'One' interesting day...in a good way.

The following is a summary of a forum we attended.  Please don't take this as our opinion but just information that we are passing along to you. ;-)  FYI - disclaimer

Today Ray and I attended a Cancer Forum sponsored by the BC Cancer Agency at the swanky Westin Bayshore. We were anticipating lots of books for sale and info booths...there was nothing like that.  I thought there would be lots of wigs and baldy's...
there was nothing like that. There were information booths by the BC Cancer Society on specific types of cancer [no colon, which was interesting], clinical trials, CAMEO project and a display showing their library. 

We decided to go to '2' of the '6' forum sessions that were available and we were relieved to learn that any we did not attend would be available by video on the BC Cancer Agency website soon.  Usually you have to pay to go to any type of conference, there was no charge and there won't be any charge to see the videos of the sessions we missed.  Imagine that...no charge. 

What did we learn? That we are doing 'almost' everything we can to combat this disease. 

In one session they discussed the new findings regarding the healthy cells within a tumor are now being looked at as the most important part of a tumor.  It was discovered that the healthy cells within the tumor can slow or stop the progression of cancer.  Perhaps even cure the cancer.  Then the question becomes how can a person ensure their cells are the healthiest they can be to help fight cancer? The most helpful thing that can be done is to improve your immune system by decreasing the chronic inflammation within your body to have a better chance of survival or reducing the cancer cells.  There is a direct relationship between chronic inflammation in your body and cancer growing.

What they said is that the following things increase the inflammation within your body...

• stress
• charred meat
• refined sugar
• inactivity
• red meat
• transfats
• alcohol
• obesity
• smoking

What decreases the inflammation within your body...

• relaxation and joy
• fruit and vegetables
• whole grains
• Omega 3 fatty acids - includes fish, fish oil, flax seeds, hemp seeds
• exercising
• vitamin D
• Green tea

Another interesting item they noted was don't put anything on your skin that you wouldn't eat.  Yuck..can't imagine eating any of my cosmetics or face creams.  Barf for sure. 

Vitamin D is definately becoming a popular 'new' thing for those looking to prevent cancer. They recommend 2000 to 3000 IU per day.  Here in Vancouver we don't get enough sun to allow us to get the vitamin D recommended.

So what does all this mean to me? I need to increase my Omega '3' fatty acid and my vitamin D intake.  Otherwise I'm meditating, exercising, whole foods/plant based diet, tons of fruits and vegys, no red meat, wheat grass and getting lots of love from family and friends.  Above all the things they said you MUST surround yourself with loving family and friends and that no drug or food can accomplish the benefits of that. 

Sorry its a rather clinical post but I wanted to let others learn what I have learned today. 

Yep...I had 'one' interesting day.  signed one 'I can't stand the smell of wheat grass' purple ladybug.