Cancer & the environment

[GraytonBound]

OK, I know this is too serious a topic for the lounge, but it sounds like we have a lot of intelligent people out there.

What's your opinion of cancer as it relates to geographic areas? I have done some research on this topic & visited the cancer websites, and there is so much info it's hard to sort out. I think it was the American Cancer website that had charts of diagnosed cases and mortality rates by type of cancer listed by state. Seems that the southern states (excluding Florida) had the highest incidences. Are the hospitals not as good, are the people less educated (don't take that personally I am a southern girl), is it something in the air?

Seems odd to me that of the 8 kids within a block of our house, 5 of them have asthma. Also heard someone the other day say that 3 kids in one neighborhood have the same type of rare cancer (I think it was called neuroblastoma?)

Is it possible to say certain cities are targets for cancer? Would they publicize it if it were true?

Anyway, if this it too serious of a topic don't feel that you have to answer....just something on my mind today

 

[Kurt]

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.

 

[Sheila]

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.

 

[GraytonBound]

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.

 

[RiverOtter]

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.

 

[BeachDreamer]

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.

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.

 

[BeachDreamer]

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

 

[RiverOtter]

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.

 

[GraytonBound]

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 !!!!

 

[Paula]

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