"All of us have cancer cells in our bodies. But not all of us will develop cancer." So says Dr David Servan-Schreiber, author of Anti Cancer: A New Way of Life. This fascinating book explains the scientific facts behind cancer in clear and convincing tones.
Is there a cancer epidemic?
Servan-Schreiber describes a cancer epidemic affecting the wealthiest countries in the world. Since 1940 the number of cancers has increased in all industrialised countries. This trend has picked up since 1975 and is particularly striking in the young. In some European countries, such as France, the cancer rate has increased by 60 per cent in the last twenty years. The incidence of prostate cancer has risen by 200 per cent in some European countries between 1978 and 2000, by 258 per cent in the USA over the same period. The argument that the increase is due to early screening leading to more diagnoses does not hold water. The increase in cancers that are not routinely screened for is equally striking if not more so, than those that are.
What's behind the increase in cancer?
According to the general director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), "Up to 80 per cent of cancers may be influenced by external factors, such as lifestyle and the environment." In particular, three major factors have changed in our environment since World War Two:
1. The addition of large quantities of highly refined sugar to our diet
2. Changes in methods of farming and raising animals, and as a result, in our food
3. Exposure to a large number of chemical products that didn't exist before 1940.
The anti-cancer diet
Dr Servan-Schreiber recommends a diet balanced in Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils, low in animal protein and dairy, and high in fresh (preferably organic) fruits and vegetables. The book comes with a handy shopping guide which recommends a range of foods which fight the growth of cancer in the body.
Chemicals and cancer
Of course, what interests me most is the influence of the chemicals in our environment on the increase in cancer. Here's an excerpt from the book: "WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer keeps a list of carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances in the environment. In the past thirty years, it has tested 900 potential culprits (a tiny proportion of over 100,000 molecules released by industry since 1940, at a rate of several million tonnes a year). "Among these 900 products submitted to the International Agency for Research on Cancer... only one has been recognised as non-carcinogenic.
Ninety-five have been identified as a 'known carcinogen' (i.e. there have been enough epidemiological studies and animal research to establish cause and effect). "Three hundred and seven are 'probable' or 'possible' carcinogens. Four hundred and ninety-seven remain 'unclassified', which means they have not been sufficiently studied." In many cases, these substances continue to be widely used. Of course, industrialists argue that consumers are exposed to very low levels of such chemicals. However a trial of 400 chemicals (a representative sample of 75,000 on the market at the time) found that 5-10 per cent of these chemicals were carcinogenic for humans. Five to ten per cent of 75,000 means we are regularly exposed to 3,750 - 7,500 carcinogens, which makes it less reassuring that each one may be less than a toxic dose, given that the total toxicity then comes to 37 to to 75 times the toxic dose in animals!
So what can we do to protect ourselves?
Rethink dry cleaning - Servan-Schreiber recommends avoiding perchloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene in dry cleaning by airing out your dry cleaned garments in fresh air for several hours before wearing, or going for wet cleaning, liquid CO2 or silicon.
Avoid aluminium - He tells us to avoid deodorants and antiperspirants containing aluminium, especially for women who shave their armpits as this facilitates the penetration of aluminium.
Avoid Phthalates by using natural cosmetics According to Servan-Schreiber, we should avoid cosmetics, shampoo, lotions, gels, hair dye, nail polish and sunscreen containing oestrogens, parabens or phthalates, and perfumes containing phthalates (nearly all of them do).
Use green household cleaners - He further warns against chemical household pesticides and insecticides, heating plastic containers made with PVCs, preparing food in scratched Teflon pans and common cleaning products such as liquid detergents, disinfectants and toilet-bowl sanitisers.
Beat the chemical overload
To me, it is blindingly obvious that the wide range of chemicals we plaster on ourselves and liberally use around our homes, together with the countless pesticides we are ingesting, contribute to the epidemic of cancer. It makes sense to make different choices. Green, natural and organic happinesslifetime.com skin care and beauty products and household products are effective and benefit our health and that of the world around us. Servan-Schreiber himself suffered from cancer which disappeared after surgery and then reappeared. By changing his lifestyle dramatically, he managed to beat it. This book is fascinating reading not only because of the clear, balanced and well-argued way the evidence is presented (as you would expect from an eminent scientist and doctor). It is also riveting because of the personal experience the author refers to throughout. I highly recommend it. You can pick up a copy at all major book stores in Australia.
Passionate about skincare and beauty, Kate was horrified when she found out about the toxic chemicals lurking in her favourite products. A passionate desire to educate others on how to make safer choices led to the birth of ikigai.com.au Ikigai, the Organic & Natural Skincare Boutique
No comments:
Post a Comment