Also known as Annona muricata, soursop or guananbaba, the possible Graviola cancer cure has been under investigation since the 1940s.  This tropical plant grows in Central and South America and has been purposely grown for its healing properties for more than three centuries.  The bark, fruit, leaves and roots have been utilized in folk medicines mainly as a sedative.  However, native South American healers have used the plant to improve ailments such as heart complaints, arthritis, liver problems, fevers and asthma.

Researchers have found that Graviola does show remarkable potential healing properties and has given positive results in test tube studies.  However as yet, there have been no clinical trials on humans or animals.

The National Cancer Institute carried out the first modern clinical research on Graviola in 1976.  Tests done at Perdue University found that prostate, lung and pancreatic cancerous cells were killed by the leaves of the Graviola plant.   Further studies were conducted to investigate the chemical effects of the plant in laboratory tests, however tests on humans or animals are required to create conclusive results.  Studies in Korea resulted in findings that cells from colon cancer where destroyed more effectively – 10,000 times stronger – using Graviola than Adriamycin, a popular chemotherapy drug.  Taken in isolation and with the quest continuing to find a cure for cancer Graviola certainly seems to be very effective.

There are known side effects from chemotherapy which is used on tumors like mesothelioma cancer, such as hair loss and nausea.  However, Graviola only targeted and killed the carcinogenic cells leaving normal healthy cells alone, much more preferable than toxic drugs which can kill the cancer but also the healthy cells.  Cancers such as malignant mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma are aggressive cancers caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral used in building.  Its use has now been banned.

In traditional native folk medicine, the seeds of Graviola are utilized in the removal of parasites in the human body.  Jamaicans and West Indians eat the fruit to stop diarrhea and lower fevered body temperatures.  Brazilians make a tea from Graviola to relieve liver complaints and extract oils from the seeds to improve rheumatic conditions and arthritis.  In Guyana the leaves are made into a tea and drank for a healthy heart and as a sedative. 

The Graviola herb has shown promising results and the active ingredients are called Annonaceous acetogenins.  In test tubes they have aggressive anticancer results and only a small amount is needed to produce positive effects – 1 part in 100,000,000 for example.

The Graviola tree cancer cure is still under trial but, worldwide, there are more than two thousand varieties of plants in the Annonaceae family and the potential for further cures to serious diseases is clearly exciting.  Graviola supplements and Graviola extract are available to aid well-being and taken as a general healthful tonic for the body.  The fruit is high in carbohydrates especially fructose and contains significant vitamins – C, B1 and B2.  So, it seems that there is hope, however, more in depth research needs to be conducted to produce a definitive graviola cancer cure.
 

There are different types of prostate cancer treatment options for men who have different stages of tumor development. There is low, intermediate and high risk localized prostate cancer and locally advanced prostate cancer and then tumors that return after initial treatment.  Due to advancing research there is a lot of prostate cancer information on hand for patients to further their knowledge of the condition.

Firstly, low risk localized prostate cancer is highly unlikely to develop or grow for years.  Patients are usually offered active monitoring (or active surveillance) which keeps track of the tumor and its development.  However, sometimes symptoms of prostate cancer are never caused because it develops incredibly slowly.  If it does start to develop, then treatments for prostate cancer will likely be surgery to totally excise the prostate gland or radiotherapy.

With intermediate risk the cancer can start to develop after a several years and so internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) or active monitoring are likely to be offered plus surgery to excise the prostate gland or external radiotherapy to the prostate. 

High frequency ultrasound and cryotherapy may be offered under clinical trials but they are not standard treatments for prostate cancer.

High risk sufferers normally have surgical treatment for prostate gland removal or external radiotherapy focused on the prostate. Internal radiotherapy is not normally used as, in high risk cases the cancer has slightly spread and has grown through the capsule enclosing the prostate gland.  So external radiotherapy is used to make sure all the cells are reached. Surgery, radiotherapy are normally used in conjunction with hormone treatments. 

Locally advanced prostate cancer is where the cancer has grown through the prostate gland’s surrounding capsule.  Surgery and external radiotherapy along with hormone treatment are offered.  Metastasis means the spread of cancer cells.  Metastatic prostate cancer means that cancer cells have spread away from the original tumor perhaps into the blood stream and lymph glands.

Prostate cancer that returns after the first treatment can be treated with hormone therapy. If the initial treatment was surgical then radiotherapy is unlikely.  If it has spread then it cannot be cured however, with the use of hormone therapy to lower testosterone levels, it can be controlled.  There are a lot of treatments available for this and doctors will explain all these at appointment.

Different treatments come with different side effects, risks and benefits which medical professionals will explain in full before commencement of treatment.

Prostate cancer prognosis depends on the grade and stage (Stage I to IV) of the cancer rather than the treatment choice.  Men with slow growing, well differentiated, smaller tumors usually have the best prognosis.  The good news is that these comprise around three quarters of tumors (stage I or II).

Prostate cancer staging means that the doctor ’stages’ the cancer based on the character of its cells, the tumor size and extent of metastasis.  Two prostate cancer staging systems are used namely, TNM (tumor, node, metastases) system and the Jewett-Whitmore system.

New clinical studies are improving prostate cancer treatment options and therefore the prostate cancer survival rate is increasing all the time.