April 13, 2006 - Day 2 - Week 2 - Hot Off the Press

Hot off the press:  In case you missed it, and I did, US News and World Report  cover story for April 3 was, and supplied by friends Ann and Bill Harmson:

The World’s First Cancer Vaccines
“A Breakthrough that will save thousands of lives.”

Wow!  I quickly turned to page 56 and the headline became even more intriguing:  “Sticking It to Cancer.”  “A new vaccine, amazingly may rid the world of cervical cancer, while doctors aim other needles at more killer tumors.”

As I began to read the article my heart was beating rapidly in anticipation of a miracle.  I have read many articles through the years about cancer breakthroughs, but more and more of my friends keep getting cancer and the epidemic grows and the breakthroughs seem elusive.  But, all of a sudden there it was in the fourth paragraph, the words I was waiting to hear:

 “This is a historic moment:  the first real attempt to wipe cancer off the face of the planet.” The article continued:  “And in June (just two months away), the US Food and Drug Administration will play a crucial role in that act of extinction.  That’s when the agency is set to decide whether to approve the vaccine, called Gardasil and made by drug giant Merck.”

My enthusiasm, though strong, was tempered by yet another claim of a drug company.  This is when I realized that it was not prevention being celebrated, but another cure, potion, miracle drug – all of which I am thankful for, and millions like me are as well, but sticking it to cancer will require also addressing the root causes as well.  But, lest we digress, let’s return to the article and the good news.

Cervical, pancreatic, and prostate cancer were offered as the most promising types for vaccines. I immediately flashed on the man hooked up to his potion at the Angeles Clinic who informed me he had a 4% chance of surviving.  Probably too late, but we can hope.

I am going to keep my antenna raised for a vaccine for lymphoma cancer, but in the meantime my already healthy diet is changing focus to aid in my recovery.

I was pleased to learn that “What all these cutting edge treatments have in common is a rejuvenated immune system, ready to stop a deadly foe.”  Now we are talking.

How about each one of us offering our best tips for rejuvenation of our systems?  Let’s start a list of best management practices for systemic rejuvenation.  We can not all go to Marineland – St. Augustine,  Florida and the waters filtered by coquina sand that led to Ponce de Leon claiming he had found the fountain of youth, but we can think about our own systemic best management practices that have worked for us or friends and share those with others.

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