Can You Really Prevent Cancer?

Last fall, I read an excellent book by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, M.D., Ph.D. called ANTI-CANCER. Dr. Servan-Schreiber is a brain cancer survivor who used traditional allopathic treatments combined with exercise and diet in order to successfully treat the recurrence of his brain cancer.  At the end of this article, I give a link to an interview between WBAY and Dr. Servan-Schreiber, as well as a link to more info about the book.

According to Servan-Schreiber, we all have cancer cells in our bodies, but only certain people will develop full-blown cancer. His book gives an excellent overview of the types of foods and stress-reducing techniques (including yoga and meditation) we can implement to minimize the risk of cancer, or even to add to our existing cancer treatment arsenal. For example, the three top foods he suggests are turmeric (a spice), broccoli and green tea.

According to Dr. Servan-Schreiber: “Cancer cells develop all the time in a healthy body. They are simply cells that, like rebel armed bandits, have learned to escape the rules of organized society. They no longer respond to signals from neighboring cells and tissues telling them that they are overcrowding others and should stop multiplying.

We are all equipped with natural defenses that are able to counteract these rebel cells before they have become large armies, and that can prevent them from developing into dangerous tumors. When our lifestyle (85 percent contribution), or our genetic makeup (15 percent) either support cancer growth or interfere with our natural defenses, cancer develops unchecked. Once it has developed, it becomes harder to stop.”

The single most important message that Dr. Servan-Schreiber wants us to know is “That there are no magical cures for cancer, but that we all have tremendous control over our health and well-being through the choices we make in our lifestyle every day. And that most people who started living their lives more consciously after they developed cancer now can’t understand why they didn’t start living that way before, simply because it’s so much more enjoyable! “

Read the WBAY interview with Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, and check out the book ANTI-CANCER