| Almost all of us know someone who has cancer, | | | | chemicals and emissions from nuclear |
| or who has died from it. We all know the | | | | facilities also contribute to our toxic load. |
| anguish, suffering and grief that it causes. | | | | |
| It has become so common that we treat it as | | | | People are also exposed to toxic chemicals |
| if it's a part of life that we just can't | | | | everyday through commonly used products in |
| avoid. | | | | the home, such as perfumes, shampoos, air |
| | | | fresheners, cleaning products, furniture and |
| People are being diagnosed with cancer at | | | | appliances, frying pans and food and beverage |
| unprecedented rates. Melanomas, breast and | | | | containers. |
| prostate cancers, colon cancer, testicular | | | | |
| cancer and multiple myeloma are all | | | | Even our food can contain chemicals that are |
| increasing. During the 25 years from 1976 to | | | | harmful to human health, through pesticide |
| 2001, the age-adjusted incidence of cancer | | | | sprays on fruits and vegetables, or by being |
| among males increased by 27.7%, and the | | | | grown and processed in ways that prevent key |
| female rate increased by 17.8%. (Canadian | | | | cancer-fighting compounds from being created. |
| Cancer Statistics 2006) | | | | |
| | | | Astonishingly, you can read entire tracts |
| After examining 10 million people over a | | | | about cancer published by the American Cancer |
| 70-year period, a recent Swedish study found | | | | Society and the word carcinogen never comes |
| that 90% of cancers were caused by the | | | | up. These seemingly authoritative agencies |
| environment, where "environment" means | | | | have framed the cause of the disease as a |
| everything outside our bodies that can make | | | | problem of behavior rather than as one of |
| its way in, including tobacco smoke, toxic | | | | exposure to disease-causing agents. |
| chemicals, alcohol, radiation from nuclear | | | | |
| power plants, and the sun, processed foods | | | | - Dr. Sandra Steingraber says: Chemicals have |
| high in sugars, fats and additives, some | | | | replaced bacteria and viruses as the main |
| pharmaceutical drugs, medical x-rays, and | | | | threat to health. The diseases we are |
| more. | | | | beginning to see as the major causes of death |
| | | | in the latter part of (the 1900's) and into |
| These are avoidable toxins, which should not | | | | the 21st century are diseases of chemical |
| be getting into our bodies. With changed | | | | origin. |
| policies, and industrial/agricultural | | | | |
| practices that focus on prevention and | | | | Yes, the environment is the leading cause of |
| precaution, and healthier diets and other | | | | cancer. Research in genetic and hereditary |
| personal habits, we can prevent this | | | | diseases is starting to demonstrate that |
| epidemic. | | | | cancer is often promoted by the environment |
| | | | rather than by genetic predisposition. Yet, |
| Toxic Nation | | | | we have the power to influence our |
| | | | environment. We can choose the chemicals that |
| In 2005, Environmental Defence Canada | | | | enter our houses or the quality of the food |
| released a report called Toxic Nation, which | | | | we breathe, the amount of exercise we |
| summarized the results of 'body burden' tests | | | | practice, and even the quality of our sleep, |
| on 11 Canadians from coast to coast, | | | | which is essential for cell regeneration. A |
| including renowned wildlife artist Robert | | | | factor rarely discussed is also the quality |
| Bateman. Each had blood and urine tested for | | | | of our thoughts and our general 'happiness'. |
| 88 toxic chemicals, many of them carcinogens. | | | | Our immune system 'listens' to our general |
| Sixty chemicals showed up in the combined | | | | well-being and fights depression. Negative |
| results, including 41 known or suspected | | | | thoughts have been demonstrated to lower the |
| cancer-causing substances such as benzene, | | | | immune system's ability to fight disease and |
| PVC, formaldehyde and some pesticides. | | | | rid itself of the ever-present bacteria and |
| | | | cancer cells. In this view, it becomes |
| No one deliberately chooses to be exposed to | | | | important to monitor our thoughts, to find |
| man-made carcinogens, except perhaps for | | | | activities that promote well-being, such as |
| smokers. The chemicals that end up in our | | | | meditation and relaxation. In this way, our |
| bodies are a by-product of many industrial | | | | toxic environment will not find a hold inside |
| processes, released from facilities such as | | | | the body to develop cancer while the immune |
| pulp & paper and chemical plants into the | | | | system is strengthened by a positive outlook |
| surrounding air, water and soil. Agricultural | | | | on life. Think about it. |