Skip to content

Category: cancer

Published on Leave a comment on Book On Cancer Prevention Focusing On Environmental Causes

There is another very good book to read about environmental causes of cancer. It's called A New War On Cancer: The Unlikely Heroes Revolutionizing Prevention by Kristina Marusic. Published by Island Press in 2023.

What makes this book so interesting is that it profiles everyday individuals who are actively working towards preventing cancers caused by environmental causes. They are  doing this by devoting their lives towards preventing cancers caused by pollution and chemicals implicated in causing cancer (e.g., pesticides, endocrine disruptors).

I found myself marking up the book as I read - so many good quotable statements. In the end it was a book that offers hope, and things we can all do.

The forward is written by Dr. Philip Landrigen - a famous researcher looking at toxic chemicals (e.g., pesticides, lead, chemicals in Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses) and how they impact human health. He is one of the world's leading advocates for children's health.

Book: A New War on Cancer: The Unlikely Heroes Revolutionizing Prevention By Kristina Marusic, with a Forward by Philip J. Landrigan , Island Press , 2023.

Published on Leave a comment on Some Cancers In Women Linked to Chemical Exposures

Do you know what chemicals you're exposed to on a daily basis? A recent study found that women with cancers of the breast, uterus, skin (melanoma), or ovaries had significantly higher levels of certain endocrine disrupting chemicals in their bodies than women without any of those cancers.

The researchers looked at levels of some hormone disrupting chemicals: PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), phenols (e.g. BPA), and parabens in both men and women. They found that women had higher levels of endocrine disruptors for 4 types of cancers (breast, uterine, ovarian, and melanoma). However, there was no relationship between the endocrine disruptors and thyroid cancer in men or women, and no relationship in men with prostate cancer.

The reason the researchers looked at breast, prostate, thyroid, ovarian, endometrial, and testicular cancers, and melanoma is because they are "hormone-mediated" cancers. That is, hormones play a role in growth and progression of these cancers.

Bottom line: You cannot totally avoid these chemicals because they are used in so many products, but you can really lower your exposure to them. Read Avoiding Harmful Chemicals for easy tips on reducing your exposure to these harmful chemicals. For example, don't use non-stick pots and pans, don't use plug-in air fresheners, and try to use fragrance-free or unscented products as much as possible. Use paraben and phthalate-free personal care products.

From Medical Xpress: Study finds significant chemical exposures in women with cancer

In a sign that exposure to certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals may be playing a role in cancers of the breast, ovary, skin and uterus, researchers have found that people who developed those cancers have significantly higher levels of these chemicals in their bodies. ...continue reading "Some Cancers In Women Linked to Chemical Exposures"

Published on Leave a comment on Drinking Soda and Fruit Drinks Daily Linked to Risk of Liver Cancer and Death From Chronic Liver Diseases

Once again research finds that drinking sugar sweetened soft drinks or fruit drinks (not juices) is unhealthy. This time a study found that drinking one or more such beverages daily was linked to a higher rate of liver cancer and death from chronic liver diseases, when compared to those drinking 3 or fewer such drinks per month.

This is an important finding because the majority of adults in the US consume one or more sweetened beverages daily! On the other hand, in this study drinking one or more artificially sweetened soda and drinks daily did not have an increased rate of liver cancer or death from chronic liver disease.

By the way, the researchers kept referring to the sweetener as sugar, but in reality the sweetener in (almost) all such beverages is high fructose corn syrup.

Excerpts from Science Daily: Women who consumed sugar sweetened beverage daily had higher risk of developing liver cancer and chronic liver disease

Approximately 65% of adults in the United States consume sugar sweetened beverages daily. Chronic liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and can result in liver cancer and liver disease-related mortality. ...continue reading "Drinking Soda and Fruit Drinks Daily Linked to Risk of Liver Cancer and Death From Chronic Liver Diseases"

Published on Leave a comment on Short Bursts of Physical Activity Associated With Lower Cancer Risk

Great news for people who don't have the time or the desire to engage in exercise routines, gym visits, or sports. A recent large study found that several very short bursts of physical activity (each less than a minute or two) during the day are beneficial to health. They lower cancer risk!

Researchers followed 22,398 non-exercising adults (average age 62 years) for 7 years. The participants wore tracking devices (wrist accelerometers) for 1 week at the beginning of the study to measure their activity levels. Starting at year 2 their cancer incidence was looked at.

They found that several short bursts of vigorous physical activity (each lasting less than 1 or 2 minutes) each day was associated with lower rates of cancer. And it was a dose response - the more of these little bursts of physical activity over the day, the lower the rates of cancer, especially physical activity related cancer.

About 3 1/2 minutes a day of vigorous activity was associated with a 17 to 18% reduction in cancer risk, but 4 1/2 minutes a day was associated with a 31% to 32% reduction in physical activity-related cancers (e.g., breast, endometrial, and colon cancers).

Bottom line: Engage in a little huffing and puffing physical activity every day and lower your risk of cancer. Run up those stairs! Dance to a song! Carry those heavy groceries! Every bit counts. This could be because short bursts of physical activity improve cardiorespiratory fitness and lower inflammation.

Excerpts from Science Daily: Short bursts of daily activity linked to reduced cancer risk

Promising new research suggests a total of just 4.5 minutes of vigorous activity that makes you huff and puff during daily tasks could reduce the risk of some cancers by up to 32 percent. ...continue reading "Short Bursts of Physical Activity Associated With Lower Cancer Risk"

Published on Leave a comment on Common Cleaning Chemical Linked to Parkinson’s Disease
Dry cleaning Credit: Wikipedia

A widely used cleaning chemical (even in dry cleaning!) has been linked to Parkinson's disease by an international team of researchers. In a piece published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, they built a strong case that the chemical trichloroethylene (TCE) is one of the causes of Parkinson's disease. This is based on the existing evidence (both human and animal).

Trichloroethylene was widely used in the past (600 million lbs. per year at its peak in the 1970s), and is still widely used. It is environmentally persistent, and contaminates soil, air, and water. Vapors from underground water and soil contamination seep out into homes, schools, and workplaces. It is known to be carcinogenic (cancer causing) and associated with numerous cancers and other health harms, including birth defects.

TCE has had numerous industrial, consumer, military, and medical applications. For example, it is used in dry cleaning clothes, removing paint, as a degreaser, carpet cleaner, and engine cleaner. It even was used to produce  decaffeinated coffee in the past! Many US sites are now contaminated with TCE, including military bases.

The scientists point out that Parkinson's disease has increased so much (by 500%) that there must be exposure to something else (or more than 1 thing), and they find a strong link to TCE. They refer to Parkinson's as "the world's fastest growing brain disease".

By the way, a number of other toxic chemicals are associated with Parkinson's disease, (e.g., some pesticides, some drugs), long-term welding exposure, and even head trauma.

The researchers urge banning both the production of TCE and its use, urge the clean up sites that are contaminated with TCE, and more research.

Excerpts from Medical Xpress: Common dry cleaning chemical linked to Parkinson's

A common and widely used chemical may be fueling the rise of the world's fastest growing brain condition—Parkinson's disease. For the past 100 years, trichloroethylene (TCE) has been used to decaffeinate coffee, degrease metal, and dry clean clothes. It contaminates the Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune, 15 toxic Superfund sites in Silicon Valley, and up to one-third of groundwater in the U.S. TCE causes cancer, is linked to miscarriages and congenital heart disease, and is associated with a 500% increased risk of Parkinson's disease. ...continue reading "Common Cleaning Chemical Linked to Parkinson’s Disease"

Published on Leave a comment on Certain Nutrients Associated With a Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer

Eating your fruits and vegetables, especially a rainbow assortment of them, is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer as well speeding up recovery in men who received radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

Two recent studies by the same group of Australian researchers found that certain micronutrients found in foods are lower in men with prostate cancer (compared to healthy men). These are lycopene, selenium, lutein, lycopene, α-carotene, β-carotene. Lycopene and selenium appear to be especially important.

Tomatoes and tomato products (e.g., tomato sauce) are an especially good source of lycopene. Other lycopene rich foods are: watermelons, grapefruits, guava, melons, papayas.  Selenium rich foods include Brazil nuts, seafood, organ meats, beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and eggs.

From Medical Xpress: Rainbow of fruit and veg the best prevention against prostate cancer

Men who consume colorful fruits and vegetables on a regular basis are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer (PC), according to new research by University of South Australia scientists.

A rainbow of foods rich in certain micronutrients helps to prevent prostate cancer (PC) as well as speed up recovery among men who undergo radiation treatment for the disease. ...continue reading "Certain Nutrients Associated With a Lower Risk of Prostate Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Scientists Express Concerns Over 5G and Cell Phone Radiation
Cell tower Credit: Wikipedia

While cell phone companies are promoting the wonders and speed of 5G network connections, some scientists are very disturbed by numerous study results of health harms regarding 5G and radio frequency radiation (used by cell phones). They strongly urge for caution, safeguards for consumers, more studies, and a moratorium on the 5G roll-out.

5G is the latest generation of cell phone technology. One concern is that 5G will substantially increase exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on top of the 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi already used for telecommunications. We are all exposed to increasing EMF each year from electric and wireless devices - e.g., "smart homes", smart appliances", cell phones, laptops.

The concerned researchers stress that both animal and human studies find that cell phone radiation (RF-EMF) has harmful health effects, including cancer and male fertility. There is also a petition (5G Appeal) signed by more than 430 scientists, pointing out that:

these frequencies clearly affect male fertility and possibly female fertility too. They may have adverse effects on the development of embryos, fetuses and newborns”. This indicates that EMF/RF functions like a classic endocrine disruptor impairing both male and female reproductive functions

"...numerous recent scientific publications have shown that EMF affects living organisms at levels well below most international and national guidelines”. Effects include increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damages, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans. Damage goes well beyond the human race, as there is growing evidence of harmful effects to both plants and animals."

What can you do? We can't eliminate all radio-frequency electromagnetic field exposure, but we can lower exposure. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations include: use cell phones in speaker mode, keep the phone at a distance from your head, and avoid carrying the phone close to your body, like in a pocket or bra. Short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qftCcMcbh2w

By the way, investigative journalism by ProPublica found strong evidence that the FCC is ignoring scientific studies showing harm from cell phones and is instead shielding the telecommunications industry

Excerpts from Microwave News: Time To Invoke the Precautionary Principle for RF, Say Senior Scientists

The precautionary principle should be applied to public exposures to RF radiation. So say four senior academic scientists —including the former director of the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP)— in a strongly worded appeal, published today.  ...continue reading "Scientists Express Concerns Over 5G and Cell Phone Radiation"

Published on Leave a comment on Highly processed food increases risk of cancer
Fast food Credit: Wikipedia

Bad news keeps coming about the highly processed foods we love to eat. So convenient, so addictive (e.g., potato chips, soda!), but so bad for our health. A recent study found more harms from eating highly processed foods (also called ultra-processed foods). They are associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer and other cancers, and also death from cancer.

Even worse, the more one eats ultra-processed foods daily, the higher the risk of developing and dying from a variety of cancers. The ovarian and brain cancer association was especially strong.

The large study of 197,246 people, conducted in the UK, looked at the association between eating highly processed foods and the risk of developing 34 different types of cancers over a 10 year period. They found that highly processed foods were generally between 9.1% to 41.4% of the foods eaten daily. Highly processed foods averaged 48.6% of the daily calories, and ranged from 28.4% to 68.7% of daily calories.

Chips Credit: Wikipedia

As the researchers point out, the highly processed foods are replacing what should be eaten (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes). Thus, diets rich in highly processed foods are generally nutritionally inferior, and are higher in energy, fats, salt, sugars, and lower in fiber and some micronutrients.

Chemicals in highly processed foods and packaging (e.g., acrylamide, endocrine disruptors) are ingested and cause harm to humans. Additionally, additives found in highly processed foods (e.g., emulsifiers) have negative effects on the gut microbiome and gut (intestinal) lining.

Bottom line: Eat fewer highly processed foods. Eat more foods that are unprocessed or minimally processed (fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, whole grains). Read the list of ingredients on labels.

Excerpts from Medical Xpress: Ultra-processed foods may be linked to increased risk of cancer

Higher consumption of ultra-processed foods may be linked to an increased risk of developing and dying from cancer, an Imperial College London-led observational study suggests. ...continue reading "Highly processed food increases risk of cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Doctors Recommend Mediterranean Style Diet For Health
Fast food Credit: Wikipedia

Say it over and over to yourself: Don't eat highly processed foods, don't eat foods with additives (e.g., emulsifiers, colors), don't eat foods/beverages with high fructose corn syrup, don't eat lots of pre-packaged foods or fast foods.

Why? This kind of high fat, low-fiber Western diet (which most of us eat), is linked to lots of health problems  and also an unhealthy gut microbiome. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease!

Instead, eat a Mediterranean style diet - a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, whole grains, legumes. Also, lots of olive oil. This is a high fiber diet linked to good health and a healthy gut microbiome.

Research finds harms (e.g., harmful alterations of the gut microbiome or intestinal lining, cancer) from ingredients added to highly processed foods, such as emulsifiers, carrageenan, artificial sweeteners, maltodextrin, carboxymethyl cellulose, polysorbate-80, artificial colors and flavors, high fructose corn syrup, etc. Bottom line: Try to avoid any ingredient that's not normally in your kitchen! Read ingredient lists on labels.

Excerpts from a commentary (transcript of podcast) by Dr. D. Johnson from Medscape: Forget Fad Diets, Here's the One You Need

Hello. I'm Dr David Johnson, professor of medicine and chief of gastroenterology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Welcome back to another GI Common Concerns.

All of us routinely see diet recommendations on the Internet — like TikTok — or in new books. Every possible diet seems to receive this promotional push, although the evidence behind them is often lacking.

So what do we mean when we talk about a "healthy diet"? ...continue reading "Doctors Recommend Mediterranean Style Diet For Health"

Published on Leave a comment on Study Finds Vitamin D Supplements are Linked to Lower Risk of Melanoma

The results from well done studies on vitamin D supplements have frequently been disappointing due to lack of health benefits. However, a recent study found that the risk of melanoma (a skin cancer) was significantly reduced in persons taking vitamin D supplements.

The Univ. of Eastern Finland researchers also found no link between vitamin D supplementation and facial photoaging, actinic keratoses, nevus count, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Just keep in mind that the people were not randomly selected  - these were self-selected groups, and thus this is a correlation study. There could be a reason other than vitamin D for the different outcomes.

From Science Daily: Fewer cases of melanoma among people taking vitamin D supplements

Fewer cases of melanoma were observed among regular users of vitamin D supplements than among non-users, a new study finds. People taking vitamin D supplements regularly also had a considerably lower risk of skin cancer, according to estimates by experienced dermatologists. The study, conducted in collaboration between the University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital and published in Melanoma Research, included nearly 500 people with an increased risk of skin cancer. ...continue reading "Study Finds Vitamin D Supplements are Linked to Lower Risk of Melanoma"