The Dog Cancer Survival Guide (23 page)

There’s another theory, however, which assumes the complete opposite. According to the century-old tissue environment or “epigenetic” theory, which is only now gaining acceptance, a cell’s natural state is one of growth and replication.

(By the way, the word environment in this case refers to the internal environment of the body, which is also called the extracellular matrix. It does not refer to the external environment.)

This is an important distinction, because if a cell tends to grow and replicate if left on its own, then what stops it from doing so?

Tissue environment theory posits that growth decisions are not controlled by the genes
inside
the cell, but by the
neighborhood
of the cell – including fluids and connective tissue, also called the matrix. The matrix, which surrounds each cell and connects it to all the others, is one decision-maker; and every other cell in the neighborhood is also a decision-maker.

According to this theory, the cells and the matrix are like a community, constantly engaged in conversation. Biochemical and neurological “talk” whizzes around the community, keeping each cell informed as to its function, whether to induce apoptosis, or whether to replicate. This community regulates and limits the growth of each individual cell.

Cancer starts when the communication between cells is interrupted and an individual cell loses its sense of purpose. As it loses touch with its cellular neighbors and the matrix, the cell falls back into its default state. Apoptosis genes are shut down, growth genes are turned on, and the cell starts to multiply, because that is what it does if left in its natural state. If this continues, a tumor can form and grow.

The assumption that the basic nature of cells is growth and replication is already accepted in some areas of medicine. For example, it has been proven that bacteria cells replicate when they are fed nutrients. If they are starved, they either die off completely or send out spores, hoping that those little seeds will find a place to grow. Plant cells share this inherent tendency for growth, and, according to researchers, so do animal cells.

The cell that has been cut off from its environment and has reverted to its natural state of rapid replication is not
genetically
faulty – it’s just out of touch with the environment and behaving badly. It could, especially if it is caught early enough, be cajoled back into good behavior.

This theory does not discount the fact that genetic mutations may
also
be present in cancer cells; it argues that these mutations simply do not cause the cancer. The cellular environment – and the many factors that influence it – is more important.

Gardeners will tell you that poor quality soil, or soil that is not deep enough, yields unhealthy plants. To get healthy plants, a deep layer of topsoil that has the proper pH, nutrients and water is needed. The tissue environment theory proposes that if the “soil” of the matrix is improved, this may be able to affect cancer – even though it does not directly address it on a cellular level.

The idea of supporting the body has become a popular catchphrase in alternative medicine; this theory gives it a scientific backbone. The tissue environment theory shows that nurturing the surrounding tissues and re-establishing healthy cell-to-cell communication – targeting the matrix – is as important as attacking the cancer cell directly. Later on you’ll see that several Full Spectrum cancer care treatments target the matrix, or internal cellular environment, in the body.

“Dietary benefits aside, making Gordon’s food was cathartic. It empowered me. When we found out he had cancer, I felt absolutely helpless. Making his food gave me the opportunity to have some control in what felt like a hopeless situation. I didn’t have to just stand back and watch; I could fight it for him. I was doing something that had real potential to heal him. For the base mixture I primarily used turkey. I’d usually cook and debone a whole turkey (I eventually went to boneless skinless turkey breasts). Sometimes I would add a pound or two of ground beef. I always used all the recommended cruciferous vegetables, the red/yellow peppers, Shitake mushrooms, and low-fat cottage cheese. Beef or chicken liver depending on what was available; same with turkey necks until I found out I could order them in bulk from the grocery store and could always have some in the freezer. I chose brown rice over the oatmeal at my vet’s recommendation. At each meal we’d add some combination of garlic, ginger root, parsley and other recommended herbs, sardines in olive oil, blueberries (he picks them out if he can) and coconut oil. In the evening meal only, we’d add fish oil. Lastly, I changed all his in between meal treats to only freeze dried or dehydrated chicken, beef, or fish. He got nothing with flour or starch or carbs.”

-
Kim Gau, Stow, Ohio

Cancer is sneaky and smart, and tumors can use many mechanisms to evade the immune system. While talking in detail about these and other methods of progression is beyond the scope of this book, for the purposes of illustration, I will share how one particular immune system cell, the macrophage, can be recruited by cancer to help its spread.

Macrophages are large, blob-shaped cells, and their primary job is to eat (the name is Greek for “big eater”). They eat things that don’t belong in the body, including bits of broken-down tumor cells. Like hulking bouncers in a nightclub, they’re often on the scene of trouble and they can send out a system-wide signal to alert other immune cells that there is a problem.

Macrophages are often attracted to tumor cells because they sometimes grow so fast that they die from a lack of oxygen. Low oxygen areas are a sign of trouble, so macrophages often show up on their own. They may also come to a tumor because the tumor actually broadcasts recruitment signals, which can convince a macrophage to help the tumor. Cancer biologists call these traitorous macrophages “tumor-associated.”

Once a macrophage has turned bad, it helps the tumor in several ways: by breaking down the surrounding cell matrix so it can invade neighboring tissue; by helping to create new blood vessels, so that it can get the oxygen it needs to grow; by releasing proteins that prevent other immune system cells from destroying the tumor; and by providing a growth factor that helps the tumor find existing blood vessels, so it can spread to distant sites.

If this weren’t bad enough, traitorous macrophages have one more trick up their sleeves. They start producing inflammatory chemicals – among them, tumor necrosis factor. These bad macrophages form a halo around the tumor and continue secreting inflammatory compounds, creating the perfect environment for more cancer growth and spread.

Research has shown that chronic, low grade, microscopic levels of inflammation have a clear link to cancer (and to other diseases of civilization such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and depression). One reason inflammation could be linked to cancer is that it provides cells with a higher risk of mutating. When cancer cells change, they can also develop resistance to medications and supplements, rendering cancer treatments ineffective. Inflammation also switches off apoptosis genes.

Exactly how to fight these macrophages directly is not yet fully understood. Just shutting down the whole immune system – which is already compromised by cancer – can result in secondary infections and worsening cancer. Instead, we can strategically reduce inflammation using anti-inflammatory Full Spectrum treatments, which may help to check tumor growth and spread. Studies have shown that, in some cases, eliminating inflammation through daily management can decrease the signs of cancer and help lower cancer rates and cancer progression.

Once a tumor is established, it can use many mechanisms to spread locally and/or distantly. The body’s first line of defense against tumor spread is the immune system, one of the most complex systems in the body.

The immune system’s duties include fighting off foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria, destroying deranged body cells and helping to heal wounds. There are also special immune cells, called natural killer cells and cytotoxic T-cells, which destroy cancer cells. Many guardians wonder why the immune system doesn’t manage to kill cancer earlier, and others believe that if the immune system is restored to health, it could eventually kill the cancer naturally.