CANCER

Cancer is a condition where cells proliferate abnormally. These cells may then migrate and invade vital organs, disrupting their function and causing death. The term, "cancer" refers to more than 100 diseases. 30 trillion cells of the body exist as a complex condominium, regulating each other's growth. Normal cells reproduce only when asked by other cells in their neighborhood. In contrast, cancer cells reproduce following their own agenda due to either too many oncogenes, which over stimulate cell division or lack of tumor suppresser genes, which inhibit cell division. Only 1 in 10,000 cancer cells that travel through the blood stream survive to colonize other tissue and potentially form a tumor.

There are several stages in the development of cancer. In the hyperplasic stage the cancerous cell looks normal, but is overly reproductive. In the next stage, dysplasia, the cell appears abnormal in shape. In the in situ stage, the cell appears more abnormal and has not yet broken away, but produces additional mutations. If this continues the cells enter the blood or lymphatic system and may invade organs (invasive-Metastases)

SCOPE: More than ½ million persons in the United States will die of cancer in 1996. 40% of persons will contract cancer and 20% will die from it. Globally there are 6 million deaths from cancer each year.

CAUSES:
1. Inherited tendencies:
Some damage genes which facilitate the development of cancerous tumors and some enhance the growth of tumor cells.
2. Exposure to chemicals:
Tobacco smoke (30% of deaths from cancer) effects lungs, esophagus, bladder, pancreas and kidneys, blood (leukemia) and colon. (Passive smoke inhalation accounts for a few thousand deaths a year.)
3. Diet:
Fat, especially animal fats, salt and an insufficiency of vegetables and fruits are causes of 30% of deaths from cancer. Eating more food than you burn energy is also a contributor. Colon and rectal cancers are particularly associated with diet issues.
4. Alcohol (3%)
5. Sedentary Life Style (3%)
6. Exposure to radiation (3%)
7. Viruses, like papillomavirus (sexually transmitted) cause 15% of cancer deaths.
8. Pollution (2%)

PREVENTION: The person who runs from one salad bar to another is doing a good job of preventing cancer. Avoid the agents listed above. It is logical that massage would be a good prevention for cancer since massage promotes good health, combats stress and has some of the effects of exercise on the immune and lymphatic systems.

MASSAGE: Massage on a tumor is contraindicated. Consult the patient's physician regarding massage on other parts of the body. Forms of massage that promote the health of the immune system, such as Shin Jin Jutsu, Reflexology, Acupressure and other energy techniques are always good. For persons in terminal stages, Swedish massage could be very beneficial to counteract pain and stress.

Main source: Scientific American, September, 1996 Issue.