There have been several studies involving precancerous tumors that occur on the surface of the body. The next step in this multistage process is a full-blown cancer. Researchers have chosen to study cervical dysplasia, which occurs in the cervix of women and luekoplakia in men, which occurs in the mouths of tobacco chewers. It is easier to follow these kinds of precancerous tumors because they appear on the surface of the body. They have given these patients antioxidants in supplementation and then followed their progression. Depending on which study you look at, anywhere from 50 to 70% of these tumors go all the way back to normal.
This has been very encouraging to researchers because it shows that even in the later stages of cancer development the body still has the potential to repair itself if given optimal levels of antioxidants. This is leading to a new concept in medicine called chemoprevention. In other words, preventing the development of cancer is a worthy goal because of the general poor prognosis once you develop cancer. Nutritional supplements are becoming the leading candidate for chemopreventive agents.
Source: Dr. Strand Health Nuggets (newsletter@Bionutrition.org)
Source: Dr. Strand Health Nuggets (newsletter@Bionutrition.org)
