by DR.LUISITO L.RUIZ
Doctor of Medicine, General Surgeon
Medical Director: Makati Doctors and Diagnostic Clinic
Consultant-Department of Surgery: Muntinlupa Medical Center,
Las Pinas Doctor's Hospital, Manila Doctors Hospital

Our body is made up of around 75 trillion cells and through an orderly process called mitosis, new cells develop/live and die. Cancer cells are unresponsive to the normal sign to stop reproducing they multiply uncontrollably and eventually turn into tumor.

Cancer is overtaking heart disease and the most frequent case of death are cancer of the lungs, breast, colon, prostate, leukemia, ovary, lymphoma.

Rudolf Virchon, in 1850, the father of cellular pathology identified that cancer is an alteration of natural tissues.

Theodor Bovers, in 1902, recognized that cancer was due to abnormal DNA/chromosomes.

Ellerman and Bang, in 1908, identified the initiation of virus for carcinogenesis. Knudsen, in 1971, suggested the combination of inheritance and environment as the cause of cancer.

The common denominator in all theories of cancer is the alteration of the cell genetics by direct damage from radiation, chemicals and by bad bacteria or viral integration.

Cancer is an autonomous abnormal growth due to unresponsive to normal regular growth. Normal cells live and die while cancer cells usually don't die; they are invasive and spread with no boundaries, evade immune mediated tumor killer cells, also recruit blood vessels to support growth called Angiogenesis and they travel to distant site metastasis by releasing cancer cells into the blood stream or lymphatic systems.

Although we don't know exactly why some cells become cancerous, we do know that there are factors that contribute to the formation of cancers.


What will happen? ...

If a mistake happens in the cell ... sooner or later exposure to ultraviolet lights, chemicals from the environment or even the by-products of normal metabolism damages one of the genes in a cell. In most cases this does not lead to cancer.

..... if the mistakes add up, it becomes harder and harder for the cells to maintain normal growth, as genes that should be on get turned off and genes that should be off are turned on, like DNA - Repair Genes which make proteins that correct the errors that sometimes occur whenever a cell copies its DNA. If repair genes can't do their job, genetic mistakes start to accumulate, tumor developed, these restrain cell growth and division. The absence or inactivation takes the brakes off cell multiplication, Growth Genes, if genes that regulate normal cell growth and division become stuck in the "on" position, growth continues unabated.

..... if the cells turn cancerous, free of normal restrains, the now malignant cells break all the rules. They divide uncontrollably, become less attached to their neighbors and invade the space occupied by normal cells.

..... if the tumor's appetite grows, in a process called angiogenesis, malignant: cells secrete chemicals that attract and promote the formation of new blood vessels. With a steady supply of nutrients, the tumor can grow without limits.

..... if the cancer spreads, pieces of the tumor break off and, in a process called metastatis, migrate through the blood and lymphatic cells and colonize other parts of the body thus giving rise to distant tumors.


NEW HOPE FOR CANCER,
Back to Basics!!

There are three cancer-fighting capabilities displayed by the friendly bacteria.

First, certain super strains of your friendly bacteria eliminate procarcinogenic substances before they can turn carcinogenic. Among these are the nitrites mentioned earlier. Before the substance can be converted into cancer-causing carcinogens in your intestinal tract, specific strains of L. acidophilus step in and neutralize them. Even better, the best of the friendly bacteria super strains have the ability to metabolize any procarcinogens that escape and convert them back into noncarcinogenic substances.

Second, beneficial bacteria are capable of altering certain enzymes (such as b-glucuronidase and nitro-reductase) that turn procarcinogens into carcinogenic agents. The "bad" bacteria that secrete these destructive enzymes include Clostridium and certain Bacteroides, among others Obviously, the more dangerous enzymes that are The present in your gastrointestinal tract, the greater your risk harboring cancer-causing substances. The ability of active super strains of L acidophilus bacteria to neutralize these harmful enzymes is one of their most important contributions to cancer prevention.

Third, the immune system's workload is further complicated by the need to cleanse the body of the increasing number of extraneous pollutants and contaminants found in the environment and the food chain. Overloaded with work, the immune system needs all the help it can get from your friendly bacteria. How? When disease-causing aliens are able to permeate the intestinal walls and enter the bloodstream, the immune system must spring into action As long as strong colonies of friendly bacteria line the intestinal tract in full force, these harmful micro-organisms will not be able to get through, thus lightening the already heavy workload of the immune system.

Through scientific research, you have seen your friendly bacteria can reduce the threat of potential cancer-causing agents in your body and increase your body's immune into inactive carcinogens. Some cancer risk factors are under your control, especially diet.

As you have seen, simply lowering the amount of fat and red meat you eat can measurably lower your risk of developing cancer. And the friendly bacteria have been shown to reduce levels of dangerous, carcinogen-forming enzymes in your gastrointestinal tract, as well as boost the function of your immune system.

Supplementing your diet with probiotics, in addition to healthy dietary choices, is one way to help lower your risk of getting cancer.

top