cancer help | Grace Gawler Media

Game-changing Cancer Breakthrough Keytruda | New immunotherapy drug now FDA approved Grace Gawler

Because of the immune system’s extraordinary power, its capacity for memory, its exquisite specificity, and its central and universal role in human biology, these immunotherapy treatments have the potential to achieve complete, long-lasting remissions and cancer cures, with few or no side effects, and for any cancer patient, regardless of their cancer type. ( CRI )

The Immune System and Cancer Control: Exciting Developments in the USA and at QIMR Berghofer Brisbane Australia…..

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is made by the drug company Merck. The drug belongs to a class of immunotherapies called checkpoint inhibitors. These drugs “take the brakes off” the immune response to cancer. They represent the most promising new cancer therapies to emerge in decades. Merck’s drug is the first FDA approved checkpoint inhibitor targeting a molecule called PD-1. The drug has been approved for the treatment of advanced or inoperable melanoma in patients who have failed prior treatment.

For 60 years, Cancer Research Institute (CRI) has been the pioneer in advancing this highly promising new class of treatment. Because of this investment, cancer immunotherapy today is a highly active and exciting field, with unprecedented potential to deliver on the decades-long promise of discovering, developing, and delivering safe and effective treatments that make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients fighting the disease. For those living in the USA – if you want more information about checkpoint inhibitors and immunotherapies.

To Join a webinar presented by Cancer Research Institute – “Immunotherapy: The Future of Prostate Cancer is Here” with Dr Charles Drake MD PhD September 30, 2014 at 2 pm ( please remember – New York time!) CLICK HERE

Please visit: www.cancerresearch.org for more more information about immunotherapy trials and treatments in USA.

Also visit: http://www.theanswertocancer.org

In Queensland – Australia – QIMR Berghofer Medical Institute Brisbane is dedicated to translating discoveries into treatments, diagnostics and prevention strategies.

Listen to this interview with Sara-Jane who was a guest on Navigating the Cancer Maze Radio this week. Sara Jane is from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. She will speak about the Research Roadshow and other aspects of this research centre. Learn how you can get involved and benefit.

To discover what is being researched at QIMR visit their website by CLICKING HERE:

In Next blog:

More on the Research Roadshow at QIMR Berghofer and Record keeping – so important for any cancer patient. I look at some creative ways to keep your medical records in order.

Until next time

Grace

Introducing Health Intelligence Australia-A new Model of Healthcare Grace Gawler and Dr Bruce Whelan

On this week’s Navigating the Cancer Maze on Voice America radio, I presented an encore broadcast of a special interview with my colleague GP Dr Bruce Whelan: “Spinning Gold from Straw: How trauma transformed a Doctor’s Life and Practice”. This year, Dr Whelan and I have forged a very special medical partnership to help patients Navigate the Cancer Maze – Health Intelligence Australia.

On this week’s Navigating the Cancer Maze on Voice America radio, I presented an encore broadcast of a special interview with my colleague GP Dr Bruce Whelan: “Spinning Gold from Straw: How trauma transformed a Doctor’s Life and Practice”. This year, Dr Whelan and I have forged a very special medical partnership to help patients Navigate the Cancer Maze – Health Intelligence Australia.

Last week a patient asked me what makes Dr. Bruce Whelan unique in terms of the type of medicine he practises? The answer came

easily. In the past 10 years Bruce has become involved with and specialized in management of addictions, mental health and severe and chronic pain as well as general medicine. These are also all important aspects of cancer management. They are the areas of medicine that tend to be under-serviced by GPs due to time constraints or lack of training. But there is more that makes Dr Bruce Whelan uniquely suited to the new Health Intelligence Australia group.

Another area of Dr Bruce Whelan’s expertise is in the area of trauma. He knows a lot about trauma at a very personal level because in 2002 he was summoned to Bali from Sri Lanka, where he was working. He was given the unspeakably grim task of identifying bodies after the bombing at the Sari Club in Bali. His task was made even worse when he spent two days unsuccessfully trying to find and identify the body of his son-in-law Shane – killed in the bombing along with a partner of his daughter’s friend. As luck had it the girls were going to be late getting to the Sari Club that night. But lucky as they were to escape; the trauma of the incident lived on and shaped their future.

When Bruce graduated from the University of Queensland in 1967, like many of us, he had no idea what life had in store for him. As a doctor, Bruce Whelan had already seen lot of suffering, but the post-traumatic stress affect that the Bali incident produced, had long lasting effects. The product of uninvited change! Bruce fought a battle he could not win; to have bodies quickly identified, stored appropriately and repatriated to Australia.

This intensified the trauma, grief and loss experienced by many. However, being a resourceful doctor, eventually he was able to spin gold from straw as they say, and today, 14 years later; the experience brings with it a man who is the wounded healer who serves his patients with a rare quality of directness and authenticity. He is someone who deeply understands trauma and depression in another human being.

There is no substitute for this type of life experience. This type of experience can’t be learned in any university except in the university of life!

It is recognized by psycho-oncologists that a diagnosis of cancer is also a traumatic event and many patients experience PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) that often remains undiagnosed and untreated throughout the course of the illness. Some patients have experienced trauma before diagnosis and it may not have been dealt with. Unrecognized trauma can play a complicated role in the ongoing management of illness. Major life traumas can impact every treatment approach that a cancer patient will try during their recovery….. it can even affect patients who are survivors of the physical illness, but who did not have the opportunity to deal with the psychological impact of the illness at the time. This often plays out as depression, memory loss or dissociative disorders.

To make an appointment for a consultation to see either myself or Dr Whelan, or for a team consultation, please visit:

http://www.healthintelligenceaustralia.com/make-an-appointment/ or call 1800 011 723

RESOURCES: Check out the following resources to understand more about PTSD and the brain:The Biology of Trauma http://www.natal.org.il/english/?CategoryID=232

Article Psychology Today: The Anatomy of Post traumatic Stress Disorder

Listen to interviews with Dr Bruce Whelan on Voice America – at http://www.drbrucewhelan.com/about-dr-bruce/

Navigating the Immune System | The Key to Future Cancer Therapies

Today on Voice America’s Navigating the Cancer Maze, I interview Professor Mark Smyth who is regarded as an international leader in tumour immunology, immunotherapy and natural killer (NK) cell biology. My co-host is Dr Bruce Whelan, GP.We are nk-cells-(green)-attack-diseased-human-cellsaware there is a great need for cancer education in the community. By understanding the intricacies of the immune system in parallel with the biological nature of cancer; we believe that patients will make better informed decisions regarding their choice of cancer treatment.

Today on Voice America’s Navigating the Cancer Maze, I interview Professor Mark Smyth who is regarded as an international leader in tumour immunology, immunotherapy and natural killer (NK) cell biology. My co-host is Dr Bruce Whelan, GP.

Episode Description

Today I interview Professor Mark Smyth who is regarded as an international leader in tumour immunology, immunotherapy and natural killer (NK) cell biology. My co-host is Dr Bruce Whelan, GP. Dr Whelan and I see cancer patients in our practices.

We are aware there is a great need for cancer education in the community. By understanding the intricacies of the immune system in parallel with the biological nature of cancer; we believe that patients will make better informed decisions regarding their choice of cancer treatmentProfessor Smyth is a person of influence who has made key discoveries in his field.

A number of those discoveries have led to new clinical trials in cancer immunotherapy. Professor Smyth relocated to the QIMR Berghofer in Brisbane (2013) as Senior Scientist and NH&MRC Australia Fellow.

He is a Senior Editor at Cancer Research, & a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Cancer Research Institute (USA).

Learn More: www.qimrberghofer.edu.au

Professor Mark Smyth

Professor Mark Smyth received his PhD from the University of Melbourne in 1988 & trained at the National Cancer Institute (USA) 1988-1992.

After 8 years at Austin Research Institute Melbourne, working on mechanisms of lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity, he relocated to Peter Macallum where his studies on effector molecules collectively rekindled world-wide interest in cancer immune surveillance. A number of his discoveries have led to new clinical trials in cancer immunotherapy.

Professor Smyth relocated to QIMR Berghofer, Brisbane (2013) as a Senior Scientist and NH&MRC Australia Fellow. He is a Senior Editor at Cancer Research, and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Cancer Research Institute (USA).

Summary

The Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory currently focuses upon advancing our understanding of the basic principles underlying an immune response to cancer and infection.

A Natural Killer cell (yellow) attacks a cancer cell. The NK cell reaches out and delivers the “kiss of death.” — A Natural Killer cell (yellow) attacks a cancer cell.
The NK cell reaches out and delivers the “kiss of death.”

We aim to further understand these processes at the molecular level, with particular emphasis on the role of the innate immune system, in particular, NK cells, NKT cells and gamma-delta T cells.

Our laboratory is building a detailed picture of how networks of immune cells function to recognise, respond to, and destroy tumour cell masses and metastases. We are interested in defining the importance, timing, and nature of the natural immune response to transformation.

We are also using new antigens (including glycolipids), antibodies, and cytokines in combination to stimulate strong innate and lasting adaptive immunity to cancer.

Our findings are being used to develop more effective biological and cellular therapies for human cancer, in particular, melanoma, breast and prostate cancer, and haematological cancers.

Learn more about Prof Smyth’s research

at http://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/page/Lab/Immunology_Cancer_Infection

One of QIMR Berghofer’s three Research Programs is cancer, one of the major causes of illness and death in Australia and the developed world. In 2012, it is estimated that more than 120,700 Australians were diagnosed with cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer). Cancer accounted for about 3 in 10 deaths in Australia, making it the second most common cause of death, exceeded only by cardiovascular diseases. Cancer is a disease which is caused by abnormal cell growth and eventually spreads to other parts of the body. Some cancers are common within a family history and are clearly inherited, while others are caused by factors in the environment interacting with genetic susceptibilities. Many forms of cancer can be treated successfully if detected early.

Cancer types researched by QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Blood cancers (including leukaemia, lymphoma and myelomas)
Brain cancer (glioblastoma)
Breast cancer
Colorectal (bowel) cancer
Endometrial cancer
Lung cancer
Melanoma
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (endocrine cancer)
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (nose and throat cancer)
Non-melanoma skin cancer (actinic solar keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma)
Oesophageal cancer (including Barrett’s oesophagus)
Ovarian cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Prostate cancer
Stomach (gastric) cancer

Learn More: www.qimrberghofer.edu.au Navigating the Cancer Maze is presented by the Grace Gawler Institute for Integrated Cancer Solutions, Gold Coast Australia. We are a not for profit health promotion charity.

David Tuccaro Leukemia Survivor talks about ‘Bad to the Bone’ his memoir by Marala Scott on Navigating the Cancer Maze with Grace Gawler

Navigating the Cancer Maze, Grace Gawler interviews David Tuccaro Jr about his Survival story and book ‘Bad to the Bone | The True Story of David Tuccaro Jr’. The book is authored by Award-winning Author and Oprah’s Ambassador of Hope, Marala Scott. The story is about David’s recovery from ALL, a childhood leukemia. The book is aptly named; leukemia being an illness that begins in bone marrow. As an adult with a leukemia that is predominantly seen in children; at 25 years of age, David’s prognosis was very poor.

If you want to be inspired by a well written, poignant survival story about recovery from Leukemia…
Then this is the book to buy!

In fact…….. if you only buy 1 book this year – then this is the one! David Tuccaro Jr’s story is powerful and well told. ‘Bad to the Bone-’ The True Story of David Tuccaro Jr is a book about his recovery from ALL – a childhood leukemia is aptly named; leukemia being an illness that begins in bone marrow. As an adult with a leukemia that is predominantly seen in children; at 25 years of age, David’s prognosis was very poor.

On today’s Navigating the Cancer Maze, I had the pleasure of interviewing David about his memoirs and about Award-winning Author, Oprah’s Ambassador of Hope, Marala Scott, who transcribed his story of Leukemia diagnosis through to his remission. This episode is full of inspiring tips and tools for anyone who is navigating their own cancer maze. You can also download the show or listen on audio streaming at:

http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/76857/beating-leukemia-bad-to-the-bone-the-true-story-of-david-tuccaro-jr-on-navigating-the-cancer-maze

At just 25 years old, approximately seven years ago, David Tuccaro Jr, a Mikisew Cree First Nation man from Fort McMurray Canada, was diagnosed with leukemia. He was facing a death sentence. His story is poignant, raw in its honesty and an inspiration to those who are navigating the leukemia maze.

Navigating the Cancer Maze serves as a reliable source of information for cancer patients and families. Every guest on the show has a well researched and authentic story to offer to the community. Such is David Tuccaro Jr’s story; a tumultuous journey of self-discovery through pain, hopelessness and the feeling of inadequacy to inspire others to overcome adversity.

After finding his purpose, he is living out his passion of teaching others to save lives by registering to become a bone marrow donor.
David says:“When I was going through what I’d gone through with the leukemia, I had my doctors telling me one thing, what to expect, and my family and friends telling me what to expect, but I didn’t have a survivor telling me what to expect; that’s what the book is really about, to answer some of these questions. There needs to be somebody that has gone through this to give you the hope that you really need to get through it.”

David Tuccaro Jr is a powerful advocate bringing awareness to the life-saving impact that a bone marrow donor unselfishly provides. David is alive after years of hospital procedures thanks to his spirit, medical science, support and the altruism of one man who donated his bone marrow. Four years after the lifesaving transplant David met his bone marrow donor, Christian Holtmann from Germany. He says: “I’ll never forget the first meeting I had with Christian; it was the greatest moment of my life.” David Tuccaro Jr hopes his and Christian’s story will inspire others to donate bone marrow. “That is what saved my life”, David said.

To buy the Book or you are interested in becoming a Bone Marrow Donor – please visit: www.DavidTuccaro.com

The book is available in Hard Cover or eBook – Kindle Kobo etc. BUY ON AMAZON

PUBLISHER: www.seraphbooks.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Marala Scott is an Award-winning Author and Oprah’s Ambassador of Hope, (In Our House: Perception vs. Reality and Surrounded By Inspiration). Marala Scott takes you inside the horrific battle of a young man with Leukemia and shares the unique perspective of his bone marrow donor. The Story of David Tuccaro Jr. will give you strength and inspiration never before felt! For more information on Marala Scott visit www.maralascott.com.

“What he describes is that journey we are all seeking; it is that transformation to a better life.”
–Dr. Gary Ruelas D.O., Ph.D.

“This should be a television show done by a conscientious film maker— This story is nothing less than an epic.”
–Peter C. Newman, Legendary Journalist and Author

Grace Gawler|Voice America|Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing

Dietrich Stroeh’s life came apart after learning that his wife had pancreatic cancer. The Stage Four diagnosis took him on the roller coaster ride of his life. Overnight, this successful businessman became a caregiver powerless over the course of his wife’s illness. He had to face internal weaknesses and external obstacles in order to take care of her and, when the time came, lovingly let her go. Stroeh chronicles his journey in this book, taking readers inside the Stroeh household where home care, medical decisions and much needed laughter give extraordinary shape to an unexpected and devastating illness.

Navigating the Cancer Maze: This week Dietrich Stroeh, author of Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing talks about his book.

This is a highly recommended read for anyone on the cancer journey – patients, family & friends. Grace Gawler

Listen at: http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/75644/navigating-the-cancer-mazethree-months-a-caregiving-journey-from-heartbreak-to-healing-with-dietrich

Often on Navigating the Cancer Maze we speak about the possibilities of cancer recovery & how we can work towards that outcome. Let’s face it, it is what everyone wants to hear; however for many cancer patients, circumstances and unexpected challenges that cancer brings can mean the loss of a loved one. For every patient & family, it is important to address this topic, “What if things don’t go to plan?” Dietrich Stroeh’s life came apart after learning that his wife had pancreatic cancer. The Stage Four diagnosis took him on the roller coaster ride of his life. Overnight, this successful businessman became a caregiver powerless over the course of his wife’s illness. He had to face internal weaknesses and external obstacles in order to take care of her and, when the time came, lovingly let her go.

Stroeh chronicles his journey in this book, taking readers inside the Stroeh household where home care, medical decisions and much needed laughter give extraordinary shape to an unexpected and devastating illness.

Advocating for a loved one, caring for one’s self, being part of the medical team and handling grief are only a few of the topics that are addressed simply in this first-person story. Like the paperback, the newly released e-book also provides easy to read care-giving tips and useful resources that Stroeh picked up in the course of only three months time. It also includes a chapter of author-published articles about being a male caregiver and more.

“Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing is both a love story and a guidebook. Anyone going through an experience with a terminal illness would benefit from reading it,” said Dr. Kim Allison, MD, Director of Breast Pathology at University of Washington Medical Center.

An engineer by trade, J. Dietrich “Diet” Stroeh has headed up projects great and small, and managed the Marin Municipal Water

Diet Stroeh author — Dietrich Stroeh author

District in the midst of one of the worst droughts on record. That experience was the basis for his first book, The Man Who Made it Rain, co-written with Michael McCarthy.

Three Months: A Caregiving Journey from Heartbreak to Healing is available at Amazon (Amazon.com), Barnes and Noble (BarnesandNoble.com) and at FolkHeart Press (FolkHeartpress.com). FolkHeart Press, a boutique publisher located in Northern California, specializes in personal narratives and original folklore material. For more information: www.folkheartpress.com

http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/75644/navigating-the-cancer-mazethree-months-a-caregiving-journey-from-heartbreak-to-healing-with-dietrich

Buy the book – kindle and paperback:

http://www.threemonthsbook.com/

Watch video of interview with Dietrich Stroeh & Sylvia Barry.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pc2gKeZl2w]

Navigating the Cancer Maze with Professor Francis Seow Choen|The Journey from Cancer Patient to Famous Colorectal Surgeon

Dr Francis Seow Choen is a medical miracle – he recovered from major surgery for a cancer in his small intestine; and as a 7 year old and faced a horrendous 6 months of radiation treatment and chemotherapy way back in 1964 when treatments were very harsh. A survivor and now world famous colorectal surgeon he breaks a lot of myths that surround colorectal cancer. In his life and Practice he is a seeker of truth for the public well-being when it comes to cancer and cancer prevention and cure claims.

Navigating the Cancer Maze with Professor Francis Seow Choen / The Journey from Cancer Patient to Famous Colorectal Surgeon…Part 1.

“Surgery is not just science. Surgery is an art. One can learn about science from courses, conferences and books. In art, one has to have talent first and then seek out a master who can bring that skill to perfection.” Prof Seow-Choen

Although he is well published in Singapore as a social commentator on colorectal cancer prevention and treatments – it must be said that he has not used his cancer survival as a way of attracting followers – but rather, he has taken the scientific method path of research and a rigorous approach to best techniques for each individual patient. VISIT: http://www.fortissurgicalhospital.com

His views on lifestyle, in particular diet as a cancer prevention may surprise you – however after 40 years experience and as someone involved in lifestyle medicine in the early days of its promotion; I agree. Many of the patients I see as vegetarians, vegans, raw foodists and what I would call ‘healthy eaters’ who don’t smoke and who are “tea-totallers” seem to get cancer at the same rate as everyone else. These patients often feel betrayed by lifestyle medicine that promised them a healthy disease-free life. This is complex – but Dr Seow Choen gives his views from a very experienced background. He believes that the key to working against cancer is found in genetics and molecular studies. Dr Seow Choen is an avid educator in the field of colorectal diseases. He says right and truthful information, early diagnosis, right treatment, good support and the right doctor are keys to survival.

Below see eCard information from Navigating the Cancer Maze: To Listen to this inspiring and informative interview – select the link below

http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/75467/navigating-the-cancer-maze-with-professor-francis-seow-choen-the-journey-from-cancer-patient-to

Today my special guest on Navigating the Cancer Maze is Dr Francis Seow-Choen from Singapore. As a little boy he became medically famous when diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma; the first recorded case in Singapore. After diagnosis & an arduous 6 months that included surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment; he survived! He was just 7 years old.

Today, Dr Francis Seow-Choen is Medical Director and Senior Consultant at Fortis Colorectal Hospital in Singapore. He is an internationally recognised colorectal surgeon and had previously held posts as the Head and Senior Consultant – Department of Colorectal Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Director of the Endoscopy Centre and Director of Surgical Oncology at the National Cancer Centre (see Guest profile). The professor is an ardent entomologist, husband, father and above all he is a surgeon & survivor who beat the odds and inspires others through his life and vocation.

Links and resources:

PHYSICIANS & GP’S: The e-book for physicians and GP’s is titled Handbook on Colorectal Diseases, composed by the hospital’s Senior Consultants and invited writers, focuses on three key areas, namely:

The diagnosis and management of colorectal diseases in an outpatient context
Pathology and surgical procedures to enable appropriate counseling of patients
Relevant information to help Family Physicians make decisions on when to refer patients for further treatment

The e-book is now available for download on both iBooks and iTunes, in 51 territories including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. Follow the link below to get a copy of the e-book today:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/handbook-on-colorectal-diseases/id677667082?mt=11

CONTACT: Fortis Colorectal hospital Singapore website : http://www.fortissurgicalhospital.com
Difficult cases and international patients accepted.

Learn and read more about Dr Francis Seow Choen:

http://www.colorectalcentre.com/eng/index.html

Article on eating and fibre intake: Dr Francis Seow Choen:

http://www.colorectalcentre.com/eng/fibre.html

http://www.sgh.com.sg/about-us/newsroom/News-Articles-Reports/Pages/HowbadisyourconstipationCheckyourstool.aspx

http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/75467/navigating-the-cancer-maze-with-professor-francis-seow-choen-the-journey-from-cancer-patient-to

Background – Guest Page: Voice America Heath & Wellness Channel

http://www.voiceamerica.com/guest/19613/dr-francis-seow-choen

Navigating the Cancer Maze is presented each week as a free service to the global cancer community by the Grace Gawler Institute and anyone interested in the Truth in Medicine and Health. www.gracegawlerinstitute.com

Raw Versus Cooked for Cancer Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer| Grace Gawler

It is not only what you eat; but what you can absorb. Is raw food better than cooked food? Is vegan better for cancer patients than fish and meat? What about raw vegan? Extreme diets often pair with extreme supplementation to make up for what’s missing…so how safe is that approach? What about juices and their value? What is the truth about diet and Cancer?

Navigating the Cancer Diet Maze Special needs for Colon and Liver Cancer

Listen on Voice America Health & Wellness Channel – free to download or available on streaming

It is not only what you eat; but what you can absorb. Is raw food better than cooked food? Is vegan better for cancer patients than vegetarian? What about raw vegan? Extreme diets often pair with extreme supplementation to make up for what’s missing…so how safe is that approach? What about juices and their value?

Having gained a distinction in nutrition plus assisting cancer patients for 40 years has given me great insights….there is not much I haven’t seen cancer patients try with regards to dietary regimens and alternative medicine during those decades. Most often, the outcomes have been far from ideal. Maybe short term dietary experiments are OK if you are not ‘relying’ on the diet for curing cancer – but the main issue goes way beyond symptoms, such as rapid weight loss, because the most important thing is that cancer is time sensitive – you don’t have time to wait and see if the diet works in 3 or 6 months. The wait and see mentality is heavily criticized in conventional medical systems – but clearly it exists on both sides of the healing divide.

We live in an age where fashion fads and dietary fads change like the wind. With lifestyle medicine a cultural trend; a lot of long term dietary experimentation is going on at the cost of lives. Cancer patients often get swept up in the winds of dietary fads and before they know it, they are inside a culinary tornado that offers more stress; less peace of mind, confusion, social isolation, unnecessary weight loss and nutritional deficiencies…all from a so called nutrient dense diet that many cannot absorb.
This I know from experience; in fact from 3 different roles in my life.:
as carer of a cancer patient
a qualified health professional
and then as a patient
Many others have experienced this – this website is a fascinating read!
Resource # 1: http://www.beyondveg.com/

So where does the truth lie for people just want to eat well? I think it lies in the middle of the road approach!

Cancer patients need to be careful that they are not buying in to an someone else’s ideological dietary regimens.

There is no cure cancer diet that I know of….and there is no one size fits all in the world of diet! But if you are a cancer patient and particularly if you have colorectal or a gastrointestinal cancer – you need to be even more cautious.
What is the best way of eating for this specialised group?
The only way is to access a health practitioner who can help you with a personalised diet based on results of functional pathology stool tests. Yes – your own stools hold the secret answer as to what you should eat and what you can absorb! Makes sense doesn’t it!

The best type of tests are those that require a stool sample collected over a 3 day period…
Why a 3 day period? As well as examining all the digestive functions and our end products…the 3 day test is far more accurate for detecting any parasite eggs from unwelcome intestinal hosts…this problem is more common that most people believe.

Some cancers such as cancer of the bile duct (called cholangiocarcinoma) is one example of a cancer known to be caused by a parasite – in this case – Chinese Liver fluke.
Resource # 2: Chart and references: Parasites and Pathogens associated with cancer

Resource # 3: In Australia – to source a test ask your health practitioner to organize a Healthscope functional pathology test for digestion including a 3-day parasitology test. They have an excellent series of different tests – your practitioner can advise which one is best for you..

For stool testing in the USA & internationally – CONTACT
http://www.metametrix.com/test-menu/profiles/gastrointestinal-function/dna-stool-analysis-gi-effects

It is almost a given that patients with colorectal cancer will have had surgery to remove a segment or segments of colon affected by cancer. Depending on the length of the segment removed – type of diet and quantity of food should be adjusted accordingly.

Excess fibre and raw seeds and nuts and even raw foods can become indigestible irritants causing inflammation and bloating to the patient who has had colorectal surgery….it can especially be a problem for the patient who loses a significant portion of small intestine. Yours truly in one of those people!

Prior to my own surgery losing 5 ft of large colon and the same amount of small intestine; I was a prolific salad & raw food consumer – but I also ate a great deal of cooked vegetables and seafood – I think you would call me a Pescetarian…I had a diet that contained a good deal of dietary fibre- a good balance of cooked and raw foods. However after my surgeries– my gastro – intestinal tract was clearly traumatised and it took years to recover to a satisfactory degree.

Remember the saying………… it is not only what you eat – but what you can absorb…..this statement becomes a simple rule to live by and is especially important for those dealing with or those who have had colorectal cancer.

Now back to diet….. cooked vs raw…

Now I am interested in the work of primatologist Richard Wrangham…. his research claims that learning to cook food was the hinge on which human evolution turned. Eating cooked food, he argues, enabled us to evolve our large brains, and cooking itself became a primary focus of human social activity — in short, cooking made us the social, intelligent, and sexual species we are today.

His book – Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human is available on Amazon..

From the book’s promo:
Contrary to the dogmas of raw-foods enthusiasts, cooked cuisine was central to the biological and social evolution of humanity, argues this fascinating study. Harvard biological anthropologist Wrangham dates the breakthrough in human evolution to a moment 1.8 million years ago, when, he conjectures, our forebears tamed fire and began cooking.

Starting with Homo erectus—who should perhaps be renamed Homo gastronomicus—these innovations drove anatomical and physiological changes that make us adapted to eating cooked food the way cows are adapted to eating grass. By making food more digestible and easier to extract energy from, Wrangham reasons, cooking enabled hominids’ jaws, teeth and guts to shrink, freeing up calories to fuel their expanding brains. It also gave rise to pair bonding and table manners, and liberated mankind from the drudgery of excessive chewing (while chaining womankind to the stove). Wrangham’s lucid, accessible treatise ranges across nutritional science, palaeontology and studies of ape behaviour and hunter-gatherer societies; the result is a tour de force of natural history and a profound analysis of cooking’s role in daily life. More than that, Wrangham offers a provocative take on evolution—suggesting that, rather than humans creating civilized technology, civilized technology created us.
http://www.amazon.com/Catching-Fire-Cooking-Made-Human/dp/1469298708

Listen on Voice America Health & Wellness Channel – free to download or available on streaming
http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/75179/navigating-the-cancer-diet-maze-special-needs-for-colon-and-liver-cancer

Thanks for visiting…..More on this thought provoking topic in next blog-soon: Enjoy! Grace

Navigating the Bowel Cancer Maze Prevention and Management with Grace Gawler Voice America

What does it mean to be diagnosed with familial polyposis? The condition involves the growth of numerous polyps that form mainly in the epithelium of the large intestine. While these polyps start out benign, malignant transformation into colon cancer occurs when left untreated. Listen to an interview with recovered patient Angela on Voice America’s Navigating the Cancer Maze hosted by Grace Gawler.

Part ONE:
Why I am Passionate about Prevention of Colon Cancer:

The subject of colon cancer is not ‘everyone’s cup of tea’ as they say! However I have a distinct and very personal interest in colon cancer and colon health. My early work with cancer patients activated my interest and concern for this group of patients who in those days seemed to left in a no-mans land to cope with a horrendous change to their bodily function as well as the psychological challenges that go with such a life-changing trauma. Assisting bowel cancer patients soon took over from my work with women with breast cancer. “Women of Silence – the Emotional Healing of Breast Cancer” was based on the unspoken issues that affected a woman’s self esteem, body image, psychology, lifestyle and relations to name but a few. However I was so awe-struck by the plight of patients with colon cancer; both men and women who had ileostomies or colostomies, that I was compelled to research more on how I could assist them with diet, lifestyle, adaptation, reclaiming their lives and dealing with the consequences of uninvited life change. Eventually this area became a speciality part of my Naturopathic Practice. Not only cancer patients, but those dealing with IBS and all varieties of colon issues began to consult with me. I studied the anatomy & physiology of the colon in depth and helped thousand of patients.

But….little did I know what the future had in store!

Ironically I had been well prepared for the next stage of my life when after a routine gynaecological surgery in 1997; I was unable to do what most of us do every day – that is go to the loo! My husband had just left the family, I was financially and physically compromised and I had 4 teenage children at home. So began my annus horribilis.

Me after 1st ileostomy and colectomy in 2000

It is a good thing we cannot see into the future as I did not know there would be 13 more similar years ahead. All tolled I had 21 surgical procedures and ileostomies and colostomies! Five feet of large Colon was removed and 5 feet of small bowel due to massive faecal impaction. The stomas leaked causing severe burns on my belly. Each time I had a surgical reversal (the bowel was re-joined); what remained of my colon would violently and unsuccessfully; try to push material through my paralysed rectum. Many times what was supposed to come out one end – came up via the other end. It was a debilitating, socially difficult and the most challenging thing I have ever experienced. The stoma area herniated due to strain. At times it was hard to see a way through but despite the down times, I was committed to finding solutions.

I travelled to Holland and underwent experimental surgery and basically became a world first for a bionic implant surgically placed in my buttock with wires and electrodes implanted through my spinal foramina. This device (like a heart pacemaker) worked successfully at 6volts to give me enough stimulus to empty my what remains of my colon. It works by mimicking the nerves that allowed rectal emptying. That was in 2012-2003. Suddenly my empathy ran deeper for my past patients; for as well as managing stomas – they were also dealing with cancer.

But regardless of the cause – like my patients, I was also now dealing with a life-threatening situation.

I learned a lot first hand from my experience to apply in my cancer work-more than I could possible have learned during my many training courses. My issue had been a ‘post surgical complication’ & maybe unavoidable. But I reasoned that if patients with known bowel conditions could do something to avoid what I had been through – then I could have a valuable contribution. I knew that early diagnosis of bowel cancer and & subsequent intervention could save a life. In particular I knew there were approaches reported in medical literature about the value of High EPA Fish oils and anti-inflammatory complementary medicines in helping those afflicted with the precancerous condition known as FAP.
So when patient “Angela” came to me in 2011 diagnosed with Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and facing a permanent ileostomy I knew what we could try safely while her situation was monitored medically.

Her grandfather had FAP, her mother had it and died at 58……her uncle has it and it is known that one of her adult sons has it. Her other 2 children as yet have not been investigated.
http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/74518/navigating-the-bowel-cancer-maze-part-1-awareness-prevention-management

So …. what does it mean to be diagnosed with familial polyposis? The condition involves the growth of numerous polyps that form mainly in the epithelium of the large intestine. While these polyps start out benign, malignant transformation into colon cancer occurs when left untreated.
(The medical solution is usually a colectomy – a surgical resection of any extent of the large intestine (colon) and a colostomy bag or in some cases an ileostomy, when the polyps invade the colon tissue changing it’s structure and causing fragility).

Angela asked me what could be tried as she like myself had already had some colon section removed and had endured the failure of a temporary ileostomy. Listen to my interview with Angela and learn what she decided to do about regaining bowel health. Still clear of polyps (Dec 2013) and with a regenerated colon (confirmed with colonoscopy) she has successfully navigated the maze, using the best of conventional diagnostic medicine in combination with targeted complementary and lifestyle medicine. Her entire case (complete with medical data) will be published in a Journal in 2014. More info: email: institute@gracegawler.com

Select the image below to be redirected to Voice America and my interview with Angela on Navigating the Cancer Maze. Or… click here. More about colon cancer in my next blog.

Dr Carl O Helvie lung cancer survivor interviews Grace Gawler on the Holistic Health show

Recently I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Dr Carl Helvie for the USA based Holistic health Show. Dr. Carl was a relatively young man when he was diagnosed with lung cancer and told he had six months to live. Instead, he made a decision to fight back with something other than the traditional conventional medicine he was offered.

Introducing Dr Carl O Helvie: Recently I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Dr Carl Helvie for the USA based Holistic Health Show. Dr. Carl was a relatively young man when he was diagnosed with lung cancer and told he had six months to live. Instead, he made a decision to fight back with something other than the traditional conventional medicine he was offered. Amongst the millions of diagnosed cancer patients, his type of total, long term remission is a rare event. When a histologically proven cancer goes into remission we must always be open to asking ‘Why’? Also in Dr Carl’s favor is that he is a well qualified, well credentialed and highly intelligent man who has dedicated his life to helping others diagnosed with cancer. Just occasionally someone comes along like Dr Carl who has managed to recover from cancer without conventional medicine. Remember the story of Deborah Franke Ogg whose stage 4 nodular lymphoma went in to remission. (hear my interview with Deborah at Voice America

Watch the clip from the movie about her life and remission; ” Leap of Faith” later retitled “A question of Faith”.
http://www.samneillonline.com/leapoffaith.html

Dr Carl O Helvie at 80 years young - one of the longest living lung cancer survivors. — Dr Carl O Helvie at 80 years young – one of the longest living lung cancer survivors.

Dr Carl Helvie also has an extraordinary story. A registered nurse with two masters and a doctorate in public health and wellness, Dr. Carl Helvie has decades of experience as a nurse practitioner, educator, author and researcher. He is the recipient of numerous awards with listings in Who’s Who In American Nursing, Men of Achievement, American Men and Women of Science, just to name a few. He has eight published books as well as being a contributor to others, and has published or presented internationally over 100 papers and articles. He retired from academia in 2000 and in 2002, taught at the University of Applied Sciences in Frankfurt, Germany and served as a nursing consultant to Russia.

He developed and published a nursing theory now used worldwide and has established a nursing center that provides primary care for homeless and low-income individuals and families.
While 89% of Americans over age 65 have some form of chronic illness and by age 75 can expect to have three chronic illnesses and be taking five prescribed medications daily – Dr Carl’s prescription; today, this healthy 80-year-old man takes no prescribed medications and is one of the longest living lung cancer survivors.

Select the URL below to listen to Dr Carl as he asks me in depth questions about my life and why and how I teach survival skills for those with life challenging illness or conditions:

http://www.holistichealthshow.com/wordpress/tag/holistic-approach/

Also listen to Navigating the cancer Maze. Today’s show is Cancer Recovery-Crucial Choices: How to Navigate Critical Crossroads in the Cancer Maze

To read more about Dr Carl O Helvie and his work visit: http://www.beatlungcancer.net/bio/

Strath Tonic – Switzerland’s Best Kept Secret Grace Gawler Part 3

Bio-Strath AG uses the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Meyen yeast type in the production of its natural Strath products. This yeast already contains many essential vital substances in itself. Strath strengthens immune defences
All you need to keep your immune system functional.

About Strath Tonic: Part 3

Herbal yeast – Production

Bio-Strath AG uses the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Meyen yeast type in the production of its natural Strath products. This yeast already contains many essential vital substances in itself.

During the gentle, biological Strath process, yeast cells are combined with selected herbal extracts as they multiply. The uptake and integration of the herbal active substances into the yeast cells creates the unique Strath herbal yeast. In a subsequent processing step, the yeast cells are naturally opened up, in other words liquefied.
This process, known as plasmolysis, is required so that the human body can take up the valuable constituents of Strath herbal yeast (bioavailability). The production process takes about 2 months in total.
Strath is suitable for yeast intolerant people (listen to interview Voice America). The liquid contains minimal sugars while the tablets contain no sugars. The liquid is well tolerated by people with cancer who want to improve their wellbeing while undergoing cancer treatments.

LATEST RESEARCH: Influence of Bio-Strath® on osteogensis
Herbal yeast plasmolysate promotes the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.
(Monici M., Marziliano N., Cialdai F., romano G., Cellai I., Benvenuti S. und Cogoli A.; L?Integratore Nutrizionale; 14(1), 2011:37-42)

Summary of the results of the in-vitro-Study at the University of Florence, Italy:

The addition of herbal yeast clearly promotes maturation of cells that build up bone mass (osteoblasts).
The formation of undesirable osteoclasts (bone breakdown) is decreased by adding herbal yeast.
A combination of drug therapy and herbal yeast plasmolysate could therefore be successful in osteoporosis patients.

Link to osteoporosis research:
http://www.vita61.com.my/research-on-bone-construction.html

Please select the following links to view slide show about the properties of Strath Tonic:
http://www.vita61.com.my/alfred-habegger.html

For application and use of Strath in combination with Oncological therapies

http://www.vita61.com.my/oncological-therapies.html

Strath tonic — Lab results: Vita-Strath® Food Supplements Drops, Elixir (liquid) and Tablets

For more about Strath: see the website: http://www.bio-strath.ch/about-us.0.html

Or contact me at email: navigatingthecancermaze@gmail.com

Images and information used on this blog for 3 articles – approved by Bio-Strath AG