“You Are in Remission.” “You are Cancer Free.” Let’s explore.

“You Are in Remission.” “You are Cancer Free.” 

These seem to be wonderful, comforting words, spoken by our trusted cancer doctors. They tell us that their diagnostic tools cannot see or detect the presence of any cancer cells or tumor(s). Sometimes they will utter these words after a patient is 5 years into remission, hoping the cancer will not recur again.

This provides patients with some form of “peace of mind” regarding the stress, high anxiety, and fears they may harbor about a cancer recurrence. The doctor may say words like: Go home and enjoy your life; do whatever you want … 

BUT – COMPLACENCY allows or permits old habits to become part of our daily routine, once again. Patients may erroneously perceive they are now healthy and out of the danger zone. Is it a good decision to go back to old habits and routines?  Is it possible that the old habits were part of the reason why cancer reared its ugly head in the first place?   

Cancer Causes

In general, it is surmised that hereditary factors cause only 5% to 15% of cancer. Conversely, 85% to 95% of cancer is caused by other factors. It is assumed that these factors emanate from various carcinogens and sources, including, but not limited to: exposure to environmental toxins (and chemicals in the food supply and environment) which number in the thousands, smoking, exposure to the sun, alcohol, the ingestion of harmful, factory processed food products (i.e., poor dietary choices and poor nutrition), a sedentary lifestyle, high stress toxic relationships, a deficiency in important nutrients, and other related reasons. Lifestyle factors, many of our old habits developed over time can create a “permissive” (versus an inhospitable) environment for cancer.

After your body has become compromised due to a cancer issue, it is critical that you attempt to correct the imbalances and remove the “root causes” that may have engendered the cancer in the first place. Moderation, in general, is recognized as a sensible concept, but once you have been afflicted with a cancer issue, a compromised immune system, a disease whereby there may be undetectable but life-threatening micro-metastases in your body, moderation is no longer a wise option. It is time to make SERIOUS TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGES to enhance the probability that you will not experience a dangerous cancer recurrence, which may cause more severe health problems in the future. In other words, change the old habits.

I have heard of concepts and food products that advertise as – sugar-free, gluten free, caffeine free, dairy free, even Pepsi free, where I assume the manufacturers of these products can remove certain ingredients or produce products without the inclusion of these ingredients. They can assure us that the product is actually “free” of certain substances, BUT, can the doctor really say YOU ARE CANCER FREE??

Perhaps your doctor has said your status is NED, also known as “no evidence of disease”, however, NED is not tantamount to “cancer free”. Think about it – If we are truly free from cancer, why does the oncologist tell you to come back for scans and tests every 3 or 6 months? Does he (or she) think cancer may be lurking in hidden places within your body? Does he think it might come back?

As we all know, there is much recurrent disease regarding all tumor types that come back even after the magical 5-year mark. Honestly, there is no magical line in the sand, no prohibitive time frame, when cancer cannot rear its ugly head once again. My point? Make intelligent, health-enhancing, transformational changes in your life.

I urge you to implement (or seek expert advice to help you implement) focused cancer strategies to change your health regarding: dietary/nutrition strategies, exercise regimens, mind-body therapies, evidence-based supplementation, social support, and other on-going treatments and strategies, to enhance, strengthen and build your immune system and health, every day. Essentially, formulate (or seek expert advice regarding) a remission maintenance program.

I strongly encourage you to become proactive with daily healthy routines that are progressive and not regressive, to revitalize your health, so that this insidious unwelcome intruder does not come back for a return visit.

Have a Wonderful Healthy Day and Keep the Hope!

Rick Shapiro, Author 

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