About 200,000 Filipinos are in silent grief. No one knows who will be the next victim. It could be the man just crossing your busy street, the old lady sitting next to you in the passenger jeep, or it could be just you.
Ranking third in the 10 leading causes of mortality cancer is a disease common to all sexes and ages. This killer disease develops because of cancer cells. Cancer cells are produced because of damage to Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). In normal cases where DNA is damaged, the cell dies or it repairs the DNA. In cancer cells, however, the spoiled DNA does not undergo repair, making it more complicated and dangerous to the system. DNA gets damaged because of environmental factors such as chemicals, viruses, inhaling tobacco smoke, or exposing to too much sunlight.
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According to Cancer Cure Foundation, a non-profit organization providing information on alternative or integrative therapies for cancer patients, some of the signs of cancer illness include having a lump or thickening in the breasts or testicles, changes in a wart or mole, a skin sore or a persistent sore throat that does not heal. Changes in bowel or bladder habits, persistent coughing, especially with blood, constant indigestion, unusual bleeding or vaginal discharge, and chronic fatigue are also indications of cancer.
The four most common types of cancer are breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. In the Philippines, lung cancer is named as the most widespread type of illness among males, while cancer of the breast dominates the mortality cause of the females.
As the number of cancer incidents continue to balloon, innovations in cancer treatment flood the medicinal industry. Some of the known prevention methods or cures are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy biological therapy, and bisphosphonates. These treatments, however have specific types of cancer to cure.
Busting myths
Myths that cancers are incurable deadly disease are now being busted by theories and innovation in the scientific field. One of the latest developments is the theory that antioxidants can kill cancer cells.
Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from damages caused by molecules called "free radicals." These kind of molecules damage the system which could lead to cancer. Antioxidants then interact with and stabilize free radicals that could result in cancer prevention.
According to Joan Sumpio, head nutritionist of the dietary department of the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, antioxidants do not only help prevent acquiring diseases but also "contributes in building stronger immune system and helps in the recovery stage during a disease process."
Sumpio explains that antioxidants are found in foods containing vitamins A, C, and E. She elaborates that common foods like fishes, pork, chicken, and even beef are good sources of antioxidants.
In relation to cancer prevention, Sumpio confirms the prevention and curing ability of antioxidants to cancer illness. She says that there are some antioxidants that could make the cancer cells smaller or shrink.
"Though these kind of antioxidants could not kill the cancer cells, at least they could shrink the cancer-causing cells," the nutritionist comments.
Moreover, Sumpio adds that antioxidants have the capability of stopping or deactivating cancer cells from multiplying. But the most important thing, there are some antioxidants that could really kill cancer cells, Sumpio says busting myths about cancer. An example she gives is the Alkaline Vitamin C anti-oxidant.
According to Sumpio, Alkaline Vitamin C when taken into the system, changes its form and copies the appearance of a glucose. Glucose, as she explains, is one of the favorite foods of cancer cells.
"These cancer cells think that they are eating glucose, but in reality, they are eating antioxidants which are their killers," she says.
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Myths that cancers are incurable deadly are now being busted by theories and innovation in the scientific field. One of the latest developments is the theory that anti-oxidants can kill cancer cells.
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Still missing
"Unfortunately, antioxidants. effects are still unknown to cancer types such as leukemia," says Sumpio. However, she notes that this kind of cancer can be prevented.
Despite the ineffectiveness to the cure and prevention of leukemia, a cancer of the blood, Sumpio says that antioxidants still help patients with leukemia.
"Patients with leukemia, with the help of antioxidants, can attend to their treatments better that those who are not taking antioxidants," the nutritionist remarks. She says that cancer patients, upon hearing of treatments, tend to lose nerves and just break down.
On capsules
Sumpio comments on the developments in taking these cancer-preventing substances. With the fast-paced life, the nutritionist sees nothing wrong in putting these essentials into easy-to-swallow capsules.
"These capsules are created because it has the intention of supplying us with antioxidants, especially when sick," says Sumpio. She adds that with the help of these capsules, "it becomes easier for the person to take in nutrients."
The nutritionist analyzes that with the surrounding rush, no one would bother to eat an apple a day if all the nutrients an apple offers can be found in a one-shot capsule.
Meanwhile, Sumpio notes the effects of taking too much antioxidants. She says that although our system has the ability to release the excess substance through excretion processes, one should be aware of when to take nutrients like antioxidants.
Though proven to be effective in preventing and curing diseases like the deadly cancer, Sumpio concludes that "if one takes a complete meal, he does not have to take supplements," adding that balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, and regular visit to a doctor is the best way to prevent diseases.
Contributor Kristelle Joy Festin is a journalism student from the University of Santo Tomas.
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