Mom of Teen With Cancer Said It Was His Decision to Flee Court-Ordered Treatment – ABC News

I get very worried when the government tries to force anything.  my comments below the article. – dg

Mom of Teen With Cancer Said It Was His Decision to Flee Court-Ordered Treatment

In Interview With Production Company, 13-Year-Old Daniel Hauser Tells Public to ‘Back Off’ By SARAH NETTER and EMILY FRIEDMAN, May 26, 2009

The mother of a teenage boy stricken with cancer said it was the boy’s decision to flee the family’s Minnesota farm when a judge ordered him back into chemotherapy.

The mother and son on the run from chemotherapy return to Minnesota.

Now back home after nearly a week on the run, Colleen Hauser, who police said has not been charged in her 13-year-old son Daniel’s disappearance, said she had no choice but to go with him.

via Mom of Teen With Cancer Said It Was His Decision to Flee Court-Ordered Treatment – ABC News.

SO…the government and legal system want to give Daniel chemo for his own good…

WHAT DOCTORS SAY ABOUT CHEMO:

Scientists based at McGill Cancer Centre sent a questionnaire to 118 lung cancer doctors to determine what degree of faith these practicing cancer physicians placed in the therapies they administered. They were asked to imagine that they had cancer and were asked which of six current trials they would choose.

79 doctors responded of which 64 would not consent to be in any trial containing Cisplatin – one of the common chemotherapy drugs they were trialling, (currently achieving worldwide sales of about $110,000,000 a year) and 58 of the 79 found that all the trials in question were unacceptable due to the ineffectiveness of chemotherapy and its unacceptably high degree of toxicity

When the cancer patient hears the doctor say “effective,” he or she thinks, and logically so, that “effective” means it cures cancer. But all it means is temporary tumor shrinkage.

Chemotherapy usually doesn’t cure cancer or extend life, and it really does not improve the quality of the life either. Doctors frequently make this claim though… http://www.alternativehealth.co.nz/cancer/chemo/index.htm

Besides chemo, what else do they want to give him?

CHEMOTHERAPY:

The treatment can be physically exhausting for the patient. Current chemotherapeutic techniques have a range of side effects mainly affecting the fast-dividing cells of the body. Important common side-effects include (dependent on the agent):

• Pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Anemia
• Malnutrition
• Hair loss
• Memory loss
• Depression of the immune system, hence (potentially lethal) infections and sepsis
• Weight loss or gain
• Hemorrhage
• Secondary neoplasms
• Cardiotoxicity
• Hepatotoxicity
• Nephrotoxicity
• Ototoxicity

Secondary Neoplasm

The development of secondary neoplasia after successful chemotherapy and or radiotherapy treatment has shown to exist. The most common secondary neoplasm is secondary acute myeloid leukemia, which develops primarily after treatment with alkylating agents or topoisomerase inhibitors.^[9] Other studies have shown a 13.5 fold increase from the general population in the incidence of secondary neoplasm occurrence after 30 years from treatment.^[10]

Immunosuppression and myelosuppression

Virtually all chemotherapeutic regimens can cause depression of the immune system, often by paralysing the bone marrow and leading to a decrease of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. The latter two, when they occur, are improved with blood transfusion. Neutropenia (a decrease of the neutrophil granulocyte count below 0.5 x 10⁹/litre) can be improved with synthetic G-CSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, e.g., filgrastim, lenograstim, Neupogen, Neulasta).

In very severe myelosuppression, which occurs in some regimens, almost all the bone marrow stem cells (cells that produce white and red blood cells) are destroyed, meaning allogenic or autologous bone marrow cell transplants are necessary. (In autologous BMTs, cells are removed from the patient before the treatment, multiplied and then re-injected afterwards; in allogenic BMTs the source is a donor.) However, some patients still develop diseases because of this interference with bone marrow.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy; stomach upset may trigger a strong urge to vomit, or forcefully eliminate what is in the stomach.

Stimulation of the vomiting center results in the coordination of responses from the diaphragm, salivary glands, cranial nerves, and gastrointestinal muscles to produce the interruption of respiration and forced expulsion of stomach contents known as retching and vomiting. The vomiting center is stimulated directly by afferent input from the vagal and splanchnic nerves, the pharynx, the cerebral cortex, cholinergic and histamine stimulation from the vestibular system, and efferent input from the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). The CTZ is in the area postrema, outside the blood-brain barrier, and is thus susceptible to stimulation by substances present in the blood or cerebral spinal fluid. The neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin stimulate the vomiting center indirectly via stimulation of the CTZ.

The 5-HT₃ inhibitors are the most effective antiemetics and constitute the single greatest advance in the management of nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer. These drugs are designed to block one or more of the signals that cause nausea and vomiting. The most sensitive signal during the first 24 hours after chemotherapy appears to be 5-HT₃. Blocking the 5-HT₃ signal is one approach to preventing acute emesis (vomiting), or emesis that is severe, but relatively short-lived. Approved 5-HT₃ inhibitors include Dolasetron (Anzemet), Granisetron (Kytril, Sancuso), and Ondansetron (Zofran). The newest 5-HT₃ inhibitor, palonosetron (Aloxi), also prevents delayed nausea and vomiting, which occurs during the 2-5 days after treatment. A granisetron transdermal patch (Sancuso) was approved by the FDA in September 2008. The patch is applied 24-48 hours before chemotherapy and can be worn for up to 7 days depending on the duration of the chemotherapy regimen.

Another drug to control nausea in cancer patients became available in 2005. The substance P inhibitor aprepitant (marketed as Emend) has been shown to be effective in controlling the nausea of cancer chemotherapy. The results of two large controlled trials were published in 2005, describing the efficacy of this medication in over 1,000 patients.^[11]

Some studies^[12] and patient groups claim that the use of cannabinoids derived from marijuana during chemotherapy greatly reduces the associated nausea and vomiting, and enables the patient to eat. Some synthetic derivatives of the active substance in marijuana (Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) such as Marinol may be practical for this application. Natural marijuana, known as medical cannabis is also used and recommended by some oncologists, though its use is regulated and not legal everywhere.^[13]

Other side-effects

In particularly large tumors, such as large lymphomas, some patients develop tumor lysis syndrome from the rapid breakdown of malignant cells. Although prophylaxis is available and is often initiated in patients with large tumors, this is a dangerous side-effect that can lead to death if left untreated.

Some patients report fatigue or non-specific neurocognitive problems, such as an inability to concentrate; this is sometimes called post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, referred to as “chemo brain” by patients’ groups.^[14]

Specific chemotherapeutic agents are associated with organ-specific toxicities, including cardiovascular disease (e.g., doxorubicin), interstitial lung disease (e.g., bleomycin) and occasionally secondary neoplasm (e.g., MOPP therapy for Hodgkin’s disease).

WELL…AS LONG AS IT’S FOR HIS OWN GOOD!

ReWalk – Robotic Legs

Besides the freedom this device affords, I was particularly interested in the ancillary health benefits.  (see area in bold, 3rd paragraph) -dg

The Israeli-based Company Argo Medical Technologies has developed a device that enables people with lower limb disabilities to stand, walk, and even climb stairs. The device nick named “ReWalk” is suitable for anyone with functioning hands, arms, and shoulders.

“ReWalk” is a wearable, motorized, quasi robotic suit which allows for user-initiated mobility. Equipped with leveraging advanced motion sensors and actuation motors, the device operates using robotic control algorithms and real-time software running on on-board computers. Users are able to walk by using crutches while controlling suit movement through subtle changes in center of gravity and upper-body movements. The algorithms analyze upper-body motions, which are used to trigger and maintain walk patterns and other modes of operation, such as stair-climbing and shifting from a sitting to standing position while leaving the hands free at all times for self support.

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Such active participation in mobility is both a significant health and emotional benefit for wheelchair users, who are able to restore some element of control over their mobility. Specifically, the inventors say the usage of ReWalk could decrease both the risk and severity of some of the most common health issues that often face wheelchair users – such as problems with the urinary, respiratory, cardiovascular, and digestive systems, as well as osteoporosis, pressure sores, and other afflictions. “By maintaining users upright on a daily basis, and exercising even paralyzed limbs in the course of movement, ReWalk alleviates many of the health-related problems associated with long-term wheelchair use. In addition to relieving suffering, this has a real impact on healthcare costs – cutting yearly expenses almost in half and enabling both insurers and individuals to redirect funds to other avenues” – say the scientists.

ReWalk inventors say their device can serve as a robotic therapeutic or physical training tool, used for intensive functional locomotion therapy at home or in medical institutions such as rehabilitation centers. Equipped with rechargeable batteries, the device can be worn all day long and in addition to walking is also designed to allow users to sit, climb stairs, ascend or descend slopes, and even drive a car.

ReWalk users are required to have a healthy cardiovascular system and bone density in addition to being able to freely use their hands and shoulders for walking with the crutches – the inventors say the device will certainly require a physician approval.

Although ReWalk’s pricing hasn’t been set so far, the inventors say they are targeting for an annual consumer price “comparable with typical average annual expenses of people confined to wheelchairs.” According to the company, the adoption of ReWalk by both private customers and institutions will result in significant cost reductions, as it will make redundant such appliances as standing devices, stair and bed lifts, and other mobility assistance apparatuses. “ReWalk users don’t require expensive powered wheelchairs – or the oversize vehicles and devices required to handle them. With ReWalk, users require only minimal additional mobility assistance – saving tens of thousands of dollars yearly” – said the inventors.

The device is scheduled for worldwide commercial deployment in 2010, by which time the company plans to conduct several clinical trials in rehabilitation centers across Europe and the US.

More information on ReWalk, including a video demonstrating the device, can be found at the company’s official website.

via ReWalk – Robotic Legs.

Scientists discover stem cell clue to lung cancer development

Scientists discover stem cell clue to lung cancer development

26. May 2009 06:07

Cancer Research UK scientists have revealed that stem cells become ‘activated’ in severely damaged lungs and help to repair them, according to a study published in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences today (Monday).

These findings provide a crucial new insight into how lungs function on a cellular level and could help scientists devise a test to detect the early stages of lung cancer in people who are at a high risk of developing damaged lungs – such as long term smokers.

The primary role of stem cells is to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. But because stem cells are rare in comparison to normal cells, identifying exactly where they are and how they work has remained elusive.

via Scientists discover stem cell clue to lung cancer development.

Preventing Tumor Growth in Embryonic Stem Cells

Monday, May 25, 2009 – Anni Shaer Levitt

Tags: Tumorstem-cellgeneembryonic-stem-cellscancer

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Israel have created a method that can eliminate the tumor risk of using stem cells as the cure for various diseases. According to the scientists, this development may revolutionize the field of stem cell therapy and save many lives worldwide.

Survivin (Credit: Protein Data Bank)

Survivin expression appears to be especially high in undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells and in their derived tumors. The research team was able to suppress the survivin activity in the embryonic stem cells as well as in the tumors, thus initiating programmed cell death (apoptosis) in those cells.

Although inhibiting survivin expression close to stem cell transplantation should minimize the risk of tumor formation, the researchers remain apprehensive. There are still major safety concerns about the use of (EMBRYONIC) stem cells and a combination of strategies may be needed to make the process safe and easy to use.

via Preventing Tumor Growth in Embryonic Stem Cells.

First Menstrual blood bank promises easy source of stem cells

First Menstrual blood bank promises easy source of stem cells

New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) For the first time, the country will have a menstrual blood bank which would be used for developing stem cells for treating various disorders.

Scientists say menstrual blood discarded from the female body once a month, considered impure and unhygienic for a long time, is a rich source of stem cells.

Chennai-based LifeCell International which brought cord blood banking to India plans to launch its new project “menstrual stem cell banking” in the month of July.

“We are planning to launch the project in the month of July. It is a richer source of stem cell in comparison to bone marrow as it regenerates every month,” Mayur Abhaya, Executive Director, LifeCell International said.” Women can store their blood by paying a fee and this can be used when they need it for any treatment.

Menstrual blood can be used to develop nine different types of cells including heart, nerve, lung, muscle, liver, pancreatic, fat, bone and nerve cells that form the lining inside the blood vessels.

“It is a painless non-invasive manner as compared to some other stem cell sources such as bone marrow,” Dr Ajit Kumar, chief scientific officer, LifeCell International said. PTI

via First Menstrual blood bank promises easy source of stem cells.

Stem cell research threatened by rules – UPI.com

Published: May 25, 2009 at 12:10 PM

WASHINGTON, May 25 (UPI) — Research on stem cells in the United States is facing an uncertain future as a result of new regulations put into place by the government, an expert says.

via Stem cell research threatened by rules – UPI.com.