Laetrile – is it worth the risk?
It is of no doubt that cancer is a disease that affects an alarming number of people and their families each year. In 2008, about 12·7 million people were diagnosed with cancer around the world1. Cancer’s turmoil is not only confined to patients and their families, but also stems throughout the health care system as its global economic cost is more than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined1. The costs of treatments such as chemotherapy are extremely expensive and significantly add to this figure. Hence, it is of no surprise that alternative treatments for cancer have become increasingly common, as an adjunct, or even an alternative, to orthodox cancer treatment regimens that tend to be rather costly and do not guarantee positive effects.
One of these alternative methods is the use of Laetrile; a semi-synthetic form of Amygdalin. Amygdalin is a compound that can be isolated from the seeds of many fruits such as peaches, bitter almonds and apricots. It is important to acknowledge that both laetrile and amygdalin have a common structural component, mandelonitrile, which contains cyanide2. Ultimately, it is this key component, cyanide, that the systematic review at hand dwells significantly upon. This is due to the fact that there is a considerable risk of serious adverse effects from cyanide poisoning2 deeming laetrile dangerous. This toxicity that is referred to in the review would affect both clinical practice and patients, as its use would be minimised in a clinical environment for the sake of patient safety. Moreover, the review also shows that there is no evidence for laetrile’s efficacy2. Fundamentally, this systematic review has effectively assessed the alleged anti-cancer effect and po...
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...tudents when they are with patients, there are two main points: Firstly, on the basis of this evidence-based review, clinicians should recommend to cancer patients that laetrile is not the most appropriate drug to be taken due to the mentioned significant side effect. Secondly, the review’s claims that countries such as Mexico are still promoting laetrile and that websites have again started promoting and selling laetrile, amygdalin and apricot pits8 are significant for other medical students to know, as they are indicative of the notion of patient values. More specifically, the fact that there are some people still promoting the use of laetrile could possibly reflect their cultural/personal beliefs, both of which should be respected by any medical student or practitioner as cultural safety and patient-centred care are of extreme importance in any clinical practice.
Dr. John Abramson’s book Overdosed America debunks the myths about the excellence of American medicine. Abramson backs up this claim by closely examining research about medicine, closely examining the unpublished details submitted by drug manufacturers to the FDA, and discovering that the unpublished data does not coincide with the claims made about the safety and effectiveness of commonly used medicines. Abramsons purpose is to point out the flaws of the pharmaceutical industry in order to warn the readers about the credibility of the drugs they are buying. Given the critical yet technical language of the book, Abramson is writing to an audience that may include academic physicians as well as those who want to learn about the corruption of the pharmaceutical industry.
U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. 1990. Unconventional Cancer Treatments, OTA-H-405. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Doctors work under intense pressure, and if a pill could fix a patient’s problems than many saw nothing wrong with that. What exacerbated the problem was that many hospitals also changed their modus operandi with regards to treatment. In some hospitals, “doctors were told they could be sued if they did not treat pain aggressively, which meant with opiates (95). However once the patient became addicted and could no longer get their prescription legally refilled, the drug dealers saw their chance. What is surprising is the fact that pharmaceutical companies acted in the same manner as drug dealers. Both sides did not care about the end user, and the problems they would have to deal with after using what was given to them. Their motive was purely to profit as much as possible, and they did not care about who would get hurt as a result of their
If the drug is being used primarily to treat severe pain not responsive to other analgesics, in a painful terminal condition, (such as advanced widespread cancer), it may ...
In “The Fish” by Elizabeth Bishop, the narrator attempts to understand the relationship between humans and nature and finds herself concluding that they are intertwined due to humans’ underlying need to take away from nature, whether through the act of poetic imagination or through the exploitation and contamination of nature. Bishop’s view of nature changes from one where it is an unknown, mysterious, and fearful presence that is antagonistic, to one that characterizes nature as being resilient when faced against harm and often victimized by people. Mary Oliver’s poem also titled “The Fish” offers a response to Bishop’s idea that people are harming nature, by providing another reason as to why people are harming nature, which is due to how people are unable to view nature as something that exists and goes beyond the purpose of serving human needs and offers a different interpretation of the relationship between man and nature. Oliver believes that nature serves as subsidence for humans, both physically and spiritually. Unlike Bishop who finds peace through understanding her role in nature’s plight and acceptance at the merging between the natural and human worlds, Oliver finds that through the literal act of consuming nature can she obtain a form of empowerment that allows her to become one with nature.
In book one of the metamorphoses, Ovid talks of artists, and how art can be used to create and transform. Metamorphoses means transformation or change, so in one word, Ovid’s title tells the reader what is to come. Ovid uses art in the Metamorphoses to prove a point. To show how strong the human spirit is, or to teach you to watch what you say, because you never know who is around. The story of Arachne displays a great example of watching what you say. Minerva hears Arachne saying that she is the greatest weaver, and Minerva sets out to prove her wrong. With Daedalus and Icarus, Daedalus uses his art to try and find an escape for him and his son. Showing just how strong he is and how much he cares for his son. For Pygmalion, his art shows the power of his love and how much he wants to find the proper woman for himself.
Spirituals: African American spirituals are a key contribution to the creation of the initial genre of jazz. African Americans used spirituals during the earliest turmoil of slavery. These spirituals were used as songs to sing during labor and an initial way of communication for the Underground Railroad. These African American folk sounds mixed with gospel hymns were sun fused with instruments such as the harmonicas, banjos, and other instruments that could primarily be found. This initial form of the music started to separate itself from the gospel rendition. This mixture of different styles of music fused and gave birth to such things as minstrel shows, ragtime, and other forms of music. The most important that spirituals truly helped develop, was Jazz. Spirituals were the first true form of Negro expression in the form of music. Marshall W. Steams, Professor of English Literature at Hunter College states that “The spiritual was created out of nowhere by a sort of spontaneous combustion of Negro’s genius” (125). This mixture of hymns and instrumental instruction took form into one of the most versatile genres known to date, Jazz.
There he stands atop the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial, in the nations’ capital, at a podium, speaking to the world. The crowds faces full of hope. Ears opened wide and clear, for the Dr. is speaking today. He is speaking from the heart and telling the nation that he has a “DREAM.” Dr. King had a dream and as most people think that it is geared towards blacks and whites, it’s not. Dr. King wanted equality between everybody. He wanted freedom from racism and prejudice throughout the nation. He was very good in getting the emotional perspective of persuasion across to his audience. King was a very inspirational man; his words were so true and full of meaning. He spoke to everyone and got everybody involved. This is why people followed him and why I think this is the most persuasive piece we have read. He not only implies his wants but he carries along with him the wants and needs of every man or woman ever treated poorly because of the color of their skin or their beliefs. There is a certain unexplainable meaning and feeling when a man like King steps up in front of the world and says, “I have a Dream.”
The theme death has always played a crucial role in literature. Death surrounds us and our everyday life, something that we must adapt and accept. Whether it's on television or newspaper, you'll probably hear about the death of an individual or even a group. Most people have their own ideas and attitude towards it, but many consider this to be a tragic event due to many reasons. For those who suffered greatly from despair, living their life miserably and hopelessly, it could actually be a relief to them. Death affects not only you, but also those around you, while some people may stay unaffected depending on how they perceive it.
Antisocial personality disorder is a personality disorder marked by a general pattern of disregard for a violation of other people’s rights. Explanations of antisocial personality disorder come from the psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and biological models. As with many other personality disorders, psychodynamic theorists propose that this disorder starts with an absence of parental love during infancy leading to a lack of basic trust. In this view, the children that develop this disorder respond to early inadequacies by becoming emotionally distant, and they bond with others through use of power and destructiveness. Behavioral theorists have suggested that antisocial symptoms may be learned through modeling, or imitation. As evidence, they point to the higher rate of antisocial personality disorder found among the parents of people with this disorder. Other behaviorists suggest that some parent’s unintentionally teach antisocial behavior by regularly awarding a child’s aggressive behavior. The cognitive view says that people with this disorder hold attitudes that trivialize the importance of other people’s needs. Cognitive theorists also believe that these people have a genuine difficulty recognizing a point of view other than their own. Finally studies show that biological factors may play an important role in developing antisocial disorder. Researchers have found that antisocial people, particularly those with high impulse and aggression, display lower serotonin activity and has been linked this same activity with other studies as well.
Cancer is presently responsible for about 25% of all deaths in US and other developed countries. On a yearly basis, 0.5% of the population is diagnosed with cancer. It can be treated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies etc., but all these have side effects and that is why botanical treatment turns useful.
Yet Here Laertes In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, there are many recurring themes that play a major role in the behavior and choices of characters. Some of these themes include self versus self, death versus life, and self versus society. One such theme, self versus society, can be seen in Polonius’s monologue in act three. In this monologue, Polonius gives counsel to Laertes of what behavior, relationships, and outward appearances are acceptable.
Tyrosinase is an enzyme found in Portabella mushrooms. Tyrosinase is the enzyme most responsible for the brown color of Portabella mushrooms, as it is found in larger amounts than other pigmentations. Tyrosinase is also found in Tyrosinase vesicles in the cell wall of Portabella mushrooms. Tyrosinase plays a huge role in Portabella mushrooms in that it is active in most chemical reactions including oxidation, phosphorylation and other important mechanisms within the cell. The journal article examines the biochemical characteristics of Tyrosinase in Portabella mushrooms by specifically extracting it from the gill tissue. In order to effectively examine Tyrosinase, purification of this enzyme was to be extracted which resulted in difficulties because mushroom gill tissue is small in size while the Tyrosinase enzymes are abundant in such tissue. Adsorbents and precipitation methods were used to isolate Tyrosinase. These methods, however; were not successful as they either only provided a small amount of the enzyme or decreased the enzymatic activity desired for ob...
"What are the treatments for cancer?." A.D.A.M. Life's Greatest Mysteries. 2001. eLibrary. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.
Everyone is a part of a community. Most people are a part of multiple communities. A community is a group of people that have a commonality. Sometimes it is based on where you live, hobbies, goals, etc. I believe that communities are created unconsciously and are connected to someone’s identity, especially when a person is considered a part of multiple communities. Sometimes, a person may connect very well with their community. Sometimes, a person may feel very distant from their community. In the movie, “English Vinglish”, the main character, Sashi, shows examples on how communities are created through commonalities, and the acculturation theory. Sashi was a part of multiple communities. A few communities included her, her Daughter’s school,