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.  

*[[Testicular cancer]]: the evidence is unclear, however most physicians recommend routine testicular exams in young men.

*[[Testicular cancer]]: the evidence is unclear, however most physicians recommend routine testicular exams in young men.

*[[Skin cancer]]: keep skin protected from sunlight by use of clothing and sunscreen, and watch you skin for new moles, or changes in existing moles.

*[[Skin cancer]]: keep skin protected from sunlight by use of clothing and sunscreen, and watch you skin for new moles, or changes in existing moles.

==Treatment of cancer==

==Treatment of cancer==

===Alternative===

===Alternative===

Clearly the most controversial type of treatment involves the use of alternative medicine.  Sometimes this is done at the same time as conventional treatments, but natural doctors strongly discourage this practice, since it is rarely effective.  Alternative treatments rely heavily on the immune system, which is usually harmed by conventional treatment.  With a healthy immune system, the following are sometimes used:

Clearly the most controversial type of treatment involves the use of alternative medicine.  Sometimes this is done at the same time as conventional treatments, but naturopathic doctors strongly discourage this practice, since it is rarely effective.  Alternative treatments rely heavily on the immune system, which is usually harmed by conventional treatment.  With a healthy immune system, the following are sometimes used:

*[[Essiac tea]]

*[[Essiac tea]]

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

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

*[[Amygdalin]] (B-17 or Laetrile^®) 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 are believed by some to cause the cancer<ref>http://rifewave.com</ref>)

*and much more! There is a wide variety of herbs and supplements which help defeat cancer.  Using more than one at a time is almost always advised.

*and much more! There is a wide variety of herbs and supplements which help defeat cancer.  Using more than one at a time is almost always advised.

Why are these "alternative?"  Many say it is because they don't work.  However, there are many success stories of how they did.<ref>Snow, Sheila, and Mali Klein. Essiac Essentials: The Remarkable Herbal Cancer Fighter. New York: Kensington, 1999. Print.</ref>  Others say theses are less accepted because they take more time to work.  In rare cases such as some kinds of leukemia, there might not be enough time for the immune system to be built up for the task.  There is also a "point of no return," after which the immune system is too weak to overcome the illness. Others say that it is a high-profit conspiracy.<ref>http://www.naturalnews.com/042688_natural_medicine_cancer_cures_government_agencies.html</ref>  Each argument has some supporting evidence, some of which is irrefutable, but much of which could be explained away.

Why are these "alternative?"  Many say it is because they don't work.  However, there are many success stories of how they did.<ref>Snow, Sheila, and Mali Klein. Essiac Essentials: The Remarkable Herbal Cancer Fighter. New York: Kensington, 1999. Print.</ref>  Others say theses are less accepted because they take more time to work.  In rare cases such as some kinds of leukemia, there might not be enough time for the immune system to be built up for the task.  There is also a "point of no return," after which the immune system is too weak to overcome the illness. Others say that it is a high-profit conspiracy.<ref>http://www.naturalnews.com/042688_natural_medicine_cancer_cures_government_agencies.html</ref>  Each argument has some supporting evidence, some of which is irrefutable, but much of which could be explained away.

[[File:Europe map.png|thumbnail|250px|right|The [[World Health Organization]] declares concerning [[secular Europe]]: "[[Europe]] comprises only one eighth of the total world population but has around one quarter of the global total of [[cancer]] cases with some 3.7 million new patients per year."<ref>[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/cancer/data-and-statistics World Health Organization - Cancer statistics for Europe]</ref>]]

=== Religion/irreligion and cancer treatment ===

The [[World Health Organization]] declares concerning Europe: "Europe comprises only one eighth of the total world population but has around one quarter of the global total of [[cancer]] cases with some 3.7 million new patients per year."<ref>[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/cancer/data-and-statistics World Health Organization - Cancer statistics for Europe]</ref>

''See also:'' [[Atheism and Miracles|Atheism and miracles]] and [[Atheism and the supernatural]]

[[Denmark]], [[France]] and [[Australia]] have significantly higher rates of individuals holding to an [[Atheist worldview|atheistic worldview]] (see also: [[Irreligion in Denmark]] and [[French atheism]] and [[Irreligion in Australia]]). According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, Denmark, France and Australia have the three highest [[per capita]] cancer rates in the world.<ref>[http://www.wcrf.org/int/cancer-facts-figures/data-cancer-frequency-country Data for cancer frequency by country],  World Cancer Research Fund International</ref>

{{Cquote|According to the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC), 69% of cancer patients say they pray for their health. A recent study published in ''Cancer'', a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, suggests a link between religious or spiritual beliefs and better physical health reported among patients with cancer.<ref>[https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/study-cancer-patients-with-strong-religious-or-spiritual-beliefs-report-better-health.html Study: Cancer Patients with Strong Religious or Spiritual Beliefs Report Better Health], American Cancer Society</ref>}}

 

The [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[Gary Habermas]] wrote: "Double-blind prayer experiments: where people pray for others with terminal illness. Habermas admitted that most such experiments have not worked, but the three that he knows of that have indeed worked were cases of orthodox-Christians praying for the sick."<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-apologist-10-reasons-for-the-fall-of-atheism-106531/ Christian Apologist: 10 Reasons for the Fall of Atheism] by [[Gary Habermas]]</ref>

 

== Cancer and the UK ==

[[File:Europe map.png|thumbnail|250px|right|The [[World Health Organization]] declares concerning [[secular Europe]]: "[[Europe]] comprises only one eighth of the total world population but has around one quarter of the global total of cancer cases with some 3.7 million new patients per year."<ref>[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/cancer/data-and-statistics World Health Organization - Cancer statistics for Europe]</ref>]]

Irreligious countries such as European countries and China, have significant problems with cancer (see: [[Atheism and cancer]]). The [[World Health Organization]] declares concerning [[secular Europe]]: "[[Europe]] comprises only one eighth of the total world population but has around one quarter of the global total of cancer cases with some 3.7 million new patients per year."<ref>[http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/cancer/data-and-statistics World Health Organization - Cancer statistics for Europe]</ref>

''See also:'' [[Cancer and the UK]]

[[Denmark]], [[France]] and [[Australia]] have significantly higher rates of individuals holding to an [[Atheist worldview|atheistic worldview]] (see also: [[Irreligion in Denmark]] and [[French atheism]] and [[Irreligion in Australia]]). According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, Denmark, France and Australia have the three highest [[per capita]] cancer rates in the world.<ref>[http://www.wcrf.org/int/cancer-facts-figures/data-cancer-frequency-country Data for cancer frequency by country],  World Cancer Research Fund International</ref>

There are now an estimated 2.5 million people living with cancer in the UK, rising to 4 million by 2030.  The number of people living with cancer in the UK in 2015 has increased by almost half a million people in the last five years.<ref>[https://www.macmillan.org.uk/_images/cancer-statistics-factsheet_tcm9-260514.pdf Cancer statistics - MacMillan]]</ref>

{{Cquote|According to the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC), 69% of cancer patients say they pray for their health. A recent study published in ''Cancer'', a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, suggests a link between religious or spiritual beliefs and better physical health reported among patients with cancer.<ref>[https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/study-cancer-patients-with-strong-religious-or-spiritual-beliefs-report-better-health.html Study: Cancer Patients with Strong Religious or Spiritual Beliefs Report Better Health], American Cancer Society</ref>}}

== See also ==

== See also ==

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

*http://www.cdc.gov

*https://www.cdc.gov

*[http://www.cancer.org/docroot/stt/stt_0.asp American Cancer Society:  Cancer statistics for 2007]

*[http://www.cancer.org/docroot/stt/stt_0.asp American Cancer Society:  Cancer statistics for 2007]

*[http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_4X_What_Is_Chemotherapy.asp?sitearea=ETO American Cancer Society:  What is chemotherapy?]

*[http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_4X_What_Is_Chemotherapy.asp?sitearea=ETO American Cancer Society:  What is chemotherapy?]