Originally published November 7 2011
New study finds that chemo targets cancer cells that were dying anyway
by Tony Isaacs
(NaturalNews) Researchers in a new study have found that cancer cells best targeted by chemo are already on the verge of self-destruction. In the study, published online by the journal Science on October 27, researchers found that cancer cells that are closer to the threshold for programmed death via apoptosis are more susceptible to chemotherapy than other cancer cells that have yet to reach that stage.
"Many chemotherapy agents work by damaging structures within cancer cells, particularly DNA and microtubules [tiny tubes used for a variety of cell functions]," reported the study's senior author, Anthony Letai, MD, PhD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute which conducted the study. "When the damage becomes so extensive it can't be repaired, the cells initiate a process known as apoptosis, in which they sacrifice themselves to avoid passing the damage on to their descendants."
The researchers reported that they had found a way to profile cancers according to how close the cancer cells were to death, and this could help determine which ones might be most susceptible to chemo drugs. However, the study also appears to show that oftentimes chemo at best merely speeds the process of cellular death, which every healthy cell is programmed to do. The study thus raises some important questions about the use of chemotherapy.
For example, would those cancer cells that respond to chemotherapy have died naturally anyway? And, if chemotherapy mostly only hastens a natural process, is it worth damaging healthy cells and organs and going through the debilitating effects of deadly chemo drugs?
As Natural News has often reported, chemo does not cure cancer to begin with, and often chemo spreads cancer or causes damage (which kills the patient before the cancer can). See, for example:
Chemo Does Not Cure: Often It Inflicts Damage and Spreads Cancer
http://www.naturalnews.com/027028_cancer_WHO...
Studies have shown that at best chemo results in only a 2-3% increase in survival time. Chemo does nothing to address the root causes of cancer: it merely kills some cancer cells (as well as healthy ones). Neither does chemo do anything to prevent the return of cancer. In fact, the damage done by chemo to the natural immune system and the rest of the body makes it more likely that either the original cancer or another form of cancer will return.
Chemo is part of the three-legged failed mainstream cancer treatment paradigm, which tries to address cancer by merely poisoning out, cutting out and/or burning out the mere symptoms of cancer. Of the three, chemo is by far the most commonly used option. It is also the most lucrative.
The average oncologist practice derives 75% of its income from the markups it makes on chemo drugs, which it buys at wholesale prices and then heavily marks up to sell to the patients who are prescribed the drugs. Notably, in one survey 75% of oncologists reported that they would not use chemo or prescribe it for their family members due to the low success rates and horrific side effects. Yet, 75% of cancer patients are prescribed chemo.
Which leads to yet another question: Is the use of chemo really about healing? Perhaps the answer can be found in this quote by outspoken chemotherapy opponent and oncologist, Glen Warner, M.D.:
"Chemotherapy is an incredibly lucrative business for doctors, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies ..The medical establishment wants everyone to follow the same exact protocol. They don't want to see the chemotherapy industry go under, and that's the number one obstacle to any progress in oncology."
See also:
Hiding the Truth About Losing the War on Cancer
http://www.naturalnews.com/023286_cancer_can...
Dying Cancer Patients are Milked for Every Last Dollar
http://www.naturalnews.com/029032_cancer_pat...
Other sources included:
http://www.wddty.com/chemo-targets-cancer-ce...
http://www.dana-farber.org/Newsroom/News-Rel...
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleas...
About the author
Tony Isaacs, is a natural health author, advocate and researcher who hosts The Best Years in Life website for those who wish to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. Mr. Isaacs is the author of books and articles about natural health, longevity and beating cancer including "Cancer's Natural Enemy" and is working on a major book project due to be published later this year. He is also a contributing author for the worldwide advocacy group "S.A N.E.Vax. Inc" which endeavors to uncover the truth about HPV vaccine dangers.
Mr. Isaacs is currently residing in scenic East Texas and frequently commutes to the even more scenic Texas hill country near Austin and San Antonio to give lectures and health seminars. He also hosts the CureZone "Ask Tony Isaacs - featuring Luella May" forum as well as the Yahoo Health Group "Oleander Soup" and he serves as a consultant to the "Utopia Silver Supplement Company".
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