There's new hope for kidney cancer patients as a new so called "smart bomb" could reach the clinical test stages in the next few years.

In the UK kidney cancer is the 10th most prevalent cancer and effects about 7000 people a year resulting in about 3500 deaths a year. It's also been given the title of "silent killer" because it doesn't always present with symptoms and in a number of cases (including mine) it's found incidentally.

The problem to date is that treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy have limited impact on kidney cancer, and although huge strides have been made over the past few years generally these drugs will only help to stabilise the condition. That's not to say that some people don't have a complete response with these treatments it's just less prevalent than in other forms of cancer.

The current kidney cancer drugs have a tendency to be very toxic and the side effects make it difficult for some patients to tolerate over a prolonged period. This is where the new "smart bomb" technology steps in, it enables the packaging of smaller doses of drugs into nanoparticles where they can be targeted at cancer cells rather than the current method of large doses.

Although there seems to be no claim that the drugs will be any more effective it does mean that the side effects will be dramatically reduced which you'd hope would give patients more strength to fight and the medics more options.

They've been testing on mice so far with a drug found in soil fungus, but the tests show that tumour shrinkage was on average 35% and metastases was reduced by 91% compared to mice that received the formula in the usual way.

It's really encouraging to see these new developments, maybe in the not too distant future there'll finally be a real cure for this silent killer.

A regular cup of coffee contains a number of antioxidants that are good for health. Antioxidants are chemical compounds present in foods that help to shield the body from various toxins and can even be preventative in the development of cancer in the body. Most antioxidants are derived from plants, coffee being one of them. Research done has shown that there are many antioxidant benefits of coffee. In these research studies conducted by various universities, however, there was no apparent relation found between the consumption of coffee and cancer development in a person; many believe that the amount of coffee that would need to be consumed in order to reap the anti-cancer benefits of the antioxidants found in coffee is just too high. It has been shown; however, that drinking coffee in moderation can decrease risk of cancer development for coffee drinkers as compared to non-coffee drinkers. Here are some of the cancers that have a decreased risk for coffee drinkers:

* Breast Cancer: Research from Malamo University in Sweden and The Harvard School of Public Health in Boston have shown that women who drank two or more cups of coffee a day were at A lesser risk of cancer as compared to women who drank no coffee at all. The cancer preventing properties of coffee have been attributed to caffeine present in the coffee that modifies the carcinogenic components of female sex hormone Estrogen.
* Skin Cancer: A cup of coffee after a walk in the sun can help reduce the risk of skin cancer. According to a study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, coffee consumption can cut the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer by 35%. The antioxidants present in coffee have a protective effect on the DNA synthesis, and this can help decrease the cell division of the cells.
* Liver Cancer: Coffee drinking has been shown to have a preventive effect on cirrhosis which is the starting stage for liver cancer compared to non-coffee drinkers, those who drank up to 1-2 cups of coffee daily had a 50% less risk of first stage liver cancer. Caffeine present in coffee is found to be the main reason for coffee's effect on liver cancer.
* Colon Cancer: Drinking more than five cups of coffee a day can lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Along with increasing the movement of food in the bowels, coffee is believed to help reduce the production of bile acids that are known to increase the threat of bowel cancer. Antioxidants present in coffee also play a significant role in preventing cell damage.

We all know it is important to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. If you have cancer, it is even more important that you're getting your daily intake of essential vitamins and minerals. But did you know there are certain foods that can help you beat cancer? Not only can they slow and prevent tumor growth, some have actually been proven to shrink tumors and improve your immune system's ability to beat cancer.

Apricots, peaches, cherries, and berries all contain amygdalin. This is probably one of the best-known cancer fighting agents and is found in over 1200 different natural foods. Berries also contain various phytochemicals that slow tumor growth and block further cancer development. The foods with the highest sources of the cancer-fighting agent amygdalin are in the seeds of non-citrus foods.

Strawberries contain all of the cancer fighting ingredients as other berries, but also contain high amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C has been shown to help the body's natural defenses in fighting cancer by boosting the immune system and is a powerful antioxidant. It has also been shown to encapsulate tumors and prevent the further spread of cancer. Other foods high in vitamin C include papaya, raw red bell peppers, steamed broccoli, brussel sprouts, oranges, cantaloupe, kiwi, cauliflower, and kale.

Broccoli contains high amounts of vitamin C and is also highly rich in beta carotene. Beta carotene strengthens your body's immunity and has been proven in animal studies to decrease tumor growth, prevent cancer reoccurrence, and extend survival rates and is a powerful antioxidant. It is especially effective in cancers developing from epithelial tissue, which accounts for 90% of all cancer cases. Carrots and zucchini are also high in beta carotene. It can be found in many green and yellow fruits and vegetables and most mixed vegetable juices are rich in beta carotene.

Olive leaves are emerging as another powerful cancer fighting food. It has now been found to contain a very powerful phytochemical that may prove to kill cancer cells as well as lower blood pressure and cholesterol. In fact, it has been found to have five times the antioxidant effects as that of vitamin C. Olive leaves may not be the most tasteful of foods, but it can be combined in tasty recipe dishes or even mashed and made into a tea or thick green drink.

Barley and wheat grass are cereal grasses that are powerful cancer fighters. They are rich in chlorophyll, which has great health promoting effects. They are also known to have an anticarcinogenic effect and prevent further tumor growth. They contain high amounts of phytonutrients and have a highly antioxidant effect. Dried wheat grass has more vitamins and nutrients in a small spoonful than many servings of fruits and vegetables and is often called a green super food. Did you know that wheat grass even contains many more times the amount of vitamin C than oranges?

There are many foods that will help you in your cancer fight. You should combine as many cancer-fighting foods as possible by creating your own cancer fighting diet for the best results. Cancer fighting foods have been proven to reduce the growth and spread of cancers and prevent reoccurrences. They will also improve your body's natural defenses to help you overcome the odds and live a full cancer free life.

1. Tomato

Tomato is one of the best sources of vitamin C, can significantly reduce the risk of cancer, especially prostate cancer. Elements in tomatoes can prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease, also can reduce the incidence of prostate cancer. Tomato juice without salt does really good for hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

Nutrition experts recommend we eat 1 or 2 fresh tomatoes a day for our health.

2. Nuts

Nuts, including peanut and almond fruit, may raise good cholesterol and lower triglycerides in the blood, and prevent heart diseases. Nuts are the essence of plants, rich in proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, can contribute to human growth and development, also can enhance physical fitness and prevent cancers.

Nutrition experts recommend we eat 30 grams a day. But we can not eat too much, or we will be fat.

3. Oat

Moderate daily consumption of oat can lower cholesterol. Oat is rich in fiber and make people feel enough to eat, so can reduce the intake of other greasy food. Daily consumption of 35 grams oats can provide adequate nutrition and maintain long-term vitality.

4. Garlic

Apart from the rich in antioxidants, garlic has recently been found to prevent colon cancer. Japanese scientists found that those who eat garlic daily were less suffering from colon cancer.

Nutrition experts recommend those sedentary white-collar crowd should eat garlic.

5. Red wine

Red wine contains alcohol and tannin, can inhibit bacterial growth. It contains Vitamin C, E, and carotene, has anti-oxidation function, can effectively prevent cataracts, immune barriers, artery atherosclerosis, cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases and cancers.

Nutrition experts recommend that moderate consumption of red wine does good to our health, 1-3 cups a day is usually the best.

The latest study reported in the British Journal of Cancer recommends the Mediterranean Diet, saying fruits, vegetables, cereals, and fish are good, and we should eat less red meat. Another study also commends broccoli.

However, currently there is no one 'superfood' that can stop you developing cancer.
But if you eat healthily, you have a better chance of a good recovery. The healthier your body is, the more reserves you have to fight nasty 'invasions'.

Fish comes highly recommended - BUT - having seen how farmed fish live, I would strongly recommend that if you buy salmon, ensure that it is organically farmed, unless you can afford wild salmon; Waitrose and good fishmongers sell both types in season. Looking at the fish counter in the average supermarket, you see how organic salmon is a paler colour, and fish farmers are given a chart to match the colour supermarkets think customers want. Me, I don't want any artificial colouring in my food, thank you.

If you like meat, try things like kidneys and liver; lambs' kidneys are incredibly cheap, and can be cooked in olive oil, adding more brownie points. Peas and beans also score highly, both are easily frozen, and recent studies confirm that frozen veg. have all the benefits of fresh, but in an easy form to store.

Sara Hiom, from Cancer Research UK, said "it shows there are a number of things you can do, and there is no one 'superfood' that can stop you developing the disease."

What else to eat

After cancer, patients say they are bombarded with diet sheets. Friends add to the confusion by telling you "I've just read an article that says you should/should not eat X - ranging from tomatoes to strawberries.

Anyone who wants their 15 minutes of fame will announce they have just carried out a survey that says eating grapefruit/apples/meat/milk/nuts or just about anything you name will/won't give you cancer.

I have a nasty suspicious mind. During my cancer journey I had been given diet sheets and advice from six different hospital dieticians. Surprise, surprise - advice sometimes contradicted their colleagues. So now I just eat what I want, which basically follows the usual diet eaten around the Mediterranean. Luckily I do love fruit and veg (sorry to be so smug!). So if you like what is supposed to do you good, go for it!

Milk

It's nice to talk to enquiring minds who challenge and investigate eating habits. Michel Montignac was the French scientist who first took on the Canadian research into Low Glycemic Index foods, and developed a diet that has kept French women (and Kylie Minogue) slim for twenty years. It is thanks to him that a lot of sensible dieting is now around, and talking to him over lunch recently I asked him what he is up to now.

"Milk" he said.

He says he couldn't understand why a food that for centuries had been regarded as essential for life, has suddenly been demonised. So he is carrying out detailed research on milk and dairy produce. Although milk doesn't feature so much in a Mediterranean diet, yoghurt is a staple.

He strongly suspects that the problems, allergies etc. that are being reported as being the fault of dairy produce, are in fact caused by the way that today many cows are reared on hormones and anti-biotics, kept indoors all year round, fed on 'made up' foods, etc. He strongly advocates that we don't forsake milk (unless we really have a dairy allergy) but instead change to organic milk.
So far, what I have read about organic milk bears out what he says. In a recently published book 'Eat Your Heart Out', Felicity Lawrence said that "you are what you eat" applies to cows as much as humans. In the past 60 years iron content of milk appears to have dropped by more than 60%, it has lost 2% of calcium and 21% of its magnesium.

On the plus side, if you drink organic milk, a recent study showed that on average, a pint of organic milk contained 68% more omega-3 fatty acids than conventional milk.

In many areas you can still order milk from a milkman - and this can be organic milk. Go on the web to find nearest delivery round, and support this very British industry. If we don't we will soon find that our milk is imported many hundreds of miles in a tanker right across Europe, coming from cows kept indoors all year round and fed on growth-hormones - and we will wonder what happened to our farmers. www.findmeamilkman.net.

Watch this space - Bon Appetit - and try snacking on fruit and veg to add the Mediterranean essentials to your diet.

A couple of days back, the USFDA sent letters to several companies asking them to explain their claims about the efficacy of some alternative medicines in fighting cancer.

Though there still doesn't exist a panacea for treating the disease, some promising reports recently published have raised hopes vis-a-vis the power of naturals in arresting the disease.

How wine could help?

Wine, or rather a constituent of the red wine called "resveratrol" could aid in cancer prevention. The ingredient is actually a part of red grapes from which the red wine is derived.

The researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have found that it works by inhibiting abnormal cell growth. Abnormal cell growth is a prime characteristic of many forms of breast cancers. Consequently, the wine's powers could be harnessed to possibly prevent breast cancers.

In fact "resveratrol" is also sold as a dietary supplement, but its effectiveness in suppressing abnormal cell growth has come to light only recently.

A natural substance to the rescue

Cancers can sometimes be quite problematic to treat, as they can stop responding to cancer drugs, or even become resistant to them. But a natural substance "argyrin" has been found to destroy the unwanted tumor cells. This discovery has been published in the journal "Cancer Cell," and the research was conducted at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research.

While, research on naturals has shown promise, an advancement has been registered in conventional medicine as well. For instance a compound called "STF-62247" discovered by the Stanford University researchers has been found to selectively damage cancer cells only, rather than target healthy cells too. Since cancer drugs can sometimes harm healthy cell too, this research published in the journal "Cancer Cell," is perhaps just the first step towards developing effective cancer therapy with minimal side effects.

So till the time the science of cancer drugs with less side effects is perfected, the promise of naturals in treating cancer is welcome news for sure.

There are mounting evidence that alcohol increases the risk of many type of cancers including mouth cancer, oesophagus, larynx, pharynx, liver (especially in men), and also breast cancer.

Regardless of the type, alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer. Whether it is in the form of beer, wine or spirits, it is the alcohol itself that does the damage. Our upper-respiratory tract has sensitive tissues that are directly exposed to alcohol; consuming alcohol will cause damage to our body cells and may lead to cancer. After many years, alcoholic liver cirrhosis will eventually develop and will finally lead to liver cancer.

To lower your risk of getting cancer, you should opt to not drink any alcohol at all or if you have to drink, you should drink in moderation only. Moderate drinking differ from men to women. The recommended amount for women is not more than a drink per day; a drink is equal to a bottle or a can of beer (12oz). For men, the recommended amount is an average of not more than 2 standard drinks per day. The different limit for men and women is because men can metabolize alcohol quicker than the women as they have more muscle. Muscle tissue holds more water than fat, so that more alcohol can be diluted. As woman's body has less muscle and more fat, the alcohol will stay in their bloodstream longer than a man's.

Of course, not everyone who drinks alcohol will develop cancer. But, cancer is more common in people who drink alcohol than people who don't drink. People who stop their consumption of alcohol can significantly reduce their cancer risk. Other than reduce your intake of alcohol, you should also eat in moderation, exercise daily and lead a healthy lifestyle.

The link between calcium, vitamin D and reduction of cancer risk has been the subject of many researches over the past half-century. In the 1950s, scientists examined weather data and health statistics to show that areas with the higher amount of sunshine, a source of vitamin D, had the lowest death rates from colon cancer. Since then, studies in both humans and animals have pointed toward both vitamin D and calcium as having cancer-preventive effects; from prostate cancer to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but mainly for breast and colon cancers.

Recently, two separate studies published new evidence on the effect of calcium and vitamin D from food or supplement sources as a strong protection from cancer. The first study from Harvard researchers reported that premenopausal women with high levels of vitamin D and calcium in their diets have a lower risk of breast cancer compared to women with lower intakes of these nutrients. The discovery is further supported by the second study which found that dietary supplementation of these nutrients reduces the risk of various types of cancer. These studies provide robust evidence on the beneficial effects of calcium and vitamin D for cancer prevention.

This latest finding can be explained with the theory of 1932 Nobel Prize in Medicine winner, Otto Warburg; cancer is caused by a lack of free oxygen in the body. In order to retain its oxygen, blood must always remain at an alkaline pH 7.4. Adequate mineral consumption in a diet will supply crucial minerals required to maintain this alkalinity; mineral insufficiency will force the body to rob other body fluids to supplement the blood, removing crucial minerals such as calcium, from spinal fluids, liver, kidneys, and saliva to maintain the blood at pH 7.4. The de-mineralized organs and fluids, in turn, become acidic and lacking in oxygen; inducing cancer and a host of other degenerative diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and lupus.