Create a Body Cancer Doesn't Like

Dr Lise Alschuler, a naturopathic doctor with board certification in naturopathic oncology, and Karolyn A. Gazella, the publisher of theNatural Medicine Journal, an innovative peer-reviewed medical journal for holistic-minded healthcare practitioners, started Five to Thrive®. Five to Thrive is a multi-media educational initiative that features an informational website, books, radio show, videos, social networks, and a digital magazine.  It promotes an integrative approach to cancer prevention and treatment that aim to positively transform the health of those affected by this disease. Their mission is to educate people about lifestyle-based, integrative, and scientifically sound health promotion strategies, and in this way create deeper and more widespread wellness.

The five strategies to thrive after cancer are:

Spirit - joy, hope, laughter, service, love

Being grateful stabilizes the chromozomes.  To truly feel grateful you need to work on your ability to be in the moment. Great tools to achieve this are meditation and the gratitude journal

Movement - strength training, aerobic activity, flexibility, proper timing, optimal hydration.

Exercise is a wonderful tool to stay healthy. Our bodies are meant to move. Most of us are spending a lot of time sitting and we need to change that. We need to take brakes and move by doing for example knee bends or just walk around. Number of hours watching TV is  a predictive factor for getting cancer. When muscles contract they release chemicals that regulate key bodily functions. They act as an antidote to insulin resistance and are anti inflammatory. If we don't exercise we don't get the benefit from these chemicals.

Diet - engage your senses, add more color, eat organic, eat whole foods, spice it up.

Plant based, non processed foods offer a risk reduction.  Mediterranean type diet with plants, lean protein, good quality oils, fruit at the end of the meal, minimal alcohol. Eating in a relaxed social setting is very beneficial. You need to take time to eat making it a possibility for having fun with family and friends.

Environment - personal care items, cleaning products, toxins, water filtration, air purification.

Use natural, organic personal care products and use organic cleaning products to reduce exposure to toxins. You can find tips on DIY alternatives for cleaning here, and for skin care here and here
Dietary supplements can be helpful since we don't usually get all the nutrition we need from our food since the soil is nutrient depleted. There are five supplement  categories:
Antioxidants, fish oil/fatty acids, vitamin D, flavenoides and probiotics.
But don't get the cheap synthetic vitamins! Then it is better to stick with good food.

Rejuvenation - rhytm, rest, relax, replenish, remediate.

Being healthy before diagnosis means that you will probably take treatment better.

"The Definitive Guide to Thriving After Cancer, a five step integrative plan to reduce the risk of recurrence and build lifelong health" is available at Amazon and Kindle.

Fasting can generate a new immune system

A study at the University of Southern Californa shows that cycles of prolonged fasting not only protects against immune system damage (a major side effect of chemotherapy) but also induces immune system regeneration. The stem cells shift from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal.

"Periods of no food for two to four days at a time over the course of six months kill older and damaged immun cells and generate new ones".  "Great for immune systems damaged by chemotherapy or aging. Fasting cycles can generate a new immune system"

Read more details in Science Daily

It's time to give fasting a try!

ERAS shortens recovery time and creates a higher survival rate

It gives me hope to read that by using a common sense protocol you can shorten the recovery time from surgery AND get a higher survival rate for cancer patients. A multi win situation. Shorter recovery time means less time spent in the hospital after surgery and less money spent for hospital care and more room for new patients. Shorter recovery time means less time spent worrying for both the patients and for their loved ones.  A higher survival rate is just simply fantastic! This is a major win for the patient, their families, the hospital, care givers, society and everyone! Let’s hope this protocol is implemented all over the world!

I think that it is VERY probably so... that most people that has to go through surgery wants to recover as quickly as possible and that they are more than willing to do what it takes to have that happen. When I had surgery to remove my tumour I wanted to be well enough to go home even before I was admitted! I was terrified that there would be any complications so I would have to stay longer than minimum time to be expected after treatment. I got to leave the hospital the day after surgery and I have never before been so happy to see my sister as when she came to pick me up and drive me home. That was a Happy Day!

ERAS Enhanced Recovery After Surgery

Study shows that patients that have a colon rectal surgery has a better recovery and survival rate if the ERAS protocol is followed. The protocol is designed to minimize the stress on the body during major surgery.
Of the 20 points listed in the protocol includes that the patient gets acquainted with the clinic prior to surgery, that the patient drinks an energy drink before surgery, that intake of food, drink and visits to the bathroom are logged. And that as little liquid as possible is given during surgery.

"The immediate challenge to improving the quality of surgical care is not discovering new knowledge, but rather how to integrate what we already know into practice".
  Urbach DR, Baxter NN. BMJ 2005

 http://www.erassociety.org/

Article in Swedish

To Regain Balance and Joy of Life

A retreat called "To Regain Balance and Joy of Life" in the archipelago outside of Goteborg is offered to cancer patients in Sweden. It is arranged by an organisation that support the victims of cancer and traffic accidents, CTRF. This is a wonderful opportunity to get support and help. You can find more information in Swedish at www.livslust.net. 
When I was going through my vegetarian cook books this afternoon I found the brochure for this retreat that I had picked up in the hospital during radiation treatment. The brochure fell out as I opened a book searching for a recipe for a sugar free desert I was craving. When I saw the headline on the brochure, I held it for a while and felt a bubbling joy rising in my chest. I never applied for the retreat even when it was offered to me since I didn't feel that I was sick enough to deserve the support. So it was not a joy felt because of a loving memory. It was a joy felt because I realised that I now had not only regained the balance and joy of life that I had before cancer but cancer had helped me to more balance and to be able to feel more joy of life than I thought possible. I felt joy because this kind of support exist for people that need it. I felt and feel joy because there are wonderful people in this world that makes it possible. And last but not least, I felt and feel joy that I now understand that I'm also deserving of receiving help and support. Love life!

Yin Yoga

Yin yoga is to me the perfect combination of a relaxing stretch and meditation. A wonderful way to take care of both mind and body simultaneously. I find it a very useful tool to help me wind down after a busy day. Yin yoga is the gentle side of yoga and a great practice when you are recovering from a disease and/or need to improve your health. http://www.yogaseeker.co.uk/

You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink

I firmly believe that you stand a better chance to recovery if you are suffering from a disease if you are open to receive and accept help and tools that are offered and available that may help you. You need to help the helper. So if God, Qi, your higher self (or whatever you believe in) and your immune system, your doctor and/or your Guru is going to help you get well, you need to do something too. You need to go to your doctor's appointments, take your medicine, take care of your immune system, meditate a s f to help the helper.