Hope Never Dies

by Rick Shapiro

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Recent Posts

  • Many Paths to Wellness – 2023 CAM for Cancer Conference
  • Finding Your Best Anti-Cancer Nutrition Plan
  • Fasting to Mitigate Chemo Side-Effects
  • Curcumin: A Powerful Anti-Cancer Agent
  • Which Chemotherapy Drugs Are Best?

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  • Nutrition (6)
  • Terminal Diagnosis (2)

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Many Paths to Wellness – 2023 CAM for Cancer Conference

January 31, 2023 by Rick Shapiro Leave a Comment

2023 CAN ConferenceThe Annie Appleseed Project was founded in 2000 by Ann Fonfa, a 25 year breast cancer survivor and warrior, whose journey was chronicled in Hope Never Dies.

The goal was to bring complementary and alternative therapies to the mainstream, while also  serving as a place where all ideas are scrutinized.

From its inception, the Annie Appleseed Project sought to …

  • Challenge the existing treatment paradigm
  • Question the existing research methods and subjects
  • Propose new directions for both, ending with true Integrative Oncology

The first Annie Appleseed Conference took place in 2005.

2023 Conference: CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) for Cancer

The theme of this year’s conference is Many Paths to Wellness.  A robust agenda includes presentations from medical doctors, PhDs, researchers, experts, Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) and practitioners, as well as survivors, including Ann Fonfa herself.

Many Paths to Wellness

Within this year’s packed agenda are the following renowned speakers and their topics:

  • Keith Block, MD: Known to many as the patriarch of Integrative Cancer Medicine, Dr. Block will discuss Cancer Recovery: Importance of Overcoming a Disrupted Terrain
  • Kelly Turner, PhD: Kelly will share a documentary screening of Personalizing Herbal Supplements
  • Charles Bens, PhD: A topic sure to resonate with all attendees, Dr. Bens will discuss Optimizing Cancer Prevention and Recovery
  • Isaac Eliaz, MD, MS will examine The Survival Paradox: Targeting the Root Cause of Cancer and Chronic Diseases

Conference Details, Registration & Logistics

15th Annual Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Cancer Therapies Conference

Feb 23-25, 2023 in West Palm Beach, FL

The conference begins on Thursday, February 23 at 2PM (arrive a bit early to pick up badge and giveaway bag). The conference ends Saturday, February 25 at 5PM.

  • Full Conference – Up to 13 hours CEU’s (Continuing Education Credits) or CNE’s
  • One day (Thursday, Friday or Saturday) or two day registrations are also available
Conference link
Registration
Testimonials from past conferences

Background and history – Annie Appleseed Project

The Annie Appleseed Project hosts a yearly CAM Conference for Cancer: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies. It is an opportunity for practitioners and laypeople to learn more about options in the treatment of cancer. Each year, speakers report on developments and changes in the world of cancer.

The Annie Appleseed Project offers information, survival strategies and support for individuals dealing with cancer, including …

  • Nutrition
  • Mind/Body
  • Detoxification
  • Dietary supplements
  • Physical activity/exercise
  • Natural therapies/substances
  • Lifestyle issues

I look forward to seeing you at the CAM for Cancer conference!

Filed Under: Botanicals, Cancer Free, Nutrition, Terminal Diagnosis Tagged With: alternative, complementary, detoxification, integrative, mind/body, natural therapies

Finding Your Best Anti-Cancer Nutrition Plan

April 8, 2021 by Rick Shapiro Leave a Comment

Finding Your Best Anti-Cancer Nutrition Plan Hope Never Dies BlogAnti-Cancer Nutrition

Dr. Jeanne Wallace, Ph.D., C.N.C. is widely regarded as a prominent international expert in nutritional oncology. She is the founder and director of Nutritional Solutions, which provides cancer patients across the U.S. and abroad evidence-based dietary, nutritional and botanical support and cancer consulting services, to complement conventional care.

“Cancer cells do not exist in isolation; they are influenced by the environment within the body.”

– Dr. Jeanne Wallace, Ph.D, C.N.C.

Dr. Wallace is deeply involved in cutting-edge translational research, providing innovative cancer nutrition guidance to people with cancer, their families, oncologists, naturopaths and others. She, and her colleague, Michelle Gerencser, M.S., have served thousands of clients around the world, consulting by phone and Skype.

The deeply-focused efforts of Dr. Wallace and Michelle Gerencser are grounded in the evolving understanding of the interrelationship between nutritional and metabolic factors, and the hallmark characteristics of cancer cells.

Harness the Oncometabolic Advantage

Dr. Wallace states, “Cancer cells do not exist in isolation; they are influenced by the environment within the body. Our goal is to teach our clients dietary and lifestyle strategies to modulate this environment, so that it is a less favorable host for tumor growth and progression. This approach is particularly well suited as a complement to conventional medical treatments for cancer, and allows our clients to optimize their care by integrating the best of both worlds.”

I am pleased to share a five-minute video that explains Dr. Wallace’s approach to finding the best anti-cancer diet and nutrition plan for you. Take the time to review this very informative presentation.

Read my in-depth interview with Jeanne Wallace in my book, Hope Never Dies.

But the book

Filed Under: Blog, Botanicals, Cancer Free, Nutrition Tagged With: anticancer, diet, lifestyle

Curcumin: A Powerful Anti-Cancer Agent

February 25, 2021 by Rick Shapiro Leave a Comment

Curcumin Anti-Cancer Agent Hope Never Dies BlogCurcumin is a component of the spice turmeric, which can be found in many people’s spice cabinets. Commonly consumed in many Asian countries as a culinary ingredient, it gives curry and mustard their yellow color. Turmeric has also been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.

Curcumin is the biologically active agent in turmeric. Approximately 2% to 5% of turmeric is composed of Curcumin. Many studies and clinical evidence confirm that curcumin delivers myriad benefits to cancer patients. One of its primary proven benefits is its anti-inflammatory effect.

Inflammation fighter

An abundance of evidence from numerous studies (preclinical, animal and clinical) strongly suggest curcumin exerts potent anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities.

It is well-known that chronic inflammation is an underlying problem and driver of many diseases, including cancer. And, cancer further drives and spreads internal-chronic inflammation. The NF-kB (nuclear factor kappa beta) protein, a proinflammatory signaling pathway (aka – transcription factor), is essentially the “master-switch” for inflammation. It is one of the most important molecules linking chronic inflammation to cancer problems, including cell proliferation, angiogenesis, tumor promotion and metastasis.

Inhibiting and suppressing NF-kB signaling is a therapeutic objective when fighting cancer, and the natural agent curcumin has been shown to be effective in achieving this goal. An abundance of evidence from numerous studies (preclinical, animal and clinical) strongly suggest curcumin exerts potent anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition to its role in fighting cancer, curcumin plays a multifaceted role in cancer prevention. Due to its many anti-inflammatory benefits, it also delivers a cascade of other benefits for other inflammatory conditions, including arthritis.

Personally (and not for cancer reasons), I have found curcumin to be very effective, and I incorporate it into my daily supplementation regimen to alleviate sundry aches and pains, by mitigating that gnarly instigator: inflammation. For me, it works wonders!

Curcumin dosage and interactions

Dosage always matters, whether a patient is using pharmaceutical drugs or evidence-based supplements. Thus, an individual patient’s issues will dictate appropriate dosing. Curcumin has been used, up to 12 grams per day, for up to three months without any significant side-effects, although most cancer patients take a lesser amount of approximately 3.0 to 8.0 grams per day, for longer time periods.

Also, drug interactions need to be assessed with any supplement or pharmaceutical agent. It has been suggested that curcumin may have an anticoagulant effect, thus if a patient is already taking anticoagulant agents (such as blood thinners), caution would be advised.

Absorption

One challenge with curcumin is the notion that it is not bioavailable — in other words, it doesn’t absorb well into one’s system. Thus, it is advisable to take curcumin (if a capsule or tablet) with bioperine or piperine (derived from black pepper) which, purportedly, helps enhance absorption. Many curcumin supplements include this component in their ingredients.

Of course, effective cancer protocols require a sophisticated multifaceted approach. I strongly recommend you explore curcumin as a strong anti-inflammatory agent, to be included in the toolbox of comprehensive and effective interventions.

Finally, prior to embarking on any medical or healthcare protocol, intervention or regimen, always seek the counsel of a qualified doctor or healthcare professional.

Learn more about curcumin, and the power of other integrative therapies, in my book, Hope Never Dies.

Buy the Book

Filed Under: Blog, Botanicals, Inflammation, Nutrition Tagged With: anti-inflammatory, curcumin, diet, food, medicine, metastatic

Broccoli Sprouts – Cancer Fighters

January 14, 2021 by Rick Shapiro Leave a Comment

broccoli sprouts anti-cancer properties hope never dies blogWhen mom said, “Eat your broccoli” you should’ve listened. The good news is, it’s never too late to start. Why should you? Because there’s an abundance of evidence and studies (cellular, animal, clinical) that prove broccoli and broccoli sprouts are comprised of potent cancer-fighting properties.

Jed W. Fahey, ScD., MS, is a professor and researcher at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Director of the Cullman Chemoprotection Center. He has an extensive background in plant physiology, human nutrition, phytochemistry and nutritional biochemistry. Since the 1990’s he has been involved in researching the potent anti-cancer effect of an activated phytonutrient known as sulforaphane, which is derived from cruciferous vegetables, especially broccoli. Fahey strongly asserts that sulforaphane is a potent inducer of key cytoprotective enzymes that promote detoxification of carcinogens and other anti-cancer effects in humans.

There’s an abundance of evidence and studies that prove broccoli and broccoli sprouts are comprised of potent cancer-fighting properties.

A study published by the late Paul Talalay (MD and professor of pharmacology at Johns Hopkins University) found that 3-day-old broccoli sprouts consistently contain 20-50 times the amount of the chemo-protective compound glucorophanin, the precursor of sulforaphane, that is found in mature broccoli heads. His discoveries helped reveal that these anti-cancer compounds actually reduce cancer risk, in addition providing greater protective properties and cancer-fighting efficacy than mature broccoli.

Studies reveal sulforaphane antioxidant and anti-tumor properties

  1. In a study of brain cancer cells (glioblastoma) cells, sulforaphane demonstrated apoptotic effects and cellular invasion inhibition, thus helping regulate cancer cell death and mitigating cancer cell migration and invasion into other tissues.
  2. A recent mouse model study published in the peer-reviewed Cancer Prevention Research Journal also engendered preventative effects, inhibiting breast cancer development. The results suggest exposure to epigenetic modulating dietary agents, such as cruciferous vegetables with sulforaphane (including broccoli sprouts), could be a key factor for maximizing chemo-preventive effects. In other words, the study supports the use of drugs or natural agents to try to reduce the risk of, or delay the development or recurrence of, human breast cancer.
  3. In the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, another study exhibited the impact of sulforaphane from broccoli on the interaction between immune and colon cancer cells, thus underscoring its capacity for cancer prevention and cancer development.

A plethora of other studies confirm that sulforaphane, which is heavily concentrated in broccoli sprouts, can play a significant role in helping prevent and fight cancer.

Remember what Momma said: “Eat your broccoli” … and today we know it’s advisable to eat your broccoli sprouts, several times per week.

Of course, effective cancer protocols require a sophisticated multifaceted approach. However, I strongly recommend you include broccoli sprouts as a strong preventative and anti-cancer agent, in your toolbox of comprehensive and effective interventions.

Finally, prior to embarking on any medical or healthcare protocol, intervention or regimen, I recommend you seek the counsel of a qualified doctor or healthcare professional.

Read more nutrition-related posts

Or, learn more in my book, Hope Never Dies.

Hope Never Dies overview

Filed Under: Botanicals, Nutrition Tagged With: anticancer, antioxidant, diet, food, sulforaphane

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