Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment in CancerAn Opportunity for Improvement

http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1722196

Over the past 30 years, awareness and screening have led to an emphasis on early diagnosis of cancer. Although the goals of these efforts were to reduce the rate of late-stage disease and decrease cancer mortality, secular trends and clinical trials suggest that these goals have not been met; national data demonstrate significant increases in early-stage disease, without a proportional decline in later-stage disease. What has emerged has been an appreciation of the complexity of the pathologic condition called cancer. The word “cancer” often invokes the specter of an inexorably lethal process; however, cancers are heterogeneous and can follow multiple paths, not all of which progress to metastases and death, and include indolent disease that causes no harm during the patient’s lifetime. Better biology alone can explain better outcomes. Although this complexity complicates the goal of early diagnosis, its recognition provides an opportunity to adapt cancer screening with a focus on identifying and treating those conditions most likely associated with morbidity and mortality.

Insulin, carbohydrate restriction, metabolic syndrome and cancer.

We propose that dietary carbohydrate restriction, particularly ketogenic diets, may provide benefit as a therapeutic or preventive strategy in cancer, alone or as an adjunct to pharmacology. The argument derives from several points of evidence: There is a close association between cancer and both diabetes and obesity. Extensive evidence shows that low carbohydrate diets are the most effective dietary treatment of Type 2 diabetes and dietary adjunct in Type 1. Such diets also target all the markers of metabolic syndrome. Finally, de facto reduction in carbohydrate likely contributes to total dietary restriction, which is effective in the prevention and treatment of cancer. The idea is consistent with recent interest in treating cancer with drugs that target diabetes. To move forward, we must understand obesity and diabetes as response to a hyperglycemic state rather than simply a cause of downstream effects.


Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1586/17446651.2014.960392

Dr Malcolm Kendrick is, as always, interesting on this subject.  You can find a relevant section of his blog here, http://drmalcolmkendrick.org/2012/09/14/breast-screening-the-truth/
Sally

Oh Goodness !

As with anything , including recently on this forum breast cancer screening, to flu jabs .......there is information out on the 'internet' for us to read, plus talking things through with your Doctor or Consultant.

Sometimes choice is not easy - it is up to each individual ....no-one else should make that decision.

It is my choice to restrict the number of carbs I eat ...... I do talk about this to others. Why I do it and the health benefits it has given me.

I think it is only by talking, exchanging views, letting others know of relevant papers, studies, blogs, forums they may wish to read .......then an informed choice by that individual can be made.

Onwards and Upwards ...........  

All the best Jan