Talking The Fear Out of Cancer

Cancer is now the leading cause of death in Hong Kong accounting for 30% of all deaths. The WHO predicts cancer will increase 57% in the next 20 years and Cancer Research UK predicts that one in two of us will develop it in our lifetime. Most people are, understandably, too scared to talk about cancer. We invite Dr Stephen Chan, Chief Medical Officer of the Life Clinic to demystify the topic for us. In this interview, he teaches us another way of looking at cancer, and gives us some hope that it may not be the death sentence we all fear it to be.

J: Why do people suffer from cancer?

S: When most people think about cancer, they think it is a random mutation in our DNA, that “it could happen to anyone” and “it is just bad luck if you get it”. I like to think that there is always a reason for disease occurring in the body, and that if we can get to the root of this, we stand a better chance of overcoming it.

There is growing scientific evidence now that cancer cells exist and thrive in certain environments: those that are highly acidic, those that are low in oxygen and those in which there is too much sugar around. These conditions come from having a predominantly meat based diet, eating too much sugar and refined carbohydrates, and not doing enough exercise. An acidic environment allows cancer cells to grow (indeed, cancer cells themselves can pump hydrogen ions or acid outside the cell to help it invade surrounding tissues). High sugar or carbohydrate intake stimulates growth-hormone-like factors that help it to grow, and lack of physical exercise creates poor circulation and areas of low oxygen in the body in which cancer cells can thrive. Those who have built up too many toxic pollutants in the body or have high levels of chronic stress (like most people in Hong Kong) are also at risk, as these damage the immune system, which is essential for detecting and destroying cancer cells before they get a chance to grow.

J: What is the new technology to detect cancer and cure it?

S: The standard methods used to detect cancer include x-rays, scans (CT, PET and MRI’s) and ultrasounds. A promising new technology called “Circulating Tumour Cells” (or “CTC”) is now available, and can detect cancer much earlier when it is a thousand times smaller. A simple blood sample is taken and sent to genetic laboratories in USA or Europe and can detect as little as one to two cells in the blood.

The exciting thing about this technology is that if early cancer cells are detected, it is possible to test the cells for cancer cell “sensitivities”, in which these cells are tested against a wide range of chemotherapy drugs, herbs or supplements to see which can kill it. This allows a personalized treatment and supplement program to be designed for the patient while there is still time. This is part of a new generation of tests that allow earlier detection of disease and preventative measures to be taken. 

If cancer has already developed and has not yet spread (stage I or II) often conventional treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are very successful. However, for cancers that have spread or “metastasized” to distant sites in the body (Stage III or IV), for the majority of cancers, conventional treatments are not enough. The patient not only often doesn’t live any longer, but has to suffer the many negative side-effects of chemotherapy. For these patients, an “integrative” approach of combining the best of complementary alternative medicine with the best of conventional medicine, can be a much better option. Just by changing the diet, for example, survival rates in breast cancer can be improved by up to 20%. Increasing exercise can reduce the risk of colon cancers by 12-14%, and nutritional supplements, whether given by mouth or by intravenous drip, can not only reduce some of the side-effects of chemotherapy but also increase their effectiveness in killing or inhibiting cancer cells. Hyperthermia, the process of heating up the body to 42°C, similarly can increase the effectiveness of radiotherapy to kills cancer by as much as 100%. 

As few oncologists are trained in nutrition, supplements or complementary medicine, it is important, should you or your family ever have to deal with cancer, to build your team of trusted health advisors to help achieve your goals. The important thing to know is there are always more options available than you realize.

Top 10 lifestyle tips on preventing cancer by Dr Stephen Chan

1. Avoid overeating. Stop when you are 70% full.
2. Eat a nutrient-rich diet that is preferably organic and free-range, low in animal fats, and high in plants and seeds.
3. Avoid junk foods and highly processed foods like crisps, chips and cakes.
4. Avoid high sugars and refined carbohydrates like white bread, pasta and white rice. Add complex carbohydrates like vegetables, whole grains, brown rice or quinoa into your diet instead.
5. Exercise regularly, ideally 30 minutes a day.
6. Manage your stress and get enough sleep. Take up regular meditation, Qi Gong or prayer if your stress levels are super-high and are affecting your health or sleep.
7. Do daily Intermittent fasting. Avoid eating after 7pm and wait until 8am to have breakfast. This allows the body a 13hr fast and a chance to detoxify, reduce blood sugar levels and repair our cells.
8. Avoid drinking out of plastic bottles, and get a good water filter to reduce the level of plastics, heavy metals and pollutants taken into the body every day.
9. Get annual cancer screening with your doctor including PAP smears and breast checks for women, prostate checks for men. Book a colonoscopy if you are over 50. Ask your doctor if they are able to send your blood to Europe or USA for “Circulating Tumour Cells” for early cancer detection.
10. Lastly, Maintain a positive mental attitude. Give up toxic thoughts like anger, resentment, guilt and jealousy, and learn to forgive.

*Disclaimer:  The content of this article is provided solely for general informational, educational, and reference purposes and is not intended for medical diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical doctor or healthcare provider for any health-related concerns, individualized diagnosis, or treatment plans.