Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.
Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/103434
NATUROPATHIC CONTROVERSIAL PROVEN There are ongoing studies in these areas. These are proven cancer risk factors. ACIDIC WATER TOBACCO FLUORIDATED WATER RADON SUGAR OBESITY DEODORANTS AND ANTIPERSPIRANTS MEAT-RICH DIETS BREAST IMPLANTS DIETS LOW IN WHOLE GRAINS WEARING A BRA DIETS LOW IN FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES PHYSICAL INACTIVITY ALCOHOL INFECTIONS WITH CERTAIN VIRUSES AND BACTERIA AIR POLLUTION CHARRED OR HEAVILY GRILLED MEATS SOME CHEMICALS Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS, A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race (Indianapolis: Dog Ear Publishing, 2010). also associated with an increased cancer the management of cancer, but many of chemicals because there are a lot of risk," says Dr. Wascher, "and particularly these scans are being done for less-than- variables," Dr. Wascher says. cancer of the esophagus, stomach, pan- solid critical reasons," Dr. Wascher says. The challenge comes in proving beyond creas, colon, and rectum. Diets that are He recommends prudent use of these a shadow of a doubt that certain chemicals low in whole grains and fresh fruits and scans—and the use of ultrasound or mag- pose a risk. The scientific community vegetables also increase the risk of these netic resonance imaging when possible needs solid facts to rule against a same cancers." and appropriate, instead of CT scans. chemical, but the available scientific data • RADIATION Exposure to radiation can • POWER LINES Smekens explains that is often not black-and-white. Engel says increase the risk of cancer. "For most of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been that if you look at the full body of data— us, that is probably not a huge deal be- associated with leukemia, brain tumors, which includes both human and animal cause we didn't live downwind of Cher- and breast cancer. "There have been studies—there is biologically plausible nobyl," explains Dr. Wascher. "But an some occupational studies on people who concern regarding certain chemicals. area of increasing concern is medical X- worked on power lines that showed small She lists several chemicals of concern, ray exposure. In fact, recent conservative but real increases in leukemia and brain including estimates suggest that one to two percent cancer," she says. An association has also phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA). of all new cancer cases may be linked to been found between housing proximity "You don't have that much to lose by medical X-rays and to CT [computed to- to power lines and increased incidence of avoiding these chemicals, and you have mography] scans in particular." Many of childhood leukemia. everything to gain," Engel insists. to medical treatment, but sometimes X- What about Chemicals? Chemicals, Healthy Families, a national rays and scans are overused. "When prop- "It's a fuzzy area when you start talking coalition of organizations and individuals erly used, CT scans are very important in about environmental pollutants and working to raise awareness about toxic these scans are important and necessary 34 cancer fighters thrive | spring 2013 endocrine disruptors like Lindsay Dahl, deputy director of Safer cfthrive.com