Nearly 42 out of every 100 people alive today may end up suffering from cancer, as stated by Dr. Ivars Kalvins of the European Patent Office who was a 2016 Finalist for the European Inventor Award. Currently, nearly 1 in 6 deaths in the world is due to cancer.Increasing incidences of cancer
Farmers are now conventionally using herbicides and pesticides to remove weeds and kill insects that could harm the growth of their crops
Marzuk Hasnath
Nearly 42 out of every 100 people alive today may end up suffering from cancer, as stated by Dr. Ivars Kalvins of the European Patent Office who was a 2016 Finalist for the European Inventor Award. Currently, nearly 1 in 6 deaths in the world is due to cancer.
IF you were to ask the previous generation, they would affirm that cancer was a rarity 15 or 20 years ago. However, we now hear about people in their forties or even thirties being diagnosed with cancer. According to the International Agency For Research On Cancer, two lac people are diagnosed with cancer each year in Bangladesh, and both this total and the fraction of non-smoking related cancers is expected to rise rapidly: by 2030, 2 crore 14 lakh people are predicted to be victims of cancer in the country and the yearly incidence of cancer is expected to rise to nearly 10 lakhs!
Unfortunately, we are at much greater risk from cancer than many of us realize, and this malady is increasingly at a frightening pace; if half the worlds population is at risk from this deadly enemy, its high time we educated ourselves about what were up against and start adopting preventive measures.
Many of us mistakenly think of cancer as a tumor or lump, whereas in reality the tumor is only the symptom and an outcome of the root cause. The American Cancer Society websites explains cancer as follows: Cancer is when the cells start to grow out of control. The cancer cells keep on growing and making new cells. They crowd out (destroy/starve) normal cells. This causes problems in that part of the body where the cancer started.
Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body. For instance, cancer cells in the lung can travel to the bones and grow there. When cancer cells spread, its called metastasis.
If metastasis occurs, then other body parts and organs may fail, which can lead to ultimate death.
Dr. Matthias Rath of the Netherlands, the American Anti-Cancer Institute and several other doctors around the world explain that cancer is caused by toxins (harmful chemicals) such as preservatives, flavours and colours in processed foods as well as chemical fertlilizers, pesticides and herbicides in fresh foods. They also cite radiation such as mammograms, mobile networks and Wi-Fi as carcinogens (cancer causing agents).
The best way to protect ourselves is by limiting our exposure to carcinogens.
In general, we should we use the golden rule that says Natural is the only way. This means that we must avoid processed foods that contain industrial chemicals such as colours, added flavours and preservatives. It also implies that we should seek to replace chemical toiletries, cosmetics and skin care products with natural substitutes, as was practiced by our parents and grandparents. The evidence against chemical cosmetics and related products is rock solid, and may be discussed in future (refer to The American Cancer Society for further details).
Many people are wary about formaldehyde, commonly known as formalin, and rightfully so. The National Cancer Institute in the USA reports that as recently as 2011, the National Toxicology Program in the USA named formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen in its 12th Report on Carcinogens.
Due to all of this, many of us avoid buying fruits, especially the shiny and spotless types! However, did you know that large quantities of formalin are applied on many vegetables and fishes? If the product is expensive enough, it would pay to apply the chemical rather than sell at reduced prices (i.e., before these products start to decay).
Formaldehyde is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to harmful chemicals being applied on fresh foods. Farmers are now conventionally using herbicides and pesticides to remove weeds and kill insects that could harm the growth of their crops.
The World Health Organisation warns that pesticides can lead to cancer and adverse effects on the reproductive, immune and nervous systems!!! These chemicals can damage the brain and even a foetus! Demand for quick plant growth has created a market for synthetic fertilizers containing hazardous chemicals such as urea, lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, barium, chromium, nickel, beryllium, dioxin, etc.
The metals found in these fertilizers are known or suspected carcinogens, reproductive and developmental, liver, and blood toxicants. For example, beryllium is a suspected carcinogen, chromium and arsenic are known to cause cancer and barium can cause kidney and lung damage.
We need to start educating ourselves and others about cancer, its causes and prevention. We must make informed purchases that will protect our families from carcinogens.
It is imperative that we update our lifestyle and choose natural options over artificial substitutes. Remember that, together, we can create a significant and lasting impact that will bring about the changes we desperately need: if we dont buy, they cannot sell. The consumer has the ultimate power, but we must strive hard to save ourselves, and strive we shall, for the alternative is unthinkable.
The writer is a freelancer
