Lifestyle Changes Key to Prevention of Cancer
Source: Newsweek
Experts say lifestyle changes and protection from diseases could dramatically alter the outcomes for the roughly 40 percent of the 12 million people diagnosed with cancer worldwide each year.
A report by the Geneva-based International Union Against Cancer (UICC) highlighted nine infections that can lead to cancer and urged health officials to drive home the importance of vaccines and lifestyle changes in fighting the disease.
“If there was an announcement that somebody had discovered a cure for 40 percent of the world’s cancers, there would quite justifiably be huge jubilation,” UICC president David Hill told Reuters in a telephone interview.
“But the fact is that we have, now, the knowledge to prevent 40 percent of cancers. The tragedy is, we’re not using it.”
Cervical and liver cancer, both caused by infections which can be prevented with vaccines, should be top priorities, the report said, not only in rich nations, but also in developing countries where 80 percent of global cervical cancer occur.
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and the total number of cases globally is increasing, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The number of global cancer deaths is projected to rise by 45 percent from 2007 to 2030 from 7.9 million to 11.5 million deaths, driven partly by a growing and aging global population.
The UICC said it wanted to focus policymakers’ attention on cancer-preventing vaccines — like ones made by GlaxoSmithKline and Merck & Co against the human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer, and others against hepatitis B, which causes liver disease and cancer.
“Policymakers around the world have the opportunity and obligation to use these vaccines to save people’s lives and educate their communities toward lifestyle choices and control measures that reduce their risk of cancer,” Cary Adams, UICC’s chief executive, said in a commentary on the report.
Other cancer-causing infections include hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Epstein Barr, a herpes-type virus transmitted by saliva.
The experts said the risk of developing cancer could potentially be reduced by up to 40 percent if full immunization and prevention measures were deployed and combined with simple lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, eating healthily, limiting alcohol intake and reducing sun exposure.
Myth Busters
Experts say there are a great deal of misunderstandings about cancer and its causes and that these need to be addressed in order to promote wellness. These myths go as far as to suggest that the fiber from clothing, such as Polyester or heavy duty fire resistant clothing can cause cancer.
Hill said national health authorities should also work to dispel widespread myths about cancer, in particular a sense of fatalism felt by many people in the face of the disease.
As part of this, the UICC is launching a campaign called “Cancer can be prevented too” on World Cancer Day on February 4 to encourage people to face up to the fact that smoking, poor diet and some infections carry high cancer risks.
European cancer experts issued a report last year warning that a wave of cancer now threatens developing countries, estimating that around half of the 12.4 million new cases in 2008 occurred in low and middle income countries.
Despite the availability of so much scientific knowledge about the disease’s causes, Hill said there was great concern among health experts that “the opportunity to prevent this huge escalation of cancer may be missed.
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My Take: It’s no surprise to me that many forms of cancer could be avoided easily. The mot obvious way to begin is to think about sun exposure. It doesn’t take much to protect your face from the harmful effects of too much sun that can cause skin cancer. A simple flower hat out in the garden on the weekends can go a long way to prevent over exposure. Plant those veggies and eat them. That’s a great way to prevent cancer: flush your body of toxins by avoiding meat and eating the fruits of your labor.
Speaking of labor. If you are thinking about putting in new garage flooring or even replacing the insulation, check the asbestos presence before you begin. You don’t want to expose the guys putting those beautiful new garage tiles in to nasty cancer causing agents found in all kinds of older homes. Wear heavy duty clothing from Carhart or Dickies or any of the other industrial workwear retailers out there who specialize in manufacturing clothes that protect you from the elements.
This is out there, but I’ve heard unsubstantiated reports that those super tight sexy lowrise jeans, including the new skinny jeans girls are wearing (and guys too), are causing all kinds of health issues, from tingling legs and nerve endings, to stomach problems. Nothing has been written about any links to cancer, but I can see how the uber-tight jeans could cause long-term issues especially if they are too tight for the body inside them. I say find a cool pair of womens stretch jeans and make them work. Your body will love you for it in the long run.
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Fashion Update:
Spring hair bows are coming back if you believe what you read in the fashion mags. Swept back hair will be held in place with big fancy flowery bows and clips this upcoming season.
