The How To’s of Cancer Prevention  

 You can’t go anywhere these days without the subject of cancer coming up.  People have developed a cynical idea of there ever being a cure.  People think hope is the hands of the scientist and chemist.  It seems nothing can be done but pray it doesn’t happen to them.  Take heart, many things can be done to minimize the risk of cancer.  The answer isn’t in a cure only, but in personal prevention and political involvement.   Carcinogens are in the food we eat, what we drink, the air we breathe, the drugs we take and the products we buy.  Once these cancer causing agents are identified, then you can take steps to avoid them.  Political action is necessary because all these areas are controlled by big business.  Big business is big money and big money makes the way up the political chain.  Your risk of cancer will be greatly reduced if control is taken in these areas. 

·         What you consume in your body   

·         What you expose yourself to   

·         What products you buy  

·         Where you live and work   

·         Educating yourself of the early signs of cancer   

·         Be involved in political action.  

Let’s talk Politics!  

There is power in one.  There are many ways to make your voice heard. 

Public Interest Groups are made up of individuals at the community level up to the large groups in Washington . Educational groups make the public aware of dangers to their health and are a great source of information in the area of occupational health hazards and daily carcinogens that we encounter in our environment.  Find a group that is of interest to you and get involved with your time and money.  Make your frustrations about the stale mate in cancer prevention known to the political leaders. Demand that cancer prevention be made a top priority.  Know your congressman’s stand about these issues and vote for those with a health prevention plan.  If you are part of organized Labor encourage your labor union to become more health conscious.   Don’t rely on the union publications for information on health issues.  Educate yourself on the risks involved in your work environment and vote those leaders out who aren’t interested in your protection.  Another powerful tool is the media.  Challenge the media in your area to publish information on what is being done locally and statewide for cancer prevention.  Encourage them to make health care prevention a priority.  Doctors and Lawyers as well as other professional should use their power of influence to encourage more action on all levels of government.  Voluntary agencies should not receive your support if prevention isn’t made a high priority.  Most importantly, never underestimate your influence and ability as an individual to make a difference. 

Let’s talk Personal Prevention.  

This is an area that we do have some control. Knowing the danger zones and how to avoid them is your responsibility.  

KNOW SMOKING KILLS 

      RISK:  Cancer of lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth and bladder; increased heart disease 

     AVOID: 

·         Ever getting started; get help to stop from Smoke-Enders or American Cancer Society.   

·         Smoke filled rooms with poor ventilation   

·         Being passive about your right to clean air  

KNOW ALCOHAL HAS RISKS  

     RISK:   Cancer of Mouth, Throat, Esophagus, Larynx and Liver  

     AVOID:  

·         Heavy drinking of hard liquors

·         Smoking- increases risk another 15%  

KNOW THE FOODS YOU CONSUME  

     RISK:  Exposure to carcinogens from additives, coloring, preservatives, sugar substitutes, petroleum based proteins and poor diets of high fat and low fiber  

     AVOID: 

·         High Fat – Pesticides and industrial chemicals are fat soluble. The more fat in your diet the more chemicals you acquire.  Get protein from fish, poultry, veal, and lean grass fed meats.  Skim fats from soups and stews.  

·         Low Fiber-Eat vegetables, beans, grains, and fruits.  Fiber decreases the time food is in the intestines and contact of carcinogens with the intestinal wall.  Fiber also promotes growth of favorable intestinal bacteria.  

·         Unnatural and processed foods-“junk foods” and prepackaged foods are packed full of the listed items above that are known carcinogens.  

·         Petroleum based proteins-Torutein is a high protein yeast culture that comes from crude oil and is hidden under “natural flavorings” in the ingredients list.  This is found in Princess Macaroni, Frenches Croutons, Health Snacks Limited Breadsticks and cake mixes, LaChoy’s products and Gerber baby foods.  

·         Organ Meats- Liver especially, but also kidney, pancreas and sweet breads.  These all contain concentrated residues or carcinogens.  

KNOW YOUR WATER 

     RISK:  700 synthetic organic chemicals have been found in most water supplies many of which are known carcinogens.  

     AVOID:  

·                    Unfiltered water (invest in a carbon-filter or reverse osmosis water filter for your home) 

KNOW YOUR DRUGS 

     RISK:  Many drugs are carcinogenic. Premarin, DES, tranquillizers and the “pill” are just a few. 

     AVOID: 

·                    Taking carcinogenic drugs for minor illnesses  (Ask your Doctor for a natural or safer alternative) 

·                    Taking any drug without educating yourself about it first.  Doctors don’t always know the dangers of the drugs they prescribe.  It is your body and no one has more interest in your health than you.  Talk to the pharmacist and read the enclosed literature.  

KNOW YOUR BEAUTY CARE PRODUCTS  

     RISK:  Whether you work or participate in this industry, you are being exposed to carcinogens. 

     AVOID: 

·         Labels with “warning”   

·         Ingredients 2,4+duenediamine or 4-methoxy-  mphenylenediamine found in dark hair dyes  

KNOW X-RAYS ARE CARCINOGENIC  

     AVOID:  

·         Unnecessary x-rays – many are taken to avoid law suits   

·         Routine Dental x-rays (Many dentist have changed to machines with less radiation)   

·         Routine Mammograms- Ask your doctor for alternatives or if less often is Okay   

·         Full body x-rays from chiropractors  

If x-rays are necessary, some people take extra anti-oxidants (Vitamins A, C, E, K, and Minerals magnesium,zinc, Chromium, and selenium.) the day of the x-rays.

KNOW SEX CAN BE HARMFUL  

      RISK:  Cancer of the cervix  

      AVOID: 

·         Intercourse at a young age   

·         Multiple partners, marriages or pregnancies   

·         Poor prenatal or postnatal care   

·         Intercourse during and immediately after menstruation  

KNOW THE SUN DAMAGES  

     RISK:  Skin Cancer- Those most at risk are working outdoors, light skin with blue eyes, or sun bathers  

     AVOID:   

·         Over exposure   

·         Sun tanning booths   

·         Ignoring the advice of wearing protective clothing, sunscreen, or self-examination  

KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE, WORK AND GO TO SCHOOL  

     RISK:  Being established near or working in a chemical refinery, metal mining plant, smelting plant or hazardous waste disposal site, major highway and asbestos is being at high risk.  Also pesticides, school laboratory chemicals and arts and crafts material are a risk.  

    AVOID:

·         Solvents containing benzene, tetrachloride, or paints with chromium, cadmium, nickel or arsenic   

·         Working for any industry that is non-organized and unwilling to give complete information on materials being worked with or installing the safety monitoring equipment  

KNOW THE PRODUCTS YOU BUY  

     RISK:  Cleaning supplies, solvents, pesticides and spray cans all contain harmful chemicals.  Use instead natural ingredient alternatives and biological insect control  

     AVOID: 

·         Spray cans- they contain the harmful chemicals and make them easy to inhale   

·         Chemicals such as Carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, or benzene 

KNOW ABOUT EARLY DETECTION 

·         Survival rates in cancer are much better if it is caught early.  

·         Be diligent about taking the necessary actions especially if you work in any high risk areas.   

·         Extra precautions must be taken if you have been treated with X-rays or carcinogenic drugs.   

·         Don’t put test off if you have signs of cancer.  

TEST FOR DETECTION OF CANCER 

·         Pap Smears check for cervix cancer   

·         Pelvic exams check for uterine cancer   

·         Self examination for breast cancer   

·         Procto-scope detects colon cancer and should be done for both male and female   

·         Heavy drinkers and smokers should have Laryngoscopy test  

In closing, take charge of your own health and get actively involved in your community and change will happen.  

Sources 

The Politics of Cancer Revisited, by Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.  

Eat to Beat Cancer, by J.Hatherill, Ph.D.