Originally published May 26 2014
Human chornionic gonadotropin as a biomarker for cancer development
by Dr. David Jockers
(NaturalNews) Conventional cancer testing is both highly invasive and full of false positives. Scientists have located other biomarkers that have an ability to detect cancerous growths well before they develop into larger tumors. HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin is one such biomarker that has a scientific foundation and research to merit its use in clinical practice.
Cancer is a condition of uncontrolled cellular growth. Abnormal cellular development is a normal consequence of metabolism. However, most cells undergo a pre-programmed cellular death process called apoptosis. Cancer cells have lost their normal apoptotic function and withstand death and replicate in larger quantities and eventually form into a tumor.
Cancer biomarker testing
Tumor markers are substances that are produced by cancer or by other cells of the body in response to cancer or certain benign (noncancerous) conditions. Most tumor markers are made by normal cells as well as by cancer cells; however, they are produced at much higher levels in cancerous conditions.
These substances can be found in the blood, urine, stool, tumor tissue, or other tissues or bodily fluids of some patients with cancer. Most tumor markers are proteins. However, more recently, patterns of gene expression and changes to DNA have also begun to be used as tumor markers. Markers of the latter type are assessed in tumor tissue specifically.
Tumor markers are used to help detect, diagnose, and manage some types of cancer. Although an elevated level of a tumor marker may suggest the presence of cancer, this alone is not enough to diagnose cancer. Therefore, measurements of tumor markers are usually combined with other tests, such as biopsies, to diagnose cancer.
HCG: human chorionic gonadotropin
HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin is also known as the pregnancy hormone. HCG has been described in many cancer types and is involved in the formation, spread and immune escape of various cancers.
Dr. John Beard was a Scottish embryologist who studied developmental embryology and found similarities between the embryonic physiology and cancer development. After extensive study and research, in 1905, Beard reported that trophoblastic cells act and behave in a manner identical to cancer cells. Both are highly invasive, fast growing and they release chemicals that induce their own blood supply.
What are trophoblasts?
In a pregnant mammal, trophoblasts are infiltrative components of the developing embryo within the placenta. The fast growing, infiltrative behavior is very similar to the way cancer cells infiltrate and invade surrounding tissues.
HCG will only be positive if someone is either pregnant, has a serious injury or has cancer. HCG is elevated after a serious injury because trophoblastic cells are being used in the healing process. They should naturally be turned off after a couple of weeks when the healing is nearly finished. Failure of the HCG to lower would indicate the development of neoplastic cells and cancerous growth.
More research linking HCG and cancer
These trophoblastic cells produce the HCG hormone and that is why this hormone is the basis for the pregnancy test. Cancer cells also produce the HCG hormone. This was reported by Dr. Hernan Acevedo, PhD, and published in the journal Cancer. In the report, Dr. Acevedo found that every cancer produces HCG which is similar to the trophoblastic cells of pregnancy.
In the October 2006 issue of Human Reproduction Update, Dr. C. Ferretti discusses how both trophoblastic and cancer cells share the same molecular circuitry for their proliferative, invasive and migratory capacities.
Sources for this article include:
http://jeffreydachmd.com
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/tumor-markers
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org
About the author:
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml