CANCER
What is cancer?
Your body and all your organs are made up of cells. Each cell contains DNA, your genetic material. This DNA controls cell division which is the process of creating new cells to replace those that die or are damaged. When a cell begins to divide and multiply more than is necessary, a tumor is formed. Tumors may be either benign (non-cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Malignant cells multiply out of control and may spread throughout the body (metastasis). Thus, cancer may occur in, and spread to, any part of your body. More information can be obtained from the American Cancer Society or the National Cancer Institute.
What causes cancer?
The causes can be described as stressors and can arise from several sources (see Principles of Wellness). Stressors can be physical or psychological and come from internal or external sources. Poor diet, exposure to certain chemicals, smoking, pollution, emotional factors, and other forms of stress may "activate" the switch (genetic markers) in your cells that will lead to the formation of cancer.
How do you treat cancer?
The traditional approaches include chemotherapies, radiation therapies, and surgery. The success rate depends on what type of cancer is involved, how early it is detected and treated, health of the patient, and other factors. Many patients choose to seek alternative forms of treatment. Alternative forms of treatment may include homeopathic, herbal, nutritional, and other forms of therapy. Dr. Hopper and Nevada Care Medical Centers provide cancer treatment forthose patients who are seeking alternative forms of treatment. This treatment adheres to the Principles of Wellness and involves the seven areas of treatment described therein of:
Physical: Medical conditions are assessed and treated. Medical monitoring of patients receiving IV therapy or injections is maintained throughout. Appropriate physical exercise or physical rehabilitation is prescribed as exercise is an important component of wellness.
Psychological: Solution-oriented, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is used to help the patient become more solution-focused and positive in their thinking and behaviors. Patients with poor cancer outcomes consistently exhibit problem-focused and negative thinking patterns and beliefs. Furthermore, depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions are commonly found with cancer patients which further exacerbates their condition. Additionally, biofeedback, hypnosis, and other techniques such as guided imagery help patients battle their cancer which many researchers belief is primarily dictated by psychological factors in the first place.
Spiritual: Understanding the purpose to your life and disease is an important process in recovering from all disease. One of the first questions, we ask is "Why me?". This is a spiritual question. If we are not able to put things in their proper perspective and have some meaning to our lives, we will not survive well from disease.
Nutritional: You are what you eat. Many foods have anti-cancer properties that aid in inhibiting cancer from developing or spreading. Most cancer patients do not eat properly and do not eat the very foods that will help prevent or eliminate cancer. Certain foods fuel cancer while others starve it while aiding your immune system and body to fight it off. Orthomolecular medicine, herbal medicines, and other forms of naturopathic treatments are very helpful in the battle against cancer.
Sleep: Your day will be mirrored by your sleep the night before. If you have a bad night of sleep, you will have a bad day, and vice versa. Sleep is when your body heals itself and recharges your batteries so that you have enough energy for the next day. Sleep hygiene and other forms of treatment for sleep problems will enable your fight against disease.
Environmental: You are a product of your environment. Psychological factors (work stress, family problems, marital stress, poor self image, etc.) and physical factors (chemical exposure, pollution, diet, etc.) can lead to cancer. Identification of environmental factors (internal and external) is essential in the quest to overcome cancer. Oxygen therapies are often very useful in the treatment of cancers. This may be done through ozone chambers, IV therapy, and/or oral forms.
Life Skills: Sometimes we need a "how to" manual in life because we don't know how to deal with certain stressors. It is vital to our wellness to learn how to do those things that can create terrible amounts of stress on us like effective communication, parenting, managing money, leadership, etc.