National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month

chinese herbal medicine

Every year, in February, cancer prevention and awareness takes center stage. The reason is that in the US, this is the National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month. It is a time dedicated to helping people learn more about cancer and empower them to try to avoid it. The American Institute of Cancer Research (AICR) has often said that some cancers can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle, and they reiterate this with guidelines on what such a lifestyle should be.

While the AICR does state that approximately a third of all cancers can be prevented, the other two-thirds can’t. This is where appropriate and natural treatment options come in.

However, not all cancers react to treatments in the same way. Some people with cancer get a favorable result and find themselves cured of the disease, while others find their cancer to be resistant to treatments. This is when alternative medicine, like herbal and holistic options, is sought out.

Many people have reported incredible results from natural and herbal treatments they’ve utilized to heal. There are so many cases of this that its important to investigate this field as a viable option for helping people heal their maladies naturally. There is plenty of research and information behind why Chinese herbal medicine is a viable option for cancer and many other health issues, so read more to learn more.

Which type of cancer treatment is more effective—herbal or pharmaceutical?

What is National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month?

Before we tackle the topic of Chinese herbal medicine for cancer and other similar treatment options, you should first understand what the National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month is for. Why is attention brought to cancer every year? Why should people pay attention to this cause?

The Cancer Support Community strives to teach people how to try and stop cancer in its tracks. The preventive measures that they prescribe include a healthy lifestyle that revolves around healthy food, exercise, and ample rest. They also stress that protecting your skin from UV rays, getting genetic testing to investigate potential health conditions you may run into in the future, and being proactive when it comes to cancer can also help.

What is herbal or Chinese medicine, and how can it help prevent or treat cancer?

One of the questions people ask when it comes to cancer is, If cancer is a complex topic, how can it be treated or prevented with the use of Chinese herbal medicine? Is herbal medicine more effective than pharmaceutical treatments or chemotherapy?

There have been many findings that show the healing properties of plant medicine, showing how some plants and herbs have cancer-fighting properties. In fact, some of them have been turned into chemotherapy medications. Examples of herbal medications that now have pharmaceutical versions used for cancer treatments include the extracts from Pacific yew tree bark and periwinkle plant.

What are some forms of Chinese medicine you can utilize in your daily life to keep healthy and prevent cancer?

chinese medicine

Treating cancer can be difficult, but you can try to prevent it with the use of specific herbs and spices. You can also try to reduce the side effects of the disease with the help of these same herbs that the Chinese have been using to stay healthy for centuries. Some of the herbs and spices you should add to your daily diet include the following:

  • Ginger – has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

  • Turmeric – has an active ingredient that is known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells

  • Saffron – this spice also has ingredients that can stop cancer from progressing and even suppress tumor growth

  • Cayenne pepper – the cancer-fighting substances in this hot pepper include beta-carotene and capsaicin, with the former to prevent cancer cell growth and the latter to help prevent inflammation

Other things you can do in your daily life is to take proven herbal supplements and to ingest plant-based capsules with lots of antioxidants for better immune response.  

How has marketing affected the way natural medicine has been perceived?

While natural medicine sometimes gets a bad rap from pharmaceutical companies, the fact that many people have been successfully using Chinese medicine for centuries is hard to argue against. One might imagine that this is because people who take their health into their own hands no longer have to rely on the pharmaceutical industry to stay healthy. The idea that plant medicine isn’t as effective is certainly held by some, however, marketing can also be used for good and to clear up any misconceptions surrounding the viability of natural health solutions.

In order to take a comprehensive look at our health, we must dive into all topics including natural medicine. There is plenty of modern research showing what works and why. There are many ways we can utilize natural solutions outside of medicine as well. Healthy lifestyle choices certainly help our crusade for good health. Even simple things like doing good for others can help lift people’s spirits and give them purpose in life, two things that definitely contribute to a healthier way of life. Consider doing charity work, spending time at an animal sanctuary, or simply connecting with your family and the people in your community to strive for a better state of mind and body.

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