Safer Systems
Why is a Safer Health System so Important?
Health reform (for the regular health consumer) provides a way forward,
New solutions to common frustrations,
Hope and protection for those currently seeking a diagnosis and a faster avenue to treatment for those about to be diagnosed.
Scroll down for more information of ways we can all change and advocate for a safer health system.
Article: 12 million American's every year are misdiagnosed: study suggests
An Interesting Subject: Nutrition and Cancer
Article by Jodie Guerrero, written 2011.
Although I very much believe that what you eat can have an effect on SOME cancers - not all are altered/changed or prevented simply by changing your diet. As Cancer is a very complex disease and is not just one disease - but a collection of several hundred different types, there are many causes and many different treatments to match the diversity of what we call a malignancy. For example, Lymphoma has 2 major types - Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). There are no subtypes of HL, but approx. 37 known sub-types of NHL. No one simple disease with one simple approach.
I use the examples of Linda McCartney (amongst others who also practiced holistic and organic nutrition based lifestyles) sadly she still developed breast cancer and passed away, regardless of her 'natural or nutrition' based efforts. In addition, the fact that there are many, many babies or young Children who develop forms of cancer, proves that food in many cases has nothing to do with the development of a great deal of Cancers. Some babies as infants have little or no exposure to toxicities or food, prior to diagnosis.
Also, we must consider cancers, like blood cancers - Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma & others which have no relation to food or lifestyle, but which are caused by viruses and the subsequent DNA/cell damage those viruses inflict on the potential blood cancer patient. In fact, I know from research and information from Hematologist's, that anyone who contracts 'Epstein-Barr Virus' EPV (a virus responsible for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) - can be left with damaged immune cells, which can turn malignant and cause a form of blood cancer.
Epstein-Barr is absolutely the most common virus in human history and 90% of the world's population carry it with no knowledge of it's existence or habitation in their bodies. It's symptoms are simply similar to a cold. However, in some people it causes immune cell damage and can therefore be responsible for some forms of Cancer. In addition to Epstein-Barr - Glandular Fever GF (which can present as a bad case of the flu) can also make itself at home in one's body and cause DNA cellular or immune cell damage on it's own or in conjunction with Epstein-Barr.
These 2 viruses (amongst many) along with complex viruses like Human Papillomavirus (HPV) [which can also form cancer of the cervix], really prove that nutrition or holistic type practices do not influence or change the path of many cancers that man must deal with today.
When I was diagnosed with NHL (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) - at only 35, my diet was fine, lots of good food and water, never smoked, drank alcohol or took drugs and I had an active spiritual life. But, post diagnosis tests revealed I had been exposed to both EPV and GF, even though I was healthy and had a good immune system, I still got cancer.
Clearly, there is much more to Cancer than Nutrition and Holistic Practices....and if that is all it took - we would all be cured and not fighting this awful disease.
As humans, we often want to control everything to bring us comfort and peace. Whether you are religious or not, having control over one's life can bring us a great deal of calm and happiness. Additionally, as humans, we all want to believe and feel that we are in control of our own health. That we as people can alter or change the path of serious disease or disability, as a result of disease. I know when I was diagnosed & admitted, I went straight to my hospital bookstore and purchased a book on Cancer and food and happily announced to my Nurse Educator that I must have caused my own Cancer and that with my new book, my life was now changing.
He replied back and said, 'Before you get that notion stuck in your head, I must tell you that Nutrition or Diet most likely had nothing to do with your disease or diagnosis' and I was shocked. I had always thought (as does most of the population) that Cancer was always caused by poor lifestyle, smoking, drinking and careless living. That it was a course of life that you could change, both pre and post diagnosis. How very wrong was I. So my educational journey began and in some ways to my relief that (according to research, my nurse educator & my doctors) I could not have done anything different to change my diagnosis, nor (as a human) control the outcome or prognosis.
That may sound scary, but my firm belief is that God is in control of everything and everyone and for reasons we may not understand on this earth, he allows certain people to endure hardship and difficulties that some people completely miss or don't even know about.
This Includes those who obviously do not treat their bodies well, as a result of their lifestyles and would be in a top tier for cancer risk. Like some smokers or heavy drinkers, who never get cancer but smoke like chimneys or drink like a fish. Ie: my grandfather who lived to 102 and got drunk almost every day of his adult life, but only died of old age in a retirement home after having a shower and sitting down in his chair. No Liver cancer, etc. Compare that to me, with a clean lifestyle and no poor decisions, getting NHL at 35 - a disease usually reserved for the elderly, not the young.
So, in conclusion - Cancer is so, so complex with hundreds of diseases & causes and hopefully one day, we will find the cure. But, in the meantime - we must remember that changing one or even multiple areas of our diet, nutrition or holistic approaches probably will not prevent or cure an impending cancer or current cancer.
AND
The best treatments available today are in our best hospitals. Chemo and Radiotherapy has saved my life and so far has given me another 5 precious years with my husband and girls. I had no time to look at other options when my disease was discovered anyway and needed cancer treatment ASAP. I thank God for chemo and radiation.
I also thank God for giving me life, gifting me with a challenge that has changed my mind & spirit for the better & given me a new reason to change the world - Lymphoma has been a difficult phase, but God has used my journey to touch the lives of thousands and make a difference to other cancer patients who need uplifting or encouragement.
PROMISING NEW TREATMENT INDICATES THAT HUMAN BREAST MILK MAY KEEP DISEASE 'AT BAY'
(Human breast milk has not been clinically tested for cancer, however a group of cancer patients in California have indicated that human breast milk, has helped their own cancers):
Howard Cohen (a physics scientist) was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 1999. While researching possible methods of fighting prostate cancer, he read about a Swedish study that indicated a compound in human milk is lethal to tumor cells in rats. Since drinking human breast milk, his disease has been kept dormant and has not returned, 14 years later, he is advocating for this form of treatment.
Are our GP visits safe?
Do we really have quality care in the current medical environment?
I fell into a gap/hole in the system and almost did not climb out again.
Are our GP's and medical staff completely aware of the signs and symptoms of blood cancers?
Many of these symptoms are generalized and can be mistaken for other ailments, however, enlarged glands, nodes with a combination of other problems, should be enough to investigate the possibilities of blood cancer.
No matter what we think about GP's and doctors, we still need to support them to support us. We need to urgently educate all medical staff and doctors to look for the symptoms of these cancers.
Many of these cancers are curable in the early stages. In order to save the patient & their family from undue stress/grief (and in many cases unnecessary death) plus the system from unnecessary costs due to extensive disease.
We must get this message to our medical communities and governments.
KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION IS KEY
Below is a basic chart explaining the three parts of your blood (Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells and your Platelets).
These all form from a single Adult stem cell, which grows inside/from your bone marrow.
Below is a copy of 'Lymphoma News' from the Queensland Leukemia Foundation,
in conjunction with World Lymphoma Awareness Day, 2008.
Jodie's Journey featured on the front of the newsletter.
Signs & Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Below is a small picture of your Lymph system. This is your immune system. It fights infection, viruses or bacteria, including cancer cells. Most people do not know much about their Lymph system, except that they have one.
Your Lymph system is circulatory in nature and is closely linked to and related to your blood system. You have hundreds and thousands of tiny and larger lymph nodes all through your body and large deposits of them in key areas, such as your underarm & Groin. The nodes drain out toxin's and the detected enemies trying to invade your body.
You also have some major organs that are part of the Lymph system, being: your Tonsils, your Thymus, your Spleen and small-large deposits of Bone Marrow in your shoulder/arm bones, Hip/leg bones.
Questions? Email Jodie
If you would like to work with Jodie on Health Reform Suggestions:
Please contact Jodie via email.
Some of Jodie's suggestions to government have included the following:
Make GP visits safer for all Australians--the introduction of (a safety tool or system) 2 mandatory questions at the end of each GP visit (Are you happy with my opinion? Would you like further testing?). This may stop a majority of people being dismissed at GP visits, having genuine health concerns or health problems.
Get a nation-wide GP alert system in place to make more GP’s and specialists, medical staff more aware of the symptoms of Lymphoma and other blood cancers (Australia & the world).
Launch a safety or support network, through government for parents or carer’s with serious or life-threatening diseases. The safety network would be in the form of a payment or service that assists these Australians to care for their families, whilst undergoing chemotherapy or treatment.