (2008): 033. 3) Zhang, Ziping, et al. “Comparative evaluation of the antioxidant ef- fects of the natural vitamin C analog 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid isolated from Goji berry fruit.” Archives of pharmacal research 34.5 (2011): 801-810. 4) Lee, Y. S., et al. “Activation of multiple effector pathways of immune sys- tem by the antineoplastic immunostimulator acidic polysaccharide ginsan isolated from Panax ginseng.” Anticancer research 17.1A (1996): 323-331. 5) Koh, Jong-Ho, et al. “Activation of macrophages and the intestinal im- mune system by an orally administered decoction from cultured mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis.” Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry 66.2 (2002): 407-411. 6) Lee, Kun Yeong, and Young Jin Jeon. “Macrophage activation by poly- saccharide isolated from Astragalus membranaceus.” International Immu- nopharmacology 5.7 (2005): 1225-1233. 7) Li, Shuai, et al. “Terpenoids from the tuber of Cremastra appendicula- ta.” Journal of Asian natural products research 10.7 (2008): 677-683. 8) Lee, Daniel CC. Using silver spike point needle-free electro-acupunc- ture for postoperative pain management. Diss. Victoria University, 2008. 126 Stay Away From Cancer

Strategy 6: Diet Therapy Let food become your medicine The father of medicine Hippocrates had a famous saying, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Our dietary habits are related to our health. Particularly for those with severe illnesses, diet can affect the progression of a disease. When my friend was overseas, he was sent to the hospital for emergency treatment due to hepatitis. After a round of treatment, his bilirubin index dropped from more than 1000 to a little above 300. After a month, he was still un- able to be discharged as his bilirubin index stayed above 300. Later, his family arranged for him to be transferred to another hospital and unex- pectedly, his bilirubin index fell to around 90 within a week and he was discharged. Both hospitals gave him almost the exact same treatments. The only difference was the meals—the patient’s meals were strictly planned by experts using diet therapy in the second hospital. This is how important diet therapy is. Sometimes, as long as you’re determined to give up the foods you’re not supposed to be eating, you will recover from the disease that’s pestering you. What are “stimulating foods”? What should w e avoid? There are many beliefs among the public regarding diet restriction during illness. Restricted foods during illness are all considered “stimulat- ing foods” in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The concept behind stimulat- ing foods is that these foods will aggravate or induce disease. For example, diabetic patients should avoid sweet foods, hypertension patients should avoid a high sodium diet, patients with kidney disease should limit their salt intake, patients with heart disease should stay away from alcohol and fatty foods, patients with liver disease should stop alcohol intake and pa- tients with gallbladder disorders should avoid fatty foods. Of course, a list of stimulating foods cancer patients should avoid also exists. These foods contain carcinogens or cancer-promoting agents A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 127

such as nitrite, acetaldehyde, high fructose corn syrup, trans fat, food dyes, preservatives, etc. Aspergillus flavus, found in mouldy peanuts and corn are harmful to humans, but can cause more harm to cancer patients.1 Fried, baked, and barbecued foods which are high in free radicals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAH also cause and exacerbate cancer. Other foods on the list include leftovers, meats, and processed foods. From the perspective of TCM, most spicy, dry, and heaty foods are considered stimulating foods. Some shallow-water seafood such as shrimps, crabs, shellfish, and clams frequently cause allergies. Besides, fla- vourful, excessively sweet, salty or greasy foods also increase the burden on the body. Coffees and caffeinated beverages also strain the body. When cancer patients consume these stimulating foods, their body becomes heaty, and may suffer indigestion, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhoea or develop allergies and rashes. Researchers discovered that if a cancer patient consumes heaty foods such as fried, baked or barbecued foods, his cancer cells will flourish and further aggravate the disease.2,3 How to cook healthily? No matter how healthy a food or ingredient is, as long as it is cooked improperly, it may become or produce carcinogens. Therefore, cooking is the most important and emphasized segment in diet therapy. For example, bread is manufactured from wheat and should be a very nutritious food. However, in the process of baking under high temperatures, almost all the nutrients are destroyed, which is why I often tell others that white bread is “empty food”. To be fair to wheat and to give it a chance, I developed a method to bake bread under low temperatures, successfully retaining the original nutrients from wheat. Among the great varieties of cooking methods, steaming is the healthiest, followed by boiling and then stewing. Professor Helen Vlassara from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York University, said that when food is cooked under high temperatures without water for long pe- riods of time (i.e. grilling, frying, and broiling), the carbohydrates, pro- 128 Stay Away From Cancer

teins, and fats in food produce a large amount of “advanced glycation end products (AGEs)”.4 These toxins worsen inflammation in the body and make cancer cells even more active. Besides that, experts have also found that steaming not only maintains the original taste of foods, but also helps retain more wa- ter-soluble vitamins such as vitamin B complex and vitamin C.5 If the ingredients are boiled or stewed, the nutrients contained within will flow into the soup, so it is best to finish up the soup as well. Stewing is beneficial because it boils out the active nutrients in food and softens up sol- The healthiest way to cook is id food; senior citizens will thus have an easier steaming, followed by boiling time digesting and absorbing stewed foods. and stewing. A workman must sharpen his tools if he is to do his work well. Choosing the right kitchenware is also very important. One should not use aluminium, iron, or copper cookware, neither should one use non-stick pans, which contain Teflon. However, the worse cookware of all is alu- minium and non-stick cookware. These two types of kitchen utensils react chemically with food during the cooking process and contaminate food with heavy metals and chemical toxins. The U.S. Environmental Protec- tion Agency has confirmed that excessive consumption of food containing traces of Teflon will lead to liver cancer.6 Then what kitchenware should we use? The best kitchenware should be made of stainless steel. I am very fond of kitchenware made with the latest Swiss-invented far infrared energy technology, because they can reduce the size of water molecules in food and increase the quality of nutrients at the same time, removing odours and keeping food fresh. All of us know that heat con- duction is slower in ordinary steel pots. However, far infrared energy tech- nology can solve this problem. As these special kitchenware heat up faster, cooking time is shortened and more nutrients are retained in food. In ad- dition, scientists who conducted a series of experiments have discovered A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 129

that cooking with far infrared energy technology retained the moisture, original taste, and nutrients in food. The charm of natural organic foods While studying overseas in Guangzhou, I had an unforgettable ex- perience that totally convinced me that natural foods are more delicious than fake foods. In Malaysia, all the lychees we eat are either processed or added with essences and saccharin, and I always thought that’s what lychees taste like. When I ate fresh lychees that were free of preservatives for the first time, I was enlightened and realized that I had been cheated by several products. Real lychees taste quite different from the products we eat. They are much more delicious! When you get the chance to taste locally grown, fresh produce, it is difficult to forget that true, original taste. In the same way, it is also almost impossible for the local Chinese to comprehend the true delicacy of durians, as the durians they eat are mainly processed or added with essences. However, as durians are locally grown in Malaysia, we un- derstand the taste of a real durian. We are often deceived by these fake foods in our life. For example, there Visiting NHF’s organic farm. is a faint sweetness found in organic carrots while commercially planted carrots are usually slightly bitter. It is believed that the bitterness comes from pesticide residues, which is why I pay so much attention to washing fruits and vegetables. Often times, while eating fruits and vegetables, we are also ingesting pesticides. I really like to use an ozone food sterilizer to break down pesticides on fruits and vegetables. The National Taiwan University of Science and Technology successfully eliminated 99.9 percent of all pesticides within 15 minutes in an experiment. Ozone food sterilizers are very popular in Taiwan. Almost every household owns one because not only can it break 130 Stay Away From Cancer

down pesticides in fruits and vegetables, it can also break down toxins in meats. In addition, SGS has certified that ozone food sterilizers have a 1-minute sterilization efficacy of up to 99.9 percent. If you can’t afford to purchase organic food, then you must clean you meats and vegetables with an ozone food sterilizer before cooking, to prevent toxins from entering into your body. Once you give organic corn a try, you will never yearn for ordi- nary corn again. I set up an organic farm and planted corn there recently. While giving the organically-grown corn a try, I could not help but gasp in amazement—this is what corn is meant to taste like when God created them, sweet and delicious! What is regrettable is that a lot of commercially grown corn go through a “baptism of pesticides”, which gradually causes them to lose their original sweetness. While studying in Canada, I loved to visit organic food stores. Or- ganic food stores are very popular in Canada. The price of common foods are lower than that of organic foods; but after processing, the quality of these common foods are definitely less than ideal. Organic foods are true and original. Since then, I was resolved to set up organic food stores, be- cause I am very fond of organic food and nature, and it is my wish to share this joy and taste of nature with everyone. References 1) Horn, B. W., R. L. Greene, and J. W. Dorner. “Effect of corn and peanut cultivation on soil populations of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus in southwestern Georgia.” Ap- plied and Environmental Microbiology 61.7 (1995): 2472-2475. 2) Anderson, Kristin E., et al. “Meat intake and cooking techniques: associations with pancreatic cancer.” Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mu- tagenesis 506 (2002): 225-231. 3) Sinha, Rashmi, et al. “High concentrations of the carcinogen 2-amino-1-meth- yl-6-phenylimidazo-[4, 5-b] pyridine (PhIP) occur in chicken but are dependent on the cooking method.” Cancer Research 55.20 (1995): 4516-4519. 4) Vlassara, Helen, and M. R. Palace. “Diabetes and advanced glycation endproducts.” Journal of internal medicine 251.2 (2002): 87-101. 5) Rumm-Kreuter, D., and I. Demmel. “Comparison of vitamin losses in vegetables due to various cooking methods.” Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology 36.4-Sup- plementI (1990): S7-S15. 6) EPA, U. “Emerging contaminants-perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perflu-orooc- tanoic acid (PFOA).” Emerging contaminants fact sheet–PFOS and PFOA (2012). A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 131

Strategy 7: Aerobic Therapy Wake up from your sedentary lifestyle If you spend most of your time sitting, you’re at a high risk of de- veloping lifestyle diseases. According to an article posted by the U.S. Wash- ington Post, about 100,000 new cases of breast cancer and colon cancer every year are linked to sedentary lifestyles, a big contributor to obesity. Cancer rates are even higher for frequent computer users and those who sit down for long periods of times. People nowadays are too stressed out with their busy schedules and cannot find time to exercise. Sometimes they are too tired to work out, even though they are willing to. The chronic consequence from a lack of exercise is obesity. Recently, the U.K. Institute of Cancer Research has de- clared that obesity is the number two reason for cancer.1 Currently known cancers that are closely associated with obesity include oesophagus cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, and en- dometrial cancer. 2੕FHZRUNHUVZKRVLWIRUORQJSHULRGVRIWLPH must remember to leave their desks every 30 minutes for a short break. 132 Stay Away From Cancer

I enjoy exercising. Without exercise for two straight days, my body would feel very uncomfortable. That is why I exercise at least four times a week, with each session lasting more than one hour. I fell in love with sports competitions ever since I was young, since competitions build up good relationships and promotes exercise and healthy living. That’s the rea- son why I built various sports facilities such as a badminton court and two gyms in my company’s headquarters and organize many sports competi- tions for my staff. Actually, you can exercise anywhere you want. It’s not necessary for you to exercise in a designated sports facility. For instance, if you are watching TV, don’t just sit and watch, instead, do some aerobic exer- cises or jump on a trampoline while watching. Or, you could just spare 30 minutes to practice martial arts. After completing a set of routines, you’ll be soaked in sweat. If you care about your health, always make time for exercise no matter how busy you are. New research in The Lancet reveals that 5.3 million deaths per year are associated with physical inactivity.2 The researchers added that the consequence of physical inactivity is as severe as smoking. What kind of exercise is the best? Finnish scientists say that the more intense the exercise is, the better it is for cancer prevention. Such ex- ercise is especially effective in preventing cancer in the digestive tract and lungs. Among all kinds of exercises, aerobic exercise, such as long-distance jogging, has the best effect in preventing cancer. However, if you are not consistent in exercising, it would not be effective in preventing cancer. If we are consistent, then we will reap the benefits of exercising, which include prolonging our lifespan by more than 14 years. Throughout the years, humans invented various kinds of exercises. Although exercises come in various forms, they are mainly classified into A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 133

two categories, aerobics and anaerobic exercises. Both exercises provide different benefits to the body. Aerobic exercises are low-intensity activities that focus on strengthening your heart and increasing your lung capacity. Some of the examples include jogging, cycling, swimming, skiing, mar- tial arts, badminton, etc. Anaerobic exercises, which refer to high-intensity physical activity, such as body building, help build lean muscle mass and burn calorie efficiently. Here are some of the well-known benefits of aerobic exercises. These are very good reasons to get you start moving. 1 Exercise is a heart booster Exercise prevents your arteries from clogging up by reducing LDL cholesterol in your blood. It also relieves the stress on your heart by low- ering your blood pressure. Besides, it is also effective in improving your insulin sensitivity, heart muscle function, and blood flow, thus reducing the chances of blood clots and heart attacks. 2 Exercise helps manage stress Studies have shown that being physically active could stimulate the endorphin secretion, which is your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. It could also lower the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression, increasing your sense of well-being.3 3 Exercise promotes weight loss During exercise, your body burns fat, and as a results your total body fat will be reduced. Sporadic exercise, however, won’t achieve the re- sults you desire. Research has shown that you should exercise energetically for at least 30 minutes a day to manage your weight. One should perform one-hour exercise sessions for three to four times a week to lose weight and keep it off. 4 Exercise improves muscle strength, joint structures and functions Not only do strengthening exercises enhance your muscles and in- crease your muscle mass, they also strengthen your bones and enhance your body’s metabolism. Exercise is linked to osteoporosis prevention, and can promote joint health, especially for arthritis sufferers. Studies 134 Stay Away From Cancer

have shown that exercise can alleviate ar- thritis symptoms and improve joint mo- bility and strength. Researchers suggest that high-intensity exercise programs can benefit rheumatoid arthritis patients in a research published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism.4 A 30-minute walk every day can do more for your long- term health than medication. 5 Exercise improves oxygen and nutrient supplementation to your body Exercise promotes blood circulation, resulting in sufficient oxygen and nutrient supply to every cell of your body. It also improves the body’s oxygen utilization, thus enhancing the body’s functions. Exercise could also lower systolic blood pressure, which could benefit senior citizens who are more at risk of hypertension. A study from Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System in Michigan revealed that 22 older adults over the age of 80 who took part in the aerobic exercise study revealed positive results.5 6 Exercise improves sleep quality Exercise will help you ease tension and relieve insomnia, as exer- cise releases endorphins, which could help you gain a sense of wellbeing.6 However, exercise has its optimal time, which is in the morning. Exercise during the day promotes the sleep onset and quality, while exercising late at night might ruin your sleep quality instead of improving it. 7 Exercise reduces risk of disease Obesity is an aggravating factor in the emergence of various diseas- es, such as heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer. The risk of developing these diseases decreases as we lose weight. Exercise is one of the best medication-free method to lose weight naturally. 8 Exercise reduces diabetic complications Exercise can help reduce insulin resistance, which lowers the risk of diabetes. It is also crucial for diabetic patients as it could help you man- age blood sugar levels effectively and prevent cardiovascular disease. How- ever, diabetic patients should follow some exercise precautions to perform A Complete Strategy for Detoxi cation, Healthcare and Fighting Cancer: Seven Therapies 135

exercise safely. 9 Exercise bolsters immunity and increases longevity Numerous studies have shown that people who exercise regularly are less prone to mild viral infections such as colds or the flu. A study of 1,000 people found that staying active nearly halved the chance of catch- ing viruses and lessened infection severity. Another research by Harvard University, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1986, re- vealed that there is a scientific link between exercise and longevity.7 Since then, other researches have confirmed this initial assessment. 10 Exercise plays an important role in preventing cancer Exercise speeds up peristalsis in the colon, thus reducing the amount of time your body spends in contact with any toxins. This reduces the risk of colorectal cancer. Exercise can also reduce the risk of breast can- cer as it moderates the level of oestrogen in the body, a hormone linked to breast cancer. About 25 percent of all breast cancer cases in women could be avoided by maintaining a healthy body weight and doing regular phys- ical activity, says internist Anne McTiernan, a researcher with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.8 References 1) Parkin, D. M., and L. Boyd. “8. Cancers attributable to overweight and obesity in the UK in 2010.” British journal of cancer 105 (2011): S34-S37. 2) Lee, I-Min, et al. “Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy.” The lancet 380.9838 (2012): 219-229. 3) Thorén, Peter, et al. “Endorphins and exercise: physiological mechanisms and clinical implications.” Medicine & science in sports & exercise (1990). 4) Hurkmans, Emalie, et al. “Dynamic exercise programs (aerobic capacity and/or muscle strength training) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.” The Cochrane Library (2009). 5) Vaitkevicius, Peter V., et al. “Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training in Community‐Based Subjects Aged 80 and Older: A Pilot Study.” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 50.12 (2002): 2009-2013. 6) Reid, Kathryn J., et al. “Aerobic exercise improves self-reported sleep and quality of life in older adults with insomnia.” Sleep medicine 11.9 (2010): 934-940. 7) Paffenbarger Jr, Ralph S., et al. “Physical activity, all-cause mortality, and longevity of college alumni.” New England journal of medicine 314.10 (1986): 605-613. 8) Hellmich, Nanci. “Need more motivation to control weight, exercise? it lowers risk of breast cancer.” USA Today, 1 Oct. 2013 136 Stay Away From Cancer

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Chapter 6 Various Types of Cancer and Treatment Methods Breast Cancer Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer among women. It is common in Europe, America, Oceania and Africa. Breast cancer is considered a female-specific cancer, but in fact men also run the risk of breast cancer. It is relatively rare in men, with an incidence rate of only 1 percent, mainly among older adults. According to statistics, women who take in more animal fats run an extremely high risk of having breast can- cer.1 What does Chinese medicine say? Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a holistic view on cancer. Firstly, breast cancer is closely associated to mental and emotional states. When the human body’s mental state or emotions are unhealthy, blood and qi (vital energy) circulation become disrupted and organ functions become imbalanced. That is to say, women who are highly emotional have a higher risk of having breast cancer. What does Western medicine say? Scientific studies on the epidemiology and aetiology of breast can- cer in Western medicine have revealed the following common risk factors:8,8 Early menarche age, late-onset menopause, late pregnancy; Family history of cancer; Past history of benign breast diseases; Lack of vitamin C and vegetables in diet; Endocrine disorder, short menstrual cycles; 138 Stay Away From Cancer

Constant contact with ionizing radiation; Obesity and frequent consumption of animal fats; Virus infection Common clinical manifestations ŀ Pain There are no significant symptoms in the early stages of breast cancer. The patient might feel slight tenderness, dull pain, or tingling in the breast. The pain is always in the same place and does not change with menstrual pe- riod. In late stages, the pain is severe and when the cancer cells invade the nervous system, the pain may radiate to the ipsilateral shoulder and arm. Ł Lumps It is important to regularly examine your own breasts. Generally, two or three tumours appear at the cancer site. They are usually of different sizes with irregularly shapes, a hard texture and low mobility. The nipple and areola may become deformed. ł Bleeding from the nipples If a woman above fifty years of age discovered that her nipple is bleeding, she has a 64 percent chance of having breast cancer. Ń Dimples or indentations on the breast. The appearance of dimples or slight indentations should be heeded as it may be a sign of breast cancer. If the cancerous cells have clogged the sub- cutaneous lymphatic vessels, the skin of your breast may puckers or draw up, like orange peels. See a doctor immediately as it may be a sign of severe breast cancer. ń Constitutional symptoms If the patient experiences loss of appetite, fever or other symptoms, this is a sign that the disease is deteriorating. Common treatments ŀ Western medicine Modern medicine’s treatment of choice is surgical resection. In addition, depending on the patient’s condition, the surgery is combined with che- Various Types of Cancer and Treatment Methods 139

motherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Ł Traditional Chinese medicine TCM plays the role of alternative therapy. After TCM diagnosis, Chinese medicine and acupuncture are applied as treatment to balance the pa- tient’s qi (vital energy) and blood, Yin and Yang, Zang-fu, and meridian channels. They can prolong the patient’s lifespan, reduce the side effects from chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and improve the patient’s quality of life. Commonly used Chinese medicines include the bulb of Chinese tulip (Shan Ci Gu), dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), and patrinia (Bai Jiang Cao), but may vary depending on the patient’s condition. ł Nutritional therapy Many clinical studies have proved that Vitamins A, D, E, co-enzyme Q10 and calcium are able to achieve the effects of alternative therapy for breast cancer.4,5,6,7,8 In addition, the patient also has to undergo in-depth cellu- lar detoxification including consuming sufficient detoxification enzymes, complex fibres, friendly bacteria, chlorophyll, antioxidant compounds, and antioxidant enzymes. Large amounts of antioxidants are especially needed. During the period of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the patient can also consume Agaricus blazei Murill9 and maitake10 as well as various vitamins and mineral supplements so as to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Summary The above treatment method combines traditional Chinese med- icine and Western medicine, complementing their strengths and making up for their weaknesses. The results of this treatment method are much better than using traditional Chinese medicine or Western medicine alone. Accompanied with nutritional therapy, acupuncture and dietary therapy, the efficacy will be further increased. 140 Stay Away From Cancer

Primary Bronchogenic Carcinoma Primary bronchogenic carcinoma refers to the cancer that occurs in the lungs or bronchi. It is commonly known as lung cancer, the most regularly found malignant cancer type among men and the most common cancer in the world. Lung cancer is related to environmental pollution, thus it occurs often among city dwellers. Although the risk of lung cancer increases significantly around the age of forty, more and more young lung cancer patients are appearing. It is a cancer that develops and deteriorates quickly, thus the mortality rate is extremely high. Lung cancer’s mortality rate peaks especially among patients above the age of sixty-five. What does Chinese medicine say? Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe that among the five yin organs, the lungs are most vulnerable to the attacks of the six evils (exogenous pathogens). Most patients begin with a weak body constitu- tion, and since their immunity is lower, their lungs are more prone to dis- ease. In addition, certain lifestyle habits, overeating, and overworking can cause damage to the lungs and lead to lung disease. What does Western medicine say? Western medicine believes that lung cancer is mainly related to fac- tors such as smoking, long-term contact with radiation, and air pollution pollutants such as asbestos, radon gas, dichlorodiethyl sulphide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chloromethyl ether, chromium, nickel, inorganic arsenic and air pollution. Common clinical manifestations ŀ Chronic cough The main symptom in early-stage lung cancer is coughing characterized by a feeling of irritation in the throat, which the patient attempts to but fails to get rid of. Ł Wheezing and shortness of breath If the tumour grows in size and obstructs the bronchi, coughing will wors- Various Types of Cancer and Treatment Methods 141

en, become persistent and be accompanied by wheezing. Patients will also suffer from shortness of breath. ł
Coughing blood Patients often seek treatment when they begin coughing blood, but condi- tions are usually severe at this stage. Ń Bodily symptoms 21 percent of all patients experience heatiness symptoms and discomfort, dull aches or pangs in their chest. If the tumour applies pressure on the intercostal nerves in the ribs, sharp, pricking pains in the chest, back, arms, or shoulders may also be felt. Common Causes of Death Some reports point out that 25 to 50 percent of lung cancer patients die of complications from infections. Some late stage cancer patients die of haemoptysis. Common treatments ŀ Western medicine Generally, most lung cancer patients receive immediate tumour resection surgery upon hospitalization to get rid of the tissues that have been invad- ed by cancer cells. However, as most lung cancer patients are in the middle to late stages of the disease by the time they are sent to the hospital, it is im- possible to completely remove all cancer cells. Under such circumstances, a comprehensive treatment of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, Chinese medi- cine, and nutritional therapy is essential. Ł Chinese medicine Chinese medicine plays an important role as an alternative therapy to re- duce discomfort, alleviate the side effects of radiotherapy and chemothera- py and increase the patient’s quality of life. For postoperative patients who are unwilling to go through radiotherapy or chemotherapy, they can use 142 Stay Away From Cancer

traditional Chinese medicine to attack the pathogens and acupuncture as a complement treatment. Many lung cancer patients who have undergone this treatment survived for a longer period of time. Commonly used Chi- nese medicines include snake gourd seed (semen trichosanthes), heart- leaved houttuynia (Herba Houttuynia), hairyvein agrimonia (rhizome agrimoniae), and catclaw buttercup root (radix ranunculi ternate), but may vary depending on the patient’s condition. ł Nutritional therapy Lung cancer patients should first undergo detoxification and rid their body of toxins with detoxification enzymes, complex fibres, friendly bacteria, chlorophyll, and antioxidant enzymes. They should also consume a large amount of Vitamin A,11 Vitamin E, and compound antioxidants so as to alleviate the toxic side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and pro- long their lifespan.12 Besides the just mentioned, Agaricus blazei Murill,13 various types of vitamins, and minerals are also important nutrients that will improve the patient’s quality of life. The above nutrients should be tak- en under the guidance of a professional nutritionist. Summary Chinese medicine has been proven effective in alleviating the symptoms and stabilizing the conditions of lung cancer patients. In certain cases, conditions of patients were completely relieved. Utilizing Chinese medicine as an alternative treatment not only strengthens healing effects, but also improves the patient’s quality of life and achieves long-term ef- fects. It can also reduce the adverse effects that arise from Western medic- inal treatments, thereby facilitating treatment completion. It is currently one of the most effective integrative treatments for lung cancer. Various Types of Cancer and Treatment Methods 143

Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer is a cancer that takes place in the large intestines, and it is one of the most common malignant tumours in the digestive tract. Most patients experience no symptoms during the early stages of colorectal cancer. The disease progresses relatively slowly, thus treatment and prog- nosis are typically quite effective. Colorectal cancer is common in Europe and America, and has been proven to be related to the unhealthy dietary habits in those regions. What does Chinese medicine say? Colorectal cancer is referred to as “suo gang zhi”, a type of viscer- al toxin, in ancient Chinese medical studies. Suo gang zhi literally means a haemorrhoid (zhi) that locks (suo) the anus (gang), and it displays the same clinical manifestations as colorectal cancer. Chinese medicine prac- titioners believe that when a person’s Zang-fu (Yin and Yang organs) be- come imbalanced and there is not enough qi (vital energy), the body is weak and unable to fight off evil (pathogens). This therefore, leads to col- orectal cancer. What does Western medicine say? Western medicine believes that colorectal cancer is very closely re- lated to dietary habits and familial genetics. Rectal cancer has the highest incidence among cancers of the intestinal tract. Half of colon cancer pa- tients suffer from some form rectal cancer. Western diet, which is rich in fat, high in protein, and low in fibre, is associated with colorectal cancer. Many studies show that those who suffer from constipation or do not have smooth bowel movement are at a higher risk of developing colorectal can- cer.14 The rectum and sigmoid colon are the places where faeces are tem- porarily stored before expulsion, thus constipation increases the rectum’s contact with carcinogens. 144 Stay Away From Cancer

Common clinical manifestations ŀ Rectal bleeding The main symptom of colorectal cancer is rectal bleeding. Blood sticks to the surface of the stools, resulting in very dark-coloured stools. Ł Changes in bowel habits Some colorectal cancer patients may experience sudden changes in their bowel habits such as frequent diarrhoea or persistent reduction or increase in bowel clearance frequency. They may feel abdominal pain or discom- fort. These symptoms should be obvious to the patient, but by the time the patient discovers these symptoms, the cancer is already in the middle or late stages. ł
Anaemia Late-stage colorectal cancer patients generally show signs of anaemia and gradually emaciate and grow thinner. Ń Lumps Humps and lumps can be felt in the abdominal area. Deterioration Should the condition worsen, the intestinal tract will be completely blocked by the tumour. In severe cases, the tumour could perforate the intestines, causing violent abdominal pains, acceleration in heart rate, drop in blood pressure, cold hands and feet, massive haemor- rhage, shock, and even death. Common treatments ŀ Western medicine Colorectal cancer is generally treated with surgery. If the patient is un- willing to go through surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are other options. Ł Chinese medicine As an alternative therapy, Chinese medicine has impressive effects on col- Various Types of Cancer and Treatment Methods 145

orectal cancer. With regard to the body’s general weakness after surgery, Chinese medicine is able to strengthen the healthy qi in the body and con- solidate the body’s constitution. It is also very helpful in alleviating the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In addition, acupuncture is capable of relieving some symptoms and promoting the self-healing ca- pabilities of cells. Frequently used Chinese medicines include patrinia (bai jiang cao), radix astragali (huang qi), and codonopsis root (dang shen), but may vary depending on the patient’s condition. ł
Nutritional therapy Probiotics like lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium are typically the nutrients that colorectal cancer patients lack the most and thus need to be replenished. Besides probiotics, comprehensive fibres, digestive en- zymes, and chlorophyll are also important. Studies and reports have also shown that vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium work like charms in al- ternative therapies.15,16 Of course, detoxification enzymes, compound an- tioxidants, antioxidant enzymes, Agaricus blazei Murrill, and maitake are also indispensable. The above nutritional substances are best consumed with the guidance of a professional nutritionist. What does Western medicine say? Chinese medicine therapy has shown promising signs that it is useful in increasing the body’s immunity and relieving the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. There has also been reports of patients being completely cured by solely using Chinese medicine therapies. Fur- thermore, during the patient’s recovery, nutritional therapy can also play the role of alternative therapy and aid in boosting the patient’s self-healing capabilities, greatly boosting the efficacy of the treatment. Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer is a cancer that occurs in the vaginal cervix and the endometrium of the cervical canal. It is the second most common cancer 146 Stay Away From Cancer

found among women. According to statistics, three out of four cervical cancer patients live in a developing country.17 This shows that cervical can- cer is linked to personal lifestyle. What does Chinese medicine say? The ancient Chinese called cervical cancer ᆂტ (shí jia) or stony lumps, and described it as having “multi-coloured vaginal discharge”. From the name and description, we can infer that the basic symptoms of cervical cancer are the growth of hard, stone-like lumps in the cervix, causing var- ious types of secretions. Chinese medicine practitioners believe that cervi- cal cancer is associated with the seven emotional factors, and poor circu- lation and stagnation of qi (vital energy) and blood in the whole body, but particularly in the liver. These are often the main causes of cervical cancer. What does Western medicine say? Western medicine believes that cervical cancer is related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Women can be infected by HPV through unhealthy sexual habits, but the risk is particularly higher among teenage girls. Due to the cervix’s weak immunity, teenage girls are more suscepti- ble to human papilla virus infection and thus should not engage in sexual activities. In addition, they should pay special attention to sexual hygiene if their sexual partner has genital warts, herpes, gonorrhoea or other vene- real diseases. Common clinical symptoms Unusual secretions As the description given by Chinese medicine practitioners “multi-co- loured vaginal discharge” says, the most classic symptoms of cervical can- cer are unusual vaginal bleeding, increased yellow and white discharge, and other strong-smelling vaginal secretions. Various Types of Cancer and Treatment Methods 147

Deterioration Due to the increased size of the tumour, patients with late stage cervical cancer often experience swelling and pressure in the lower abdomen, emaciation, anaemia, heatiness, and fatigue. Pelvic cancer patients will experience severe pain and body heat normally QRWIRXQGLQSHOYLFLQÁDPDWLRQ,IFRPSOLFDWHGE\\XUDHPLDPDVVLYH haemorrhage or serious infections, the patient’s life may be at risk. Common treatments ŀ
Western medicine Generally, early cervical cancer is mainly treated by surgery. For middle and late stage patients, surgery needs to be combined with radiotherapy for greater effect. Ł
Chinese medicine Chinese medicine is significantly effective in treating cervical cancer, par- ticularly for early-stage cervical cancer. The use of Chinese medicine for conditioning after surgery has obtained extremely successful results. In ad- dition, acupuncture treatment can help alleviate some symptoms and en- hance the self-healing capabilities of cells. Frequently used Chinese medi- cines include snake gourd fruit (trichosanthes kirilowii), red-rooted salvia roots (dan shen), and hedyotis diffusa (bai hua she she cao), but may vary depending on the patient’s condition. ł Nutritional therapy A few clinical studies support the use of vitamin D as an alternative sup- plement for cervical cancer.15 Patients should also go through detoxifica- tion, take detoxification enzymes, compound antioxidants, antioxidant en- zymes, comprehensive fibres, probiotics, and chlorophyll frequently. These nutrients prolong the patient’s life span, reduce the adverse effects from radio- and chemotherapy, and improve the patient’s quality of life. Patients 148 Stay Away From Cancer

should refrain from smoking and drinking, eat less Chinese chives and fresh onions, and consume more Agaricus blazei Murrill and maitake. The nutritional substances listed above are best taken under the guidance of a professional nutritionist. Summary Western medicine’s main treatment for early-stage cervical cancer is generally surgery. If the carcinoma is in situ, then hysterectomy is ad- vocated but both ovaries are kept. Prognosis is excellent if early surgical treatment is combined with various natural therapies. However, for middle and late stage cancer patients, surgery achieves relatively poor results and should be combined with various alternative therapies to improve survival rate. Gastric Cancer Gastric cancer occurs in the stomach, and is one of the most com- mon cancers among humans. Gastric cancer is regional and more preva- lent in Japan, Chile, and Costa Rica. What does Chinese medicine say? Chinese medicine believes that a person who is prone to being worried, gloomy, angry, or unrestrained in diet will have an imbalance in the liver and stomach, thus affecting digestion and harming the stomach. With time, lumps accumulate and develop into gastric cancer. What does Western medicine say? After many years of research in gastric cancer, medical studies have discovered that gastric cancer is a hereditary disease.18 Statistics show that there is a higher incidence of gastric cancer among people with blood type A.19 Gastric cancer is also related to Helicobacter pylori. Those who suf- fer from many years of chronic atrophic gastritis, gastric ulcers or gastric polyps have a higher risk of stomach cancer. Moreover, gastric cancer is closely related to nitrosamine in food, which is often present in preserved Various Types of Cancer and Treatment Methods 149

foods and hidden in preservative-laden meats, leftover dishes, and canned foods. Common clinical symptoms Seventy percent of early-stage gastric cancers do not show obvious symptoms. Common symptoms are bloating, stomach discomfort, acid reflux, belching, nausea, loss of appetite, and dark stools. Unfortunately, these symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of gastritis or gastric ulcer, which often causes a wrong diagnosis. Sometimes patients think that all they have is simply just indigestion or other minor issues, hence, they ignore these warning signs. ŀ Pain Middle- to late-stage gastric cancer patients experience severe pain in the stomach. Ł Nausea and vomiting Tumours can induce nausea and vomiting after a meal by obstructing the digestive tract. Due to the inability to eat, the patient needs to rely on in- travenous drips to obtain adequate nutrients. ł
Bleeding In the case of gastrointestinal bleeding, there will be symptoms of dizzi- ness, palpitations, and black stool. Ń Jaundice The appearance of jaundice indicates that peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer has obstructed the bile duct. Common treatments ŀ Western medicine Most patients seeking treatment for gastric cancer are in the middle- and late-stages; therefore, surgery should be the first consideration. Ł Chinese medicine For patients who are unable to go through surgery, TCM is their main treatment and acupuncture acts as a supplementary therapy. The treatment principle in Chinese medicine is based on syndrome differentiation; hence 150 Stay Away From Cancer

medicine is prescribed according to the specific conditions of the patient. Commonly used Chinese medicines include Coptis Rhizome (Huang Lian), Pinellia (Ban Xia), and Rhizoma Paridis (Qi Ye Yi Zhi Hua), but may vary depending on the patient’s condition. ł Nutritional therapy Vitamin A can protect the mucosa. Therefore, patients should consume a large amount of vitamin A. In addition, patients must first go through de- toxification to keep the intestinal tract clean and allow the cells to restore normal secretion. Enzyme treatment is also very important for gastric can- cer patients thus supplementing the diet with detoxification enzymes, an- tioxidant enzymes, digestive enzymes, probiotics, compound antioxidants, Agaricus blazei Murrill and maitake are crucial. The above nutritional sup- plements are best taken under the guidance of a professional nutritionist. Summary After a definitive diagnosis, the first thing to do should be to go for surgery. For those who cannot go through surgery, Chinese and West- ern medicine can be used together. Depending on the specific conditions of the patient, Chinese medicine can be used as the main treatment with Western medicine as the complementary treatment, or vice versa. Nutri- tional treatment provides crucial alternative therapies that help patients maintain their quality of life. Ovarian Cancer Ovarian cancer occurs in the ovaries and the tissues in its vicinity; it accounts for 20 percent of all cancers of the female reproductive system. Although the incidence rate is smaller than that of cervical and uterine cancer, ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate. Moreover, 70 percent of all ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at the terminal stage.20 Ovar- ian cancer can happen at any age. The youngest patient ever recorded was a 30-week-old infant while the oldest patient was a 90-year-old person. Benign tumours are usually found between the ages of 20 and 44, while Various Types of Cancer and Treatment Methods 151