A recent study has suggested that wider use of colonoscopies has led to a decline in colorectal cancer rates.
Overall, the colorectal cancer surgery rate per 100,000 people has dropped from 71.1 in 1993 to 47.3 in 2009; in other words, it decreased about 33% over that 16-year period.
Researcher Uri Ladabaum, MD, Associate Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Stanford University, attributed the decline to colonoscopies and their ability to enable doctors to remove precancerous growths before they "blossom" into full-blown cancer.
Great!
Now for the bad news:
Colorectal cancer STILL kills more Americans than any other type of cancer except lung cancer.
Hmmm.
Why would that be?
I'll tell you.
It's STILL a major killer because people are STILL doing the things that make it easy for cancer to thrive in their bodies.
And unless you make it difficult for cancer to thrive in YOU, you too may be one of the grim statistics.
Read on to see how you can help keep this killer far away from you.
The Birth of Cancer
I know you may find this unsettling, but chances are excellent that you have had "potential cancer" festering in you at various times.
You see, cancer is "born" when the DNA in one of your cells becomes damaged.
The damaged cell, if allowed to progress uninterrupted, will begin to replicate itself WAAAY too fast until it forms a tumor.
The tumor can then start to invade your surrounding tissues. At the same time, your natural cell death rate also slows down, which gives the green light for the tumor to continue to grow even more and eventually invade other areas (metastasize).
But NONE of this can happen unless these two conditions are present:
You have a toxic, acidic body where cancer can thrive and You have a weak immune system
Here's the scoop on both of those:
Acid and Toxins ==> Cancer's Calling Card
Studies repeatedly show time and again that cancer must have an acidic, toxic environment in order to thrive.
And on the flip side, it FAILS TO SURVIVE in a clean, alkaline environment.
Although there are many factors that can make your body acidic (like smoking, environmental toxins, stress and medications) number one is your diet--specifically, eating foods that create acid wastes in excess of what your body can eliminate.
Since your colon is the headquarters for waste elimination (followed by your kidneys, lungs and skin), it's easy to see why colorectal cancer is right up there on the list of common cancers, isn't it?
Weak Immune System ==> Weak Internal Army
Now, when the DNA in one of your cells becomes damaged and cancer cells begin to multiply, it's not like your body immediately waves the white flag of defeat and you become a statistic.
On the contrary, you have some very sophisticated internal cancer protection, like your own "internal army of special forces."
You see, in a healthy body, your "army" (aka immune system) detects and engulfs cancer cells (and other dangerous toxins and microbes) and destroys them.
This process is happening all the time -- even at this very second as you read this.
But if you have a weak immune system, not only are you lacking this vital cancer protection, but you're also susceptible to every bug and virus around!
Now the crucial question--what can you do?
Having a clean, alkaline body and a strong immune system are THE most important things you can do to help prevent cancer, or help fight it if, heaven forbid, you've got it.
Here are two very effective measures you can take to achieve this goal:
1) Nourish your body with real foods & encourage better digestion
The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society estimate that at least 30-35% of all cancers are related to a poor diet!
Here's why a good diet has such a profound effect on cancer prevention and treatment:
First of all, having a diet comprised of meals that are easier for your body to digest and contain lots of alkaline foods (like fruits and vegetables) can help eliminate built-up toxic wastes in your body.
So you can be a much less attractive home to cancer and can make it difficult for it to thrive!
The nutrients in a healthy real foods diet play a big part too.
Antioxidant vitamins (like Vitamins C and E) and minerals (like selenium) can actually help PREVENT and repair DNA damage so it never gets a chance to develop into a tumor!
Plus, Vitamins A, D and folate all encourage healthy, proper cell differentiation and growth.
And many of the phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables have been shown to have anti-carcinogenic properties and are potent antioxidants as well.
The great news is, having this ever-important cancer-fighting diet is not only easy, but it tastes good too.
Great Taste No Pain will show you how to create healthful, nutritious meals (featuring many of the anti-cancer nutrients mentioned above) that are not only positively delicious, but are also easier for your body to break down.
When your digestion can accomplished more easily and thoroughly, not only will you be helping to eliminate toxic waste build-up, but you'll also help maximize your body's absorption of cancer-fighting nutrients from your foods.
2) Help strengthen your immune system
A strong immune system is absolutely vital in the fight against cancer.
And since 70% of your immune system lies in the beneficial bacteria in your gut, it's essential to make sure yours are healthy and in the proper balance.
In addition to a healthy diet of real foods (like I mentioned above) which feeds your friendly flora, probiotic supplementation can help you achieve this important, possibly life-saving goal.
Prevention, prevention, prevention
In spite of all the latest and greatest detection techniques, cancer continues to be a major killer, second only to heart disease.
Prevention is where it's at, my friend.
When you help PREVENT cancer from forming in you to begin with, you are taking the most significant step toward a long, disease-free life and feeling great into your golden years.
Do it now.
You couldn't do anything nicer for yourself or your loved ones.
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
PS: Always be sure to let your doctor or healthcare provider know what supplements you are taking.