Liquid Biopsy Technique

Scripter or the Day

The Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

    I am a biga advocate of done self checks and early detection. I believe that early detection saved me. 

This liquid biopsy sounds promising to me. It says that early detection leads to better outcomes and I on board with that. This would be a less invasive procedure to discover if some one has breast cancer and the stage they would be in. This is definately and article worth the read. Again, I promote nothing but  things to think about. Never make and decisions without consulting your doctor.

g/new-liquid-biopsy-technique-breast-cancer-diagnosis-prognosis-2023?utm_source=Master%20Subscription%20List&utm_campaign=da28123626-20230219-Roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_da51bab24a-da28123626-54506952

    

    If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless with his healing touch. I know he loves you. 

Cancer and Steroids

Scripter of the Day

But you, O Lord,  are a shield for me, my glory and the one who lifts up my head.

Psalm 3:3

   

  I have been listening to my friend who is fighting cancer again talking about being on steroids and the responses she's getting from others that have been on steroids for a number of reasons.  I didn't think I had ever been, but in researching my own chemotherapy drugs it turns out that I was . Some of the side effects of steroids are increased appetite, acne, rapid mood swings, easily bruised, muscle weakness and slow wound healing. I do remember some of this. The muscle weakness was so bad that we bought another car that I could get into and out of more easily.

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/steroids In this website, I found what steroids are supposed to do for the cancer patient. One of these are contradictory. On one site its say s that increases appetite and on this one it says it improves the appetite

    

• treat the cancer itself
• reduce inflammation
• help prevent an allergic reaction to cancer treatments
• reduce your body’s immune response, for example after a bone marrow transplant
• help reduce sickness when having cancer treatment
• improve your appetite

I am not promoting the use of steroids, just hoping to give better understanding of what they are supposed to do for the cancer patient. I would certainly discuss with you doctor about the use of steroids in your program. Never be afraid to ask question.

    

    If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless with his healing touch. I know he loves you. 

Podcast for People of Faith Who are Living with Cancer 

Scripture of the Day

Matthew 4:23        

And Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

 

     I have recently taken up listening to some podcasts. I found this one and thought it was interesting. There are 10 episodes listed here and indicates that they will send you  free resources to help you in your journey. https://www.healthhopeandinspiration.com/start-here/

 

    If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with his healing touch. I know he loves you.

 

Assistance Paying for Chemotherapy  

Scripture of the Day

Psalm 3:3

But you, Oh Lord, are the shield for me, 

my glory and the one who lifts up my head.

    I currently have  friend who is going through cancer for a second time. This time it is more difficult to make ends meet. So far I have found a few. I have to say that I'm only trying to point people in a possible direction for assistance.  I know nothing about these sites other than what they say they are. https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/resource/financial-assistance-resources. This link indicates that there are grants out there to help pay for you chemo. https://www.findhelp.org/ This link indicates that there are local places in your area that may be able to help. https://www.211.org/ This is a 24/7 phone line that  says it helps with local referrals  and services. https://standuptocancer.org/for-patientsand-caregivers/ has a section on Patients and care givers.

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with his healing touch. I know he loves you. 

Day to Day Matters 

Scripture of the Day

 Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we were healed.

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, there were so many things to think about and address. First, I had to tell my husband and then my children and family. Then in the 25 days from diagnosis to surgery, the day to day things were decisions that I had to make in attacking this disease. 

Once all of that was done and the all the decisions were made, I had to get on with my life. I had to find a way to "keep on keeping on". I had a job as a teacher and I just couldn't stop. Simple things like laundry and grocery shopping still had to get done. It was sometimes hard not to crawl back into bed and let someone else do it. I did have help in my husband, but I just couldn't hide and wait for someone else to do it. 

Added to the simple things, I now had to keep track of doctor's appointments, think about nutrition. I  found this article about managing your day to day life. There are several things on the list that really never occurred to me to keep a watch on and maybe I should have. There also things on there that my oncologist kept track of and I either did what I was told or discussed the necessity with my doctor.  

This is the link to the article: Day To Day If you are going through this, maybe this article will be helpful.

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless with His healing touch. I know He loves you. 

Halaven - A Chemo Therapy

 Scripture of the Day

Genesis 15:1

…Fear not Abram, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.

I will every now and then just plug in Breast Cancer and see what comes up. I found a website about a possible chemo therapy treatment. I want to share this because there choices out that may benefit the breast cancer patient. I don't advocate making any decisions without talking to your doctor, But the choice is always your!! The article is about Halaven and alternative chemo treatment. '"In a clinical study of more than 750 women, HALAVEN® was compared with other chemotherapies or hormone therapies commonly used to treat metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Although some women lived longer and some women did not live as long, women who were treated with HALAVEN lived, on average, 25% longer (13.2 months vs 10.6 months, respectively) than those who received another chemotherapy or hormone treatment."  The origination of the quote is from this website. Halaven This website includes Patient's stories, safety precaution, treatment with Halaven and side effects. Please if you look at this site, make sure that you look at all of it.

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you. 

 Free Mammograms

Scripture of the Day. 

Psalm 30:2
O Lord my God, I cried unto Thee and Thou hast healed me

You can get good information in the must unusual places. I was listening to IHeart Radio yesterday and they spoke of a website that helps you to find a place to get a free mammogram. There are so many women that are unable to pay for a mammogram and need one desperately. So I went to the website and it's there and it looks very helpful. At this site you have to join and sign in, but it has a place to look at free clinics, apply for financial assistance or donate to help others. Freemammograms.org is a user-contributed data base of health care centers that offer free breast exams. In addition to free clinics, freemammogram.org pays directly for mammograms for qualifying candidates. Free Mammogram Registeration is the link that will take you to this page and get you started. I have looked, and this is not the only place that will help you get your mammogram.

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you.  ams.

In addition to free clinics, Freemammograms.org pays directly for mammograms for qualifying candidates.mmograms.org is a user-contributed database of health care centers that offer free breast exams.

In addition to free clinics, Freemammograms.org pays directly for mammograms for qualifying candidates.

Shame on a California School District

Scripture of the day:

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 

1 Peter 5:7

I just recently heard about this and finally found an article about it. There is a woman in California who has breast cancer. She will have to be out of her classroom, I assume, for 6 weeks after her mastectomy. Due to an antiquated law, she is responsible for paying for her substitute at $240.00 a day. This is unforgivable. This law should've been changed immediately. It's my understanding that this teacher ended up with a lot of support and was able to meet the cost of the substitute. But she never should've responsible for this if the first place.

I was very fortunate in my case. I also only had 10 day's sick leave. I wouldn't have had to pay for my substitute, but when the days ran out, I would've stopped receiving a pay check. But my colleagues donated enough of their own sick days to me that I never missed a pay. When the chips are down for both me and this California teacher, people really step up. If you know of this school district, apply pressure to have them change the law. 

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you.  

Banned Substance to Fight Cancer

Scripture of the Day:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Philippians 4:13

Banned Substance to Fight Cancer

People have been sending me things they read about alternative treatments for Cancer. So, I looked one of them up just to see. This had to do with vitamin B17 and I looked specifically for breast cancer. Without reading anything, I thought taking a vitamin sounded pretty good. It’s a banned substance in the US and that made no sense to me until I read the article. B17 has cyanide in it and is considered dangerous. The first website I looked at is "Trish and Vitamin B17: Can a Banned Substance Fight Cancer?" This can found at the following link: Vitamin B 17

The next website I went to is “Integrative Versus Alternative Cancer Therapy: Know the Difference and Which Can Help”. This covered different areas of Alternate Treatments:

1.     Integrative or Alternative: What’s the Difference?

2.     Stress Management

3.     Improving Stress

4.     Diet and Exercise

This was actually some good reading. The link for this information is :

Alternative treatments

Please keep in mind that this comes from "experts" and doctors and "just people that have an opinion". I strongly advise you to discuss any of this information with your doctor. 

If you are making this journey as I am may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you.

When First Diagnosed

Scripture of the Day:

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

I have not posted in over a year. I have no excuse. But I’ve been informed of so many new people who have been diagnosed with this horrible disease. When will it stop? I daily pray for breast cancer patients.

I do “preach” on my Facebook page. I have no problem talking about what happened to me. I recently got a message on Facebook. A friend’s mother was diagnosed and what should she do. I actually led her back to this blog. But it occurred to me that there are some immediate mind sets, especially of the patient, that would help the whole family. I later asked my children if they were scared when they found out I had breast cancer. I was told that my attitude dictated theirs. I may have said this before, but it bears repeating. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, dying was NOT an option. It never occurred to me that I would not beat this disease. After informing my family, I introduced myself on Facebook to my friends that I was the next survivor of breast cancer, instead of announcing that I had breast cancer.

At the time I had 3 grandchildren and the oldest was 8. I think they handled it ok. I answered their questions if there were any. I think attitude helped them with this as well. But I have a dear friend that was diagnosed less than a year ago. When I saw her in September after several chemo treatments, she looked the same. Of course, I asked how she went through chemo and didn’t lose her hair. She told me that she on one of her grandchildren spent hours looking at wigs on the internet to find one that matched the way she wore her hair before breast cancer. I can’t help but believe that that had to be therapeutic for both my friend and her granddaughter to bond over something that was going to make her look “normal”. The wig they found looked exactly as she wore her hair before the diagnosis. I was amazed. Her family lives closer to her than mine and they were involved in her recovery. I think that had to have helped.

If you are the family member, immediately after surgery, help your breast cancer survivor to follow what the doctor says to do. I can tell you that I know a lot of women that cannot raise their hands over their head because they did do as they were told. My husband made me do all the exercises I was given and I cried but did them. Now I can raise my hands completely over my head. We also got me out of the house almost every day, even if it was only a ride in the car. We went to   the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. We went Putt Putt Golfing. We would walk around the block. I think it was good to get out of the house.

I understand that not all breast cancer patients will have a care-giver like I did. My husband had accrued enough sick leave to stay with me 5 out of 6 weeks I was off work.  But if you as the patient, or you as the family member could just work on mental attitude and thinking positively, it has to help everyone concerned. Did I have my bad moments? Absolutely!! After 8 years, I still do.

I really hope that this is helpful and if I’m repeating myself, I’m sorry. If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you.  

Types of Mastectomies

Scripture of the Day

Psalm 30:2

            O Lord my God, I cried unto Thee and Thou hast healed me

Types of Mastectomies

First of all, I'd like to identify what  lumpectomy is. In a lumpectomy, the doctor removes just the tumor and some of the tissue around it. The breast remains intact. The reason that I did not chose this route is because the possibility of recurrence is higher with a lumpectomy. I took the proactive aggressive route of having both of my breasts removed. I wanted to more sure of my results. 

This article that I am referring to lists 6 types of mastectomies. The first is a simple mastectomy which is removal of the breast including the nipple. This does not include lymph nodes and muscle tissues.

The second is a double mastectomy. Both breasts are removed due to a high risk of cancer spreading (metastasize).   It is also a choice. My risk was questionable. The doctors couldn't pin down my odds of recurrence. Keep in mind, I'm the first in my family. We had nothing to base and decision on. I chose the double even though my left breast was clean. 

The next is skin sparing mastectomy. The nipple, areola, and breast tissue are removed while the skin on top of the breast is left untouched. This type of mastectomy is done for those who intend to have immediate breast reconstructive surgery. I was given this choice and I know those who have chosen it, however, it was going to be hours on the operating table. I didn't want to put my family through that option. 

The fourth is nipple spearing mastectomy. The nipple and skin on top of the breast are left intact, while the breast tissue is removed. If cancer is found under the nipple and areola, the nipple must be removed. This is similar to the skin sparing mastectomy. I don't recall being given this option. But it was an emotional time. I may have let the option fly right over me. 

Next is the modified radical mastectomy. This is a variation of the total mastectomy that removes the entire breast including the lymph nodes under the arm. This is what happened to me. I guess you could say that the modified radical mastectomy only occurred on my right side. That was the side with the actual breast cancer and they removed the lymph nodes under that arm. 

The last in this article is the radical mastectomy. This removes the entire breast, lymph nodes and pectoral muscles under the breast. I have recently met someone that just went through that. I have no idea what it involves.  

This link will take you to the website that has this article.  Types of Mastectomies. Please go and look at the site as it had other information as well. Certainly, look at other sites as well. 

There is another term that I have heard that is not mentioned here. It's called a bilateral mastectomy. A bilateral prophylactic mastectomy is when the surgeon removes all of the breast tissue and leaves little or no breast tissue behind. This what was done to me as well. I was told that it is impossible to get each and every mammary gland, however. I do understand that. With this type of mastectomy, I definately do not get mammograms any longer. 

Please do your own research if you are preparing to go through this. It is important for you to make educated decisions and know understand what is happening to you.  

If you are making the journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you.  

Can You Prevent Breast Cancer from Coming Back With Foods?

Scripture of the Day

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort where with we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ

II Corinthians 1:3-5

Picture taken from Women's Lifestyle. com

Women's Lifestyle.Com

Can You Prevent Breast Cancer from Coming Back With Foods?

Up until now, I'm not sure how much I believed that. But in looking at my own situation and reading some of these articles, I wonder. I began eating better simply because I wanted to lose weight. Chemo-therapy does not make you lose weight like you might think. At least, mine didn't with the specific chemicals used on me. I also have breast cancer friends that swear by it. 

In looking at the food possibilities, I found that I'm eating that way anyway. So if it is true, I'm doing a reasonably good job of preventing it from coming back without even knowing it. 

The first suggested supplement was Vitamin D. The article suggested amounts to take to make it the most useful to a breast cancer survivor. I know my oncologist checks my Vitamin D intake at every visit. I started in the beginning take extra over and above what is in my multi-vitamin. She ended up telling me to stop, that my multi-vitamin is enough. I would suggest checking with your doctor before you start increasing any dosage.

This article suggests Omega-3 Fatty Acids. One of the things that is supposed to help with is fatigue and reduces inflammation. I do take an Omega 3 in the form of fish oil.  Again. check with your doctor. My oncologist knows every supplement that I take. 

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, have shown antitumor activity. There were more technical names for what these vegetables do. I find that I need to improve in this area. 

Scutellaria barbata is an herb that grows in Korea and southern China. An extract of this plant has been shown to be safe in a clinical trial of women with advanced breast cancer; it inhibits cell proliferation and induces cancer cell death. 

(13 Supplements to Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence.) This is the website for all that I am discussing here. I don't what this is and I've never heard of it. I would definately check with my oncologist if I wanted to follow this regimen. 

Another supplement is Green Tea Extract. It is suggested for it's antioxidants. Have you heard that term before? It's often used in healthy eating and weight loss diets. 

Another that I take is melatonin. I was surprised to see this on the list. I use it to help me sleep, but not every night. Maybe, I should change that. I have read where sleep is important to a cancer patient. 

There are 7 more suggestions that would help to prevent breast cancer from recurrence. I will share the link again:

13 Supplements to Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence I will also state again, CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR. I have a friend that did check with her doctor and because she is going through chemo-therapy right now, she was told to get off of some of the suggested supplements she was on. She was also told that she could resume after she was finished with her chemo-therapy. 

Another supplement not on the list in this article is St. John's Wart. It is a natural anti-depressant. My oncologist also knows that I use this supplement. 

This is not the only article available if you have questions about your diet. This is just the one that spoke to me. If you do have questions about your diet, your doctor can also make suggestions. 

If you making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know he loves you. 

What People Don't See

1^st Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the hill, that we being dead to sins, should live by righteousness; by whose stripes ye are healed.

This drawing was done for me by my son.

My BC Team is a support group that I joined when I was first looking for support groups. They put you in touch with people close to you and you can help each other. I've found that articles also very helpful.

This little infographic hit home for me. It discribes everything that I have felt about breast cancer. I am much more open that most, but this was still hard. I like their analogy of an iceberg and What People Don't See. It lists:

Anxiety                  Burning Skin              Brain Fog (Chemo-Brain)

Depression             Fatigue                       Hairloss

Hot Flashes            Loss of Sex Drive      Menopause

Mood Swings         Neuropathy                Scars

Pain                        Swelling                     Worry

I would add a couple of things that were very real to me:

Survivor's guilt                Loss of feeling in breast and arms.

I found this information on My BC Team site. My BC Team - What People Don't See I would like to address some of these a little more in future posts. If I don't get to it as fast as you'd like, I would certainly go ahead and do the research.

If you making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you.

Wigs for Survivors

Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded the? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.

(You are not alone)

For many that have to go through the evolution of surviving breast cancer, one of the hardest indignities besides losing a breast is losing their hair. Many struggle to find the wig that makes them feel the most "normal". Normal is what we all strive for. It takes a while to realize that our normal has changed forever.  

There are many places that sell wigs for breast cancer survivors and and many of them will take insurance for one wig. My insurance paid for mine. 

I have a friend that I hadn't seen since her diagnosis. When I saw her recently, I was amazed that her chemo-therapy didn't make her lose her hair. I was wrong. She found a wig that looked just like her hair as she wore it before. She found hers at Wigs by Patti's Pearls, Wigs by Patti's Pearls. I don't need one now, but I did find one that would've looked more like me than the one I chose. My wig is a Smartlace wig.  I have to say though that I didn't search as she did. She involved her granddaughter and they searched hours to find the right wig. Maybe, I'd have felt more normal if I had given it more time. 

If you know someone that is going through chemo-therapy and is in need of a wig, have them check with their insurance. It'll probably cover one for them. If they've already purchased a wig, then they could try to turn it in to their insurance and get an reimbursement.

Breast cancer.org has tips for getting a wig and tips for choosing one, among other things. I would look at this site for information.

Tips for Hair, Skin, Nails and Wigs

I want to say on the side here that it was wonderful to involve her granddaughter. I think it was a very positive thing and gave her granddaughter a sense of being involved in her recovery. 

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you.

Race for the Cure

Scripture of the Day:

1^st Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the hill, that we being dead to sins, should live by righteousness; by whose stripes ye are healed.

Race for the Cure

October is Breast Cancer Month. It is the time to make people aware of Breast Cancer and encourage mammograms and giving for research. I know that some don't like Susan G. Koman Foundation, but they do good work in research. They are not the only ones that do the research. The American Cancer Society also is great. They have the Relay for Life. But this month it is Race for the Cure. You can find a race in your area by Googling "Race for the Cure". This is the race if Va. Beach this year. 

Komen Tidewater Race for the Cure®

Saturday, October 14, 2017
Virginia Beach, VA
Tidewater Affiliate
(757) 490-7794
office@komentidewater.org

Here's one in Ohio:

Komen Athens Race for the Cure®

Sunday, October 15, 2017
Athens, OH
Columbus Affiliate
(614) 297-8155
info@komencolumbus.org

I've done these races and my family came and did it with me. It was lots of fun. 

If you don't live in the United States, you can still find a race where you live. The following link is for International Races:

International Races

One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Please find a Race for the Cure. I don't want one of those 8 women to be my mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, or granddaughters. Or any of my family members or friends. But if it does, I want a cure to be found for them so that they don't have to go through what I did. 

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with his healing touch. I know He loves you.

How Do I Get Help?

Scripture of the Day:

Luke 9:1 (NLT)

            One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over all demons and to heal all diseases.

How do I get Help?

I was very fortunate when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am a Navy dependent and they covered everything. I also carried and extra insurance policy that paid me, not my doctors. As a smoker, I fully expected to have problems with my lungs. I never dreamed the cancer would be breast cancer.

There are a lot of costs that patients incur to fight this disease or any cancer. You'll need to pay for your hospital or clinic visits. There is all the testing. In the first month before my mastectomy, I went to the doctor for consultations and testing 16 times. You'll have to pay for surgery if you choose that direction and the medicines that inevitably go with it. There are procedures such as having the implants or getting the nipple tattoos. You'll need to pay all of the doctors and any home health service that you may need depending on the severity of you cancer. How will you pay for all of this?

I googled "Help from the American Cancer Society". I came up with an article that was in my opinion very helpful. It talked about social workers that could guide you through the process and how to find one. It discussed housing, caregivers, regular household bills, travel, food, internet access and other expenses. I was actually surprised to find that they help with so much. I'm sure you have to go through some kind of process to again access to the assistance. But if you need help, the help is out there. The link to this particular website is as follows:

Getting Help From American Cancer Society

It is not the only article out there. 

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you. 

Chemo Brain

Scripture of the Day:

Luke 8:43-48 (NLT)

            A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe.  Immediately the bleeding stopped. “Who touched me” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it and Peter said, Master, this whole crowd is pressing against you. But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” When the woman realized that she could stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. "Daughter." He said to her, "Your faith has made you well, Go in peace."

Chemo Brain

It's been 5- 51/2 years since I've had chemo-therapy unless you include the letrozole that I had to take for 5 years. It's barely been a year since I last too that one. 

I find myself having trouble sometimes trying to remember the most simple thing. For example. I have a friend who just lost her husband of 36 years. I mentioned that I remember going to her wedding. She told me I was in it!!! Now how do you forget that?! I am getting up in years so I'm afraid of all the "old folks" problems. But I had a doctor friend tell me about Chemo Brain. 

I found an article about Chemo Brain. It said, "The sometimes vague yet distressing mental changes cancer patients notice are real, not imagined. They might last a short time, or they might go on for years. These changes can make people unable to go back to their school, work, or social activities, or make it so that it takes a lot of mental effort to do so. Chemo brain affects everyday life for many people with cancer."

I took this statement from the following link.

Chemo Brain.

It gives a definition for Chemo Brain, what causes it and what you can do about it. It does not give me the impression that the condition will go away. It does say to tell others. I haven't really done that. I will now. I've seen some look at me, like, why doesn't she remember that. It's very frustrating. 

Please read the article if you or someone you know is having trouble remembering little things. Frankly, I'd rather have Chemo Brain than Alzheimer's disease. The one article I read didn't imply that it will get worse. It just is. The were a lot of articles out there and I just chose the first one. If you want to do the research, this article can just be a start.

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you. 

Killer Cells Take Out Tumors

Scripture of the Day:

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

The following is just a short article that I found interesting and encouraging. It lifts me up that the work to cure this disease is endless and ongoing. I've read several articles that say the results are encouraging and that is always good news. The link to this article is at the end.

How killer cells take out tumors

June 2, 2017 by Fabio Bergamin

Cancer immunotherapy under the microscope: In the center of the image, three killer cells (violet, smaller) attack a cancer cell (violet, larger; leukemia cells are shown here). Credit: Schliemann et al.: Cancer Immunol Res 2015, 3: 547

The use of immunotherapy to treat cancer is celebrating its first successes – but there are still many knowledge gaps in the underlying mechanisms of action. In a study of mice with soft tissue tumors, ETH researchers have now shown how endogenous killer cells track down the tumors with the help of dormant viruses.

The promising drug is known as F8-TNF. When injected into the bloodstream, it lures killer cells from the body's immune system towards sarcomas. The killer cells then destroy the tumors. Researchers from ETH Zurich, led by Professor Dario Neri at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, developed F8-TNF four years ago. Since then, they have been able to show that it can completely cure sarcomas in mice when combined with a chemotherapeutic agent. Such an effective treatment cannot be achieved by chemotherapy alone or with other therapeutic approaches. Now, a drug closely related to F8-TNF is being tested as part of clinical trials in humans.

Consisting of two sub-units, the F8-TNF molecule works rather like a store detective: just as a detective tracks down a shoplifter and detains it until the police arrive, the molecule identifies cancer cells using its F8 sub-unit and then uses its TNF part to lure killer cells (cytotoxic T cells). TNF is an immune system messenger.

Implanted into the genome

Much of the molecule's mechanism of action was hitherto unclear, but the scientists in Neri's group have now succeeded in working it out. They wanted to find out how the killer cells recognize the tumor after they are lured to it. Although the messenger TNF alerts the killer cells to the tumor's presence, it does not provide them with a specific tumor identifier.

The scientists discovered that the killer cells called by F8-TNF are guided by proteins from specific dormant viruses (endogenous retroviruses). The genetic blueprint of these viruses has implanted itself into the mouse genome during evolution. In many cancer cells, the viral proteins are brought to life. Fragments of these retroviral proteins on the surface of tumor cells allow the killer cells to distinguish cancer cells from healthy cells.

Killer Cells Take Out Tumors

IF you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you.

How Do Cells Become Cancerous?

Scripture of the Day:

Luke 9:1 (NLT)

            One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over all demons and to heal all diseases.

I have often wondered if I could have avoided the breast cancer diagnosis. I've read several thing about what causes cancer. Some I believe maybe and others I just can't agree that it is possible. The one I have heard most often is smoking and drinking alcohol. This article supports this again. According to this article there are two ways a cell can change it's DNA. This is the first time that I have read that smoking or drinking can affect your DNA. This article does combine your habits with your environment. 

This website is actually a place to ask questions and the question about how a cell becomes cancerous was sent in by Patrick (last name unknown). If you have different questions about cancer, this may be the site to visit:

Science Surgery

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you with His healing touch. I know He loves you.