THE CANCER

SURVIVAL GUIDE
Presented by: Akshay Harbilass
WHAT ARE YOUR CANCER ODDS

• Men – 50% chance in lifetime

• Women – 33% chance in lifetime

• Odds of winning Mauritius lotto - 0.000007 %

CANCER INCIDENCE IN MAURITIUS
• On Steep Rise
For Males:
• In 2009 : Age Standardised Incidence Rate (ASR) – 85
• In 2016 : 141
Most common: colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer

For Females:
• In 2009 : ASR – 112
• In 2016 : 176
Most common: Breast, colon/rectum, and cervix cancer
 WHAT IS CANCER?
• Our body/Organs made of cells
• Cells functions regulated by DNA
• Damages DNA
• Cancer cells INCIGNITO MODE
• Cancer can spread
• Resistance to drugs
More than 40 types of 5-year 10-year
cancers Survival Survival
Rate Rate
Prostate/Breast Cancers 99% 96%
Distant Prostate/Breast 30%
Cancer
Melanoma Stage 1 (Skin 90% 85%
Cancer)
Blood Cancer (ALL) Child- 90%
Adult-
32%
Blood Cancer (AML) Child- 65%
Adult-14%
DIAGNOSIS

• Usually Diagnosed by a FBC report (Full Blood Count)

Prognosis
• Stage of Cancer – higher stage = Poorer outlook
• Age – Older = Poorer outlook
• Type of Cancer
• Male/Female
• If relapsed (returned) – Poorer outlook
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT
OPTIONS?
1. Chemotherapy – chemical drugs – kills cancer cells (also kills
healthy cells) – inject drugs at the cancer site

2. Radiotherapy – kill all cells at a target area (using x-ray)

3. Surgery – Removes tissue/part of organ infected with cancer

4. Bone Marrow Transplant/ Immunotherapy – possible cures?

 IMMUNOTHERAPY – ON THE WAY TO
CURE?
• James Allison and Tasuku Honjo - 2018 Nobel Prize

• Cancer cells made up of specific proteins

• Take T-cells from human body
• Modify T-cells and add protein receptors
• T-cells can now detect cancer cells Protein Receptor

• Costs more than Rs 3 million

• Available in very few countries (NOT Mauritius)
NATURAL/ALTERNATIVE THERAPY
• Fasting (Intermittent/Calorie Restriction)
• Ketogenic Diet
• Autophagy (Self Eating) – “loss making companies analogy when shares
drop”
• Healthy cells can burn fats (cancer cells cannot)

• Proven Study (Blood Cancer ALL)

• Mice who fasted – lived at least 120 days
• Mice who ate normally – died within 59 days

• Steve Jobs - 8 years with pancreatic cancer - life expectancy was 2 years
• Antioxidants/diet/Fighting Spirit
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

• There is Always Hope for Cancer

• Questions – most welcomed