Hi To all, as many of my close friends already know. A very dear friend of my has been diagnosed with stomach cancer he is forty years old. I am doing a post about this particular cancer as I am doing research for him to help cure this... I found the information unbelievable that this is caused from a bacterium found in miss handled foods... Not frozen either, but fresh product and smoked and pickled products... I am passing on the most pertinent information to you in hopes it brings awareness and we can spread this information around. This bacterium is also related to the cervical cancer bacteria!!
Bee
As recently as 100 years ago, stomach (gastric) cancer was the most common type of cancer in the United States. However, the incidence of stomach cancer has declined dramatically. The reason for the drop is not completely known, but experts think it may be related to the decreased consumption of improperly handled food, salted or smoked foods. Still, gastric cancer remains a major cause of death in other areas of the world, including Russia and Japan.When a tumor grows in the stomach, the stomach expands. However, the stomach normally expands readily in response to large meals and gas, so a tumor may become quite large before the patient experiences any discomfort. In fact, about 80 percent of early gastric cancers cause no symptoms. Because stomach cancer is so difficult to detect in its early stages, when it is most treatable, the overall cure rate is only in the range of 10 percent. (I find this percentage variable as every study or institution gives a different percentage)
When stomach cancer does produce symptoms, it most commonly causes pain in the upper part of the abdomen. This pain may be related to ulceration (sores) or obstruction (blockage) of the stomach. If obstruction occurs, then the patient may also have nausea and vomiting, especially after meals. Another possible warning sign of stomach cancer is bleeding, which occurs when the cancer ulcerates. The bleeding can be heavy, leading to bloody vomit or black, tarry stool, or can be more subtle, with small amounts of blood found in the stool. Another symptom of stomach cancer is a feeling of fullness early in a meal. This occurs because the growth of the cancer prevents the stomach from expanding fully during a meal. If you experience any of the possible warning signs of stomach cancer, you should seek medical attention. The best test that can be done to evaluate for gastric cancer is an endoscope examination of the stomach. In this procedure, the doctor passes a flexible scope down the throat to view the lining of the stomach.
Good adviceif you have the slightest suspicion of any of the symptoms mentioned, you should contact your doctor at once for an assessment. How is stomach cancer diagnosed?Investigations for cancer of the stomach include:
· X-ray examination, in this case a barium meal. This involves swallowing a white, chalky liquid and having a series of X-ray pictures taken of the stomach area.
· The most important test is a gastroscopy. During a gastroscopy, the doctor examines the inside of the stomach using a camera attached to a flexible tube and is able to take a sample from the tumor for biopsy and microscopy.
What is stomach cancer? Stomach cancer is the result of cell changes in the lining of the stomach. In Western Europe, stomach cancer is only about one third as common as it was 50 years ago.The location of the tumors within the stomach has also changed. It used to be that most of the tumors were located near where the stomach joins the small bowel, now the commonest site is close to the junction with the esophagus (gullet).Stomach cancer is very common in Japan and the Japanese have developed an intensive and effective approach to screening for stomach cancer.
What causes stomach cancer?The causes of stomach cancer continue to be debated. A combination of heredity (the genes inherited from your parents) and environment (diet, smoking, etc) are all thought to play a part.
***Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
Another herpes virus probably best known for causing infectious mononucleosis, also known as "Mono." It infects and resides in white blood cells and increases the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer, stomach cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and some types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Research has suggested it also may play a role in aggressive forms the great majority of people infected with EBV never develop cancer. Cancers associated with this virus are more common in Africa and parts of Southeast Asia
Milk, fresh vegetables, vitamin C and frozen food all appear to reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Any kind of food that has been smoked, pickled or salted appears to increase the risk. Other risk factors that have been suggested include being blood group A, and having the bacteria ***Helicobacter pylori in the stomach. Stomach cancer is more common in men than women, and has its peak age range between 40 and 60 years old.
Shiitake Mushroom
One preliminary trial suggested that oral shiitake may be useful for people with hepatitis B.2 A highly purified, intravenous form of lentinan is used in Japan and has been reported to increase survival in people with recurrent stomach cancer, particularly when used in combination with chemotherapy. 3 Similar findings have been found in one small clinical trial with people suffering from pancreatic cancer.4 Case reports from Japan suggest that intravenous lentinan may be helpful in treating people with HIV infection.5 However, large-scale clinical trials to confirm this action have not yet been performed.
How much is usually taken?
The traditional intake of the whole, dried shiitake mushroom is 6–16 grams per day.7 the mushroom is typically eaten in soups or taken as a decoction (i.e., boiled for 10–20 minutes, cooled, strained, and drunk). Recommended intake of LEM is 1–3 grams two to three times per day. Purified lentinan is considered a drug in Japan and is not currently available as an herbal supplement in North America. But it can be purchased though vitamens web sites. In capsule of 500mg I found a web site that is really good and sells a pure product.
http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-Shiitake-Mushroom-Extract
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Shiitake has an excellent record of safety but has been known to induce temporary diarrhea and abdominal bloating when used in high amounts (above 15–20 grams per day). Its safety during pregnancy and breast feeding has not yet been established.
