05.06.2021 •

Cancer Survivor Day

Did you know that June 7 is National Cancer Survivors Day? Honouring those who have fought and won the battle of cancer, this cherished day is held on the first Sunday in June and is celebrated by many in countries all over the world. We hope you will take part in some of the many festivities taking place this Sunday. To locate an event near you, contact your local cancer treatment centre. If you can’t find an event in your community, maybe you can organize your very own NCSD celebration.

Implementing an Anti-Cancer Lifestyle

Cancer comes in a wide variety of forms, affecting millions of people worldwide. Second only to heart disease as the leading cause of death, chances are, you or someone you know has been diagnosed with some form of cancer. Winning the fight on cancer is not easy, but it is possible.

Eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting your consumption of alcohol, and quitting smoking are some of the healthy lifestyle changes you can make to enjoy a better quality of life and help you celebrate many more birthdays for years to come. In addition to making these important changes, did you know that taking Japanese red reishi may also help to prevent cancer?

Potent Fungus Fighting Power

Also known as “The Mushrooms of Immortality,” Japanese red reishi mushroom has gained almost legendary status as a trusted medical treatment for over 2,000 years, including for its cancer fighting abilities.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has been widely studied for its effects as a nutraceutical to prevent the spreading of cancer. It can suppress the ability of cancer cells to reproduce, to stick to tissue, and to be able to migrate to other areas, suggesting that it may be able to reduce tumour invasiveness and metastasis. Its powerful adaptogenic and immune-boosting properties have been shown to diminish the number of cancerous cells by supporting many of the body’s immune cells, including NK cells, T and B lymphocytes, and macrophages.

Reishi is not only used to fight cancer, but may bolster typical cancer treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Plus, it can be used to reduce the harmful side effects of these treatments, helping the body to maintain balance.

Though reishi mushroom supplements have been shown to be well-tolerated by most, with no major toxicity, it is important, however, to ensure you speak to your health professionals about including reishi supplements, if you have a cancer diagnosis.

New advances and incredible discoveries in cancer treatments are improving the quality of life and bringing hope to many people who have been affected by this heart-wrenching disease. Do something special this Sunday by celebrating the many survivors of cancer.

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Dr. Melissa Carr is a registered Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine with a B.Sc. in Kinesiology. In practice since 2001, Dr. Carr has a passion for sharing health information. She has been a nutrition instructor and a health consultant, lecturer, and writer for 24 Hours Vancouver newspaper, Fraser Health Authority, UBC, and the David Suzuki Foundation, amongst others.
    References
  1. Lin ZB., Shang HN. (2004). Anti-tumor and immunoregulatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum and its possible mechanisms. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15525457.
  2. Sliva, D. (2003). Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) in cancer treatment. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14713328/
  3. Weng CJ., Yen GC. (2010). The in vitro and in vivo experimental evidences disclose the chemopreventive effects of Ganoderma lucidum on cancer invasion and metastasis. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20461449 /