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Jackie07
06-06-2011, 01:03 AM
http://www.anticancerbook.com/steps.html

[Click on each card on the page or choose auto display.]

Information about the auther, Dr. David Sevan-Schreiber:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Servan-Schreiber

jra40
06-06-2011, 10:02 AM
My aunt just bought me this book over the weekend and I have not been able to put it down! I highly recommend it and it really convinces me that changing my eating habits and lifestyle will help me in the long run.

I have tons of books on cancer that everyone gave me when I first was diagnosed but never was interested after the first couple of pages in reading more. This one really spoke to me and I am now geared up to follow what he recommends.

Thank you for posting this - I think it's a great recommendation!

Jessica

Jackie07
06-22-2011, 08:34 AM
Found a nice book review that summarizes lots of the points in the book:

Rita Arditti (http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2V8XYSQPXPCE9/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp) (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews (http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A2V8XYSQPXPCE9/ref=cm_cr_dp_auth_rev?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview)
(REAL NAME) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=cm_rn_bdg_help?ie=UTF8&nodeId=14279681&pop-up=1#RN)

This review is from: Anticancer: A New Way of Life (Hardcover)
A REVIEW OF ANTICANCER: A NEW WAY OF LIFE by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, Ph.D.
Viking Penguin, 2008. 258 pages. Hardcover, $25.95.


Mind and heart come together in this remarkable book, making it a must read. As a person living with cancer I found it impossible to put down. Servan-Schreiber, a physician and neuroscience researcher, co-founder of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 31 years old, received treatment and went into remission. Eventually though, he had a recurrence. After the recurrence he started to look into natural approaches to prevent or help treat cancer.

The book is both a memoir and a riveting journey through recent developments in the ideas about cancer. We learn about his personal story and how he slowly transformed himself from a laboratory scientist mainly interested in writing papers into a proponent of an integrative approach to cancer treatment who is keenly interested in human beings. He does a marvelous job of connecting the dots in widely dispersed areas of knowledge-all relevant to his interest in cancer and our natural defense mechanisms.

Key ideas presented are: 1) everybody has cancer cells in their bodies, but not everybody develops cancer; 2) we must include the concept of "terrain," our whole being, in any discussion about cancer; and 3) at this point in history, we cannot attempt to deal with cancer without the tools of conventional Western medicine. Based on these ideas, he presents an updated view on cancer growth and how to mobilize our vital mechanisms and use the resources of the body to defend ourselves.

Chapter 4, "Cancer's Weaknesses," presents some of the current thinking about the immune system, inflammation, and angiogenesis. He discusses "natural killer" cells (NK cells), white blood cells that attack cancer cells, and activate their self-destruction. The more active NK cells are the more they can stop tumor's growth. It follows that we must do all we can to activate them through a healthy diet, clean environment, physical exercise, and stress reducing activities.

The discussion on inflammation is clear and concise. Inflammation is the normal process that our bodies use to repair tissues after a wound. But, as it turns out, inflammation can be diverted to promote cancer growth, as if cancer were the outcome of a wound repair mechanism gone wrong. Cancer cells need to produce inflammation to sustain their growth and block the natural process of apoptosis-the suicide of cells. As Servan-Schreiber aptly puts it "Thanks to the inflammation they create they infiltrate neighboring tissues, slip into the bloodstream, migrate, and establish remote colonies called metastases" (page 37). Dietary imbalance in the ratio of essential fatty acids has led us to an incredibly higher consumption of omega-6s oils compared to omega-3s, which increases inflammation.
Judah Folkman was a surgeon whose great contribution to cancer research was to highlight angiogenesis, the fact that tumors need new capillaries to feed themselves and expand. Tumors hijack blood vessels by producing a chemical substance that attracts them and stimulates them to grow new branches. Though it took quite a while for Folkman's ideas to be accepted, how to block angiogenesis is now one of the central areas of cancer research. There are some foods, spices, and herbs that reduce angiogenesis and diminishing inflammation will also prevent new vessel growth.

Servan-Schreiber gives very practical suggestions about these three areas of knowledge, so that we can stimulate our defense mechanisms, while receiving conventional treatment. Just this chapter is worth the price of the book!

In discussing the contribution of the environment to the cancer epidemic, Servan-Schreiber writes about the typical Western diet, the changes in farming and raising animals during the last century, and the chemical contamination of our planet since the forties. Sugar and white flours dominate our diet and raise rapidly the level of glucose. Insulin and IGF-1 (insulin Growth Factor 1, a powerful growth hormone) are released to allow glucose to enter cells. Insulin and IGF1 also promote inflammation. He argues convincingly that we should eliminate sugar and white flour from our diet.
There is a detailed section about anticancer foods in daily practice. Servan-Schreiber has been influenced by the work of Richard Béliveau, at the University of Montreal. Béliveau, a cancer biologist working in medical pharmacology for twenty years, shifted to working on diet, through a series of interesting circumstances that I won't tell you about here. Read the book! It is a fascinating story and it has led to the concept of anticancer foods, like phytochemicals, components of some vegetables/fruits, which have antimicrobial, antifungal, insecticidal, and antioxidants properties. They also act as detoxifiers of the body. There is also a wonderful description of the research on traditional spices, like turmeric, by Professor Bharat Aggarwal at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center. A key substance called nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is secreted by tumor cells, it promotes cancer cell growth and spread. The whole pharmaceutical industry is trying to find out drugs that inhibit NF-kappaB. Servan-Schreiber points out that two substances that do so are available easily, catechins, found in green tea and resveratrol, found in red wine. And as it happens, turmeric is also an antagonist to NF-kappaB. He also states that since the pharmaceutical industry and the food industry are not interested in any changes we badly need "... public institutions and foundations to finance human studies on the anticancer benefits of food" (page 115). Indeed!

The book emphasizes the importance of a healthy mindset that will stimulate the will to live in cancer patients and the need to find support, to deal with emotions, and to find ways to relieve stress. There is a lot of work going on about the link between psychological factors and the immune system. White blood cells can detect the presence of stress hormones and react according to the levels of these hormones in the bloodstream by releasing inflammatory substances. Natural killer cells can be blocked by stress hormones, and become passive instead of reacting to viruses or cancer cells. Feelings of helplessness can influence directly our immune system. Meditation, yoga, and other practices that develop awareness and attention to the present moment can help the body's harmonious functioning and in so doing stimulate the life force that keeps us healthy. Our bodies need touch and physical exercise, we can benefit from massage, and we must increase our sense of connection with others that it is so important to give meaning and purpose to our lives. A holistic approach needs to take all the dimensions of living into consideration and Servan-Schreiber pushes us to leave nothing out of the picture and to pay attention to our inner selves so that we can live fully and gracefully.

The book ends by stressing three points: the importance of our "terrain," the effects of awareness, and the synergy of natural forces. This last point is important. The body is a system in equilibrium, each function interacts with all the others. If we just change one of these functions the whole is affected. So, we can start with one thing, diet, psychological work, whatever makes sense to us and nourishes the will to live. Awareness in one area will automatically lead to progress in others, and little by little, the equilibrium will shift to greater health and will make changes easier. Finally, he addresses an important point, the worry that some oncologists have "not to give false hope." He turns this idea around, and points out that "...this comes down to restricting ourselves to a conception of medicine that withholds the power every one of us has to take charge of ourselves. As if we couldn't do anything to protect ourselves actively against cancer- before and after the disease. Encouraging this passivity creates a culture of hopelessness" (page 203).

One reservation that I have about the book is that the discussion about chemical contamination of the environment seems weak in comparison to the depth with which other topics are discussed. This is an area where individually we can do very little. This needs to be addressed at a system level, and in fact it is beginning to happen. For instance, in Massachusetts, the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, a coalition of over 160 organizations, has relentlessly pursued legislation that will require the use of Safer Alternatives, when feasible, to dangerous chemicals. This year, the Senate voted unanimously in support of this but the House did not get to vote. The law will be introduced again in the 2009 legislative session. Keep an eye on it.

The book has eight pages in color on glossy paper that summarize visually the information about foods, inflammation, contamination in fruits and vegetables, effects of certain foods on specific cancers, detoxification, and an anticancer shopping list. And a list of ten precautions for cell phone use. Very useful!

If you want to take a look at Servan-Schreiber go to [....] and look for the video Anticancer, in English. He conveys intelligence and warmth. I highly recommend this book for everybody.

Mtngrl
06-22-2011, 05:24 PM
What a fantastic book review. You told me everything I needed to know, and I'm buying it right now. . . . Thank you!

'lizbeth
06-22-2011, 09:33 PM
Sounds like a fascinating book. I think I'll track down a copy for myself.

Mtngrl
09-11-2011, 07:40 PM
I just learned that Dr. Servan-Schreiber died on July 24, 2011. His brain cancer recurred in 2010. I don't think that takes anything away from the advice in the book. I think he made the best of the time he had--and he appears to have bought a lot more time than most people in his situation have.

Pray
09-12-2011, 12:29 AM
I agree Amy, I think it is a must read for everyone!

Mtngrl
11-06-2011, 02:44 PM
I'm bumping this up so the newcomers will see it. There have been a number of recent conversations on the forum about red wine, diet, attitude, etc. This book has something to say about all those things. Of course the author was French, so he undoubtedly had a bit of pro-wine bias, but he thought the studies showing an increase of cancer risk with alcohol consumption were done on people who have inflammatory diets (sugar, white flour, low fiber, high glycemic index, transfats, too much Omega 6 fat) and believed that one glass of red wine a day with healthy food can help fight cancer. He based that on his own interpretations of studies. There has not been, to my knowledge, any study that tests his theory.

The main thesis of the book is that cancer grows or is suppressed depending on the kind of terrain we provide for it. Diet, exercise, and attitude improve the terrain and make one's body less hospitable to cancer.

Although he did eventually die from his brain tumor, that was 19 years after he was first diagnosed. He seems to have done a lot of living in that time, which is his other major thesis. If you can do things that increase your vitality, enjoyment of life, gratitude, serenity and sense of wonder, then no matter how much time you have left you will have made the most of it.

ElaineM
11-06-2011, 03:59 PM
Thanks Jackie. I went to the website last week and found alot of interesting things there. I also saw an interview with the author on PBS last year. I still have my notes from that program.
You guys are going to love this !! My oncologist told me about the book several weeks ago!! He was raving about it. He said his wife bought it for him. He is going to loan me a copy !!
He has always known that I have been seeing a naturopathic physician since February, 1999. He was kind of suspicious in the beginning, but I told him his opinion was not going to stop me from seeing my natuopath.
The interesting part is my oncologist was so conventional when I first met him 10 years ago, but he has slowly become interested in integrated medicine.
I am very happy about that.
I was watching Dr. Oz on the big T . V. in his office a few days ago. Since I was the only patient there I had control of the remote. My doc came into the room when Dr. Oz was talking about the benefits of soaking with epsom salt for the muscles. My doc said "I use that" !! I guess he is integrating alternative therapies in his own life. That made me happy too.

Mtngrl
09-06-2014, 12:17 PM
I'm bumping this up again for new people.

The best thing about the dietary advice that Servan-Schreiber gives is humans have been eating these foods from time immemorial. Food--in normal amounts--can't usually do any harm. Plus delicious food is one of life's great pleasures. (So are red wine and dark chocolate!)

The same can be said for his lifestyle advice. If you exercise, meditate, and learn to let go of anger and anxiety, you will be happier, and that's good whether it helps you fight cancer or not. Your loved ones will probably also be happier. You have nothing to lose.

Explore below for a book review, a link to an interview with the author, and other comments.

Valosh
09-07-2014, 08:51 AM
Hi all,

I have just joined your wonderful, very informative forum and was wondering what you thought of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBUGVkmmwbk
It is the movie about Burzynski and his therapy, I only came across it this evening for the very first time and would love to scratch your brains - Has anyone heard of him or experienced this?

Rather than posting a new thread I am posting it here as I was very interested in David Servan's research and thought that the people who looked into David's advice might have heard of Burzynski.

I look forward to your replies.

Valosh x

Mtngrl
09-07-2014, 04:09 PM
Dear Valosh,

With all due respect, if you know how science works you realize there are no secret cures or suppressed knowledge. Servan-Schreiber did not claim he could cure cancer without surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy (as appropriate.) In fact, he eventually died from his brain tumor, though he lived 19 years after the original diagnosis.

We all hope for a cure. We all hope to see the day that treatments are less harsh and side effects are fewer. Cancer is not a single illness, but a series of cellular misfirings and crossed wires. Every person's cancer is, in a very real sense, unique to that person.

One very cool thing about this forum is we have members who follow the science and report on it. If you read the studies and keep up with the conferences, you get a sense of just how cunning and complex cancer really is.

Valosh
09-07-2014, 06:41 PM
Thank you Mtngrl,

I am not a senior member, I am a complete and utter newbie on this very challenging, scary and up and down path. I am not a scientist and know nothing about cancer - yet -

That's why I am here - To learn from you all - Who are ahead of me and may be able to guide me.

Thank you for your help x

Jackie07
11-04-2014, 03:22 PM
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/radiation-therapy-and-in/MY02610