Goji and Cancer According to World Health Organization statistics, more than 10 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed annually. The disease kills more than 6 million people each year, making cancer the second leading cause of death throughout the world. In the United States, cancer has just eclipsed heart disease to become the country's number one killer. Fortunately, there is much that you can do to reduce your risk of cancer and to help your body to fight it should it strike. With a little education, you can arm yourself against this deadly enemy. What Is Cancer? Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells, the body's basic building blocks. To understand cancer, it is helpful to know what happens when normal cells become cancerous. Normally, cells grow and divide to produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy. Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. The extra cells form a mass of tissue called a growth, or tumor. Not all tumors are cancerous; tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer. They can often be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. Cells in benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Most important, benign tumors are rarely a threat to life. Malignant tumors are cancer. Cells in malignant tumors are abnormal and divide without control or order. Cancer cells invade and destroy the tissue around them. They can also break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, which can carry them throughout the body, causing new tumors to form in other organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis. The Main Types of Cancer: Carcinoma — cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs Sarcoma — cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels or other connective or supportive tissue Leukemia — cancer that starts in bone marrow and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream. Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma — cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system What Causes Cancer Scientists have learned that cancer is caused by changes in genes that control normal cell growth and cell death. Certain lifestyle and environmental factors can damage genetic DNA, causing the genes to mutate and promote cancer growth. The National Cancer Institute lists five prime causes of cancer-promoting genetic mutations: Tobacco use Poor diet UV radiation from the sun Exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants Inherited predisposition to cancer Goji Repairs Damaged DNA DNA is the most important chemical in your body, carrying the blueprint of your entire genetic history. Goji's betaine and master molecule polysaccharides can restore and repair damaged DNA, protecting your body's ten trillion cells. Can Cancer Be Prevented? You can reduce your risk of getting cancer by not using tobacco products, avoiding the harmful rays of the sun, exercising regularly, avoiding obesity and choosing foods with less fat and consuming more vegetables, whole grains, fruits and juices — especially cancer-preventive, phytonutrient-rich goji. Goji and Cancer Prevention Goji is one of the only plant species on earth that contains the anti-cancer mineral germanium. Its antioxidants and unique polysaccharides can halt the genetic mutations that can lead to cancer. Conventional Cancer Treatment Options Surgery Surgery is a procedure to remove the cancer. Patients often experience pain, fatigue or weakness during recovery. Goji Improves Recovery Goji increases stamina and endurance, and helps to eliminate fatigue — especially when recovering from illness. Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in a targeted area. Radiation therapy often causes a decrease in the number of lymphocytes, which help protect the body against infection. Goji Increases Lymphocyte Count Lymphocytes are specialized white blood cells that are of crucial importance to the adaptive part of the body's immune system. The adaptive portion of the immune system mounts a tailor-made defense when dangerous invading organisms penetrate the body's general defenses. Goji increases lymphocyte count and helps to activate them when the body is under attack. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Because the drugs travel throughout the body, healthy cells can also be killed. Side effects include hair loss, fatigue, infections, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth and lip sores. Goji Increases Effectiveness and Reduces Side Effects of Chemo and Radiation Goji has been shown to enhance the effects of radiation in combating cancer, allowing a lower dose to be used. Other research indicates that goji can protect against some of the noxious side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Immunotherapy Immunotherapy is stimulation of the body's immune system to fight disease and lessen some of the side effects of cancer treatment. Monoclonal antibodies, interfe ron and interleukin-2 (IL-2) are some types of immunotherapy. Goji Enhances Body's Production of Cancer-Fighting IL-2 Goji polysaccharides have been shown in Chinese studies to enhance the production of IL-2, a crucial cytokine (cell protein) that induces potent anti-tumor responses in a variety of cancers. Goji also kills tumor cells by inducing apoptosis, a process in which cancer cells are broken down and recycled. Goji Helps Manage and Fight Cancer Patients receiving a cancer drug together with goji exhibited response rates up to 250 percent better than those obtained by the drug alone. These advanced cancer patients experienced amazing regressions of malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, lung cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and malignant hydrothorax. Remission of cancers in patients treated with goji lasted significantly longer than those treated without goji. Usual Dosage Level For cancer prevention, research and traditional use suggest a daily intake of 2 to 4 ounces of high-quality standardized goji juice, taken with meals. For cancer management, 4 to 8 ounces daily, taken with meals.