What me worry?

Me on top of Australia at Mount Buffalo, Victoria, April 2012

No I am no longer worried now that I have cancer. It is too late to worry. The battle is on. I must be focused to fight my battle.

Yes we should worry BEFORE we get cancer. Yes, prevention is better than cure. Much much better. Trust me, it is true. You can only believe me when you unfortunately become the next victim of cancer.

Be aware of the threats to our body. Be smart on how to avoid cancer. Cancer is on the rise worldwide. But it NEED NOT BE YOU, if you start worrying about it from now. Take care, extra care if I must add. You have no margin for errors. If cancer strikes, thats it. The battle is on for you too. No extra time for worries.

Read and do the needful to eat well, exercise adequately and practice good lifestyles.Better still be a care giver or be an advocate for good health, because doing so will take you to the path of good health, good knowledge in health issues and healthy practices.
Stay healthy.

Take care
Allen Lai

Metastasis, Angiogenesis, Apoptosis

Big words, difficult to understand and more so what do we have to do to fight cancer. Fighting cancer is firstly to understand the underlying factors and activities in those difficult words.

In simple terms understand them as:

Metastasis - Cancer cells spreading to other parts of your body from the organ / place of origin.

Angiogenesis - The process in which a network of blood vessels that penetrates into cancerous growth. Metastasis requires angiogenesis to progress. View video below

http://youtu.be/7YgwJeVEgvU


Apoptosis -  cells that are induced to die / commit suicide.
View video below

http://youtu.be/xdLPpdoU2Nc

Not any type of Green Tea

Your cup of green tea

We are now very certain that green tea is good to fight cancer. Nobody doubts it any more.

But what actually is needed when we drink green tea, to fight off cancer cells? Not the taste. Not the smoothness required by tea connoisseurs, but the catechin polyphenols, particularly Epigallocatechin Gallate or commonly known as EGCG.

Yes EGCG. The most powerful antioxidant that inhibit the growth of cancel cells in our body. And it is happily NOT harmful to our healthy cells.

So don't just drink any green tea without first checking out on the contents of the EGCG. Not all green tea are the same in the EGCG contents. Look for the labeling. If it does not describe the EGCG value, forget it, you will just be drinking tea, notwithstanding it is green. It is sooting and refreshing at best, but no polyphenol. NO EGCG. Period.

There are very few green teas in the market that actually shows EGCG values. Definitely not those green teas bought off the shelf in Supermarkets nor generally from any pharmacies . Look for EGCG.

Be knowledgeable. Take care.

Allen Lai

Of Cell Protection and Antioxidants 2

On January 18, 2012, I had posted my personal believe and strategy on how to protect my good cells from cancer cell attacks and to improve my immune system to fight off the existing cancer cells and new free radicals in my body by taking quality antioxidants. The results were encouranging as my PSA had further droped from 0.02 to 0.01.

My oncologist and I are delighted that my strategy works and is on track. My last PSA reading taken on 08 May 2012, continue to remain at 0.01.

It had held on for the last 6 months. This the best testimony and benchmark, that the quality supplements that I am taking are working as expected. I have shared this approach and the brand of the supplements that contributed to my success with my peers. It will provide the improvements to our immune system as expected. Trust me.

Take care
Allen Lai

MyPlate

New MyPlate 2012

Original Food Triangle 1992

The US Department of Agriculture ( USDA) released a new graphic icon called MyPlate to replace the familiar Food Triangle as the US standard for nutritional guidelines.

The Food Triangle had served its purpose for more than two decades. The triangle had displayed stratas of types of foods that are good or not good for the body. Foods at the top strata of the triangle were to be avoided and consumed less than foods shown in the lower strungs. The Food Triangle had become the univeral benchmark for nutritional guidelines. The graphical triangle was used in all nutritional and health promotional literatures and brochures.

Whilst the basic nutritional guidelines remains essentially the same, the new MyPlate do emphasise eating less on grains and cereals and more emphasis on fruits and vegetables. It is also noted that the new MyPlate does not mention anthing about fats and oil.

MyPlate is devided into four quadrants, one each for Fruits, Vegetables, Grains and Proteins. Two quadrants are of the same size except for the vegetables and fruits quadrants. And that also the vegetables quadrant is slighter larger.  It is also noted that dairies are included as a side dish.

The graphical icon is colour coded and is easy to read and to follow. This new icon will eventually take its place in all nutritional guidelines worldwide.

The MyPlate underlying messages include:

Eat and enjoy your food.
Eat lesser portions.
Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
Eat less sodium.
Switch to low fat or fat- free milk.
Make half your plate comprise fruits and vegetables.
Eat whole grain cereals.

Curtesy and extracts from:

Http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=425

Green Light towards bloodless Prostrate surgery

Green Light Laser Surgery is also now available in Malaysia. Green Light Laser Surgery uses vaporisation of the Prostrate gland. It is best suited for enlargement of the prostrate associated with benign tumours. It has superior advantages over the standard TURP procedure.

Quoting Mr Jay Motola

Green Light Laser is one of the most common minimally invasive procedures that are performed for relief of the symptoms that are associated with BPH. The effects of this procedure are very similar to those that are achieved with the more traditional TURP(transurethral resection of the prosate) but is associated with fewer side effects, shorter periods of catheterization, quicker recovery, and no need for hospitalization. In essence, the effects of the laser can easily be compared to removing the pulp of an orange and leaving the rind behind.

Less than 1% of patient will experience erectile dysfunction after the procedure, and 1/3 of the patients have retrograde ejaculation after the procedure. Some of the common side effects include mild burning with urination. Although incontinence can occur with this procedure, it is very uncommon, especially when it is performed by an experienced Urologist.

Take care

Allen Lai

PROGENSA PCA3 Scan for Prostrate Cancer

PROGENSA PCA3 scanning and diagnosis for Prostrate cancer is finally approved by the FDA. AND it is available now in Malaysia. It is non invasive and uses urine to test. PCA3 is a highly specific to Prostrate cancer. It has marked advantages over the standard PSA test. The PCA3 assay results will be more conclusive to the PSA test.
Browse the internet forPROGENSA PCA3 or  call me for further discussion

View a T cell attacking a cancer cell

An engineered T Cell

Technology is so advanced that we can now make videoes under the microscope. Watch this amazing video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgJKaP0Sj5U&feature=player_embedded


Take care
Allen Lai

Preventing and Fighting Cancer Nutritionally

 Call me for sharing more slides

Last Saturday on 10 March 2012, NCSM hosted a very informative talk on the above subject by Mr Jagdave Singh. Mr Jagdave is currently the president of the Malaysian Dietary Supplenment Association and a member of the Malaysian Pharmaceutical society.

The talk was well attended with more than 50 participants.
Mr Jagdave talk was very informative and relevant both to cancer survivors and non cancer people. He covered the essential foods and nutritions needed to ward off cancer in particular and for inflammation in general. His contents are well researched, current and focused to the issues that really make us unwell.

He illustrated his talk with more than 50 slides. I post some herein.
You may contact me to discuss any foods and nutritions as I took down lots of notes and slides.
Take care
Allen Lai

Of cell protection and antioxidants

Antioxidants

The Prostrate Specific Antigen (PSA) score is the standard biomarker post medical treatments for prostrate cancer. My PSA dropped down to 0.02 from a high of 27 after my radiotherapy and hormonal treatment. The score had leveled out at 0.02 for the whole year 2011. My Oncologist and I are pleased and comfortable with the score which is monitored every three months. It would not go lower nor do we expect it to go any lower. I was technically cancer free after two years.

I still had residuals of radiation in my body. It has taken a toll on my muscle intensity and I had hot flashes for side effect. It was all right as I was able to manage the damage. But then radiation would still remain in my body for some time to come and it would continuously cause free radicals. And this may cause my prostrate cancer to relapse.

The best way to combat free radicals is to have a strong immune system and to consume plenty of antioxidants. I need a cell protection package to block further damages to my cells by the free radicals and also to build up my first line body defence with potent antioxidants. The fight is now using my own body combat power.

I put my strategy in place by consuming Chinese mushroom called Linzhi and green tea for cell protection and drink a potent fruit blend for antioxidants. I took double dosages daily for six weeks prior to my last PSA check up on 17 January 2012.

My Oncologist and I were delighted by the PSA result. It scored 0.01. It had remained at 0.02 for the whole of last year. What a pleasant surprise for my Oncologist who expected no changes to the score of 0.02, but I was more than 100% confident of my cell protection package and fruit blend. I banked on product confidence and testimonies to these products. I am happy and I know my score will go down further for my next test in May 2012, with my happy cells well protected and adequate antioxidants being steadily built up.

Please feel free to call me to discuss my strategy and build ups of my body defence.

Happy Chinese New Year and take care.

Allen Lai

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Hi all,
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. What a wonderful year 2011. Time does fly and my body is responding very well to my treatments and supplements. I am looking forward for the new year 2012 with more confidence and better health.

Thank you all for visiting my blog site and I wish you all a blessed new year. May you all find joy and health and all your problems be in the past. Let us share our blessings with others and lead them down the right path to good health and quality life.

God bless you all and take care always.

Allen Lai

KL Prostrate Cancer Support Group Annual Lunch 2011

 Mr Das with Master Yap

 Planning for the coming year ?

 Chit chats

 Mr Rama, new member

Miss Filial Daughter with Mr Das's contagious smile

Hi all,

The Kuala Lumpur Prostrate Cancer Support Group held its annual get-together at a buffet lunch at the CitiTel Hotel KL on 10 December 2011. This is the annual tradition  for members to end the year on a high note. Another year survived, another year cancer free.

About 35 members with their wives and caregivers from the Kuala Lumpur and Subang Medical Centre groups, attended the sumptuous buffet lunch spread. The food and variety of dishes offered was something we old folks and diabetes alike would die for. And eat all we did, with all cautions thrown into the wind. After all it was only a "once only affair" with the sin foods. It was after all celebration time.

We wish to thank Mr Das and most filial daughter who had initiated all these group meetings and get-together for us. We had a successful year 2011 and look forward to another year to come. Thank you Mr Das, you are our inspiration for your relentless efforts to bring information, knowledge and good practices for all of us. You made the difference for us and we will continue to look forward to your leadership and smiles. We are all glad that Mr Das's confidence and smiles are contagious.

We also wish to thank Master Yap our QiGong Sifu and Mr Choo from Subang Medical Centre for gracing the function.

We wished everybody a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The function finished past 3 pm that afternoon.
Take care

Allen Lai

Barefoot College

Hi all.
Thanks to Mr Bunker Roy. He has made a difference to millions of lives by establishing the BareFoot College in India and Africa. What a legacy and leadership model to emulate.

Please watch his amazing video below.

http://www.sadroo.com/0089.php


I hope out Leadership for Health and Caring Malaysia will learn some ideas from Mr Roy. Lets start to make small steps in his honour.

Take care
Allen

Leadership for Health and Caring Malaysia

Last month I had two posts namely, I am now Cancer Free and Leaders Needed. My new year's resolution for 2012 is to set up a team of leaders in Leadership for Health and Caring Malaysia (LHCM)

LHCM is organised to promote good health and to provide caring to all Malaysians who are in need of assistance and care, irrespective of race, religion or political inclinations. We have no boundaries.
Leaders are expected to create purpose and values in every LHCM programmes.

Tasks for leaders may include:
Volunteering to health and caring projects in their communities.
Identifying organisations and people in needs for assistance and caring in their communities.
To form and mobilise their own team members.
To source for contributions and donations for LHCM projects.
To share ideas and projects in the advancement of LHCM.

Join me to take some small but sure steps to grow into our new noble roles. If you are likeminded or knows anybody who are likeminded, you can contact me at 013 3948839. Or Email to laikimhinn@gmail.com.

We already have some tentative projects in the pipeline. Help us to realise them. Thank you.

Take care.
Allen Lai

Leaders Needed

I am now more focused. I went through an experience fighting cancer. I won. Everything happens for a reason. I believe I had cancer so that I can share my fight with it with others who need to know how I won.

I believe now that I am cancer free I should also share my fight to be cancer free for the rest of my life. I intend to set the direction of this blog for health and wellness.

I intend to lead others to be leaders themselves with my long journey from disaster to good health. This is the purpose given to me, a calling I should share now. I will form a new team from my peer group of cancer survivors and good friends and well wishers. Stay with me. Trust my leadership and together we shall give others a better chance to be healthy and well.

Take care

Allen Lai

I am Cancer Free

Me, I beat the cancer in my body

I have two best news to share with you.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, my Oncologist said to me “IT IS CURABLE” Last week after two years of medical treatment, I was given the best news of my life. My Oncologist said  “YOU ARE CANCER FREE”

Please rejoice with me. Share my joy.

So what do I do now ? My next line of action will have to be taking care of my battered body. I must recuperate and build up my antioxidant level.  I intend to start afresh. Join me in my new directions in the coming posts.

Thank you for reading this blog and for your sharing in my time of needs.

God bless and take care.

Allen Lai

Happy birthday Mr Das

Yesterday we had our usual bimonthly Prostrate Cancer Support Group meeting at the Subang Medical Center. We were pleasantly surprised when the birthday cake was brought out at the end of the session.

Happy Birthday and many happy returns of the day Mr Das.

We all have a third eye. Yes, close both your eyes and you can still see.

When I was diagnosed with cancer I saw darkness, death, and all things bleak. Unbelievable but very real and scary. Then I saw my family and relatives. I saw love with sadness. Then I saw my close friends. I saw pity and helplessness.

Then I met and saw Mr Das. I saw a light. I saw encouragement. I saw my mentor. Thank you Mr Das, you are a beacon extraordinary. Your leadership, dedication and passion to help others are worth our emulation. We are surviving cancer, post treatments with your guidance and knowledge. New members saw hope, focus and direction from you.

God bless you and take care.

Allen Lai

Relay For Life 2011

 Me

 Having fun

 Young supporter

 Smiles

 Luminaria

Volunteers all

Hi all,

A big thank you again to the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) for organising another Relay for Life event. This year the annual event was held in the UKM Stadium, Bangi on 16 July 2011.

The event kicked off at 5 pm with blaring Boy Rock bands setting the mood for a fun and festival evening. I estimate several thousands came and participated in the programmes. Cancer survivors wore pupple Tees and supporters all wore yellow Tees. Fancy dressed participants were also spotted in the stadium. 

I arrived just before 5 pm amongst the busy volunteers and eating stalls setting up. Mics And  speakers systems were tested. Tentages for the nights were already setup much earlier and their sponsors started to arrived.
Suvivors came in organised groups from as far as Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, taiping and Ipoh.

The organsisers drew up  very comprehensive and lively programmes for the 16 hours event.

I participated in the survivors lap which was joined by throngs of volunteers starting the Relay for Life around the stadiun track for the next 16 hours.
A very deserving tribute was read for Cik Lisa who passed away in May this year. Lisa was a very strong supporter of NCSM. Everybody knew Lisa and would miss her presence in all NCSM activities.

There were  fun games, line dancing, taekwondo and musicians as part of the fun activities.
I managed to take about 250 photos for the event and have uploaded for your viewing.

Unfortunately I had to leave the event just after the luminaria were lighted.

I will let my pictures speak for the event.
Thank you again NCSM and all volunteers who had lent a hand to make this year's Relay For Life another successul event.

Visit https://picasaweb.google.com/laikimhinn/RELAYFORLIFE


Take care
Allen Lai

Standard Chartered KL 2011

SMILING ME

I had Registered for the SCKLM fairly early as a commitment to continue running as a health cum recreational requirement. I had been off the road for quite a fair bit of last year. Could I still do the Half Marathon ?
Fear I had not, other mind issues aplenty. This year's SCKLM will be my Waterloo if anything. It is to do or die. I chose the former.
For the whole week just before the event I had more that the normal anxieties. I had more than butterflies in my stomach. I had literally panic fears. I had cold sweats and hot flashes, compounded by my quarterly Zoladex injections. Just the thought of the SCKLM will trigger horrible moments with hot flashes. Do I abort the race? Can I do it? My heart said YES but my mind said firmly NO ! Talk about delimas.
Sunday came too soon.
I finally said yes to participate, one final run if any. Shouldn't we all deserve one final run? There were also other family and relatives factors that made me participate. Done. I am in.
I had collected my gear at Bukit Jalil on Friday. Thankfully it was very well organised and no queues. What, with 22,000 participants, I was actually anticipating a mad collection queue. Pinned my blib number and fixed the tab to my oldest pair of shoes on the same day. Got my grabs together on Saturday night, water, bites, emergency sugars, iphone, a cap, head sweat band and my pair of knee shock absorbers. I am all ready.
Left the house at 3.30 am for want of a nearby parking space and more importantly see off the full marathoners. Parked at Pardang Merbok and walked slowly to the Dataran. Too early to warm up. The Dataran was already picking up with the early birds like me. The anouncer tested the mics, the stalls were preparing for their sales and promotions. Met a couple of old friends and meekly exchanged hellos as I was missing out most of the runs in the past 9 months or so. Nice to be back. Familiar faces and friendly smiles in the brightly lighted Start area.
I had also a particular mission that morning. I wanted to meet a virtual online friend from JB. I had, but had not met June Malek aka Anak Mami, an angel and mentor to a group of passionate runners who styled themselves as FMVs. It wasn't hard to spot her. She had a beakon, a halo which reflected a distinct charm of leadership and grace. Nobody would missed her and nobody needs a GPS to find her. I just waited quitely at a chokepoint in the spectators area and there she was. It was a hello and goodbye fleeting moment. If our meeting was any longer I gladly would have aborted my run to join her at her Kedai Runcit at 37 km.
The half marathon event flagged off at 6.15 am. I had lined up at the rear of the crowd early, but was pushed up to the front area unconciously. I finally found myself three quarters upfront instead of being in the rear group. It is OK, as I would be falling back after a few hundred metres after the startline. I walked briskly to warm up usually for the first 3 km or so. I know my pace and had set my target to 3.30 hours, it being cutoff time for veterans. I had managed 3.40 minutes twice over two Pacesetters LSDs. So my target would be quite realistic. It is a doable.
I had made an assurance to myself and that is to listen to my body. No matter what. I must run SAFE. My heart is my archiles heels. I can compromise the pain in my knees but I should not push my heartbeat beyond 160 hb for my age and hypertension. My heartbeat rate will be my critical throughout the run. For the first three km my hb was ranging 150 - 160. A slightly faster pace or a slight up slope would bring my hb up to and pass 170.I would slow down for a minute or so to 160. I was maintaining my pace like that for the whole run. I had no choice. A group of elderly singaporeans wearing SAFRA ( Singapore Armed Forces Retiree Association) vests 'pushed' me to increase my pace. I actuall felt kiasu. But my mind said stop it. Run safe, it is OK to su. The leader of the SAFRA said that my pace was 9 mins per km and I would be finishing about 3.30 to 3.45 hours. So he was pacing me and squaring me up. I did not get Batu Api-ed. Let him go. I need to run safe.
I was doing all right for all the 20 km until the home run. I backed off each time peak at 170 hb. I had no pains, no cramps and thankfully there was plenty of water every 2 km on the route. I was safe and I felt good, no need foe any finishing medal. Just come in in style and comfort.
But that was not to be. On the final approach along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the crowd cheered me on. A few more minutes to cut off. You can do it. I CAN? Go Allen Go. All hell let loose. My heart beat went 175 - 180. Slow down? No way my ego said. Die die my have the finishing medal. I foolishly decided to hold at 170 hb max. It is dangerously high for me. BUT the finishing line was already in sight. My heart was pounding as I crossed the line at exactly 3.30 hours my watch time. I think I am going to die. I felt like a bloody fool to die like this. I had failed myself. I had failed my family and friends. I rested a full five minutes to stable my hb to 140 before I headed to the finisher's tent and got my finisher's medal together with a few more just behind me. I made it just in time. Happy?yes. Sad? yes, Cried? Won't tell.
Will I run another Half? You tell me.
Take care
Allen Lai

Subang Medical Centre Prostrate Cancer Support Group

 Session in progress

Notes sharing

 Ms Adeline from NCSM

Happy Birthday Mr Wong

I attended the Prostrate Support Group Subang Medical Centre today. The meeting session was chaired by it founder member Mr Das. About a dozen of us attended including two new members. The main key points highlighted were the Tomotheraphy which was presented by Mr Chu, Subang Medical Center Radiotherapist, an up coming full day seminar on Holistic approaches for cancer treatments and a new drug called Abitrone just approved by the FDA.

Tomotheraphy is basically radiotheraphy using the latest equipment, which is more accurate, flexible and dynamic in delivering radiation concentrations onto its targets. Only two hospitals in Kuala Lumpur have this facility namely Subang Medical Centre and the Prince Court Medical Centre in Ampang.

Abitrone is the latest drug available, giving hope to survivors who are into the hormone resistance stage, when hormonal drugs are no longer effective. However it is quite expensive as the new drug would cost USD5,000.00 per month. A full course treatment would require 8 months. Mr Das will be trying to bring in the drug for one of our members in collaboration with the Subang Medical Centre.

The session had a ladies team from the National Cancer Society Malaysia giving us a presentation on the Relay For Life event to be held on 16 - 17 July 2011. We also celebrated Mr Allan Wong’s birthday today and wished him many happy returns of the day.