You can prevent cancer or greatly reduce your risk if you follow this advice.

1. Understand the way a Cancer develops

2. Adopt a low risk Healthy Lifestyle

3. Reduce stress-related hormones

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Dr Judy Ford is available as a keynote and panel speaker to public and private organizations and corporate bodies

CANCER IS A MULTISTEP DISEASE

Learn the details in the comprehensive e-book Strengthen yourself against cancer by Dr Ford

The steps may occur almost simultaneously but it is much more usual that they occur over a period of many years. Agents (chemicals, radiation, hormones etc) that cause any of the first three steps are commonly called CARCINOGENS even though they may work in very different ways (as mutagens, promoters or aneuploidogens).

The steps are:

• MUTATION
  Mutation means change and this refers to any change that occurs to genes through alteration of DNA or chromosomes. Commonly in the cancer process, a gene that is important to cell division will be altered or deleted.
   

• CANCER PROMOTION
  Promotion is the stimulation of cell division. There are a large number of natural and synthetic chemicals that can cause cancer promotion. INSULIN and GLUCOSE are common plus the normal hormones OESTROGEN and TESTOSTERONE. Look at the Glycemic Index page to see how you can control Insulin and Glucose. This is most important. My book GLOW also identifies a great many common activities that will promote cancer BY stimulating cell division.

Note: NO CELL, NOT EVEN ONE WITH MUTATED DNA can become cancerous without CELL DIVISION. It is most important to take steps to minimize cell division.

• CHANGE IN CHROMOSOME NUMBER
  Cells that first undergo unregulated growth are usually "benign" tumors. They are generally not harmful unless they become very large and strangulate an important organ or blood vessel. For a tumor to become MALIGNANT the cell division process alters and causes changes in chromosome number. This altered state is known as ANEUPLOIDY (incorrect chromosome number). This can be caused nutritional imbalances and disturbances of cell pH.
   

• FAILURE OF IMMUNE SURVEILLANCE
  A healthy body can eliminate cancer cells. One way is through a process called APOPTOSIS (programmed cell death - see the p53 gene opposite) and another is through the Immune System. A healthy immune system is able to recognize and destroy cancer cells. The function is primarily carried out by NATURAL KILLER CELLS.
  
  When the Immune System is overwhelmed, the cancer progresses.
  
  DON'T FORGET TO HAVE REGULAR CHECK-UPS FOR COMMON CANCERS

• Smear tests are critical to minimize the risk of cancer of the cervix

• Regular breast checks are critical for all women

• Men should have their prostates checked

• IF YOUR FAMILY HAS A CANCER HISTORY, BE VIGILANT IN YOUR CHECKS

FAMILIAL CANCER & CANCER GENES

Any gene whose normal role is to regulate some aspect of cell division or DNA replication is a potential cancer gene. If one of these genes is altered it becomes a cancer gene. Such altered genes can be passed down from generation to generation. Since there are so many genes controlling these processes, most of us probably have at least one cancer gene of some sort.

A normal gene creates a cancer gene when it is changed by mutation or deleted from a cell. Even if you start off with no inherited cancer genes, exposure to mutagens will change normal genes into cancer genes. If you start off with an inherited mutant gene then you start off one step up the cancer ladder.

WE ALL NEED TO LIVE OUR LIVES AS IF WE HAVE CANCER GENES!

Genes and Cell Division
Since cell division is a complex process, the number of cells involved in its regulation is very large. The gene most commonly found to be altered in cancers is one called the p53 gene.

What does the p53 gene do?
The gene product (protein) of the p53 gene stops a cell from completing cell division if its DNA is damaged or if it is damaged in any other way. When the p53 protein detects damage it triggers the cell to commit suicide by a process known as apoptosis. The p53 gene is altered in many or most malignant tumors. The hormone PROGESTERONE upregulates p53 in normal cells and so is very important in cancer prevention.

Defective DNA REPAIR genes
DNA and chromosomes can be broken spontaneously but the rate of breakage is much greater when there is exposure to TOXIC CHEMICALS or RADIATION (of most sorts). We are born with DNA REPAIR genes and if these genes are faulty that will also increase our risks of cancer. Many "cancer families" have defective DNA repair genes. regardless of whether we have a defective repair gene, we all need to be vigilant about our reducing all our exposures.

PRACTICAL STEPS THAT EVERYONE CAN TAKE TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF CANCER

• Avoid toxic chemicals and all sources of Electro magnetic (EMR) and ionizing radiation. Don't forget that cigarette smoke is included here! Check out my page on Toxic Chemicals and also the safe products that you can use from our World Services
• Keep your weight down, note the "docket diet" and don't eat more calories than you expend. Only eat low Glycemic Index carbohydrates
• Exercise regularly
• Reduce all cell division - see GLOW
• Don't wear tight underwear (this especially includes tight BRAS for women and tight underpants for men!)
• Sleep in the dark and avoid shift-work if at all possible. If you can't avoid it, take a MELATONIN supplement if it's available in your country
• If you are a post menopausal woman or woman who is not ovulating, I suggest you use some NATURAL PROGESTERONE cream - I don't just mean Wild Yam - you will probably need a prescription from your doctor
• MINIMIZE INTAKE OF CARBONATED DRINKS especially Colas of any type. Carbonated drinks disturb cellular pH.
• Eat oily fish (preferably small ones like Herring or Sardines as they have no or low mercury) or take Omega 3 Oil (Flaxseed Oil or Fish Oil)
• Eat five to seven serves of green and colored vegetables each day and one or two pieces of low GI fruit
• Eat ORGANIC and BIODYNAMIC produce wherever possible
• Don't eat fatty food but eggs and olive oil are good!
• REDUCE OR MANAGE STRESS. Securing your future with quality
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