People are being diagnosed with cancer at unprecedented rates. Melanomas, breast and prostate cancers, colon cancer, testicular cancer and multiple myeloma are all increasing. During the 25 years from 1976 to 2001, the age-adjusted incidence of cancer among males increased by 27.7%, and the female rate increased by 17.8%. (Canadian Cancer Statistics 2006)
After examining 10 million people over a 70-year period, a recent Swedish study found that 90% of cancers were caused by the environment, where "environment" means everything outside our bodies that can make its way in, including tobacco smoke, toxic chemicals, alcohol, radiation from nuclear power plants, and the sun, processed foods high in sugars, fats and additives, some pharmaceutical drugs, medical x-rays, and more.
These are avoidable toxins, which should not be getting into our bodies. With changed policies, and industrial/agricultural practices that focus on prevention and precaution, and healthier diets and other personal habits, we can prevent this epidemic.
Toxic Nation
In 2005, Environmental Defence Canada released a report called Toxic Nation, which summarized the results of 'body burden' tests on 11 Canadians from coast to coast, including renowned wildlife artist Robert Bateman. Each had blood and urine tested for 88 toxic chemicals, many of them carcinogens. Sixty chemicals showed up in the combined results, including 41 known or suspected cancer-causing substances such as benzene, PVC, formaldehyde and some pesticides.
No one deliberately chooses to be exposed to man-made carcinogens, except perhaps for smokers. The chemicals that end up in our bodies are a by-product of many industrial processes, released from facilities such as pulp & paper and chemical plants into the surrounding air, water and soil. Agricultural chemicals and emissions from nuclear facilities also contribute to our toxic load.
People are also exposed to toxic chemicals everyday through commonly used products in the home, such as perfumes, shampoos, air fresheners, cleaning products, furniture and appliances, frying pans and food and beverage containers.
Even our food can contain chemicals that are harmful to human health, through pesticide sprays on fruits and vegetables, or by being grown and processed in ways that prevent key cancer-fighting compounds from being created.
Astonishingly, you can read entire tracts about cancer published by the American Cancer Society and the word carcinogen never comes up. These seemingly authoritative agencies have framed the cause of the disease as a problem of behavior rather than as one of exposure to disease-causing agents.
- Dr. Sandra Steingraber says: Chemicals have replaced bacteria and viruses as the main threat to health. The diseases we are beginning to see as the major causes of death in the latter part of (the 1900's) and into the 21st century are diseases of chemical origin.
Yes, the environment is the leading cause of cancer. Research in genetic and hereditary diseases is starting to demonstrate that cancer is often promoted by the environment rather than by genetic predisposition. Yet, we have the power to influence our environment. We can choose the chemicals that enter our houses or the quality of the food we breathe, the amount of exercise we practice, and even the quality of our sleep, which is essential for cell regeneration. A factor rarely discussed is also the quality of our thoughts and our general ‘happiness'. Our immune system ‘listens' to our general well-being and fights depression. Negative thoughts have been demonstrated to lower the immune system's ability to fight disease and rid itself of the ever-present bacteria and cancer cells. In this view, it becomes important to monitor our thoughts, to find activities that promote well-being, such as meditation and relaxation. In this way, our toxic environment will not find a hold inside the body to develop cancer while the immune system is strengthened by a positive outlook on life. Think about it.
Dr Magne specializes in spontaneous healing of cancer. With 25 years of research, she compiled all her discoveries on the causes and origins and diseases and presented them in her book Cancer Free For Life to help you speed your healing of cancer. Visit www.Cancer-Free-For-Life.com today for a FREE report on the 10 Ways to Stop Cancer.
Change In The Environment
For many, gardening is enjoyed as a purposeful and enjoyable past time. It gives you a certain sense of satisfaction to create a highly colored show. Some people enjoy going as far as to grow food in their back yard. The interest in organic food has increased rapidly in recent times, and is now easier than ever to buy from your supermarket or grocers, but now more and more gardeners are interested in doing it for themselves. Organic gardening can be very rewarding, and there is no better food than that which you have grown and you know what has gone into the growing process.
Organic gardening completely rules out any chemical, pesticides or herbicides. Every but there are loads of naturally balanced methods of tackling the problem. After all, for thousands of years that's all we had, and we survived off the land somehow. All you need is a little bit of common sense. If you are battling with those One trick to get rid of those little aphids, simply plant marigolds to fend them off your vegetable patch. It is important to let nature run its course, and in the end organic gardening won't be as costly, and you can rest with some peace of mind. Many people are concerned, particularly parents and expectant mothers, about the pesticides and chemicals that commonly used for food production. Sometimes they can even contaminate the water supply, which can be particularly dangerous for you and your family. With organic, natural measures, your family can enjoy a chemical-free environment.
Organic gardening might also require a bit of the legendary compost production. This is a significantly more intriguing process than just buying a bad of fertilizer. It's not that much of a mystery really, all you need is just a bit of knowledge about what works and what doesn't. In a nutshell, it's a really good way to use the rubbish from your garden and the kitchen waste to help your garden. You can even make use of your own vegetable peelings. A good tip is to throw in some roses, or coffee to help improve the smell and texture. It is also important to make sure the ingredients are all dry before composting.
There are loads of other great tips for your gardening. In the constant battle against pests and weeds, and to generally keep your soil in good condition why not make mulch by mixing grass clippings and pine needles? It is also a good idea to rid pests by spraying cooking oil mixed with water and soap.
Even if you have very little space to work with, organic gardening gives you the chance to become I touch with nature and the natural cycles of your land. At some stage in our development we lost the idea of growing our own stunning vegetables and fruits in favour of driving to the boring supermarket to buy boring food. Most people never even consider there may be a better, healthier way; a way to keep you and your family healthier and eating healthy, delicious tasting foods.
Both Dr Laurence Magne & Eoin Kane are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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