Cancer has affected my family more times than I like to count.
As we come up to Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on Thursday, 19 May which raises funds for people impacted by cancer, I thought I would reflect on ways we can prevent cancer because currently the stats are that 1 in 2 Australians are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85.
The Cancer Council states that one in three cancer cases could be prevented through lifestyle changes like being sun smart, maintaining a healthy weight, adequate exercise and more.
It has been said that genetics load the gun, and the environment pulls the trigger.
The environment can mean many things – my home, outdoor spaces, workspace, food and beverages, skin products, cleaning products, supplements, medicines...
When was the last time you considered what carcinogens are in your environment? (A carcinogen is a substance, organism or agent capable of causing cancer.) Generally, our immediate environment is one of the things we CAN control about our health outcomes (the wider environment can be a little more difficult!).
I visited the website of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC – part of the World Health Organisation), and found a list of agents classified into four groups:
1. Group 1 – carcinogenic to humans
2. Group 2A – probably carcinogenic to humans
3. Group 2B – possibly carcinogenic to humans
4. Group 3 – Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
There are 121 agents in Group 1 alone. While group 3 has 501 agents, the site states no determination of non-carcinogenicity or overall safety should be inferred. As it goes with science, any new information may support a different classification.
This list may be helpful if you have purchased a product and you’re just not sure about some of its ingredients. You may not be aware that alcoholic beverages are in Group 1. As is consumption of processed and red meat, tobacco smoke, UV rays, wood dust, welding fumes, styrene, polychlorinated biphenyls and more. I am just listing a few of the common daily exposures we may have.
Now this does not mean that just because you have had these things you will now get cancer – but we do need to think about how we load our bodies up with carcinogens – we either filter things externally before we touch, breathe or ingest - or - our body has to filter it for us.
If you would like to check out the list of agents and classifications for yourself, click on the link here:
There is a tonne of information beyond the lists – monographs with studies are available to read as well.
If you would like to host a Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea the link is right here: https://www.cancer.org.au/australias-biggest-morning-tea
And the link to the Cancer council is here: https://www.cancer.org.au/
In the meantime I’d love to hear what measures you take in your own life to reduce the risk of cancer – feel free to comment below.
Here are some of the small changes I have made in my life over the last few years:
· Use only organic skin care products
· Consume few alcoholic beverages (0-3 per week)
· No more plastic food wraps or aluminium foil
· Use glass food storage containers
· Reheat food on the stove – I ditched the microwave
· Use a glass or stainless-steel drink bottle
· Drink filtered water
· Purchase mostly natural fibres in clothes and bedding
· Eat red meat in quantities less than 100g and no more than 250g per week – organic when possible
· Eat organic fruit and vegetables
· Recycle and repurpose products where possible.
· Use eco-friendly cleaning products
· Don’t use pesticides in my garden – I try natural techniques to control bugs and weeds
· Use a natural mosquito repellent
· Use wooden and coconut fibre dishwashing tools – less plastic exposure and waste!
This is an uncomfortable discussion to have and I apologise for any sadness or alarm caused – especially for those who have battled cancer or supported ones with cancer. However, while there is a lot we don’t know about cancer, we can start with awareness and prevention. Prevention doesn’t have to be drastic, but just small habit changes over a period of time can add up to wonderful long-term results.
If you would like to chat about your health, please click on the booking button for a free 10 minute discussion to find out how a naturopathy appointment would be beneficial for you.
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