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Proactive Cancer Prevention

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Does cancer prevention mean never getting cancer? Not necessarily, but it can decrease your chances immensely. It all begins with you.

Proactive cancer prevention

Life, procrastination, even denial possibly get in the way of doing what we know we should do to be healthy individuals. Annual checkups, knowing our family’s health history, eating healthy foods, and exercising are just a few areas that can affect our health. What else can be done to protect overall health and even deter cancer?

First is the use of tobacco products

There is no safe amount of smoking. A study showed that even smoking fewer than one cigarette each day resulted in a 64 percent increase in death over people who never smoked. The more cigarettes smoked, the higher the percentage as it climbs to an 87 percent higher death risk when smoking between one and 10 per day versus never smoked.

Eating an overall healthy diet is key

Studies show that instead of focusing on one type of food or beverage as “good” or “bad”, it’s the entire diet over a long period of time that most affects our health. This nutrient intake includes supplements as well.  Supplements cannot replace the benefits of ingesting nutrients through foods – and can sometimes even be a detriment. Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans and limit refined sugars and processed meats to reduce the possibility of acquiring cancer.

Premature death associated with extreme obesity

What is extreme obesity? In general, it is when a person is 100 pounds or more over their recommended weight for their height. Since this is usually measured in BMI rankings, it was found that people in the 40.0 – 44.9 BMI category lost over six years from their normal life span. Those at an even higher level of 55.0 – 59.9 BMI lost almost 14 years of life. To compare, smokers and extremely obese individuals had about the same years of life lost. These losses are generally due to heart issues and cancer.

Breast cancer prevention

Limit alcohol consumption. Latest recommendation to prevent breast cancer is to drink no more that one drink per day. Alcohol increases the risk of breast, colon, lung, kidney and liver cancers.

Stay active regularly.  Aim for 150 minutes each week with moderate activity or 75 minutes of aerobic activity. This will burn calories and also keep blood flowing.

Weigh the risks of hormone therapy over the rewards. If you decide to proceed, stay under a doctor’s monitoring as combination hormone therapy can increase risks if used for more than 3-5 years.

Protect yourself in the sun

Melanoma can be a vicious cancer, so protecting yourself when outdoors pays big dividends. This protection needs to be used on cloudy days as well as sunny. Stay in the shade, use a minimum of SPR 30 and reapply frequently – especially when going in and out of water. Cover skin when outdoors using tightly woven fabrics in bright or dark colors. Finally, completely avoid tanning beds or sunlamps. These will damage your skin and bring about skin cancer just as much as the sun.

Certain behaviors create risks

Hepatitis B increases risk of liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for people at risk through intravenous drugs, people with sexually transmitted infections, and people exposed through their occupation in health care or public safety.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus. It can lead to cervical cancers and squamous cell cancers on the head and neck. The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and boys 11 and 12 and the Gardasil 0 for adults ages 9 to 45.

Practice safe sex. This will aid in protection against cancers of liver, lung, and various genital cancers. \

Don’t share needles. This behavior can lead to diseases that increase the risk of liver cancer.

Environmental cancer prevention

Many people still do not realize the dangers that may lurk in homes and offices built before 1978. For decades, asbestos was used in multiple ways – for insulation, tiles, mastic, shingles, popcorn ceilings, the list goes on. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Though it is primarily dangerous when disturbed, allowing fibers to float and be inhaled or land on clothing or furniture, it poses a hazard within any pre-1978 building.  For that reason, any type of renovation, or accident, or weather event that disturbs an asbestos laden material is dangerous. Inhalation can lead to lung cancer, asbestosis, and the fatal disease, mesothelioma. Always employ a professional abatement company when a project may involve asbestos. They will test any suspicious materials, and if necessary, clean and dispose of all contaminated debris.

There are other dangers that may be in your home. Search the Internet and you’ll find articles and preventative methods on talc (may contain asbestos), cleaners, makeup, as well as other products to check. A good place to start is ewg.org, a website of the Environmental Working Group that “empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment.” Their research and education on common products can be eye-opening.

Begin today

No one wants to experience the symptoms or go through the treatments for cancers. There is so much we can do to lessen the risks – more than written here. What can you do to decrease your – and your family’s – risk for cancer? It’s worth making changes in lifestyle. Proactive cancer prevention can save your life.

New Discovery May Lead to a Cancer Cure

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Though the study is in early stages, a new discovery may lead to a cancer cure for all types. The potential cure lies within our own immune systems.

A team of researchers at Cardiff University discovered T-cell receptors (TCRs) in the human immune system that were unknown until the study. One of the researchers, Professor Andrew Sewell, stated, “Current TCR-based therapies can only be used in a minority of patients with a minority of cancers. Cancer-targeting via MR1-restricted T-cells is an exciting new frontier – it raises the prospect of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ cancer treatment; a single type of T-cell that could be capable of destroying many different types of cancers across the population. Previously nobody believed this could be possible.”

New TCRs may lead to cancer cure for all types of cancers

The new TCR can recognize. at a chemical level, the MR1 molecule when present on a cancer cell. While the MR1 is also on the surface of every cell in the body, this newly discovered TCR targets and kills only cancerous cells.

There are other T-cell therapies currently, such as CAR-T, but they are extremely specific to the individual and to the type of cancer. These therapies, unlike what is shown in trials of the new TCR, are ineffective for any solid cancer, such as tumors. According to this study, published in Nature Immunology, researchers were able to kill cancer cells in lung, skin, blood, colon, breast, bone, prostate, ovarian, kidney, and cervical cancers – meanwhile not harming healthy cells.

How would the patient receive the TCRs?

  1. Blood would be taken from the patient
  2. Immune T-cells would be filtered out
  3. Scientists would use a harmless virus to put genes into T-cells which changes them to recognize and target cancer cells
  4. These enhanced cells would be duplicated in large quantities in the lab
  5. Finally, these cells are injected into the patient

At this point, the TCRs would do their work to search and destroy cancer cells.

When will treatments begin?

To date, tests were performed on mice containing human cancer with a human immune system. Tests on humans are expected by the end of 2020, but first must ensure that healthy cells are not compromised in the process.

According to Daniel Davis, a professor of immunology at the University of Manchester, “At the moment, this is very basic research and not close to actual medicines for patients. There is no question that it’s a very exciting discovery, both for advancing our basic knowledge about the immune system and for the possibility of future new medicines.”

Finally, One Less Worry for 9/11 Responders

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With passage in the House and Senate of a 9/11 first responders bill, and signed by the president, there is finally one less worry for 9/11 responders. This legislation is named for three responders who gave their lives in the aftermath of 9/11. It is now known as “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11 Victim Compensation Act.”

The men behind the bill’s name

Zadroga, a N.Y.C. officer, in 2006 was the first to die. He passed due to a respiratory disease brought on by his exposure to the clouds of toxic particles. Next was Pfeifer, who died after fighting cancer for eight years in 2017. He worked for eight months digging through the rubble that had been the towers. Finally, this past June 29th, Alvarez, a NYPD detective, died just weeks after testifying and fighting for permanent healthcare and compensation for those physically affected by the 9/11 aftermath. He spent three months on ground zero giving aid for the recovery efforts that led to 69 rounds of chemotherapy. Each of these men fought for ongoing healthcare for first responders.

One less worry

While relieved the fight for healthcare is over, the 18 years of fighting for assistance leaves many exhausted. Most survivors are too sick to continue trips to Washington fighting for additional funding. This bill assures them that their health problems are covered until 2092, allowing them to concentrate on their medical treatments and their families instead of repeated trips to D.C.

The people who never gave up

The firebrand who famously advocated for this bill was Jon Stewart of the “Daily Show”. He brought attention of this appalling situation to the public as well as congress. An original co-sponsor of the 9/11 Victims Fund, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY, was very vocal in her pursuit of justice for these men and women. Rep. Maloney vowed to wear a FDNY firefighter’s jacket, beginning in February, until the bill was passed in her effort to publicize the urgency. Other Democrats who were crucial to the passage were Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Senators from New York. Republicans named were Representatives Chris Collins, Mark Meadows, and Deb Fischer. John Feal, a first responder who suffered a crushed foot at ground zero and an outspoken advocate said, “I’m going to ask my team now to put down your swords and pick up your rakes and go home, and hopefully, we don’t have to come back.”

Only two senators did not vote yes: Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. Both affirm they support healthcare for survivors, but wanted money set aside to fund the bill.

The human statistics

Over 70,000 people applied to the program when it was known as the Zadroga Act. At this time, more than 32,000 enrollees now have developed respiratory or digestive diseases – and 705 people have died from them. Cancer is also an outcome, with close to 9,000 first responders afflicted and 600 who succumbed to the disease. Among the many toxins encountered in the dust and debris was asbestos. This mineral has no safe level of exposure and is known to cause many diseases, including the deadly mesothelioma. Experts reviewing these statistics warn that the deaths from the aftermath will exceed the 3,000 people who died that horrible day and may have already exceeded that number.

Sponsor statement before passage

Sen. Kristen Gillibrand who was chief sponsor of the bill, said, “Our 9/11 first responders are sick and dying, and too many of them have spent too much of their precious time left fighting to convince Congress to pass the 9/11 VCF bill. This legislation has strong bipartisan support and the votes in the Senate and the House to pass this bill as soon as it comes to the floor. This all comes down to political will and whether Congress is truly willing to ‘never forget’ the heroes of 9/11.”

Finally, one less worry for 9/11 responders.

Two Decades After Ban, Asbestos Still Kills 5,000 Britons Each Year

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Not surprisingly, two decades after the ban, asbestos still kills 5,000 Britons each year. That’s because symptoms of disease often don’t show up until 20 to 40 years – or more – after exposure. This long exposure time is one of the reasons it is often not recognized as an imminent danger, yet the fibers inhaled many years in the past are poised to show up as lung cancer, asbestosis, or the deadly mesothelioma after the initial exposure is just a memory.

Asbestos still kills 5,000 Britons each year

The long exposure time is only one reason it is still killing after all these years. Though the mineral was outlawed 20 years ago in Britain, asbestos still exists in government, commercial, and residential buildings built before 1999. While not a threat when undisturbed, these buildings often are at an age when renovation, or even demolition, is required. If this work is not done by an authorized abatement company, the possibility of exposure from the dust created is high. To cut corners, renovators and do-it-yourself handymen often skip this critical step and the countdown to possible diseases in the distant future starts again.

The report from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) verified that people today are still being exposed – often because of non-compliance with regulations. In the past year, over 130 British companies or individuals were ordered to stop work because of rule-breaking.

As Bev Bessinger, IOSH chief executive said, “It is unacceptable that 20 years on from asbestos being banned in Britain, organisations are still potentially putting at risk the lives of employees, their families, and other members of the public. Thousands die in Britain every year from cancers like mesothelioma, while many more are diagnosed with it. All this is preventable through good occupational safety and health. It is time for organisations to wake up and realise how dangerous asbestos is. There are no excuses.”

Dr. Nick Hopkinson, medical director at the British Lung Foundation, reinforced this message by confirming, “Currently the only treatments available are aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and improving quality of life. This devastating disease is preventable, and the dangers of asbestos are well known. It’s vital companies are vigilant and take the proper precautions to protect people from the life-threatening dangers of asbestos, and take urgent action if asbestos has been found.”

Asbestos still kills 15,000 Americans each year

This number of deaths is not acceptable. The United States has not taken the necessary steps to ban asbestos, even though it has been banned in 55 countries. Though some uses are no longer allowed in the US, others are – especially in commercial applications. We know homes and other buildings constructed before the 1980s have a high likelihood of asbestos in areas such as drywall, insulation, siding, roofing, tile mastic, and insulation around pipes. When will the US stop new uses of this deadly mineral?

Brakes on the Toxic Substances Control Act

This act showed promise to finally ban, or strictly control, asbestos as it was identified as one of the ten high risk chemicals set for EPA evaluation. Unfortunately, the ground rules for the EPA’s evaluation under the Trump administration has softened the likelihood of a ban and shockingly, may perhaps even allow new uses of the fiber.

A legacy of death for the future

Like those in the U.K. who work on demolition or renovation of pre-1980 era buildings, workers and their families can be exposed to asbestos if not careful to have suspicious areas checked by an abatement professional. Click here to see a comprehensive FAQ checklist of asbestos products, reporting information, and testing guidelines. Since there is no outright ban, new asbestos-containing materials can still be imported into the US. As seen in the British report, once a ban is in place, people contracting asbestos-related diseases continue for decades into the future. Until importation and new uses are stopped completely, there is no end in sight for the victims of asbestos.

Good News For Many As U.S. Cancer Deaths Declined

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U.S. cancer deaths declined 27% overall in a period of 25 years – from 1991 to 2016. Good news for many, but this statistic reverses in some counties where there is a great deal of social and economic difference.

Why does the cancer death rate vary between counties?

The positive: In those 25 years, almost 2.6 million fewer people died due to cancer. This is primarily due to:

– Smoking reduction
– Earlier detection
– Improved treatments
– Environmental factors

Common cancers, such as breast, colon, lung, and prostate benefitted the most with a percentage decrease of 40%-breast, 53%-colon, 48%-lung, and 51%-prostate. So, why have some counties actually shown an increase in these cancers over the same length of time?

The negative: Rebecca Siegel, lead researcher and scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society (ACS), suggests, “The largest gaps are for the most preventable cancers. For example, in the early 1970s colon cancer death rates were 20 percent lower in poor counties, and today they are 35 percent higher, when compared with people living in richer counties.”

Siegel also said, “Differences in wealth lead to differences in risk factors and less access to high-quality care for prevention, early detection and treatment.” Predictably, people in lower economic areas are less likely to go to a doctor as frequently for screening, which leads to cancer diagnoses at a more advanced stage.

“Health literacy is an issue”, stated Siegel. Where people of lower economic levels have access to screening, the cancer percentages per county even out with those of more wealth, but only if residents also are educated on how they can lower their cancer risks.

Environmental factors are important as well. Beginning in the early 1970s, many of the first environmental regulations were passed – aiming to curb public exposure to a myriad of industrial toxins. Additionally, geographic areas with heavy industry often tend to have a higher incidence of cancer rates.

Not all cancer deaths declined

Though the report is good news overall, other cancer deaths rose, such as liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain cancer, soft-tissue cancers, and oral cancers related to the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Siegel reminded that, even though lung cancer deaths decreased, “lung cancer still kills more Americans than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined.” Another disease is malignant mesothelioma, a fatal disease across all economic groups that currently has no cure. Mesothelioma is actually a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos exposure. There are also several variants of lung cancer which can also be asbestos-related.

Great strides are being made, but cancer remains the second leading cause of death after heart disease. For some areas, as well with Hispanic, Asian American, and people under 80, cancer is still the primary cause of death. While the gap in cancer deaths has reduced between black and white populations, there is a growing gap based on wealthy versus poor counties.

What is next?

Obviously additional research and studies on more that the common cancers is necessary. There must be increased education initiatives in poor communities and communities in general.

Cancer deaths currently drop at 2% a year, but with increased availability of screening, health education within all communities, and ongoing research, this 2% could increase a great deal and cancer deaths become fewer with each year.

Dr. Harold Burstein, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and physician with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, stated this report shows “tremendous improvements” in therapeutic treatments for cancer.

Though there is still work to do, Burstein professes the medical researchers have made tremendous progress treating the disease. “For a long time, there was a nihilism that we are not winning the war of cancer,” he said. “We are winning the war.”