Dear Friends:

Here (at long last!) is the first of the periodic newsletters that I will be sending out regarding recent developments in the cancer field and at the Moss Reports. The emphasis is on news you can use in preventing and treating cancer. Please tell your friends about this newsletter. They can sign up for free at www.cancerdecisions.com.

Keeping Active Helps Prevent Breast Cancer

Postmenopausal women who remain active throughout their lives have a lower risk of breast cancer. Scientists at the Alberta Cancer Board in Canada found that women with the highest levels of activity were 30 percent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than were couch potatoes (women who had the lowest activity levels).

The Canadians compared data from 1,200 breast cancer patients with women who did not have breast cancer. Researchers found no association between physical activity and risk of breast cancer among younger, premenopausal women.

They are not sure why activity prevents breast cancer. Reduced body fat or enhanced immunity may explain the connection. The lesson is that we need to remain active throughout life. It doesn't mean you have to race in the Tour de France, like Lance Armstrong. However, finding excuses to walk instead of ride, to do gardening instead of watching TV, are going to benefit you. Although this study did not show any particular benefit in younger women, good health habits are best established early (Am J Epidemiol 2001;154:336-347).

Irritation of Immune System Blamed for Cancer

Mainstream medicine believes that most cancer originates because of mysterious processes taking place in our genes. Environmental theories have fallen on hard times. But now some British scientists have concluded that the long-term over-activation of the immune system (such as through irritation or infection) may be the single most important cause of cancer. This over-activation leads to inflammation which eventually leads to cancer.

They call any inflamed tissue "a melting pot of cancer-causing molecules." The long-standing over-activation of the immune system is the key event in the genesis of many forms of the disease," says Prof. Angus Dalgleish of the Department of Oncology, University of Leicester.

A colleague adds: "We think that when the immune system overcooks, perhaps because of long-term exposure to an infection or carcinogenic chemical, it loses its ability to fight disease and instead may actually begin to nurture and protect young cancer cells."

These particular academic scientists think in terms of pharmacological solutions: "If we could calm the immune system down with certain anti-inflammatory drugs," they wrote, "we might be able to reduce the rates of many common cancers" {Br J Cancer. 2001 Aug;85(4):473-83}.

This is the latest form of a very old theory: that inflammation is a key promoter of cancer. At the birth of the modern era, Julius Vogel (1814-1880) put forward a theory that the growth of cancer was due to an irritation. The famous German anatomist, Rudolph Virchow (1821-1902), also identified irritation as the basic cause of cellular growth. This theory persisted into the 20th century, although it fell victim to more sophisticated genetic explanations.

In the world of alternative medicine, this theory was propounded by the late Dr. Joseph Issels. Starting in 1947, he required all his patients to have dental x-rays and have all dead or infected teeth extracted. He also required chronically infected tonsils to be removed. If the patients refused, he asked them to seek treatment elsewhere. His idea was to seek out and remove hidden (occult) sources of infection. This sort of treatment is still practiced in various complementary clinics in Germany and Switzerland. It has now been "rediscovered" in conventional medical circles, as well.

What's New at The Moss Reports?

Here at the Moss Reports we're having our busiest summer yet. As you know, I not only keep the existing reports updated but write new ones for clients who have cancer diagnoses that I have not covered. For example, I just finished writing Report #206 on malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). Several other new reports are in the works.

If you have a cancer diagnosis, no matter how unusual, we probably have a report on your type of disease. If not, I can probably write one. Each report provides an extensive review of the overall situation, including the most promising complementary and alternative treatments. To find out more, please visit our website, www.cancerdecisions.com, or call our patient coordinator, at 800-980-1234 (814-238-3367 from outside the US). She can usually have a report sent out to you very quickly.

Jefferson University Course

I am preparing my professional-level course on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) approaches to cancer. It is being given under the aegis of Thomas Jefferson medical school and hospital. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) is the largest hospital in Philadelphia and the medical college is the largest private medical school in the United States. It was founded in 1824 and has many distinguished alumni and faculty. In 1992 and again in 1993, Jefferson was ranked the best comprehensive medical school in the United States, in surveys conducted by U.S. News & World Report.

The course will be given over one-and-a-half days: November 16 (1-6 PM) and November 17 (8:30 AM to 5 PM) at the Thomas Jefferson University Alumni Hall, Solis-Cohen Auditorium in Philadelphia. We have applied for Continuing Education (CE) credits for doctors, nurses, etc.

If you are a health professional, I urge you to sign up for this exciting course. If you are a patient, please make sure to tell your doctors about this outstanding opportunity to get a concentrated education in CAM approaches from a strictly scientific point of view. For information or registration, please contact Sharifa Pettigrew at the Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 215 503-0720 or email her at sharifa.pettigrew@mail.tju.edu

I am the principal speaker, but will be joined by the following faculty from the Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson's Kimmel Cancer Center (listed alphabetically):

1.  Ira Cantor, MD: Clinical Practice Director,
   Jefferson's Center for Integrative Medicine, TJUH,
   Director, Steiner Medical Center, Phoenixville, PA
   
   
2.  Ian Cyrus, TRAc Staff Acupuncturist, Center for
   Integrative Medicine, TJUH
   
   
3.  Michael Dabrow, DO, FACOI: Clinical Associate
   Professor of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology,
   Jefferson Medical College, TJU
4. Joel Edman, DSc, FACN Clinical Nutritionist, Center
   for Integrative Medicine, TJUH
   
   
5. Leonard G. Gomella, MD: The Bernard W. Godwin, Jr.
   Associate Professor of Prostate Cancer and Director,
   Kimmel Caner Center, TJUH
   
   
6. Steven Rosenzweig, MD, FACEP: Clinical and Academic
   Director, Center for Integrative Medicine, Thomas
   Jefferson University Hospital; Clinical Associate
   Professor of Emergency Medicine, Jefferson Medical College
   
   
7. Edward Sauter, MD, PhD, Surgeon, Kimmel Cancer Center, TJUH
   

Till next time, best wishes for your good health!

Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D.