Alchemy: Not All Chemicals Turn Metal  into Gold; Some Cause Cancer!

21st century has brought some great advancements in medicine, but cancer seems still be very deadly as of today. The high prevalence of cancer is alarming: with 1 of 2 men being diagnosed with some form of cancer, a need is given to look into the causing factors which might be preventable. Indeed, according to the American Association for Cancer Research, more than half of all cancers are preventable. Indeed, prostate cancer with its high prevalence of 1 in 6 men can be caused by chemicals which we are exposed to on a daily basis: estimates announce that 90-95% of cancers having “their roots in environment and lifestyle.” . But what’s causing all these cancers? Is there something we can do to reduce risks? The article "Effects of Human Exposure to Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals Examined in Landmark United Nations Report", based on a startling new report State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) revealed that many synthetic chemicals, untested for their disruptive effects on the hormone system, could have significant health implications. The report reveals associations between exposure to EDCs and health problems, including the potential for such chemicals to contribute to the development of non-descended testes in young males, breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, developmental effects on the nervous system in children, attention deficit /hyperactivity in children and thyroid cancer.

Where are All These Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals?

Now, where do all these chemicals come from? You might say "I'm very self-cautious when it comes to what I eat", but it's not only the food we buy that exposes us to dangerous chemicals.Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are everywhere. They can be found in many household and industrial products. Our exposure happens via ingestion of food, dust and water, inhalation of gases and particles in the air, and skin contact. Children, caused by their "put all in mouth" behavior, are even more exposed to chemical threats. Exposure at a very young age has the most dramatic effects on their development and can potentially cause cancer at a later age. In fact, children and adolescents cancer incidence rates have risen significantly over the past 15 years.The fact is it’s not easy to prevent chemical exposure as we go through a usual day. The best and most effective way of prevention is education and knowledge. We MUST ask questions and become more educated on the harms of chemicals in our foods, our body care products, our dry cleaning, our household products, pollutants from car exhaust and factories and other areas. Self education is the key to prevent diseases that might not be treatable. Read labels, and ask questions whenever you are not certain about the safeness of products you use and expose your children to.