Voices Against Brain Cancer Announces Grant for Camp Jinka

New York, NY (PRWEB) August 08, 2013

On August 8, Voices Against Brain Cancer (VABC), an organization dedicated to brain cancer research and advocacy, announces their donation of a $30,000 grant to Camp Jinka, a summer program for kids and teens whose lives have been impacted by the diagnosis of a brain tumor.

Offered by the David S. Zocchi Brain Tumor Center at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ. The camp, which is now in its fourth year, offers both indoor and outdoor activities, encouraging campers to communicate and express with others who are living similar life experiences. Those who attend the camp have a loved one that is either battling a brain tumor or has passed from one. In some cases, they are survivors themselves .The grant awarded to the camp by VABC will be used for overall operations, a trip to Lancaster for the teen campers and for lead sponsorship of The Camp Jinka Art Exhibition which features artwork created by the campers. This year’s exhibit will take place on August 8, 2013 , 6-8:30 at the Middletown Arts Center in Middletown NJ.

Judy Zocchi decided to create Camp Jinka after the loss of her husband, Dave, to a brain tumor. On the camp’s website, she explains how the difficulties of losing someone last long after the person passes away. The camp was designed as an outlet for children dealing with these difficulties.

Camp Jinka received statewide recognition recently as it was named New Jersey’s number one Therapeutic and Wellness Recreation Program by the New Jersey Parks and Recreation Association.

Zocchi discusses what this grant means for the summer program. “Camp Jinka is such a special place that the children continue to come back each year even as they grow into teenagers. In addition, new children find us so our numbers are growing tremendously. It is such a special place for the children to continue to come back to each year,” she says. “Because of Hurricane Sandy we were not able to have our winter fundraiser. This left us with a huge deficit. Many people and organizations pulled together to help us get camp started this summer. VABC came through as a major sponsor enabling us to finish our session and take the older kids away on a retreat. It was a summer to remember and one the children will never forget. My deepest gratitude to Mario and the team at Voices Against Brain Cancer for the tireless work they continue to do to benefit the brain tumor community.”

Michael Klipper, Chairman of Voices Against Brain Cancer, an organization dedicated to brain cancer research and advocacy, commends Zocchi for creating an outlet for the younger generation who have to deal with the repercussions of brain tumor diagnoses. “The stress-level for a child having to experience either a personal brain tumor diagnosis or that of a loved one are often left feeling helpless. Camp Jinka is a remarkable outlet for these children and teens to get together and forge relationships with others who understand exactly what they are going through. We are so happy that we are able to award this grant to this amazing organization.”

VABC has a wide variety of initiatives in place for brain cancer research, awareness and support. The organization’s research grants fund cutting-edge research programs that will have a monumental impact on the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer. VABC currently funds research at several esteemed institutions such as Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cleveland Clinic, Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, John Hopkins, Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Yale, to name a few.

VABC's mission is to find a cure for brain cancer by advancing scientific research, increasing awareness within the medical community and supporting patients, their families and caregivers afflicted with this devastating disease.

For press inquiries, please contact: 5W Public Relations.
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Preventing Cancer - Overweight and Obesity

Obesity is a condition of excess body weight measured by the body mass index (BMI). Obesity is caused by an imbalance between caloric intake and expenditure, or, in other words, eating more food than your body can use. It usually results from a diet high in saturated fats, refined carbohydrates and salts, and low levels of physical exercise.

The body mass index is a measure of the body fat in adult Caucasians. To calculate your BMI, you need to know your height in metres and weight in kilograms. Your BMI is calculated by dividing your weight by the square of your height.

The normal BMI range for adult Caucasians is 18–24.9. A person with a BMI in the range 25–29 is classified as?overweight, while one exceeding 30 is classified as obese. When assessing health risks, obese individuals are often further classified as:

Severely obese or class 1 obese (BMI 30–34.9)Morbidly obese or class 2 obese (BMI 35–39.9) Super obese or class 3 obese (BMI > 40.2)

This information will be collected for educational purposes, however it will remain anonymous.

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Obesity is now considered an epidemic in many Western countries.?In Europe, America and Australia, more than half of all adults and children are overweight or obese. More than 25% of Australian adults are obese, and?about?60%?are classified as overweight or?obese.

A person's lifestyle and background influences their risk of becoming obese. People who have a low level of education, watch a lot of television and/or have low levels of physical activity are more likely to be obese.

There are many health risks associated with being overweight or obese. They include an increased risk of developing a variety of cancers. This risk?rises?with your BMI.

Cancer is a commonly occurring condition of unregulated cell growth. Normal human cells regulate their replication and divide only when new cells are needed (i.e. the number of cells dying and emerging are equal). Cancerous cells, on the other hand, continually replicate without structure or organisation. The excessive cancer cells invade healthy human organs and form a tumour.

Benign tumours are generally not life threatening as they do not invade the surrounding tissues and organs and are not considered cancers. Malignant tumours on the other hand, can move between different sites in the body (e.g. the breast to the lung), and are classified as cancers. Cancers can be classified as low, intermediate and high grade depending on the size of the tumour and degree of similarity between cancerous and normal cells. These influence the number of new cancer cells forming and the chances of successful?treatment.

Some individuals may be predisposed to cancer because of their genes. However, lifestyle factors?and exposure to carcinogens cause most cancers. Cigarette smoking is the behaviour most commonly associated with cancer, although in recent years the associations between obesity and cancer have received increasing attention. Obesity is now the second leading cause of cancer following smoking.

There is evidence that the more your BMI increases, the greater your risk of developing some cancers. For example, the risk of colorectal cancers increases by 7% for every 2 kg/m2 increase in BMI. The cancers associated with obesity include cancers of the:

While it is clear that obesity increases the risk of cancer, scientists are still investigating why this is the case. What is currently known is that the relationships between obesity and cancer are complex and?depend on the type of cancer.

Being obese changes hormone levels in the body. This is thought to underpin the increased risk of?breast, colon, endometrial, kidney and oesophageal cancers. The risk of gallbladder cancer is likely associated with the increased risk of gallstones in obese patients; gastrointestinal conditions associated with obesity (e.g. reflux) are the most likely explanation for obese patients' increased risk of gastrointestinal cancers. Obese individuals are also more susceptible to inflammatory conditions, which are associated with an increased risk of cancer.

The old saying "prevention is better than cure" certainly applies to obesity. While it is likely that obese people who reduce weight will also reduce their cancer risk, scientists are still determining the extent to which this is true.

Currently there is evidence that weight loss has a positive effect on the risk of endometrial and breast cancers. There is also evidence suggesting that losing weight can increase the likelihood of cancer treatment being successful, and reduce the risk of cancer recurring after treatment.

Due to the many known health benefits of weight loss in obese individuals (e.g. reduced risk of diabetes) and the?likely benefit in reducing cancer risk, weight loss is an extremely important goal for overweight and obese people wishing to improve their health.

Once obese, many individuals remain obese for?a long?time. Many diet and exercise interventions have proven effective in promoting weight loss in the short term; however, long term weight loss is more difficult to achieve. This is evidenced by the increasing prevalence of obesity in both developed and developing countries. In Australia, almost 60% of the adult population is either overweight or obese, and the prevalence of obesity is increasing – the?prevalence of obesity was 2.5 times higher in 1999 than in 1980.

Support from health professionals, family and friends

Losing weight often requires professional help. If you are obese and want help developing a weight loss program, talk to you doctor, who can help you or refer you to somebody else who can.

In most cases, health professionals will provide you support and information to help you lose weight. This will include recommending diet and exercise strategies, and helping you monitor how?well they work. It?is important that you limit stress, boredom and frustration when trying to lose weight, as these can cause you to eat unnecessarily.

If you are?having problems sticking to your diet or exercise schedule, a health practitioner can be a good source of support. Make sure you also?have support in your living environment. Keep unhealthy foods out of sight (they're much less tempting when you can't see them) and encourage relatives or friends to?join you in exercising. Eating habits develop over a long period of time and can be difficult to change, so support from friends, family and health professionals is important.

If you are supporting a family member or friend in losing weight, remember to be tactful.

Changing your diet

Consuming too many calories is the main cause of obesity. Developing and maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is key to reducing and maintaining a normal weight (i.e. BMI 18–24.9).

While there are many popular diets which can rapidly reduce weight in the short term, these are generally ineffective in reducing weight in the long term. For sustained weight loss, healthy eating habits must be developed and maintained. One important aspect of ensuring the development of long term healthy eating habits is developing a lifestyle which enables healthy, fresh food to be accessed and prepared for consumption. For many people, accessing fresh food is difficult because they do not have enough money, are too busy to cook it, or?are limited by?their location. If you are too busy to cook involved meals, it may be a good idea to become familiar with some healthy, fast recipes. If money is an issue, you may wish to start a vegetable garden, or learn some new recipes which are less expensive.

There are a few key components of a well balanced diet. As you attempt to lose weight, you should:

Eat more fruit and vegetables: Eat a piece of fruit instead of sweets, chips or other snacks. Try to eat at least 2 pieces of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables or legumes (e.g. beans) per day.Reduce intake of fats, particularly saturated fats: Use vegetable or fish oils instead of animal fats.?Eat lean meat (e.g. chicken breast, fish) instead of fatty meats (e.g. pork). Trim fat off meat. Grill or boil food instead of frying it. Substitute full fat products with low fat (e.g.?dairy). Avoid high fat meals with low nutritional content (e.g. chips, hamburgers, fried chicken).Limit consumption of refined carbohydrates and salt: Limit the amount of sweets, biscuits, cakes and potato chips you consume.?Try dried or fresh fruits and vegetables, wholewheat biscuits and breads, low fat yoghurt, seeds, and legumes as alternative healthy snacks.Eat fresh rather than processed foods: Fresh foods contain more vitamins and minerals than processed foods, and often less calories, so are a vital part of a healthy diet. While fresh, uncooked vegetables are the best source of vitamins and minerals, cooked, frozen and dried fruits and vegetables also provide good sources. Eat from the five food groups: The body requires a range of different nutrients and micronutrients to maintain an optimum metabolic balance.?It is therefore?important to eat from all the food groups.

Exercising

It is generally recommended that individuals engage in moderate exercise (e.g. brisk walking) for at least thirty minutes (preferably for one hour) a day to help maintain a healthy weight. More vigorous exercise (e.g. jogging) several times per week can further reduce cancer risk. Daily exercise can be obtained in a single session or in bits and pieces throughout the day. There are lots of ways to "Find 30" minutes of exercise in little bits throughout the day – you might do some heavy chores around the house, dig the garden or play games with the kids or pets.

If you are obese, the additional weight you carry puts a lot of pressure on your muscles and joints, and vigorous exercise can be dangerous. It is best to start with moderate exercise and increase gradually. Before you start exercising,?speak to a health professional who will be able to advise you which exercises are suitable and how long you should exercise for each day.

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise, so try to fit walking into your daily routine, whether it's to the shops or around the park, up the stairs or for a Sunday outing.?

Depending on where you live and your financial situation, you may wish to visit a gym or swimming pool. You may even want one-on-one support from a personal trainer.?Keep in mind that this is a fairly expensive option, and a friend who will support you and make exercise fun is often just as good.

Treatment with medications

There is a range of medicines which can enhance the benefits of healthy eating and exercise for obese people trying to lose weight. These should only be tried if exercise and diet modifications fail to result in sufficient weight loss. Weight loss medications are effective in addition to, rather than instead of, long term diet and exercise changes.

There are two types of medications that can assist in the treatment of obesity: appetite suppressants (which make you fell less hungry) and fat absorption inhibitors (which reduce the amount of fat your body absorbs). These medicines are only available on prescription in Australia, so talk to your doctor about whether they are suitable for helping you lose weight.

Surgical treatments

Surgery to treat obesity is generally only performed on individuals 18–55 years of age?who have been obese for more than five years and who have a?BMI > 40 kg/m2. As with medications, it is important to remember that surgical treatments are most effective when strict diet and exercise patterns are included.

Although infrequently performed, surgery is a more effective intervention than prescribing medications for reducing the weight of super obese (class 3 obese) individuals.

Obesity increases the risk of cancer, but obesity is a preventable and treatable disease. To reduce the risk of cancer associated with obesity, an individual should maintain a BMI of 18–24.9. To maintain or reduce to a healthy weight it is important to:

Exercise for at least 30 minutes each dayEat lots of fresh food, especially fruits and vegetablesLimit the amount of fat, salt and refined sugar you consume

If you are obese and having difficulty losing weight:

Talk to your doctor about whether or not taking medications will help youTalk to your doctor about whether or not surgery is an appropriate strategy

Remember,?family and friends?can support you?and encourage you to exercise and eat healthy food.

For more information on obesity, health and social issues, and methods of weight loss, as well as some useful tools, see Obesity and Weight Loss.

For more information on living with obesity,?including discussing obesity with friends or loved ones, bullying and obesity in children, obesity and its cost on the workplace and links between obesity and?pain, sexuality, fertility and depression,?see Living with Obesity.
NHMRC. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults [online]. 2003 [cited 11 July 2008]. Available from URL: http://www.health.gov.au/ internet/ main/ publishing.nsf/ Content/ obesityguidelines-guidelines-adults.htmAustralian Cancer Council. Position statement: Overweight, Obesity and Cancer Prevention [online]. 2008 [cited 11 July 2008]. Available from URL:?http://www.cancer.org.au/ Healthprofessionals/ PositionStatements/ nutritionandphysicalactivity/ obesity.htmWHO Consultancy on Obesity. "Obesity: Preventing an managing the global epidemic: Report of a WHO consultation" WHO Technical Report Series, 1999, 894 [online]. [cited 11 July 2008].?Available from URL: www.who.int/ health_topics/ obesity/ en Cameron JA, Welborn TA, Zimmet PZ. Overweight and obesity in Australia: The 1999-2000 Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study. Med J Aust. 2003; 178(9): 427-32.O’dea K, Rowley KG, Brown A. Diabetes in Indigenous Australians: Possible ways forward. Med J Aust. 2007; 186(10): 494-5.Delia D, Buscemi G. Regulation of the cell cycle, cell cycle checkpoints and cancer. In: The Cancer Handbook [Electronic Resource]. A Martin [ed]. London, Wiley. 2007 [cited 11 July 2008]. Available from URL: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/ Pierobin M, Geho D, Belluco C, Liotta L. Invasion and metastasis. In: The Cancer Handbook [Electronic Resource]. A Martin [ed]. London, Wiley. 2007 [cited 11 July 2008]. Available from URL: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/ Greene FL, Page DL, Fleming ID, Fritz AG, Balch CM, Haller DG, Morrow M?[eds]. American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual. 6th ed. New York, NY: Springer; 2002.Obesity and breast cancer prognosis: An expanding body of evidence [Editorial]. Ann Oncol. 2004; 15: 850-1.Stein CJ, Colditz GA. Modifiable risk factors for cancer. Br J Cancer. 2004; 90: 299-303.Moghaddam AA, Woodward M, Huxley R. Obesity and risk of colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis of 31 studies with 70,000 events.?Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007; 16(12): 2533–47.Calle EE, Rodriguez C, Walker-Thurmond K, Thun MJ. Overweight, obesity, and mortality from cancer in a prospectively studies cohort of US adults.?New Eng J Med. 2003; 348(17): 1625-39.Larson SC, Wolk A. Obesity and colon and rectal cancer risk: A meta-analysis of prospective studies. Am J Clinical Nutr. 2007; 86(3): 556-65.Vainio H, Kaaks R, Bianchini F. Weight control and physical activity in cancer prevention: International evaluation of the evidence. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2002; 11(Suppl 2): S94-100.Schottenfeld D, Beebe Dimmer JL, Advances in cancer epidemiology: Understanding causal mechanisms and the evidence for implementing intervention. Annual Review of Public Health. 2005; 26: 37-60.Chlebowski RT, Aiello E, McTiernan A. Weight loss in breast cancer patient management. J Clin Oncol. 2002; 20: 1128-43.Rock CL, Demark-Wahnefried W. Nutrition and survival after the diagnosis of breast cancer:?A review of the evidence. J Clin Oncol. 2002; 20: 3302-16.Amling CL. The association between obesity and the progression of prostate and renal cell carcinoma. Urol Oncol. 2004; 22: 478-84.Crawford D. Population studies to prevent obesity: Only a few studies attempted with limited success. BMJ. 2002; 325: 728-9.NHMRC. Dietary guidelines for children and adolescents in Australia [online]. 2003 [cited 11 July 2008].?Available from URL: www.nhmrc.gov.au/ publications/ synopses/ _files/ n34.pdf Fletcher GF, Balady G, Blair SN. Statement on exercise: Benefits and recommendations for physical activity programs for all Americans. Circulation. 1996; 94(4): 857-62.Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E. Bariatric surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004; 292: 1724-37.Baxter J. Obesity surgery: Another unmet need [Editorial]. BMJ. 2000; 321: 523-24.

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Preventing Cancer - Physical Exercise

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Physical exercise can be as easy as finding a total of 30 minutes of activity a day. The benefits include a overall healthier body, as well as preventing the development of cancer and other serious diseases. Obesity is usually the outcome of inadequate physical exercise or an unbalanced diet. It is a major issue in western societies and can be rectified by a healthier diet and exercise.

The lack of physical activity over the last few decades has been attributed not only to being over weight or obese, but also to heart disease, and cancer among others. According to the Cancer Council of Australia, lack of activity has been significantly attributed to breast cancer and colon cancer. Even through the research at this point is still inconclusive, physical activity is beneficial for a healthy body.

Any form of physical activity can be beneficial, whether it's walking, cycling, swimming, or jogging. The thing to remember is that it needs to be moderately intensive.

Moderately intensive can be described as being able to talk understandably while exercising, but not sing. The recommendation is that you should do at least 30 minutes of physical activity everyday. This does not all have to be carried out in a thirty minute segment, but can be spilt into a few activities each day.

Something as simple as walking up the stairs, parking the car further away and walking to your destination instead of driving can be considered exercise. Taking up a physical hobby such as rowing, golf or swimming will give you the incentive to get out and get exercising. Once you've taken up the challenge of thirty minutes of exercise each day, you will notice a change in general well being, including stress, energy levels and happiness.

As well as thirty minutes daily, weekly you should also participate in some vigorous exercise at least twice a week. This is the kind of exercise where you work up a sweat, and you breathe harder. Some examples of this form of exercise include going for a jog, or going to the gym. It involves pushing your body harder to produce a more intense workout. Remember that vigorous exercise requires a warm up and cool down period to prevent injury or muscle cramping.

The benefits of exercise to the body are numerous. Exercise builds muscle strength, including strenghtening your health and lungs. Muscle strength prevents injury, strain and also aids in later life. It also builds bone density, which means they are less likely to break in a trauma of some kind, and you are less likely to develop debilitating diseases such as osteoporosis. Exercise lowers your body fat, keeping your weight in control and preventing such diseases as heart disease. Exercising also improves your stress levels and energy. Exercising also produces an endorphin rush, the hormone that make you feel happy and hence reduces stress levels.

While exercising is great for your body it is also important not to over exercise. Exercise can become complusive when the reasoning behind it is misplaced. For example, exercise definately keeps your weight healthy, but if the expectation is to have the perfect body, exercise can become complusive and addictive. The reality is your weight should be what is healthy for your body type and build. Exercise and severe dieting can lead to conditions such as buliema and anorexia, serious psychological conditions that have devestating effects. The pressure and desire to win, particularly in an event that requires bodily strength, can lead to someone over exercising.

A way to determine if you or someone else is over exercising is to ask if training is taking over various parts of daily life, like would you rather train then spend time with family and friends, or do you get upset if you miss a training time? If you find yourself tired due to the fact you are training a majority of the time, then it is time to reassess your exercising habits. Some individuals do exercise more than average such as athletes, but the important thing to remember is just as the body requires exercise, so it requires rest.

If you or someone you know maybe over exercising, it is very important to seek help before this becomes a major problem as over exercising can cause serious, irrepairable damage to the body. Help is available in many different forms, your friends or family, teacher, councellor, doctor, helpline or association.

For more information, visit: The National Exercise Guide Eating Disorders - Anorexia

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Vitamins, Supplements and Cancer

Patients undergoing cancer treatment often ask their doctor whether there is anything they can take to reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and/or help fight their cancer. One of the topics of greatest interest is vitamins and other supplements or herbal remedies. Surveys estimate that about 50% of cancer patients take some form of dietary supplement. While many vitamins have been shown to be beneficial as a part of a healthy diet, it is important to talk with your doctor about using them.

The word 'vitamin' comes from the joining of two words, 'vital' and 'amine'. Vitamins are organic substances that our bodies need in small amounts for normal metabolic function, cell growth and tissue repair. The majority of these organic chemicals are not made by the body itself and so must be obtained from what we eat. Good sources of vitamins include fresh fruit and vegetables.

Supplements other than vitamins include dietary minerals such as calcium, which is important for healthy bones, and sodium, which is a good electrolyte. Amino acids such as arginine and tryptophan are also supplements that are important in protein production and normal cell function.

The fact that vitamins and supplements can encourage the growth of cells in our bodies makes it seem logical that they could also encourage the growth of cancerous cells. So by taking vitamins and supplements, it is possible that cancer patients are helping the growth of the very cancer cells they are trying to fight.

The main reason that cancer patients choose to take dietary supplements is to enhance their health and chance of a cure. Studies have shown that cancer survivors use supplements to try to strengthen their immune system, help them to feel better, and to?cope with stress. Most cancer patients and survivors believe that there is a benefit in taking dietary supplements.

Despite some research suggesting that vitamins may be unknowingly encouraging the growth of cancer cells, it does not mean they can never be taken during chemotherapy. In certain circumstances, careful supplementation with vitamins can help in cancer therapy.

Supplementing the anticancer drug?pemetrexed with folic acid and vitamin B12 has been shown to reduce side effects and improve quality of life. Another example is the addition of folinic acid to 5-fluorouracil (5FU) chemotherapy. It is known that folinic acid significantly improves the response rate to chemotherapy with 5FU. In a study investigating the link between supplemental vitamins and minerals and oesophageal cancer, it was found that using multivitamins was associated with a reduced risk of oesophageal cancer.

Combination therapy using retinoic acid (the oxidized form of vitamin A) together with the anticancer drug ketoconazole has been investigated as a treatment for superficial bladder cancer (SBC). The combination was found to effectively reduce the cancer recurrence rate and increase the survival time of SBC patients.

It is understood that there is a link between more tomatoes in your diet and a reduced risk of cancer. The red colour in many fruits like tomatoes and watermelons comes from?a chemical called?lycopene. Recent studies have also suggested that lycopene has anticancer properties. Though further clinical trials are required, it is thought that the antioxidant properties of lycopene are responsible for its anticancer properties.

The applications of these vitamin supplements are in very specific and controlled circumstances. It is very important that you discuss?the use of any vitamins or supplements?during cancer treatment with?your specialist before you start using them.

Certain cancer treatments, particularly radiotherapy, rely on the creation of free radicals to damage the cancer cells. Free radicals are toxic molecules that are able to damage both normal and cancerous cells. Radiotherapy often relies on the creation of toxic free radicals within the affected tissues, which are damaging to and can kill the cancer cells. Taking supplements that are free radical scavengers could potentially reduce the amount of free radicals and lower the effectiveness of the cancer therapy. Vitamins C and E are known to be free radical scavengers, able to 'mop-up' any damaging free radicals. Research has shown that lung cancer patients given supplemental vitamins A, C and E experienced a faster?recurrence of their cancer, which progressed more rapidly and resulted in a sooner death.? Beta carotene, a vitamin A derivative, has been shown to worsen the outcome of patients with mesothelioma and lung cancer. Results from these studies show the need to be aware that vitamins should be taken with care and should always be discussed with a doctor.

Cancer patients will often home-research various herbal remedies and preparations, and then ask their oncologist whether or not it is all right to take them. Often these are obscure herbal remedies from the Asian subcontinent. This can make it difficult to know what they actually contain and how reliable this information is. There have been many reports of lead and other heavy metal poisoning from herbal and mineral supplements. It is difficult to tell whether or not an herbal remedy can be harmful. Very few have been thoroughly studied.

Chemotherapy levels circulating in the body are very important in determining optimal cell damage. A reduction in the effective circulating chemotherapy dose can reduce cancer cell death, potentially decreasing the response and cure rate. One of the country's most widely consumed herbal remedies, St John's wort, is known to interact with virtually every prescription drug. St John's wort can break down the active ingredients in drugs, and it is possible that it can reduce the amount of a circulating chemotherapy drug. While there is no doubt that St John's wort works reasonably well as an antidepressant, you should consult your doctor before taking it with any prescription medications.

Despite strong belief and support from both practitioners and patients, there are many cancer therapies that remain unproven. The idea that large doses of vitamins and minerals alone are effective cancer treatments is one such therapy. Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling insisted that massive doses of vitamin C could cure cancer. However, these claims were not confirmed by clinical trials published in the late 70s and early 80s. The idea of taking high doses of vitamins in the treatment of cancer remains popular, perhaps due to the simplicity of the approach and easy over-the-counter access to vitamin supplements.

Another unproven therapy is the idea that shark cartilage could cure cancer. It was first suggested in the 1960s and became increasingly popular in the mid 90s. However, research published in 1998?investigating the effectiveness of shark cartilage as a cancer therapy found that no patients showed a positive response to the treatment, and neither did they show an improvement in quality of life.

Many unproven therapies remain popular despite scientific research proving that they provide little or no benefit to the patient. It is very important to discuss any alternative therapies you have heard about or are interested in with a cancer specialist.

Remember that your oncologist wants what is in your best interest, so always engage in an?open conversation.Never start on any vitamin or other supplement without first consulting your cancer specialist.Your oncologist can advise about things you can do in addition to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, so don't be afraid to ask!

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For more information on nutrition, including information on?types and composition of food, nutrition and people, conditions related to nutrition, and diets and recipes, as well as some useful videos and tools, see Nutrition.?

Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, Simonetti RG, Gluud C. Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and secondary prevention: Systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2007; 297(8): 842-57.Complementary and Alternative Medicine Index (CAM) [Online]. 2004 [cited 2008 Jul 1]. Available from URL: http://www.umm.edu/ altmed/?Gupta D, Lis CG, Birdsall TC, Grutsch JF. The use of dietary supplements in a community hospital comprehensive cancer centre: Implications for conventional cancer care. Support Care Cancer. 2005; 13: 912-9.Hall JD, Bissonette EA, Boyd JC, Theodorescu D. Motivations and influences on the use of complementary medicine in patients with localized prostate cancer treated with curative intent: Results of a pilot study. BJU International. 2003; 91: 603-7.Sparber A, Bauer L, Curt G, Eisenberg D, Levin T, Parks S, et al. Use of complementary medicine by adult patients participating in cancer clinical trials. Oncol Nurse Forum. 2000; 27: 623-30.Velicier CM, Ulrich CM. Vitamin and mineral supplement use among US adults after cancer diagnosis: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2008; 26(4): 665-73. Scagliotti GV, Shin DM, Kindler HL, Vasconcelles MJ, Keppler U, Manegold C, et al. Phase II study of pemetrexed with and without folic acid and vitamin B12 as front-line therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma. J Clin Oncol. 2003; 21(8): 1556-61.Francois E, Berdah JF, Chamorey E, Lesbats G, Teissier E, Codoul JF, et al. Use of the folinic acid/5-fluorouracil/irinotecan (FOLFIRI 1) regimen in elderly patients as a first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer: A Phase II study. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 14. PubMed [ePub ahead of print]. Available from URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/ 18273618Hameed DA, el-Metwally TH. The effectiveness of retinoic acid treatment in bladder cancer: Impact on recurrence, survival and TGFalpha and VEGF as end-point biomarkers. Cancer Biol Ther. 2008; 7(1): 101-2. Dong LM, Kristal AR, Peters U, Schenk JM, Sanchez CA, Rabinovitch PS, et al. Dietary supplement use and risk of neoplastic progression in esophageal adenocarcinoma: A?prospective study. Nutr Cancer. 2008; 60(1): 39-48.vab Breemen RB, Pajkovic N. Multitargeted therapy of cancer by lycopene. Cancer Lett. 2008. PubMed [Epub ahead of print]. Available from URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/ 18585855Slatore CG, Littman AJ, Au DH, Satia JA, White E. Long-term use of supplemental multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate does not reduce the risk of lung cancer. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2008; 177(5): 524-30.de Klerk NH, Musk AW, Ambrosini GL, Eccles JL, Hansen J, Olsen N, et al. Vitamin A and cancer prevention II: Comparison of the effects of retinol and beta-carotene. Int J Cancer. 1998; 75(3): 362-7.Lynch E, Braithwaite R. A review of the clinical and toxicological aspects of 'traditional' (herbal) medicines adulterated with heavy metals. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2005; 4(4): 769-78.Kasper S, Gastpar M, Muller WE, Volz HP, Dienel A, Kieser M, et al. Efficacy of St. John's wort extract WS 5570 in acute treatment of mild depression:?A re-analysis of data from controlled clinical trials. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2008; 258(1): 59-63.Moertel CG, Fleming TR, Creagan ET, Rubin J, O'Connell MJ, Ames MM. High-dose vitamin C versus placebo in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer who have had no prior chemotherapy: A randomized double-blind comparison. N Engl J Med. 1985; 312(3): 137-41.Creagan ET, Moertel CG, O'Fallon JR, Schutt AJ, O'Connell MJ, Rubin J, et al. Failure of high-dose vitamin C (ascorbic acid) therapy to benefit patients with advanced cancer: A controlled trial. N Engl J Med. 1979; 301(13): 687-90.Lane IW, Comac L. Sharks Don't Get Cancer. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing; 1993. Sharks Don't Get Cancer. "60 Minutes" CBS television. February 28, 1993.Vickers A. Alternative cancer cures: "Unproven" or "disproven"? CA Cancer J Clin. 2004; 54(2): 110-8.Miller DR, Anderson GT, Stark JJ, et al. Phase I/II trial of the safety and efficacy of shark cartilage in the treatment of advanced cancer. J Clin Oncol. 1998; 16: 3649-55. Ostrander GK, Cheng KC, Wolf JC, Wolfe MJ. Shark cartilage, cancer and the growing threat of pseudoscience. Cancer Res. 2004; 64(23): 8485-91.

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Travelling with Cancer

There are many reasons why people with cancer choose to travel. Often, travelling represents much more than a holiday. Travelling may be a life-affirming event during a difficult time, providing an opportunity to spend time with relatives (either travelling to relatives or travelling with relatives) or giving enjoyment and a break. Travelling may allow you to transcend your illness for a while and view your life more positively.

Travelling with cancer is not without risks and difficulties, which you should be able to minimise with good planning. Each patient is unique; it is important to discuss your individual needs with your doctor when planning your journey. You should consider:

Your physical capabilities (severity and stability of symptoms)How travelling is going to fit in with your current treatmentChoose your destination carefully: Is flying appropriate and possible?What are the distances involved? Is it an arduous journey?Can you receive the necessary immunisations to go on your journey?What medical facilities are available at your destination if you do need medical help?

Some cancer patients have faced difficulties in obtaining insurance, language problems, and seeing the reactions of other people to visible signs of illness. When offering advice to other cancer patients, they suggest that travel be to English speaking countries, on package holidays, visiting relatives, or to places you have been before.

If you are too unwell to travel abroad, ask yourself if it is possible that your family can travel to you instead of you to them, or if there is a suitable alternative destination within Australia.

Serious medical problems during flight can put you in a dangerous situation due to the lack of adequate medical facilities. It may cause flight disruption, unscheduled landing or flight diversion to obtain the necessary medical treatment. For these reasons and to minimise your discomfort during the flight, your doctor may need to assess your fitness to fly.

The Aerospace Medical Association has medical guidelines for air travel, and airlines generally have policies regarding a passenger's fitness to fly. Specialists may occasionally perform a hypoxia altitude simulation test to help assess your fitness to fly. If you are fit to fly, there are other considerations and measures you can take to improve your comfort during the flight.

Mobility

Are you mobile? Airline cabin staff are not permitted to assist with lifting, toileting or administering medications. If you require this sort of help, you must be escorted on the flight. Do you need to request a seat near a toilet or a mobility aid? Reduced mobility doesn't stop you from flying, but you do need to plan with the airline well in advance.

Oxygen

There is less oxygen in the cabin during flight compared to on the ground. The lower air oxygen reduces the level of oxygen in your blood, which may be risky if you have anaemia, heart or lung problems (e.g. recent heart attack or stroke, or obstruction in your lungs), or problems with your blood vessels. If you require supplemental oxygen during your flight, you need to inform the airline well in advance. Most international airlines will supply the required oxygen cylinder(s), usually with an associated charge. You will also need to consider organising oxygen to and from the airport, at the terminal, during transfers and at your destination.

Cabin pressure

Reduced cabin pressure makes the gases in your body expand, which can cause problems if gas is trapped in body cavities such as the gums, ears or gut. This can cause nausea, vomiting or discomfort. Reduced cabin pressure is particularly important if you have recently undergone eye, brain or laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery.

To minimise the effects of reduced cabin pressure:

Avoid gas-producing foods before travel (e.g. cabbage, beans, etc)Avoid carbonated drinks during the flightIf your ears are blocked, try to:

Humidity

The humidity (moisture in the air) of the cabin is quite low, which may lead to dehydration and dry mouth or eyes. To keep well hydrated, water is the best option. Avoid coffee, tea and alcohol, as these can further dehydrate you. Take lubricating eye drops on the flight if you are predisposed to dry eyes.

Immobility

Cramped conditions and prolonged immobility may lead to swelling of the legs, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Talk to your doctor about using well fitting, pressure-graded elastic stockings;Periodically exercise while seated;Elevate your legs while seated, if seating arrangements permit;Take regular walks down the aisle;Avoid smoking, alcohol and keep well hydrated; and If you are at high risk, your doctor may recommend taking medications to prevent complications.

Noise and vibration

Constant noise and vibration along with intermittent turbulence may cause discomfort and anxiety. Organise a seat on the aisle away from the engines. This may also give you more leg room.

In-flight medical care

You may require a trained escort during flight if your needs are complex, or if:

Medical equipment needs to be used in-flight (e.g. nebuliser, syringe driver);You require in-flight injected medication; and You are at risk of having a problem on flight that needs immediate treatment (e.g. fits).

General precautions

Try to be fit and well rested before the flight; Organise special meals in advance; Take medications for the whole trip in hand luggage in case of misplaced baggage;Try to sleep on long legs of the journey;If you are prone to seizures, these should be well-controlled on medication before flying; andAvoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

Pre-travel vaccinations depend on your destination (certain diseases are more prevalent in certain locations) and you (medical problems, current treatment and medication). Vaccinations may be the most cost effective medical intervention you can have before travelling, as they can provide a high level of protection against certain infections.

There are three main types of vaccines: live, inactivated and detoxified toxin. You may require multiple doses over a certain time frame before you travel (usually around 6 months before, but consult your doctor as early as possible). Live vaccines (e.g. for yellow fever, typhoid and varicella) are usually avoided if you are immunocompromised (e.g. if you have lymphoma or leukaemia; had recent chemotherapy, whole body irradiation, bone marrow transplant or splenectomy; or if you are on steroids). Inactivated and detoxified toxins are safe, though you may require re-vaccination due to a reduced response.

Proof that you have taken some vaccinations (such as yellow fever) are mandatory to enter some countries. This may prevent you going to certain countries if you cannot be immunised.

You should travel with a letter of introduction explaining your diagnosis, treatment and current medications (including doses and regimens). If you need to take medications overseas, check that the medications are legal in the country you are visiting. This can be done by contacting the country's embassy or high commission. Leave the medications in their original packaging, as they will be clearly labelled with your own name and dosage. If you need to inject your medications, it is preferable to carry your own needles and syringes. Again, contact the airline in advance as they may require a letter from a doctor explaining why you need to carry them. Ask your doctor if it would be beneficial to travel with antibiotics.

Also prepare a list of contact details for your next of kin, general practitioner, oncology or palliative care doctors. If you are going to a country which has a language other than English, try to have the information translated into the language of your destination. Keep copies on you at all times.

Travel insurance covers you for losses which happen during your trip. Travel insurance is important if you run into difficulties overseas. Costs of hospitalisation in South East Asia are estimated at $800–1500/day ($4000/day in intensive care) and evacuation from somewhere like the United States of America could cost $75,000 to $300,000.

Even if you are deemed fit to travel, you may have difficulty obtaining travel insurance. People with cancer can still get travel insurance; however, pre-existing injuries or illness are generally excluded from medical and hospital cover if you have received treatment in a specified period of time before the policy starts. Insurance companies will consider your application on an individual basis depending on your destination and your past medical history. They may request information from your doctor or require an independent medical.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs recommends the following:

Disclose any pre-existing medical conditions in writing;If the insurance company refuses to cover your pre-existing medical condition, take out insurance to cover other health and travel related issues;If you cannot get full coverage, carefully consider your potential financial risks; andShop around for your cover. Contact a variety of different companies and ask your travel agent.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs publishes a brochure called "Staying Well" which offers you advice on how to stay healthy during your holiday. It recommends:

Do not over-exercise in hot climates;Where local tap water is not safe, drink bottled water (check the seal) and use bottled water to brush your teeth;Avoid ice;Avoid uncooked foods (salads) and fruit you cannot peel;Wear a hat and sunscreen;Use mosquito repellent and cover up at dusk in countries with mosquito-borne diseases;Wear thongs while showering; andPractice safe sex.

Following up with your doctor upon return is essential, particularly if you have been ill during travel, were bitten by an animal, are at risk of a sexually transmitted infection, or develop a fever.

Minimising the potential risks of travelling with cancer can be a complex and daunting task, but careful planning and good communication can overcome many of the obstacles. Talk to your doctor about your capabilities, the stability of your symptoms, current and planned treatment, immunisations, and fitness for air travel before booking. Information may be sought from your travel agent, travel insurers, airlines, and the embassies or high commissions of your destination countries.

For more information on cancer, including breast, prostate, kidney and stomach cancer, see Cancer: Overview.

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Types of Kidney Cancer

There are many types of renal cancers (also known as kidney cancers, renal cell carcinomas or RCCs). Each type of tumour is derived from a different cell type within the kidney and has its own distinct characteristics.

The three major types of RCCs are:

Clear cell RCCs generally develop as a solitary tumour; however, multiple tumours within one or both kidneys can rarely occur. This form of RCC can also occur in association with an inherited genetic disease known as von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (an inherited disease which causes both benign and malignant tumours).

Chromosomal changes are frequently seen in people with clear cell RCCs and these changes increase the likelihood of tumours occurring as they affect an important tumour-suppressing genetic sequence that normally helps the body to identify and kill cancer cells.?

Papillary RCCs most frequently develop as a single tumour in one kidney. They can occur in association with other illnesses, known as hereditary renal cancer syndromes. Hereditary syndromes include:

Chromophobe RCCs occasionally present as multiple tumours that can affect one or both kidneys. They can occur spontaneously or in association with Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome, a hereditary genetic disease.

Clear cell RCCs are usually a solitary tumour affecting one kidney. They are often bright yellow on account of the abundant fat within the tumour itself. These tumours can present with a wide range of sizes; from millimetres to several kilograms. They are increasingly being detected incidentally on abdominal imaging (such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imagine (MRI)) when individuals are being investigated for other diseases. ?Most clear cell RCCs have well-defined borders and generally don’t invade the surrounding tissue. It is rare for a person to have multiple clear RCCs. Clear cell RCC in both kidneys is generally only seen in individuals with other hereditary diseases, such as von-Hippel-Lindau disease or tuberous sclerosis.

Papillary RCCs are usually solitary tumours in one kidney but can be multiple or occur in both kidneys. Typically, papillary RCCs have a thick outer capsule and the surrounding tissue may or may not be inflamed. There are two types of papillary RCCs (Type 1 or Type 2 papillary RCC); however, only microscopic differences distinguish these types.

Chromophobe cell RCCs also have well-defined borders but are generally tan brown in colour. On first detection they have a mean diameter of 8 cm (larger than other RCC types) and occasionally present as multiple tumours or in both kidneys.

Clear cell RCCs are so called as the cancerous cells themselves are clear with a well-defined border. Papillary cell RCCs are so called due to their microscopic growth pattern which consists of small, rounded protuberances or “papillae”. Alternately, chromophobe cell RCCs? consist of microscopic tubular structures.

The increasingly early detection of RCCs is partly due to widespread use of abdominal imaging for investigating and diagnosing other diseases. Consequently, all RCC types are being detected more frequently as small, early-stage tumours that do not cause symptoms. However, in a quarter to a third of people with RCC, metastatic disease (spread to other sites in the body) is already in place at the time of diagnosis. In particular, clear cell RCCs often spread to other parts of the body via nearby major blood vessels. Metastatic clear cell RCC most commonly spreads to the?lungs, abdominal lymph nodes, bone,?brain, and liver.

The average age at diagnosis of clear cell RCC is 60 to 64 years and is more commonly found in men and in black populations. Only 7% of cases occur in people aged less than 40 and it is rarely seen in children.

Individuals with papillary RCC typically present in the 3rd to 8th decades of life and are more commonly male. When diagnosed, papillary RCCs tend to be smaller and at an earlier stage than clear cell RCCs. The lung is the commonest site to which papillary RCC spreads and these tumours appear to spread less than clear cell RCCs.

Chromophobe RCC is diagnosed mainly in the 6th decade of life and men and women are equally likely to develop it. They are often diagnosed at an early stage and spread to the liver or the lung are the most common metastasis destination.

The overall prognosis for any RCC depends on the degree of advancement (cancer stage) at the time of diagnosis. 40–50% of people with RCC will eventually develop metastatic disease, which is associated with a poorer prognosis. Of all types, clear cell RCC has the worst prognosis with 5-year survival rates?between 50 and 69%.

Papillary RCCs?metastasise?(spread to other sites in the body) less frequently than clear cell RCCs; however, they have similar sites of distant metastases (lung, bone and brain).?When this type of RCC spreads into nearby blood or lymphatic vessels survival is reduced in comparison to clear cell RCC that has spread into nearby vessels.

Chromophobe cell RCCs generally have a more prolonged, less aggressive course and a more favourable disease outcome compared with clear cell RCC and have a slightly better or similar survival rate compared to papillary RCC.

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