If we can only Buy Time

MY JOURNEY THROUGH CANCER
by: MUFFET DOLAR VILLEGAS

Patrick Swayze, the popular actor of films like “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.

Despite of his illness and ongoing treatment, he continued to film “The Beast”, which was finally cancelled last June when the cancer had finally spread to his liver.

Dr. George Fisher, an oncologist who treated Swayze in Stanford Hospital and Clinics where the actor participated in clinical trial with an experimental drug there, said that, the actor’s almost two years of survival with that illness is quite an accomplishment.

The oncologist also said that fewer than one in four patients who have the disease spread outside the pancreas, as Swayze did are alive after a year.

A press release from CNN qouted the doctor as saying that “Patients can survive two years—even longer, even with standard treatment. It’s just sad that not as many do.” If we can only buy more time… Our pancreas is hidden behind other organs like small intestines, liver, bile ducts and spleen.

Research shows that scientists do not know exactly what causes pancreatic cancer but according to some studies, smoking increases the chance of getting this disease. Cigarette smokers develop cancer of the pancreas two or three times more compared to non smokers.

But other factors like health history can also greatly affect the risk of developing the disease, not only smoking.

Pancreatic cancer is difficult to detect during its early stages. Some of its symptoms are jaundice, yellowing of the skin, unexplained weight loss, pain in the upper or middle abdomen, loss of appetite and fatigue. Although other conditions may have these same symptoms, it is always better to consult your doctor.

We can choose the right food, or the right lifestyle. Barbara Masterson, EnzineArticles.com expert author listed these 10 super foods to fight cancer.

1. Garlic- the immune system booster which has been known and revered for its healing properties. New studies have proven that garlic, along with onions, chives,leeks may reduce risk of other cancers like stomach and colon cancers.

2. Broccoli- It has chemical ingredient called indol-3-cabinol which fights breast cancer.

3. Red grapes- rich in bioflavonoids and resveratrol, proven to suppress enzymes that encourage cancer growth.

4. Tomatoes- it has lycopene which is an antioxidant. Eating tomatoes can prevent colon and prostate cancers. It is advisable to eat more tomatoe-based products.

5. Mushrooms-Shiitake and reishe varieties are immune system booster and fight cancer cells.

6.. Sweet potatoes- these root vegetables which are very common here in the Philippines protect the body from cancer invasion.

7. Blueberries-most powerful antioxidants among the berry variety.

8. Papayas- This luscious tropical fruit, easily grown here in the Philippines is a vitamin C powerhouse, a cancer inhibitor.

9.Flax- flax seed and flax seed oil have high omega-3 fatty acids which fight cancer.

10. Avocados- these are powerful antioxidants that come in many varieties here in the Philippines can help fight liver cancer.

I would like to add our Filipino Super Kamunggay or horse radish which has 7 times vitamin C found in oranges, according to some sources, very rich in protein, beta carotene, thiamine, phosporous, four times vitamin A found in carrots, six times in iron found in spinach, potassium, calcium, and endless, yes, endless healing effects and cancer fighting agents.

Sometimes we take this miracle plant for granted because it is too common and too easy to grow. Instead of eating it daily, we crave for heavily saturated fatty foods which we can easily grab and eat in our busy schedule.

But thank God that if you really want to look around you… and surf for good, clean but cheap and inato restaurants, we can still find kamunggay soup during lunch breaks.

I hope that popular food chains in our country will include kamunggay vegetable in their menu, for health reasons.

How about kamunggay served as a tea or a yummy chicken soup with kamunggay leaves? Cancer is a dreadful and cruel disease that inflicts many people regardless of status, age, race, gender, around the world. But God did not leave us powerless.

Maybe we can’t really buy time. Time is in God’s hands.

But maybe we have options if we want to have a quality life.