My name is Doru Paul and I am a medical oncologist specializing in head and neck, thyroid and lung cancer.
In general, cancer is a disease associated with age, roughly 90% of cancers occur after age 60, and, given the aging of the general population, the mortality of cancer will probably surpass soon the mortality of cardiovascular diseases.
Recent research has demonstrated that cancers are very different from person to person, and no two cancers are the same. Also, even within the same tumor there are different clones with different genetic and metabolic make ups. Also, there are differences between the primary tumors and metastases.
Given the heterogeneity of cancer tumors, my focus is to provide for each patient, the best treatment available for his or her condition. I practice personalized oncology, and the subject of my research and my PhD is personalized oncology.
In the last two decades, as a result of extraordinary advances in the field of molecular biology, there are now therapeutic modalities like targeted agents or immunotherapy that targer specific changes present inside the cancer cells, on the surface of cancer cells or in the cancer cels environment. Progress in immunotherapy research allows us to harness the power and intelligence of the immune system and to stimulate immunity to fight against cancer.
The importance of the immune system is paramount and I will discuss briefly four simple ways that can be used to stimulate immunity.
First, exercise. A daily walk of fifteen minutes or more stimulates immunity and it has been shown in breast cancer patients, for example, to reduce recurrences.
Second, nutrition. Food used properly may become medicine. There is a clear link between cancer and inflammation in which the gut microbiota plays a key role. Introducing plants in the diet that contain natural anti-inflammatory ingredients is important both for cancer prevention and treatment. A key element is to improve the body circadian rhytm by eating at the same scheduled times every day and not at random times.
Third, sleep. Restfull sleep at night is one of the most powerful ways to improve the function of the immune system. You should try to go to sleep before ten thirty pm and sleep for seven hours at least, without interruptions, in total darkness.
And last but not the least, the mind-body connection. Recent research has demonstrated a clear link between stress and cancer progression. Our nerves secrete chemical mediators that can directly modulate the activity of the immune system. As much as possible you should try to reduce stress and introduce daily activities that bring genuine peace of mind and relaxation in your life.
Above all don’t loose hope, don’t let cancer invade your life, don’t let cancer take over your mind, your best ally.