As the third leading cause of cancer in the United States, colon cancer is not something to be trifled with. With an expected death rate in 2013 of approx. 52,000 people in the US, according the American Cancer Society, those over the age of 50 must be very mindful of this devastating yet very treatable disease. The key to surviving colon cancer (and even preventing development) is early screening tests and knowing if you are at risk. It is important for individuals to research potential risks, be knowledgeable of available screening tests, and know what type treatments are available. To learn more about alternative cancer treatments, visit Natural Horizons Alternative Cancer Treatment Resource Library.
Colon Cancer – Who Should be Concerned?
Anyone can contract colon cancer, but some have a higher risk than others.
Men – 35-40% higher risk than women
50 years or older – 90% of new instances occur in this age group
Occurrence (20%) and death (45%) rates are higher in African-American men and women than among whites.
To learn more facts about colon cancer and who is potentially at risk, check out this infographic presented by the American Cancer Society:
The relationship between excess body-weight which increases the risk of cancer has been known for quite some time. Yet, approximately two out of three American’s are still classified as overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity rates continue to soar because of poor nutrition and a lack of physical activity which, according to the American Cancer Society, relates to one in three deaths from cancer. This can possibly be attributed to overly-large food portion sizes, poor dietary choices and a simple lack of research towards the potential causes of cancer. There are many informational publications online that provide the data to support these claims – knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your health!
Some may ask ‘I know eating unhealthy foods is not good for you, and can increase my risk of cancer — but why!?’. Well, there are three main reasons being overweight and obese can negatively affect your health, leading to increased risk of cancer:
Negative effect on your body’s immune system & inflammation
Disrupting hormone and protein levels
Altering how the cells in your body grow & divide
In an infographic provided by the American Cancer Society, learn why your body weight can be directly associated with an increased risk for certain types of cancer.
If you’re considering alternative cancer treatments, you probably have a lot of questions. Asking questions is a healthy activity. It’s also an important step in choosing the right cancer treatment for you.
As one of the East Coast’s premiere alternative cancer treatment centers, Natural Horizons fields a lot of questions about alternative cancer treatments. We offer a free consultation, which is a good time to ask questions about treatment — and about us as providers.
Here are 6 questions you should ask when considering alternative cancer therapy:
It’s important to understand what the goal of each treatment is. Some alternative cancer treatments may be more effective than traditional treatments. Other cancer treatment alternatives offer more manageable side effects. We always encourage our patients to ask questions about the treatment options we discuss.
What are the credentials of your cancer treatment team?
No matter which treatments you employ, learn about the training of your healthcare team. At Natural Horizons, we have a diverse team of wellness practitioners. Get to know your doctors and caregivers. Ask about their experience.
What scientific studies or clinical trials on this cancer treatment have been conducted?
The scientific community is constantly researching alternative and natural cancer treatments. The quest for cancer cures and better cancer treatments has produced avenues of hope, as well as dead ends. The spectrum of alternative cancer therapies ranges from experimental cancer treatments to thoroughly studied treatment options. Our cancer care team can help you understand what trials and research has been done.
How much does alternative cancer treatment cost?
One of the most frequent questions we hear is whether insurance covers the cost of alternative cancer treatments. Insurance coverage will vary from provider to provider, and the costs of cancer treatment will vary, too. It can be difficult to focus on financial questions when weighing cancer treatment options, but asking these questions will help you make informed decisions.
Is this cancer treatment safe?
Ask about potential risks and side effects, as well as how each treatment might interact with your other cancer treatments.
Do I need to discontinue other cancer treatments?
Unfortunately, multiple cancer treatment choices can sometimes work against each other. It’s important that you understand how each treatment choice you make will affect your previous choices. Ask your caregiver about discontinuing conventional cancer treatments while undergoing alternative treatments.
At Natural Horizons, we’re focused on total health and wellness. While we’re strong advocates of a holistic cancer treatment strategy, we’re even more focused on empowering patients to make the choices that are right for them. That’s why we encourage all of our prospective patients to ask lots of questions and weigh their options carefully.
Aromatherapy is a natural therapy useful for migraine relief, easing nausea, reducing stress and much more. Aromatherapy has even been used as part of a holistic cancer treatment approach, especially as a means of easing the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
Mother Nature has countless aromas, many of which can be found in your garden. How many of the flower, herbs and plants used in aromatherapy do you recognize? Without peeking at the numbers below, see if you can identify any of the plants in this aromatherapy infographic from Mixaroma.
Each aroma has a different therapeutic effect. Lavender is useful for calming and relaxation. Lemon is effective as a detoxifier. The cool, invigorating aroma of peppermint can relieve nausea. The warm, spicy aroma of myrrh has a warm and spicy aroma can ease chest irritation and inflammation. Cinnamon is also used as an anti-inflammatory.
Aromatherapy is One of Many Natural Medicine Options
Natural medicine begins with the belief that the human body is able to heal itself naturally. By minimizing the use of drugs or surgery, natural medicine gives the body optimal conditions for that healing process.
Natural remedies may include dietary and lifestyle changes. Examples of natural medicine therapies including naturopathy, meditation, yoga, chiropractic medicine, herbalism, hypnosis, homeopathy, acupuncture and nutritional-based therapies.
Learn more about natural medicine by scheduling a FREE consultation with Natural Horizons.
Discovering that you or a close family member has cancer is a difficult and overwhelming experience. Talking to your kids about cancer can be just as challenging. As a parent, it’s natural to shield your child from anything harmful or scary. Hiding a cancer diagnosis, however, only leads to confusion and fear – sending a message to your child that cancer is too scary to discuss.
Talking to your kids about cancer can be difficult, especially if you are not sure what to say or how to respond to your child’s questions. Remember, there is no “right” or “wrong” thing to say; the actual words are not as important as creating a safe space for addressing your child’s concerns and fears.
Your child’s age and personality will affect how he or she responds to the news of a cancer diagnosis, as well as to changes in your family’s routine. You know your child better than anyone, and we encourage you to use this knowledge when thinking about what you will say. These five tips will help make this conversation easier for both you and your child.
Explain what your cancer diagnosis means
“Cancer” is a scary word for both children and adults. Calmly explain to your child what your cancer diagnosis means, emphasizing positive information whenever possible. For example, depending on your diagnosis, you might tell your child, “They caught my cancer early,” “The doctors and I are doing everything possible to help me get better,” or “I am fighting cancer the best that I can.”
Tell your child what to expect during cancer treatment
Help ease your child’s fears about the future by discussing what to expect. For example, you could tell a younger child that you will be visiting the doctor every week to get healthy. If you will be undergoing chemo, explain that you might lose your hair and feel tired, but this simply means the medicine is working. Discussing expectations helps children prepare.
Anticipate questions and answer honestly
Younger children may ask if they are responsible for cancer or if they can “catch it” and become sick themselves. Older children may believe unreliable or inaccurate information that they’ve heard from other friends at school, seen on TV, or found on the Internet. Being open and honest about your cancer diagnosis is the best way to clear up any misconceptions. Tell your children it’s okay for them to ask you any questions or tell you something that is bothering them. At the same time, know that it’s okay not to have all the answers. What matters most is that you create a safe space for discussion.
Be hopeful without promising the impossible
Young children may demand a solution or ask you to promise them that everything will be okay. Even older children may ask, “Are you going to die?” Be sensitive to your child’s fears by maintaining a hopeful but realistic attitude. Promising a miracle can set children up for disappointment and even create trust issues if the promised outcome does not occur. If you are religious or spiritual, you may wish to talk about God or trusting in a higher power. It’s okay to tell your children that no one knows what will happen in the future, but that it’s important to enjoy the moments you share together now.
An open and honest conversation is the best way to explain a cancer diagnosis and reassure your child. You may not have all the answers, but by talking to your kids about cancer, you will create a safe space for asking questions, sharing fears, and providing the love and support that your child needs during this difficult time.
