Frozen Lemons more beneficial !

Amazing Frozen Lemon Many professionals in restaurants and eateries are using or consuming the entire lemon and nothing is wasted. How can you use the whole lemon without waste? Simple...place the lemon in the freezer section of your refrigerator. Once the lemon is frozen, get your grater, and shred the whole lemon (no need to peel it) and sprinkle it on top of your foods. Sprinkle it to your whisky, wine, vegetable salad, ice cream, soup, noodles, spaghetti sauce, rice, sushi, fish dishes. All of the foods will unexpectedly have a wonderful taste, something that you may have never tasted before. Most likely, you only think of lemon juice and vitamin C. Not anymore. Now that you've learned this lemon secret, you can use lemon even in instant cup noodles. What's the major advantage of using the whole lemon other than preventing waste and adding new taste to your dishes? Well, you see lemon peels contain as much as 5 to 10 times more vitamins than the lemon juice itself. And yes, that's what you've been wasting. But from now on, by following this simple procedure of freezing the whole lemon, then grating it on top of your dishes, you can consume all of those nutrients and get even healthier. It's also good that lemon peels are health renovators in eradicating toxic elements in the body. So place your lemon in your freezer, and then grate it on your meal every day. It is a key to make your foods tastier and you get to live healthier and longer! That's the lemon secret! Better late than NEVER! The surprising benefits of lemon! Lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy. How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large corporations? As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes. You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc... It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors. This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant, combats stress and nervous disorders. The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that It destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas... The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect healthy cells.

7 SIMPLE RULES OF LIFE

BANANAS GOOD FOR HEALTH

HIGH HEELS NOT GOOD FOR YOUR FEET

HEALTH TIPS

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GRAPES

Health Benefits

Grapes have long been classified as a low glycemic index 

food, with values ranging between 43-53. Better blood sugar 

balance, better insulin regulation, and increased insulin 

sensitivity have now been connected with intake of grape 

juices, grape extracts, and individual phytonutrients found in 

grapes. One cup of grapes will give you over a quarter of 

your daily requirement for vitamin C. The elusive vitamin K 

is also high in grapes. Grapes also contain the hormone and 

antioxidant melatonin, as well as elements that have anti-

bacterial properties. Combine grapes with a complete protein 

amino-acid source for a very nutritious dish. Many weight 

conscious people swear by nibbling on grapes to satisfy the 

urge to snack while providing hydration and nutrients.

Fun Fact

It has been long believed that grapes have healing 

properties. Before scientific research backed up the disease-

fighting properties of grapes, ancient China healers mixed 

grape wine with snakes and frogs to cure illnesses and 

diseases. Truth is, they probably could have left out the 

critters and gotten the same cures. Grapes are about 80% 

water, which explains why it is so satisfying as a low-calorie 

snack or dessert.

How to Eat

This is one fruit that you would do well to buy in the organic 

section of the grocery store. In 2011 a study was done that 

found conventionally grown grapes to be one of the most 

problematic fruits and vegetables in terms of pesticide 

residues. When you consider that it's estimated that in the 

United States we each eat 8 pounds of grapes a year, that's a 

lot of pesticides to be concerned about.

For the best tasting grapes with high concentrations of 

antioxidants select those that are fully ripe, which means 

they should be plump and free of wrinkles. Since grapes tend 

to spoil and ferment at room temperature, they should 

always be stored in the refrigerator. While freezing detracts 

from some of their flavour, frozen grapes are a wonderful 

snack and particularly intriguing to children. To freeze 

grapes, wash and pat them dry, then arrange in a single 

layer on a cookie sheet and place in freezer.

Grapes are more than an easy go-to snack. We now know 

that grapes belong at every course of a meal. Use grapes in 

salads, salsas, and sandwiches. Cook them, freeze them, or 

eat them right off the vine. Oh, and don't forget the raisins, 

and the wine! The versatile grape deserves your attention.

SUPPLEMENTS FOR CANCER AND COPING WITH SIDE-EFFECTS

1. Maintaining a Strong Immune System When You Have Cancer

The complicated relationship between immune system functioning and cancer is often misunderstood.

The immune system is designed to recognize and destroy abnormal cells. But in many instances, especially in early stage cancers, the surface markers on cancerous cells are identical to those on normal cells, making it impossible for your immune system to recognize them as a threat.

Although boosting your immune system isn’t an actual treatment for cancer, it’s incredibly important as you fight cancer. Cancer patients are susceptible to infection from the disease, as well as from treatments that destroy white blood cells.

Infection is a huge issue to cancer patients, so it is important to do things to boost the immune system and reduce the likelihood of infection.

Here are supplements, vitamins, and extracts you may hear about to help boost the immune system.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the most studied supplements for cancer prevention and treatment right now.

Vitamin D is of interest not so much because of results of clinical trials, but because of our evolving understanding of the key role it plays in cell [development] and the fact that so many people are really deficient in vitamin D.

Epidemiological studies have found that people with cancer often have lower circulating levels of vitamin D in their blood. However, the research is mixed.

In a study  researchers found that vitamin D deficiency was more common among women diagnosed with breast cancer. The study also found that vitamin D deficiency may raise the risk of breast cancer spreading, and raise the risk of death from breast cancer.

But in a large National Cancer Institute study, researchers found no association between blood levels of vitamin D and cancer death, with the possible exception of colorectal cancer. People with high levels of vitamin D were 72% less likely than those with low levels to die of colorectal cancer.

Also, some studies have found that vitamin D may protect against prostate cancer, while other studies have found that it doesn’t help.

 Garlic

Many studies have found that people who eat a lot of garlic are less likely to develop certain common cancers.

That garlic research has led scientists to wonder whether garlic may have cancer-treating properties as well as cancer-prevention capabilities. Although studies are not yet conclusive, there is some evidence that garlic may be useful for cancer in conjunction with medical treatments.

For starters, garlic may be beneficial for cancer patients owing to its immune-boosting abilities, which vary depending on how the garlic has been processed. Additionally, certain substances found in garlic have been shown to suppress growth and fight certain cancerous cells in the lab, including forms of breast and lung cancer.

Early studies have shown that eating garlic can decrease the risk of colorectal cancer and stomach cancer. The same benefit was not found with garlic supplements. However, preliminary prostate cancer research on men in China has shown that both eating garlic and garlic supplements may decrease the risk of prostate cancer.

Green Tea

Green tea contains substances called polyphenols that are believed to have powerful anti-cancer abilities.

Cancerous tumours rely on fast-growing networks of blood vessels to sustain their rapid growth rate. Green tea compounds may possess the ability to help slow or prevent this rapid growth. Green tea seems to inhibit the development of new blood vessels in tumours  and provides one more approach that can be used to strangle tumors.

Because it would take the equivalent of drinking 10 to 12 cups of green tea each day to obtain the cancer-fighting levels of green tea compounds, a Dr. recommends that his patients take green tea in extract form. Be aware, there are some concerns about green tea extracts and liver toxicity. Also, a recommendation of 10 to 12 cups of green tea per day would be for cancer treatment, not cancer prevention.

Drinking green tea may increase the survival rates of some cancer patients. One study of women with ovarian cancer found that women who drank green tea were more likely to survive three years after ovarian cancer diagnosis than women who did not drink green tea. The survival rates increased with higher consumption levels of green tea.

Drinking green tea may also help prevent certain cancers. Preliminary research suggests a possible protective effect against bladder, oesophageal , pancreatic, ovarian, and possibly cervical cancer, even with as little as 3-5 cups a day. Evidence for breast, stomach, and lung cancer is mixed: studies have conflicting findings.

 Mushroom Products

Extracts from mushrooms have been used in traditional Asian medicine for thousands of years. More recent scientific studies are beginning to determine reasons for their potential health-promoting actions.

For example, polysaccharides (phytochemicals) from the Ganoderma lucidum mushroom have been shown to inhibit the growth and invasiveness of some cancer cells in the laboratory, including certain forms of breast cancer.

Other fungal varieties that may exhibit anti-cancer activity include reishi, shiitake, maitake and coriolus or turkey tail, mushrooms.

Lentinan, a substance found in shiitake mushrooms, has been shown in the lab to inhibit the growth of human colon cancer cells in mice. This may result from lentinan’s ability to inhibit some enzymes that promote the activity of cancer-causing substances called carcinogens. Beta-glucan, a compound found in maitake mushrooms, is also thought to have tumor-fighting properties, though data on these abilities is still quite limited.

Keep in mind that the studies so far have looked at how these mushroom extracts affect cancer cells in the lab, with only a few documenting the effects in the human body. More research is needed.

 Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances found in abundance in fruits and vegetables – and in lesser amounts in nuts, grains, and meat. These phytochemicals fight certain oxygen molecules in your body known as free radicals, which can damage DNA and contribute to the development and proliferation of cancerous cells.

Common antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, certain compounds in green tea and melatonin, a hormone made by the pineal gland in the brain.

The use of antioxidants for cancer prevention and treatment is a controversial and confusing topic. Although experts once believed that megadoses of certain antioxidants, including vitamins A and E, might be beneficial, clinical studies have raised questions about the safety of this practice. Studies have shown that high doses of certain antioxidants can increase cancer occurrence in some populations. For instance, smokers who take high doses of beta carotene are at increased risk for lung cancer.

Some experts worry that the use of antioxidants during radiation therapy and chemotherapy might serve to protect the very cancer cells that are being targeted. A 2008 study in Cancer Research showed that vitamin C supplements blunted the effectiveness of chemotherapy by 30% to 70%.

Although more research needs to be done, there is data to suggest that antioxidant supplements may improve quality of life for some cancer patients. For example, the combined use of antioxidants in green tea, melatonin, and multivitamins containing high doses of vitamins C and E was shown to reduce pain and fatigue in patients being treated for pancreatic cancer.

In the meantime, there’s no doubt that a diet high in antioxidant-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, has numerous health benefits.

Be sure to talk with your cancer treatment team before taking antioxidant supplements when you have cancer.

Ginger

Nausea and vomiting are two of the most common side effects of chemotherapy for cancer. These side effects can be serious. Nausea and vomiting can lead to weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and fatigue, which can make it harder for your body to fight cancer.

There are a number of anti-nausea medications available. But some patients with cancer also find that using ginger, either alone or in conjunction with anti-nausea medicine, significantly reduces nausea and vomiting.

The evidence is conflicting, but a recent study found that cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who consumed a high protein drink with ginger twice a day during treatment reported significantly less nausea and were less likely to require traditional anti-nausea medications.

Iron

Cancer itself can cause fatigue. But this debilitating lack of energy can also be caused by cancer treatments. In fact, fatigue is a side effect experienced by nine out of 10 people undergoing cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, bone marrow transplants, or radiation therapy.

These treatments can damage cells in your bone marrow that are responsible for making red blood cells and lead to iron-deficiency anaemia. With this type of anaemia your red blood cells do not contain enough haemoglobin  which carries oxygen throughout your body. Iron is an essential component of haemoglobin  and iron supplements may improve the fatigue caused by iron-deficiency anaemia.

Someone with a high need for extra iron might take iron supplements, but most people can get the iron they need from food. One “trick” is to take vitamin C with meals in order to enhance the absorption of the iron in food.

Always check with your doctor before taking iron supplements, even if you think you’re anaemic  Too much iron in your body can damage your liver and heart. Everyone who takes iron, including the iron in multivitamins, should do so under a doctor’s supervision.

 L-glutamine

Peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage, is a common side effect of certain drugs, including the widely prescribed chemotherapy drug paclitaxel.

“[Paclitaxel] can be used to treat a lot of different cancer types – lung cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer,. “The amino acid l-glutamine has been shown in numerous studies to be helpful at preventing or treating peripheral neuropathy – pain, numbness, and tingling – associated with [paclitaxel].”

L-glutamine, taken orally, has also been shown in one study to reduce the peripheral neuropathy associated with oxaliplatin, a chemotherapy drug used to treat colorectal cancer.

WHAT TO REMEMBER WHEN TAKING SUPPLEMENTS

• Cut through the hype and obtain your information about cancer supplements from reliable sources. Beware of advertisements. There’s a lot of marketing hype out there.
• No matter how harmless you think a vitamin or supplement might be, check with your doctor about potential interactions with your other treatments.

If your doctor does give you the go ahead to use certain vitamins and supplements for cancer, make sure you purchase brands of supplements that have been analyzed by ConsumerLab.com, or that bear a USP or NF seal on the label. The USP and NF seals indicate the supplements have undergone quality control testing.

Remember, the use of vitamins and supplements for cancer is largely based on short-term studies, done mostly in the lab. More studies are needed – and fortunately more research is on its way.

Coping with Treatment Side Effects When You Have Cancer

People with cancer often turn to vitamins and supplements to reduce the side effects of cancer treatment: Nausea from chemotherapy, nerve pain, or debilitating fatigue.

Keep in mind, there are hundreds of chemotherapy drugs. The vitamins and supplements that may help you will depend on your specific treatment.

To optimize your health and reduce the risk of dangerous interactions, don’t take supplements for side effects without talking with your cancer treatment team. Your cancer doctors can help you develop a comprehensive treatment.

 

Some Risky Heart Health Myths

Most people imagine they would know when they are having a 

heart attack. It would be difficult not to recognize symptoms of 

"the big one" – sweating, soreness in the left arm, and sudden, 

disabling chest pain.

But that’s not always the case. Sometimes the signs are much 

more subtle or mimic other conditions.

As with any health issue, knowledge is power. And when your 

heart is on the line, you need all the power you can get.

So here are six major heart health myths and the reality behind 

them.

Myth #1: I would know if I had high blood pressure or 

high cholesterol.

Not unless you get a blood pressure or cholesterol test. That's 

the only way to know if you have high blood pressure 

(hypertension) or unhealthy cholesterol levels.

Risk factors are usually silent, meaning they have no obvious 

associated symptoms.

Hypertension is the silent killer, you are not going to know you 

have it. When high blood pressure presents as a symptom like 

headaches or renal failure, it is more difficult to control at that 

stage. Early treatment is essential to preventing end organ 

damage, which is often irreversible.

The same goes for high cholesterol. A person can be thin and 

in good shape and still have high cholesterol.

.

Myth #2: Heart disease treats men and women the same.

Heart disease can affect the sexes very differently.

This begins with symptoms. Although many people experience 

the classic "elephant sitting on the chest" sensation when they 

have a heart attack, there are also less traditional symptoms, 

and they are more common among women.

In 2003, a study published  examined the symptoms that 515 

women, (average age 66), had experienced before having a 

heart attack. The researchers found that for at least one month 

prior to the acute event 70% of the women experienced  

unusual fatigue, and nearly 50% had weakness, sleep 

disturbance, or shortness of breath. What's more, 43% of the 

women felt no chest pain at the time of their heart attack 

presentation.

Nausea and/or indigestion can also be unusual (atypical) 

symptoms forewarning a heart attack.

Men can have less classic symptoms, but there is a higher 

prevalence with these in women. Older women tend to present 

more like men, with the classic chest pain, which is still the 

overwhelming symptom of a heart attack.

Putting all of this in context is important. Not all unusual 

symptoms mean you have heart disease. But if you have risk 

factors, pay attention to how you feel. New or changing 

symptoms, even if not typical, could be a sign of problems with 

the ticker.

Myth #3: Younger Women Aren't at Risk

One of the most common myths is that women still tend to think 

they are not vulnerable to heart disease. They think it is a 

disease of older women and men. So women in their 40s and 

50s still believe they are safe.

But heart disease is the No. 1 killer of U.S. women, causing 

more than 460,000 deaths annually, not all of which are among 

the elderly.        

Risk factors that contribute to heart disease -- including 

obesity, Type II diabetes, and hypertension -- are showing up 

earlier now in women. As these factors become more common 

at a younger age, heart disease may follow.    

On average, there tends to be a 10-year gap in the age at 

which heart attacks occur in men and women.  Men are more 

likely to get them in their mid-50s and women in their mid-60s.      

This age difference could be due, in part, to oestrogen. It is 

said that  nitrogen has a complex role in the prevention of heart 

disease, but exactly how it works isn't clear.

Myth #4: Exercise is too risky if you have heart disease.

This is almost always false.

After a coronary event, such as a heart attack, people are 

typically encouraged to get right into rehabilitation and start 

working out within a two-week period.

There are really very few people who have significant long-term 

restrictions in terms of never doing exercise.

It is said that exercise reduces the progression of heart 

disease, and makes people with heart disease less likely to 

have a first or recurrent heart attack.

It is recommended starting with 10 minutes of exercise daily 

and increasing it weekly by 10 minutes until they are getting at 

least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days. But your 

doctor should give you guidelines tailored to your particular 

case.

 Myth #5: Aspirin and Omega-3 fatty Acids Are All Good

Most people have heard that aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids 

are good deterrents to heart disease. For the most part, this is 

true, but there are some caveats to their protective benefits.

Dr. recommends taking aspirin for prevention at age 50 for 

men and 65 for women if there are no contraindications.

Aspirin can exacerbate stomach problems and some people 

can have aspirin allergies. Every supplement and medication 

has pros and cons. A young woman’s risk of excessive 

bleeding from taking aspirin may be greater than its potential 

heart benefits.

Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial for people who 

have already had a heart issue and are trying to prevent 

another. Dr. recommends eating fatty fish at least twice a week 

or taking up to three grams of omega-3 fatty acids in the form 

of a daily supplement. The Dr. cautions that higher doses can 

cause excessive bleeding in some people.

Aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids both can cut the risk of blood 

clots, such as those that lead to heart attacks. But you don't 

want to curb your clotting ability too much, or you could be at 

risk of excessive bleeding.

Talk with your doctor before taking any kind of medication or 

supplement. And if you're already taking something, tell your 

doctor. Your doctor needs to note it in your medical records 

and may advise you to stop if you have surgery scheduled.

Myth #6: Once I Have Heart Disease, That's It

Absolutely not. There has been research showing that in some 

cases you may be able to undo the damage -- and that your 

lifestyle is a crucial part of turning the tide.

Exercising, eating a healthy diet containing fruits and 

vegetables, limiting processed foods, not smoking, and 

avoiding second-hand smoke can go a long way toward heart 

disease prevention.

"It is never too late" to treat heart disease. Small lifestyle 

changes are key factors in preventing heart disease and 

controlling risk factors."

GET NOSTALGIC, AS IT WILL NOT ONLY KEEP YOU WARM, ALSO GOOD FOR THE HEART !

Nostalgia gives us such a mental boost that it drives out 

sensations of cold, found an international team of researchers.

Volunteers were able to keep their hands in ice-cold water for 

longer, and perceived a room to be warmer, when asked to 

recall happy memories.

The reaction might be an evolutionary defence mechanism to 

protect us - temporarily at least - from the cold, said the 

academics.

A senior lecturer at a University  said: "Nostalgia is

experienced frequently and virtually by everyone and we know 

that it can maintain psychological comfort.

For example, nostalgic reverie can combat loneliness. We 

wanted to take that a step further and assess whether it can 

also maintain physiological comfort.

The study has shown that nostalgia serves a homoeostatic function, allowing the mental simulation of previously enjoyed states, including states of bodily comfort; in this case making us feel warmer or increasing our tolerance of cold.

In the study, volunteers at universities in China and the 

Netherlands were put through a series of tests to judge how 

they perceived temperature when recalling ‘normal’ and 

‘nostalgic’ memories.

In one, they were put in one of three rooms: cold (20C), 

comfortable (24C) and hot (28C), and then measured how 

nostalgic they felt. Participants felt more nostalgic in the cold 

room than in the comfortable and hot rooms, indicating it is a 

response to the threat of cold.

In another, they were asked to say how physically warm they felt 

when listening to music.

Those who said the music made them feel nostalgic also 

tended to say that the music made them feel physically warmer.

In a third experiment, they were asked to judge the air 

temperature of a room. Those who had been instructed to think 

nostalgic thoughts thought it was warmer than those who were 

thinking about other things.

The effect was so strong that it even enabled volunteers to 

keep their hands in near ice-cold (4C) water longer.

Volunteers thinking normal thoughts managed 20 seconds, but 

nostalgia enabled them to keep a hand immersed for another 

six.

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (also called chronic myeloid 

leukemia) is a rare cancer that affects bone marrow. That's 

where blood cells are produced. CML leads to the production 

of many abnormal white blood cells, which do not fight infection 

as well as normal white blood cells. As they build up in the 

blood and bone marrow, the abnormal cells crowd out healthy 

white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

The Philadelphia Chromosome

People with CML have an abnormal chromosome called the 

Philadelphia chromosome. Chromosomes carry genes, which 

tell cells what to do. In CML, pieces of chromosomes 9 and 22 

break and switch places. The changed chromosome 22 is 

called the Philadelphia chromosome. It carries a new gene 

called bcr-abl. Bcr-abl calls for a protein (tyrosine kinase) to be 

made, triggering stem cells to create abnormal white blood 

cells found in CML.

Chronic Phase

The chronic phase is the first period of CML.  

Most people in this phase don't have any 

symptoms. They're usually diagnosed during 

a routine blood test. Because there are only a 

small number of abnormal white blood cells in 

the blood and bone marrow, the body is still 

able to fight infection. Even though you might 

not feel sick now, it's important to get treated 

so CML doesn't progress to the next phase.

Accelerated Phase

During the accelerated phase, you may 

develop symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, shortness of breath, or fever. This means the number of abnormal blood cells has increased. Once in this phase, it may become harder to achieve remission with CML treatments. The accelerated CML phase can lead to the most serious and aggressive phase of the cancer, blast phase.

Blast Phase

By the blast phase of CML, the number of 

abnormal blood cells in the bone marrow and 

blood is high. Meanwhile, the number of 

healthy red and white blood cells and 

platelets has dropped. With fewer disease-

fighting white blood cells, you're more likely to 

get infections. You may have anaemia or 

uncontrolled bleeding. This stage is severe 

and life-threatening.

Targeting the Abnormal CML Protein

The chronic phase of CML is first treated with 

targeted drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). They kill off CML blood cells by blocking the protein produced by the abnormal gene bcr-abl. Side effects can include rashes and swollen skin, nausea, muscle cramps, and diarrhea. When TKIs can't control the disease, there are other treatment options.

Stem Cell Transplant

A stem cell transplant is an option for some 

people who don't respond to TKIs. First, you 

get high doses of chemotherapy drugs to kill 

blood-forming cells (stem cells) in your bone 

marrow. Then, you receive stem cells from a 

matched donor, called an allogeneic 

transplant. These cells will form new, healthy 

blood cells. A stem cell transplant is the only 

way to cure CML. But newer treatments that 

target bcr-abl can also normalize the 

Philadelphia chromosome and help many 

people with CML achieve remission.

The best candidates for a stem cell transplant:

Are younger rather than older patients

Are in the chronic phase of CML

Are in overall good health

Have a matched stem cell donor (preferably a close relative, such as a brother or sister)

Treatment Options

If TKIs aren't working and you're not a 

candidate for a stem cell transplant, other 

treatment options include:

Chemotherapy drugs taken by mouth to kill 

abnormal cells throughout your body, such as 

hydroxyurea or busulfan

Biological therapies, like interferon, that 

stimulate your own immune system to fight off 

the cancer

Continuous Monitoring Is Necessary

When you have CML, you'll see your doctor at least every few months to monitor treatment and check for side effects. CML tests include:

Complete blood count and bone marrow tests to measure red and white blood cells and platelets

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) test to see how many cells contain the Philadelphia chromosome

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to look for the bcr-abl gene.

Questions About Your CML Treatment

Here are a few questions to ask your doctor while you're undergoing treatment for CML:

What CML phase am I in?

What are my treatment options and what side effects might I experience?

Should I get a second opinion?

Can I enroll in a clinical trial of an experimental treatment?

How to Cope with CML

During your treatment for CML, here are a few ways to help yourself feel better:

Go to all of your check-ups so your doctor can change treatment if it's not working.

Tell your doctor about any side effects you're experiencing.

If you're struggling with your illness, get support from friends, family members, or your medical team.

Signs Your Treatment Is Working

When you go for regular checkups, your doctor will be looking for these signs that your treatment is working:

Hematologic response: An improvement in the number of healthy white blood cells and platelets

Cytogenic response: Fewer Philadelphia chromosome-positive cells in your blood and bone marrow

You are considered to be in CML remission when:

Your blood cell count is normal (complete hematologic response).

No cells with the Philadelphia chromosome can be found in your blood or bone marrow (complete cytogenic response).

None of the abnormal gene can be found in your blood (complete molecular response).

Being in remission isn't the same as being cured. A stem cell transplant is the only proven cure for CML.

Signs of Relapse

CML can come back even after it has been successfully treated. Signs of relapse include fatigue or weakness, weight loss, fever, night sweats, bone pain, swelling or pain on the left side (a sign of an enlarged spleen), and a feeling of fullness in the belly. If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor.

Why Isn't My Treatment Working?

CML therapy works well for most people, but not everyone. Reasons why treatment might stop working include:

The cancer cells change (mutate).

Not enough medication is getting into your bloodstream.

If your treatment isn't effective, your doctor may adjust your drug doses or switch you to another therapy.