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World Wide CarcinogensIs What our People are Consuming Safe?

By Paige Meier

+ can·cer \ˈkan(t)-sər\ noun

a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis

Cancer results when a cell starts dividing out of control, even though the body doesn’t need it to tumor is formed

Carcinogen - any substance or radiation that is directly involved in the promotion of cancer. They act similarly to viruses, and reprogram cells’ DNA.

The tumor spreads from the origin to distant

places in the body

Cancer cells break off from the main

tumor and infect the nearby tissue

+The Problem at hand…

Cancer is responsible for an astounding number of the deaths on this planet. Many cases are contributed to by repeated exposures to carcinogens in our daily lives. The National Institutes of Health names fifty-four known compounds that are carcinogens. How is it that governing bodies have failed to inform the public about critical scientific information on avoidable causes of cancer from carcinogenic ingredients and contaminants in consumer products and foods? How is it that so much of the population receives no education on making simple healthy choices to help prevent these diseases? The best line of defense people around the world can take on cancer is to BE AWARE.

“From the womb to old age, people around the world are exposed to countless carcinogens in their food, air, water and consumer goods”~Dr. Ted Schettler, Director of the Science and Environmental Health Network.

"Cancer is a growing pandemic – and an enemy that no single organization, or nation for that matter, can defeat alone.”~ John R. Seffrin, Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society

"Cancer is responsible for 1 in 8 deaths worldwide. In fact, cancer causes more deaths than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined.” ~Otis W. Brawley, MD, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society

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+Knowledge is Power. 20,000 people world wide

die from cancer every day

Far too many of the harmful ingredients in products today merit no warning labels

A glaring Information Gap exists between Developed and Developing nations In addition, foods and products

containing carcinogens are often cheaper than those without, so poor populations may have limited alternatives

"This cancer burden is also increasing as people in the developing countries adopt western lifestyles such as cigarette smoking, higher consumption of saturated fat and calorie-dense foods, and reduced physical activity," says American Cancer Society epidemiologist Ahmedin Jemal, MD

Consequently there is also a Survival Gap Developing countries often

struggle with adequate sanitation and medical care Infection-related cancers (like

stomach or cervical) are three times more likely in developing countries

Treatments are expensive and extensive

Approximately 81% of American Women survive breast cancer for five years after diagnosis while only 32% of Sub-Saharan African Women do

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Organizations to Know…

Donate money to keep these programs going, enhance research, and fund awareness and legislative campaigns

Donate TIME

Ways to Help…

American Cancer Society

Susan G. Komen Foundation

World Health Organization

International Union Against Cancer

Improving Cancer

Education

Program of Action for Cancer Therapy Lance Armstrong

FoundationInternational Agency for

Research on CancerNational Cancer Institute

The list goes on…

Participate in a Relay for Life

or Race for the Cure

Take time to educate others on healthy cancer prevention

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Milk and Cheese containing rBGH or IGF-1 has been banned from sale in almost all of Europe and Canada

Moooving in the Right Direction…

In January of 1989, the European Economic Commission also banned meat containing synthetic sex hormones including Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

+ Start Greater Awareness NOWThe following are several products dangerously high in carcinogens that are common around the globe

It is hard to imagine the thousands and thousands more….

Also, take a look at the Cancer Prevention Coalition’s “Dirty Dozen” list: http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/general/dirty_dozen.htm

+Fast Food

Acrylamide (a chemical carcinogen) is often put into fast foods… especially French Fries

Products high in carbs. Cooked at very high temperatures have the most acrylamide.

Studies show it contributes to cancers in the digestive tract and breast cancer.

Acrylamide is commonly used in wastewater treatment, paper making, ore processing, and dye manufacturing.

Eating some FF is OK… too much is extremely bad for your health

Umm…yummy

5.57 oz. per

serving

6.72 oz. per

serving

5.39 oz. per serving

(31,000 Restaurants in 118 countries)

(12,000 Restaurants in 73 countries)

(6,600 Restaurants Worldwide)

+Artificial Food Coloring Most AFCs are made from petroleum- derived from petrochemicals and

coal tar

The Center for Science in the Public Health, a consumer advocacy group, tried to get the FDA to ban eight artificial food colors: Red 3 and Red 40, Blue 1 and Blue 2, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, Green 3, and Orange B.

FIVE of these are still in foods today and are linked with cancer in animal testing; Chemically, their molecular structures are very similar to other food additives that have been banned for being proven carcinogens.

They are linked mostly to cancer of the kidneys and bladder

(Gatorade accounted for 80% of World sports drink

sales in 2007)

(85 billion Goldfish

crackers are consumed each

year in 40 countries)

+PVC: The Poison Plastic

When produced or burned, PVC plastic releases dioxins, a group of the most potent synthetic chemicals ever tested, which can cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive systems.

PVC is found in: H20 bottles, plastic cups, childrens’ toys, shower curtains, new car, etc.

Anything new and plastic that smells funky probably has PVC

After September 11th, the EPA measured the highest air concentrations of dioxins ever near ground zero, likely due to the combustion of PVC and other chlorinated materials.

Cancer risks include angiosarcoma of the liver, lung cancer, brain cancer, lymphomas, leukemia, and liver cirrhosis.

(In 1993, over half (103,000 tons) of all PVC used in Australia was for

plumbing alone.)

+Alcohol

alcohol increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus. The risk of upper respiratory tract cancer is greatly increased if drinkers also smoke. Alcohol also increase the risk of liver cancer and probably increases the risk for colon, rectal and breast cancer.

Cancer of the liver is preceded by alcoholic liver cirrhosis which develops after years of drinking.The tissues in your liver are replaced by fibrous scar tissue; the fibrous parts can’t function

+Cigarettes and Tobacco

60 carcinogenic agents have been found in tobacco smoke, and at least 16 in unburned tobacco Polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons and Nitrosamines – groups of dangerous DNA-damaging chemicals; Cadmium - used in batteries; Acrolein - formerly used as a chemical weapon

Cancers linked: lung, oral cavity, nasal cavity, larynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, bladder, ureter, kidney and cervix, and myeloid leukemia

Cigarettes cause 87% of lung cancer deaths

+Are we all gonna’ die?

No.

In short, it seems like too much of almost anything has the potential to cause cancer….DO NOT DESPAIR!

Just be careful with what you expose your body to, especially: artificially processed foods with weird chemicals Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco Extreme air or water pollution

Also, remember that your genetic makeup, age, viruses, and other factors out of your control can contribute to cancer.

Above All: Keep Informed and Keep Informing

+ Works CitedThank you very much…

http://cancer.about.com/od/newlydiagnosed/a/whatcancer.htm

http://www.advancedhealthplan.com/acrylamide.html

http://artificialcolor.wetpaint.com/?t=anon

http://www.besafenet.com/pvc/about.htm

http://www.childrenshomeofrdg.org/images/626000sm.jpg

http://www.rawmilktruth.com/images/cow.jpg

http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/general/dirty_dozen.htm

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Alcohol_consumption_per_capita_world_map.PNG

http://www.who.int/tobacco/mpower/mpower_graph_p19.gif

http://archive.greenpeace.org/toxics/reports/cfap/cfapm3.html#6.2.

http://www.uicc.org/advocacy

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Leading_Cancer_Organizations_Team_Up_For_Global_Cancer_Fight.asp

http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20071217/2007-world-cancer-deaths-top-7-million