Changes

The term '''cancer''' refers to many different [[disease]]s.  They all have in common uncontrolled ''cell [[proliferation]]'' (growth and division).  Cancers are usually named for the [[organ]] or cell type that is originally involved. After beginning at one site, the cancerous cells may ''metastasize'' (spread) to other organs and then continue to grow, causing more damage in the new location as well.  The cancer is still named by its place of origin.

The term '''cancer''' refers to many different [[disease]]s.  They all have in common uncontrolled ''cell [[proliferation]]'' (growth and division).  Cancers are usually named for the [[organ]] or cell type that is originally involved. After beginning at one site, the cancerous cells may ''metastasize'' (spread) to other organs and then continue to grow, causing more damage in the new location as well.  The cancer is still named by its place of origin.

All known carcinogens (cancer-inducing agents), which include various chemicals, viruses, and ionizing radiation, act by breaking chemical bonds to produce [[Deoxyribonucleic acid|DNA]] [[mutations]]. <ref>http://www.livescience.com/health/cell-phone-radiation-cancer-100118.html</ref>These mutations occur randomly throughout the [[genome]], and if not repaired by the cell's DNA repair mechanisms, they can impede normal cellular functions. If enough unrepaired mutations occur in genes associated with cell growth, this can cause the cells to grow when they should not.  

All known carcinogens (cancer-inducing agents), which include various chemicals, viruses, and ionizing radiation, act by breaking chemical bonds to produce [[Deoxyribonucleic acid|DNA]] [[mutations]].<ref>http://www.livescience.com/health/cell-phone-radiation-cancer-100118.html</ref> These mutations occur randomly throughout the [[genome]], and if not repaired by the cell's DNA repair mechanisms, they can impede normal cellular functions. If enough unrepaired mutations occur in genes associated with cell growth, this can cause the cells to grow when they should not.  

==Types of Cancer==

==Types of Cancer==

[[Chemotherapy]] is the use of drugs that kill [[tumor]] cells.  Conventionally, the drugs that are used are those that target cells which are rapidly undergoing [[mitosis]]; this approach is effective but is limited by side effects, which occur because these drugs have an adverse effect on normal tissues that contain rapidly-dividing cells.  Research is under way to find drugs with a wider [[therapeutic index]].  One approach is to study specific molecular markers that may be used to identify cancer cells, and to develop drugs that preferentially kill cells that exhibit those markers.

[[Chemotherapy]] is the use of drugs that kill [[tumor]] cells.  Conventionally, the drugs that are used are those that target cells which are rapidly undergoing [[mitosis]]; this approach is effective but is limited by side effects, which occur because these drugs have an adverse effect on normal tissues that contain rapidly-dividing cells.  Research is under way to find drugs with a wider [[therapeutic index]].  One approach is to study specific molecular markers that may be used to identify cancer cells, and to develop drugs that preferentially kill cells that exhibit those markers.

An example of chemotherapy is dichloroacetate (DCA), a chemical with the formula: CHCl₂COOH. DCA cures cancer by restoring the mitochondria of cancer cells. Cancer cells use glycolysis to produce energy since the mitochondria is damaged and there is not enough oxygen (see. [[Hypoxia]]) to go through respiration (oxidative phosphorylation)<ref>{{cite journal |author=Xu R, Pelicano H, Zhou Y, Carew J, Feng L, Bhalla K, Keating M, Huang P |title=Inhibition of glycolysis in cancer cells: a novel strategy to overcome drug resistance associated with mitochondrial respiratory defect and hypoxia |journal=Cancer Res |volume=65 |issue=2 |pages=613–21 |year=2005 |pmid=15695406}}</ref>. Usually cells with a critical amount of damage (such as in cancer cells) kill themselves by [[apoptosis]] which requires properly functioning mitochondria. DCA restores the function of the mitochondria and thus apoptosis is restored. Cancer cells then begin killing themselves off.

An example of chemotherapy is dichloroacetate (DCA), a chemical with the formula: CHCl₂COOH. DCA cures cancer by restoring the mitochondria of cancer cells. Cancer cells use glycolysis to produce energy since the mitochondria is damaged and there is not enough oxygen (see. [[Hypoxia]]) to go through respiration (oxidative phosphorylation).<ref>{{cite journal |author=Xu R, Pelicano H, Zhou Y, Carew J, Feng L, Bhalla K, Keating M, Huang P |title=Inhibition of glycolysis in cancer cells: a novel strategy to overcome drug resistance associated with mitochondrial respiratory defect and hypoxia |journal=Cancer Res |volume=65 |issue=2 |pages=613–21 |year=2005 |pmid=15695406}}</ref> Usually cells with a critical amount of damage (such as in cancer cells) kill themselves by [[apoptosis]] which requires properly functioning mitochondria. DCA restores the function of the mitochondria and thus apoptosis is restored. Cancer cells then begin killing themselves off.

DCA is available for purchase from websites and physicians, although it is still in the human testing trials in Canada. The trials have proved promising, but this off-label use of DCA to treat cancer has sparked lots of controversy. Most chemotherapy treatments are not so controversial, since they have undergone much more testing to guarantee their safety.  

DCA is available for purchase from websites and physicians, although it is still in the human testing trials in Canada. The trials have proved promising, but this off-label use of DCA to treat cancer has sparked lots of controversy. Most chemotherapy treatments are not so controversial, since they have undergone much more testing to guarantee their safety.  

*[[Vitamin C]] supplementation (Sodium ascorbate is best)

*[[Vitamin C]] supplementation (Sodium ascorbate is best)

*Vitamin D supplementation

*Vitamin D supplementation

*[[Amygdalin]] (B-17 or Laetrile^{<small>®</small>}) supplementation

*[[Amygdalin]] (B-17 or Laetrile^®) supplementation

*Hydrazine sulfate treatment (HZ is actually a '''''prescription drug''''', but is rarely used)

*Hydrazine sulfate treatment (HZ is actually a '''''prescription drug''''', but is rarely used)

*Rife wave generator treatment (presumably emits resonance frequency of the cores of viruses which cause the cancer<ref>http://rifewave.com</ref>)

*Rife wave generator treatment (presumably emits resonance frequency of the cores of viruses which cause the cancer<ref>http://rifewave.com</ref>)