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