Metals contribute to the formation of cancer in many ways. It is important for every cancer patient to have proper provoked heavy metal testing performed to determine if these potentially cancer-causing agents exist in the body. The present body of literature supports at least 5 main mechanisms for induction of cancer, including:

(1) Many metals (such as Nickel, Arsenic, and Chromium) not only damage DNA but also interfere with the body’s repair mechanisms for such damage (Salnikow and Zhitkovich 2008). In particular, these metals stop or reactivate DNA replication by adding “methyl” groups and/or removing “acetyl” groups from structures that package genes, called histones (Arita and Costa 2009, Salnikow and Zhitkovich 2008). Ultimately, by altering the replication of genes in our cells, specific pathways of signals are activated, which promote the survival of these genetically-altered cells – i.e. cancer.

(2) Metal exposure also produces molecules called free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In turn, radicals and ROS damage mitochondrial and nuclear DNA as well as structures beyond DNA. Likewise, when the machinery of our mitochondria malfunctions, our ability to produce ATP decreases – or our bodies storage form of energy decreases (Lamson 2017). Metals known to disrupt our mitochondrial function include: Mercury, Alumnum, Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Manganese.

(3) However, many metals are known to disrupt our body’s hormonal balance. Cadmium, Cobalt, Chromium, Iron, Manganese, and Zinc are found in significantly higher levels in breast cancer tissue than in benign, non-cancerous tissues (Pasha et al. 2008). Metals, such as cobalt and chromium, increase the proliferation of breast cancer cells (Martin et al. 2003). Likewise, these metals also increase the stimulation of estrogen receptors, indirectly increasing the activity of hormones in the body. In fact, drugs used for blocking estrogen receptors are not able to block all the hormonal effects of these metals (Martin et al. 2003). While the implication of metals in breast cancer has been extensively studied, research also supports the role of metal exposure in prostate cancer through the binding of androgen receptors (Martin et al. 2002).

(4) Although breast cancer can form in tissues with hormonal receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and HER2, some forms of breast cancer are derived from cells that lack these receptors – called triple-negative breast cancer cells. For example, Cadmium promotes the proliferation of these triple-negative breast cancer cells by stimulating the receptor for the epidermal growth factor (Wei et al. 2015).

(5) Lastly, metals, like Nickle, Lead, and Cadmium, stimulate the formation of cancer in tissues by increasing levels of our body’s transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) (Blobe et al. 2000). In turn, TGF-beta stimulates angiogenesis (or the formation of new blood vessels), suppresses the activity of immune cells, and increases the invasiveness and metastatic ability of cancer cells to distant organs (Pertovaara et al. 1994, Willems-Widyastuti et al. 2011).

Metals and Coffee Enemas

Auto-intoxication is where the levels of by-products of inefficient digestion and toxins increase within the intestines, resulting in numerous diseases as these accumulations poison our body (Chen and Chen 1989, Gots 1993, and Richards et al. 2006). The practice of detoxification aims to remove such toxins. Enemas have been used for centuries by many civilizations, including the Egyptians, Romans, and Sumerians, for such purposes. In the last 30 years, the use of coffee enemas in particular has increased – though please note that drinking coffee does not have the same effect. In fact, caffeine in a coffee enema is approximately 3.5 times less available than in coffee consumed orally (Teekachunhatean et al. 2013). Yet, research supports that extracts of green coffee beans increase levels of anti-oxidants like glutathione within the small intestine and liver (Lam et al. 1982). Furthermore, Kim et al. (2014) support that this procedure aids detoxification by dilating our blood vessels, relaxing the smooth muscles of our gastrointestinal tract and enhancing circulation. As such, coffee enemas are widely used within the alternative medicine field for the removal of toxins from the body.

Nonetheless, metals toxins that accumulate within the body are often lipophilic – or “fat-loving” (Tchounwou et al. 2012). This property makes their removal more difficult as they require fat solvents to be excreted. On one hand, Lee (2004) maintains that coffee enemas induce relaxation of muscles of the liver and gallbladder ducts, which releases the toxins produced by tumours – as well as the byproducts from the body’s systems to eliminate cancer cells –  into the intestines to be excreted from the body. However, chelation therapy – used by both conventional and alternative medicine – is the most widely used and well-researched method of detoxifying these lipid-soluble toxins (Sears 2013).

Detoxification

The first step in the effective detoxification of toxins is to check your levels of toxic metals reliably (Lamson 2017). At our clinic, a urine toxic metal test is performed after IV EDTA & DMPS is given. This urine test confirms what heavy metals are present in the body. The ability of chelating agents to remove metals depends on how accessible that agent is to tissues, the metal and its characteristics, and the amount of metal ions in tissues (Apostoli et al. 2006). Likewise, in order to remove metals, chelators that are also fat-loving penetrate deeper into tissues and cells – including the central nervous system, like the brain – and are released in larger amounts through bile into the intestines for excretion. In this way, we support your body through the process of detoxification of these specific harmful toxins by choosing the most appropriate chelating agent for you.

The most well-researched chelating agents are called EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid), DMSA (2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid), or DMSA (Dimercaptosuccinic acid) (Sears 2013). During a urine test, these agents will pass through cell membranes to form complexes with the metal and glutathione as well as other small molecules (Flora 2009). These now-water-soluble complexes pull heavy metals from your tissues into the bloodstream, where the toxins can be removed by the kidneys and then released from the body. IV EDTA & DMPS are excreted via urine within 6h (Sears 2013).

In comparison, IV DMPS significantly increases the excretion of arsenic, cadmium, lead methylmercury, and inorganic mercury (Aposhian 1983, Hurlburt et al. 1994). However, the urine test also increases the excretion of copper, selenium, zinc, and magnesium such that the replacement of these minerals before and after treatment is required (Torres-Alanis et al. 2000). DMSA removes arsenic, cadmium, lead, and methylmercury (Aposhian 1983, Anderson and Neilsen 1988). Lastly, EDTA removes lead and cadmium (Sears 2013). Nonetheless, caution should be used with all these agents in treating metal exposures in children and the close monitoring of patients is required to prevent the onset of hypocalcemia (i.e. low blood calcium levels).

More on Metals

Aluminum
Aluminum can be ingested through food but also absorbed dermally (through for example, antiperspirants with aluminum) (ATSDR 2008). Higher levels of aluminum are present in breast tissues – particularly in the upper outer quadrant or the site of 53% of breast cancer (Darbre 2016). Aluminum leads to genetic instability as well as the over-proliferation of normal breast cells. Likewise, the metal increases the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells (Darbre 2016). As a metalloestrogen, aluminum also mimics estrogen in the body.

Arsenic
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have all deemed arsenic as a “carcinogen”. Arsenic cannot be destroyed in the environment; however, the metal can change its form and dissolve in water (ATSDR 2007a). Exposure occurs through ingestion of food and water or breathing in air containing arsenic. Furthermore, breathing in the sawdust or smoke of wood that has been treated with the metal can also lead to toxicity. Beyond the feeling of “pins and needles” in hands and feet, toxicity decreases the production of red and white blood cells, causes abnormal heart rhythm, and damages blood vessels.

As a carcinogen, arsenic converts normal stem cells into cancer stem cells (Barrett 2012). Typically, stem cells replenish our levels of damaged or dead cells; however, cancer stem cells feed the growth and spread of tumours in our body. Likewise, preliminary studies indicate that even indirect exposure may also induce cancer cells (Xu et al. 2012). For example, exposure in the womb and early childhood leads to an increases the rate of death from lung cancer and bronchietesis in young adults (Barrett 2012). Proposed mechanisms include inflammatory cytokines. Studies ultimately have determined that ingesting inorganic arsenic increases the risk of skin, liver, bladder and lung cancer (ATSDR 2007a). Likewise, inhaling inorganic arsenic increases the risk of lung cancer. Some forms of arsenic can also act as a metalloestrogen within the body (Darbre 2006).

Cadmium
By 2002, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined that Cadmium was a human carcinogen.  The mechanism is in part due to increased DNA and lipid damage by free radicals (Bagchi et al. 1996). However, Cadmium is the best studied metalloestrogen (Byrne et al. 2013). That is to say, this metal exhibits an estrogenic effect in mammary glands (Johnson et al. 2003). Furthermore, this metal converts normal breast tissue into cancer cells (Benbrahim-Tallaa et al. 2009). The longer the exposure the more aggressive the cancer cells become, in terms of increase cell growth, migration and invasion. Beyond its implication in breast cancer, Qu et al. (2012) found Cadmium exposure leads to the formation of cancer in the lungs, prostate and pancreas. In fact, this metal has a stronger binding affinity for the androgen receptor than androgen itself, stimulating the growth of cancer cells in prostate tissue (Martin et al. 2002). While breast cancer can form in tissues with hormonal receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and HER2, some forms of breast cancer are derived cells that lack these receptors – called triple-negative breast cancer cells. Furthermore, Cadmium promotes the proliferation of these triple-negative breast cancer cells by stimulating the receptor for the epidermal growth factor (Wei et al. 2015). Lastly, Cadmium stimulates the proliferation of leiomyoma (i.e. fibroids that can form on smooth muscle organ, such as the uterus) through increases of a protein called mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). We commonly find cadmium in our tests with cancer patients, particularly in those that have smoked cigarettes.

Lead
Most contaminations of lead in the environment are a result of human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, mining, and manufacturing (ATSDR 2007b). Human exposure of lead includes eating food or drinking water with lead. For example, lead can leach out of water pipes in some older homes with lead solder. However, airborne exposure is also possible through the deterioration of lead-based paints. Inside the human body, lead can damage nearly every organ and system (ATSDR 2007a). Nonetheless, the primary organ system affected by lead toxicity in adults and children is the nervous system. In fact, long-term exposure decreases the performance of the nervous system in adults. Lead causes weakness of the fingers, wrists, and/or ankles (ATSDR 2007a). Likewise, exposure not only increases in blood pressure in middle-aged and older people but also can cause anemia. High level exposure of leads can severely impair the function of the brain and kidneys in adults or children, leading to death (ATSDR 2007a). From exposure to lead, pregnant women are at risk of a miscarriage and male reproductive organs responsible for making sperm may be damaged.

Present studies have focused on the health effects of low exposure of lead (Waldron and Stofan 1974, Landrigan 1989). These levels were formerly deemed as safe, which brings to light the notion of “subclinical toxicity” of lead. These findings support the notion that despite a lack of clinical manifestations, lead exposure can have asymptomatic effects (Landrigan et al. 2000). While the IARC had initially deemed the present evidence as ‘inadequate’ towards determining the cancer risk of lead, new research has been collected on its carcinogenic risk (Silbergeld 2000). New research has found lead to cause renal cancer (Bofetta et al. 2011, Ilychova and Zaridze 2012, Southard et al. 2012), lung cancer (Jones et al. 2007, Rousseau et al. 2007, Steenland and Boffetta 2000) and brain tumors (Anttila et al. 1996, Bhatti et al. 2009, Rajaraman et al. 2006) in humans. Some proposed mechanisms of action include: inhibition of DNA synthesis and repair, oxidative damage, and interaction with DNA-binding proteins and tumor-suppressor proteins (National Research Council 2012).

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