April 27, 2006 - Day 2 - Week 4 - Cutting Cancer Risks

I have not seen the actual study, but as reported in the magazine Men’s Journal, a compilation of pro-active self help commentary; I quote:  “Thirty-five percent of the world’s seven million cancer deaths in 2001 were attributable to nine risk factors definitely under your control.”  7 million does not seem like a large number out of our 6.5 billion people, unless a loved one is in that statistic, but the magazines pro-active stance is encouraging.

In this magazine designed to enable the male population to find avenues for healthier living, there are two sections that caught my attention:  Health Notes and Nutrition Notes.

In the Health Notes the bold headline read:  Cutting Cancer Risks

Mostly common sense, but here they are for your evaluation.

1. Smoking: If you have not quit yet, go to www.quitnet.com
2. Alcohol use: If you’re not a drinker no reason to start.
3. Excess weight: (146 pounds at 5’ 10 is ideal) I am already in big trouble, as I am 5’ 11 ¾ inches and weigh around 176, which is done from my cancer detection weight of 186.  I better stick to the seaweed diet 7 days a week.
4. Low fruit and vegetable intake: (common denominator of practically every one I know) – Recommendation:  Nine servings a day. 
5. Physical inactivity:  Couch potato no more.  At least 2.5 hours of exercise a week.
6. Urban air pollution:  LA and NYC bad spots to live.

There it is for assessment.   I am not sure all of these are really under our control all the time, but the first five are definitely in that category and number 6, well that is the environmental factor we must all eventually address.

In the expanded Nutrition section two words caught my attention:  snacking safe.

Who among us is not a snacker? (Spell check says no such word – so we have invented a new term)  I am a snacker and I know what snackers look like.  I want to be a safe snacker now, above all else.  The bold headline read:  CANCER-CAUSING POPCORN.

My first reaction was you must be kidding.  Popcorn, the low-cal treat is as American as apple pie, and hotdogs (which are on the not snacking safe list either) is dangerous for my health.  Microwave popcorn may leach chemicals from the packaging that if ingested may metabolize into a particularly nasty compound called perfluorooctanoic acid – which happens to be a component of Teflon (not recommended for cooking on).  PFOA, in minute traces is in all of our blood, and the causes are now being identified.  The good news is that the packaging is the culprit, not the popcorn.  I can still cook it the old fashioned way and be safe; unless I am using genetically modified corn kernels and that presents its own problems for our health.

No my goal is not to scare any of us, but I must admit ignorance has kept me blissful for too long and I may be paying the piper now.

We should be thankful that technology is beginning to unlock truths about our food delivery systems as we find ways to minimize our risk for getting cancer.  Vigilance, reason and discernment are perhaps 3 skills that should be taught in pre-school.  In any event, cutting cancer risks for the very young in our culture is the least we can do.

Back to Week 4