Green tea is used to treat and prevent cancer.
About 200,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. Additionally, about 150,000 people die from lung cancer yearly in the United States. In order to prevent deaths and treat lung cancer, researchers and physicians use a variety of techniques and drugs to help patients. Alternative medicines and therapies have also developed in the fight against lung cancer, and many patients turn to these methods when they are diagnosed with the disease.
About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is cancer that forms in the tissues of the lungs. The two main types are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, which are classified according to how the cells look under a microscope. Cancer of the lung generally begins in the cells that line the air passages of the lungs. Although lung cancer can occur in those who do not smoke, it often occurs in former or current smokers because cigar smoking, cigarette smoke and secondhand smoke can damage the lining of the lung. Lung cancer can also occur in those who have had repeated exposure to radon gas, those who drink moderately and those who have been exposed to hazardous materials such as asbestos. Once the cells lining the lungs are damaged, they can begin to grow abnormally and become cancerous.
Traditional Lung Cancer Treatments
Traditional medicine treats small cell lung cancer with the following treatments: surgery to remove the cancer, oral or injected chemotherapy to kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing, external or internal radiation therapy to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing, laser therapy to kill cancer cells or endoscopic stent placement to open blocked airways.
Traditional medicine treats non-small lung cancer using the following methods: surgery to remove tumors, lung lobes, whole lungs, or part of the bronchus; radiation therapy to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing; chemotherapy to kill cancer cells or prevent them from dividing; biologic therapy that uses the patient's immune system to fight cancer; laser therapy to kill cancer cells; photodynamic therapy that uses lasers and drugs combined to kill cancer cells and cryotherapy to freeze and destroy abnormal tissues.
Alternative Herbs for Small and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers
In order to complement traditional medical treatments, many patients use herbs based on the advice of physicians and nutritionists. Both Asian and American ginseng are recommended, as studies suggest that ingesting either type can reduce the instances or severity of lung cancer. Additionally, one study found that American ginseng can boost the effectiveness of medications used to treat some forms of cancer. In addition to ginseng, grape seed has been found beneficial to lung cancer patients. Grape seed extracts are believed to prevent the growth of lung cancer cells, and some lab tests have shown success in proving this theory. Additionally, grape seed extract is an antioxidant. Antioxidants are proven in cancer prevention studies, which means that they have additional anti-cancer properties. Antioxidants have been shown to seek out free radicals in the body that can cause cell membrane damage, cell death and DNA tampering.
Green tea is used in the treatment of lung cancer as well. The polyphenols in green tea have been shown to stop the growth of lung cancer in some laboratory experiments.
Quercetin is a type of plant pigment known as a flavonoid. Flavonoids are antioxidants, which means that they are beneficial in ridding the body of the free radicals that can cause the damage to cells that often leads to cancer. Additionally, quercetin acts as an antihistamine to reduce inflammations. Quercetin has been found to inhibit lung cancer cell growth in laboratory studies, which is why it is recommended for those diagnosed with lung cancer.
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