How CEOs respond to a cancer diagnosis

July 27, 2018 Philip Miller Comments 2 comments

In a recent contribution entitled This Doctor Believes Entrepreneurs Manage a Cancer Diagnosis Better Than Most I responded with the following. It is the substance of a much larger discussion we should have. “I have a diagnosis of cancer.” Now what?

Cancer Risk Benefit Management

All CEOs make decisions based on only 75% of the evidence. You never have 100% of the evidence. What you have stated here is that CEOs become active and not passive participants. The greatest danger of all cancer therapies is the infantilization of the patient. “Just follow instructions.” “Don’t ask too many questions.” All cancer therapies are algorithm and guideline driven.

In more than 12 years as a cancer surgeon, I have noticed that what defines these patients is their ability to compartmentalize and marshal resources forward.

They quickly clear their heads, get the facts and make decisions.

Ask questions. Never assume. Consider risk-benefit ratios of all therapies. Seek out integrative sources of cancer information. All statistical probabilities are population-based. And, therefore, frequently misleading. You are an individual with your own set of probabilities. No physician should ever tell you you have x number of months to live.

I know something of which I speak. I have lost 2 dear siblings to cancer in the last 2 years. So this becomes a personal note. Take charge. Move into the driver seat. The referenced article is highly revealing. All these CEOs make their cancer decisions dispassionately. As if it were another person or a relative they were advising. Pick a point far in the future. Visualize it as your goal. “I want to see my grandson or my granddaughter graduate from college.”

Tell me what you think.

Five Quick Health Tips

April 28, 2018 Philip Miller Comments 0 Comment

Five Vital Health Tips

Here’s a quick overview of five health recommendations that can make a huge difference in the your health and longevity. These are not easy recommendations. But think how you can start these today.

1. Never drink tap water. Obviously, tap water varies from locality to locality. We certainly have catastrophic examples in the past such as Love Canal and more recently Flint, Michigan. But even in the Silicon Valley the groundwater is contaminated. Toxic chemicals are leaching into the water supply. This is not widely discussed but it is known by those who monitor toxic dump sites. This would even include water at restaurants. Always ask for bottled water or sparkling water.

Stiff plastic bottles such as Fiji Water is healthier than more flexible bottled water. The more flexible, squeezable bottles contain Bisphenol A (BPA) plasticizers. Glass bottles are ideal and preferred. I prefer San Pelligrino.

2. Avoid microwaving your food. Ideally, never microwave. I know that we live in a fast paced culture where the microwave oven is convenient and the fastest approach. So if you must microwave here are some very important suggestions. Never ever microwave in the native plastic container with plastic top. Remove the contents of the frozen dinner and place in a Pyrex bowl with a Pyrex top. Glass is inert. Microwave energy cooks food by heating water molecules. You will find that food is cooked more easily without “browning.” And never stand near a microwave.

3. Remove all the chlorine from your shower. Chlorine is highly oxidative. Not good for youthful skin or hair. Chlorine is quite toxic. Chloramine is even worse. I know that your shower will remain much cleaner when chlorinated. I highly suggest using a dechlorinating filter.

The easiest filter is purchased from CustomPure. You replace the showerhead with a CustomPure filter that will remove all chlorine for at least six months. You will see the difference in your skin and hair quality. You absorb more chlorine in the shower than drinking water.

4. Cell phones are potentially dangerous. I know this is ubiquitous. Every age group is now using cell phones. Why would I even broach this subject? No studies to date have been conclusive. But irregular microwave pulses create disturbing patterns on functional MRI studies. There is a high suspicion that cell phone microwave energy is toxic to brain cells.

Lyon, France, May 31, 2011 ‐‐ The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer associated with wireless phone use. Int Agency Research on Cancer 2011

In summary, this study provides evidence that in humans RF-EMF exposure from cell phone use affects brain function, as shown by the regional increases in metabolic activity. It also documents that the observed effects were greatest in brain regions that had the highest amplitude of RF-EMF emissions (for the specific cell phones used in this study and their position relative to the head when in use), which suggests that the metabolic increases are secondary to the absorption of RF-EMF energy emitted by the cell phone. Further studies are needed to assess if these effects could have potential long-term harmful consequences. Jama Network 2011

I personally limit my use of cell phones as much as possible. Never carry your cell phone in your pocket or bra. Again, I know that this may seem totally impractical. So the use of earbuds and not Bluetooth devices is one way of eliminating this energy.

5. Get more sleep. The ideal is still 8 hours of sleep. Sleep is restorative and rejuvenating, especially REM sleep. There are newer studies showing that sleep deprivation increases insulin resistance thereby increasing the possibility of diabetes. Sleep deprivation probably shortens lifespan. Again, I also am not perfect. I have the same problem. Try to retire earlier by one hour. And possibly wake up 30 to 60 minutes later in the morning.

Laboratory and epidemiologic evidence supports an association between short sleep duration (< 7 hours per night) and the risk of diabetes, and also between poor sleep quality and the risk of diabetes. We will explore putative mechanisms for these relationships. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine

So much loss of daytime vigilance is related to lack of sleep. This is why sleep apnea at night is such a major phenomenon. Try to exercise later in the day. Do not eat late in the day. Add some magnesium at night. Remove all electronics from your bedroom.

This tip sheet is guaranteed to enhance your quality of life and lifespan. These are big challenges our modern world. Not easily accomplished because we are so used to each of these “conveniences.” So make these changes one at a time. You will be happy you did.

Iron Therapy and Oxidative Free Radicals – Part III

January 30, 2018 Philip Miller Comments 0 Comment

We talked about the essentials of iron metabolism, iron uptake and iron control in part 1 and 2. Now let’s try to unravel the mystery of iron therapy. But first we take a side trip into oxygenation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals.

In reading through the literature it is obvious this is a very complex subject. Far more complex than is usually admitted. And I have alluded to many controversies where another binary choice is offered. Either you are leery of iron therapy because it is dangerous and unhealthy or you are an advocate of the multiple benefits of iron.

It’s not an easy choice. I am showing you why iron is so important and beneficial. So let’s delve into the reactive aspects of iron. Then we can come to a happy and more beneficial conclusion.

Free Radicals and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

There is a major and ongoing controversy. Oxidative versus antioxidant therapies. The literature and current belief is replete with references to iron promoting free radicals or ROS (reactive oxygen species). In other words, iron would be considered unhealthy because of its pro-oxidative properties. Consider the “Fenton reaction. Adding Ferric Iron + Hydrogen Peroxide to form Ferrous Iron + Free Radical Oxidative Species.

Figure 2

Now I have always maintained the action of antioxidants is overly simplified. There are structures that should be protected from reactive oxygen species. Namely cell wall structures, mitochondria and DNA. On the other hand, white blood cells depend upon highly reactive oxidative zones to kill bacteria or to have anticancer properties.

Oxidative Therapies vs. Anti-Oxidant Therapies

The debate rages on. I have many colleagues who are strenuously pro-oxidative advocates. They treat cancer and other infectious processes with hydrogen peroxide and/or ozone (triple oxygen) therapies.

One of the prevailing theories of aging is oxidation. It is one of the four pillars of aging in my book Life Extension Revolution. That is, oxidation hastens aging. Much like metallic iron oxidizes and rusts. I have always postulated that over-oxidation is unhealthy.

There is newer thinking that is evolving. It is possible that a small amount of free radicals or reactive oxidative species actually engages and causes a protective and homeostatic reaction. There is a process called hormesis. A small amount of poison introduced in a system stimulates a protective response.

So that a small amount of oxidative free radicals actually induces a beneficial reaction. But the system can become overwhelmed with too many reactive species in which case there is a negative and pathologic effect.

Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are examples of highly reactive oxidative reactions that kill cancer cells. That is how they work. So here we have the ultimate example of oxidative therapy. But it is not specifically targeted. So that there is collateral damage. Killing normal cells as well as cancer cells.

And there is a prevailing caution in the oncology community that antioxidants should not be used during chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It might cancel effects of these cancer therapies. This has never been proven to be true. It is only an unproven presumption.

Iron as a Pro-oxidative element

Now why this discussion? Because it assumed that free iron is so highly reactive and potentially oncogenic (causes cancer). Or it promotes and feeds cancer. But within the context of the above discussion, I contend that this has never been definitively proven. It is simply the prevailing theory. This is the genesis of iron causing cancer.

There is definitive no proof that free radicals de novo (by themselves) cause cancer. There is no proof that iron by itself causes cancer. Just like my highly controversial assertion that cholesterol does not cause cardiovascular disease and hormones do not cause cancer. Over time these assertions are gathering more merit and acceptance.

Iron Deficiency and Therapy Next

This was originally going to be a 3 part series. Now maybe 4 or 5 parts. So you can easily digest what is important to you. So you can understand all aspects of iron deficiency and therapy. And why this is such a vital topic which needs a new and refreshing view.

Let’s Revolutionize Prostate Cancer

May 12, 2012 Philip Miller Comments 0 Comment

A New Approach to Prostate Cancer

It is time. We need to rationally approach prostate cancer with new tools. Imaging first — biopsy last.

In 2004 Dr. Thomas Stamey, Chief of Urology at Stanford, published a seminal article, heralding the end of the PSA era. He was known as the “the father of the PSA.” This was not greeted with great applause. He concluded that PSA testing was not an accurate measure of prostate cancer. In subsequent years, he has admitted the correlation coefficient between PSA testing and prostate cancer is approximately 20 percent. That is less than even odds that an elevated PSA equals prostate cancer. (Vigorous sex can raise your PSA up to 40 percent.)

Men are in constant fear of an elevated PSA and its implications. It’s like watching the Dow. But the approach has been too slow to evolve.

Let me give you the best example. Women typically have an annual mammogram — often followed by an ultrasound (it should be the opposite). If you are diagnosed with a suspicious mass, a wire-guided biopsy is performed. This is very targeted and limited only to the specific area of interest. A positive biopsy is now most commonly followed by a lumpectomy. The story then becomes complicated.

For men, the approach is backwards, and medieval. A suspicious digital rectal exam, followed by an elevated PSA (greater than 4.0) will inevitably demand a prostate biopsy. 15 years ago this would have been a “4 core” sample. 4 blind stabs. But over the interval there has been a tendency to increase to 8 cores, then 12 cores and now 16 cores. Blind stabs through an area that cannot be sterilized. This can frequently cause infection, bleeding and pain.

It is time for this approach to come to an ignominious end. …

Dr. Philip Lee Miller

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