Cancer & the environment

In general, the more developed an area, the more exposure to all kinds of toxins. Then you have the genetic factors, which might be why you see higher rates in certain areas. Everyone in the South is related?

In TN, it could be due to mining? I know the copper mining up there was very hazardous to health, and could still be.

Diet is another huge deal, especially in different parts of the world.

It is all confusing.

In general, the more developed an area, the more exposure to all kinds of toxins. Then you have the genetic factors, which might be why you see higher rates in certain areas. Everyone in the South is related?

In TN, it could be due to mining? I know the copper mining up there was very hazardous to health, and could still be.

Diet is another huge deal, especially in different parts of the world.

It is all confusing.

Genetics is a biggie. I am a 2 time survivor of breast cancer. My Dad's Mom, his sister both died from it in the early '60's. My Dad had thyroid and prostate cancer. My Dad's youngest sister passed away 2 years ago from ovarian cancer. :(

Not all cases are related to genetics. In my case, I think better than a good chance. I am only speaking for myself here.

especially in different parts of the world.

Just curious, are there certain parts of the world with little or no cancer? Wonder what's different there. I guess that's the million $$ question.

One of my brothers and 2 of his friends that live within 2 miles of each other got cancer at the same time (age's 28 and 29) My brother didn't make it. The other 2 did.

Interesting discussion topic. I haven't seen rates based on location, but I know that a LOT of cancers are preventable and environmental so maybe that ties it all in.

Vaccinations (Polio) are linked to cancer (As well as a myriad of other health problems). It amazes me how many people truck their kids up to the health center for vaccinations without doing their research. In this day and age, the only one looking out for your kids is you, so trusting the pharmacutical companies to let us know about risks and dangers is risky and dangerous. But that's another discussion topic in itself. :blink:

I think lifestyle is probably most critical in reference to cancer rates. Lack of proper diet and exercise are strongly linked to cancer. Prenatal exposure to chemicals. CT scans, radiation, and exposure to high powered power lines are linked to cancer. The sun, of course, is a source of cancer, and it would naturally be more prevelant in the South. Skin cancer is such a danger in Australia that they have laws decreeing hats must be worn while outside in the sun.

Lifestyles in the south may differ from those in the north. America definitely has a higher rate than many countries who have not yet adopted our western lifestyle.

I'm sorry for your loss RiverOtter... Did they ever find out what the likely cause was?

I'm sorry for your loss RiverOtter... Did they ever find out what the likely cause was?

Thanks, nope. It was several years ago and they know so much more now.

We have done all the kids' shots that the dr's told us to, but have since met a family who didn't do the shots. I thought you had to do it to get into kindergarden. But other than shots I have questioned most of what the dr's have told me, and several times have taken my kids off of drugs that I decided weren't necessary (allergy shots, inhalers)


My grandmother is a very healthy 92 year old who I found out has the same philosophy & has stayed away from drugs her entire life. I'm not suggesting people flush their Rx's, just that they do their own research & trust their own instincts.

My dad died at 46 but he was a long-time smoker. His sister had breast cancer 2 years ago & has never done anything wrong in her life. Anyhow, I wish there was some way to really figure out what causes this.

In the meantime, eat right & walk every day !!!!

I'm sure this posting is getting a lot of hits because cancer seems to affect most families in one way or another. My mom's family has a history of breast cancer in particular, although she died of pancreatic cancer (our cottage now has her wonderful dining room table set that has gone through 3 generations eating home-made ravioli together -- it's wonderful to see it in its new home at the beach with us eating gumbo on it together as a family -- life's funny that way). Not surprisingly, when we were growing up we lived near a factory called "Plastic Coatings" in Massachusetts. Our elementary school could smell the fumes because it was right next door -- so you can be I'm getting as much enjoyment out of life (and the beach) as I can. So far, my 2 sisters and I are fine. I found a website once that has the list of places that tended to have higher than average cancer rates (So. Walton and nearby areas weren't on it, but at least one place on the Gulf Coast/Panhandle was).

As for life span, here are two websites you may enjoy:

http://www.livingto100.com which is a site in which you complete a survey about your health/life habits and it gives you a predicted age. The survey is by the physician who runs the New England Centennarian (sp?) studies. Of course, the survey can't really predict your longevity, but it gives you great advice on how to stay healthy. For people with a history of disease in the family, the advice is to get regular check-ups and stay on top of it. Many diseases can be managed if found early enough.

http://www.realage.com which is a site in which you type in your age and then answer a bunch of questions. Then it gives you your age based on your life style. Most people who are middle class come out younger so if you come out older (or even the same age) then that suggests you want to focus on your health.

Both websites are fun and very useful. Both are also based on credible studies, although -- again -- they really don't predict your age or longevity, but rather give you insight into what you can do to control what you can in your health and life.

Hope this is helpful. And this discussion is really inspiring me to relax more and enjoy as much as I can for as long as I can (by the way, I type "96" as my predicted age of death in those online retirement planners -- clearly, an optimist - by the way, there's a recent study that found that older people who were optimistic about the aging process tended to live about 7 years longer than those who were more pessimistic).

Paula

Thanks for the links Paula, I can't wait to play around on the websites.

As far as your comment about people with family history getting regular check-ups, I keep getting frustrated around here with the dr's who say I don't need any tests run just because of family history. NO, I don't need a mammogram just because my aunt had breast cancer. NO, I don't need colon screening even though my dad died at 46. Apparently it's hard to convince the insurance company to pay for anything if you're under 50.

I LOVE your comment about your mom's table, what a great way to look at life. And I'm also convinced that being an optimist does a lot for health & happiness....just wish I were one....I'm working on it 🙂

My doctor is very good. She has agreed to the different tests I was convinced I needed, even before I was 50 (I'm 51). Now, I think I've been tested for just about everything so I'm going to just get my annual physicals and not think too much about it other than take care of myself and keep an eye out for signs of anything that's not quite right -- and exercise more. It can drive a person crazy to worry about all the genetic things a family could have. How about trying a different doctor or insurance plan?

Also, perhaps if you found a website or research that said people who have a history of colon cancer in the family should be tested before age 30 (and brought the article in -- ideally several articles), the physican would agree to a test. They really don't know everything and they're busy and worried about saving money. But it would be hard to argue with the research.

Hope you get the tests you want and should get...

My doctor is very good. She has agreed to the different tests I was convinced I needed, even before I was 50 (I'm 51). Now, I think I've been tested for just about everything so I'm going to just get my annual physicals and not think too much about it other than take care of myself and keep an eye out for signs of anything that's not quite right -- and exercise more. It can drive a person crazy to worry about all the genetic things a family could have. How about trying a different doctor or insurance plan?

Also, perhaps if you found a website or research that said people who have a history of colon cancer in the family should be tested before age 30 (and brought the article in -- ideally several articles), the physican would agree to a test. They really don't know everything and they're busy and worried about saving money. But it would be hard to argue with the research.

Hope you get the tests you want and should get...

I would fire my doctor and find one who will listen to my needs and concerns.

We have done all the kids' shots that the dr's told us to, but have since met a family who didn't do the shots. I thought you had to do it to get into kindergarden.

They do everything they can to make people think that vaccinations are required, but you can get a waiver. Depending on the state, they may or may not totally harrass you about it. We homeschool so it's not so much an issue for us.

But since the internet has provided so many common folks with research and information, more and more people are coming to question the safety of vaccinations. Mostly the MMR and Polio. Chickenpox shots are untried and no one knows what the long-term effects or protection may or may not be. Hep B shots for newborns? :idontno: We've found a lot of doctors who are more conservative about vaccinations, but none that are on our HMO. :(

By the way, I made a typo in my earlier message. I think the medical research says that the average man and woman with no history of colon cancer should have a screening at age 50. People with a family history should have it before age 50 (I said "before age 30").

As far as your comment about people with family history getting regular check-ups, I keep getting frustrated around here with the dr's who say I don't need any tests run just because of family history. NO, I don't need a mammogram just because my aunt had breast cancer.)

Perhaps you should shop around for another doctor. It is my understanding that you should have at least a baseline mammogram before the age of 40. I have a friend who was diagnosed at 36 and did not have any family history. IMO - better safe than sorry. They can do so much for breast cancer these days if it is caught in the early stages.

Yep, my aunt's was caught very early on a routine mammogram & she is fine, after surgery & chemo of course. I'll be 40 next year & the doc told me to wait til then, which I'm sure is fine, but I swear EVERY complaint I've ever taken to a doc they say it's "just stress". That seems to be a catch-all that the insurance co's want them to use, IMHO.

My wife grew up in the shadow of the biggest chemical plant in the south, Kingsport, TN. Owned by then Eastmann Kodak. Her father was 33 years an engineer for Eastmann. Had asthma as a child, then in her mid thirties, colon cancer. The surgeon said " you are too young for this". I guarantee you if she had stayed where she was born, on the Ga. side of Lookout Mt. as a child she would have had neither ailment as an adult. I feel it's the air we breath and the food we eat that's the culprit. No one in her family tree has had cancer.

Yep, I bet the air is great on the GA side of Lookout, unless all the St.Elmo pollution rises up to it (Chattem is down there).


Sorry about your wife's history & hope everything is ok now. There was a lady in our neighborhood that died a couple of years ago, story has it her dad worked in a plant & she did all his laundry growing up, something about the chemicals on his clothes :idontno: :(


Anyhow, does anyone have an opinon of organic foods? Is there a good store down there? We have one in our neighborhood & use it quite a bit but it certainly kills the food budget.

They do everything they can to make people think that vaccinations are required, but you can get a waiver. Depending on the state, they may or may not totally harrass you about it. We homeschool so it's not so much an issue for us.

But since the internet has provided so many common folks with research and information, more and more people are coming to question the safety of vaccinations. Mostly the MMR and Polio. Chickenpox shots are untried and no one knows what the long-term effects or protection may or may not be. Hep B shots for newborns? :idontno: We've found a lot of doctors who are more conservative about vaccinations, but none that are on our HMO. :(

I think you have a point about vaccinations. I have a new standard poodle puppy, and the standard poodle world is convinced that over-vaccinating dogs is a primary cause of disease. Standard poodles are afflicted with a long list of illnesses such as Addison's, squamous cell carcinoma, etc., and many people are convinced that this is due to over-vaccination. UC-Davis is studying this very issue. To keep our puppy from getting diseased as so many SPs are, we plan to follow the Dr. Dodds vaccination protocol to minimize her exposure to unnecessary vaccinations.