CMA Certification in Integrative Oncology

UNDERSTANDING CANCER: A FRONT-LINE SCIENCE-BASED COURSE FOR ALL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS AND STUDENTS OF THE BIOMEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES.

(PATHOGENETIC, PHARMACOLOGICAL, IMMUNOPATHOLOGICAL AND DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS WITH RESPECT TO DEVELOPMENT AND TREATMENT OF CANCER.)

By Dr. Peter H Kay

This course has been prepared by Dr. Peter H Kay on behalf of the Complementary Medical Association to enable all healthcare practitioners to provide a much-needed life-saving information service to the community, particularly with respect to explaining the pros and cons of various cancer treatment options. It is also of benefit to those who suffer from cancer as well as students who have an interest in the biological sciences.

To set the scene:
The question often asked is “Why did I and so many other people develop cancer?” 

The answer:
The adult human body contains many billions of cells. There are around 200 different types of cell, each with a different function. Each different type of cell originates from a specific precursor or stem cell.

Basically, we all begin from a single cell (a fertilised egg). That single cell must be able to multiply (proliferate) and give rise to many different types of precursor cells (differentiate) from which all the many different mature and functional types of cells are generated.

The genetic blueprint in each cell contains a little over 6 billion building blocks (nucleotides) of DNA, called the genome. The human genome contains around 22,000 genes which are able to synthesise more than 100,000 different proteins. Many of these proteins are involved in control of cellular proliferation and differentiation, each of which must be tightly regulated.

Many cells in the body are continuously being replaced. Some cells only live for a few days, thus, cellular proliferation and differentiation are continuing biological processes.

When a precursor cell divides, which may take a matter of hours, the structure and sequence of the more than 6 billion nucleotides must be faithfully reproduced in each of the daughter cells, a remarkable biological feat. It is not surprising, therefore, that mistakes in the sequence and structure (mutations) of DNA in daughter cells are easily made. These mistakes may disrupt proper cellular differentiation and proliferation and result in the formation of a neoplasm, a cancer cell. 

Fortunately, the human genome contains genes which encode many proteins which repair DNA mutations. If these front-line DNA repair processes are faulty, the genome contains a gene which encodes a protein that can instruct the neoplastic cell to self-destruct by a process called apoptosis.

Because the structure of DNA is surprisingly unstable, (DNA damage and loss of gene activity accumulate with age), it is easy to understand why neoplastic cells are formed so readily, particularly as we age.

These cancer-causing genetic processes are discussed in greater detail in the following course.

Surprisingly, as a consequence of natural biological processes (outlined above) almost everyone will develop cancer if they live long enough. There are 3 basic considerations with respect to understanding why there are differences in the time of development of many different types of cancer among different people:

1. The genetic profile inherited from parents.
2. The degree of instability or fluidity of a subject’s DNA.
3. The types of internal and external environmental factors that a subject is or has been exposed to.

These considerations are expanded in the course.

As an extra bonus, you will be eligible to join our dedicated Facebook Group.
CMA Advanced Professional Courses in Integrative Health

In this group, you will be able to liaise directly with Dr Peter Kay if you have any technical questions and The CMA Team if you need any admin support.

Here are key cancer facts you should know:

• Cancer ranks as the world's second leading cause of death, with 10 million people dying from it each year.
• Over 40% of cancer-related deaths are preventable as they are caused by modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, and physical inactivity.
• Routine screenings and early detection and treatment can prevent at least a third of all cancer-related deaths.
• Sadly, 70% of cancer deaths occur in poorer countries.
• But there's hope: millions of lives can be saved each year by implementing cost-effective strategies for prevention and treatment. Many of these approaches include lifestyle modifications, many of which are discussed in this course.
• The annual economic cost of cancer is a staggering US$1.16 trillion.
• This course will be invaluable for you, as a practitioner in developing your work and helping to inform your clients and patients.