What Causes Cancer?
The Impact of Risk Factors
Carcinogens continued...
There is mounting evidence that many natural and especially human-made chemicals, drugs and air pollution (including car, bus and truck exhaust fumes) either cause or promote cancer. We will discuss several of these in detail so you can avoid them when ever possible.
Pesticides
“About 20 ingredients in pesticides have been found to cause cancer in animals.
Studies of people with high exposure to pesticides (farmers, crop duster pilots, pesticide manufacturers) have shown higher rates of blood and lymphatic system cancers, as well as melanoma and cancers of the lip, stomach, brain, lung, and prostate.” – National Cancer Institute (NCI)
CISN Tips:- Today, many people use these same pesticides to spray the inside and outside of their homes. This is an exposure you can avoid by not spraying or finding “natural” sprays.
- Be sure to wash all fresh fruits and vegetables to remove these chemicals. Consider purchasing organic foods that are free from chemical contamination.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
“These compounds (known as PAHs are from carbon-based materials present in charcoal-grilled foods that have been linked to increased cancer risk. Barbequed, grilled, and charred meats have PAHs. PAHs) come from the burning of carbon-based material.
- Wood smoke
- Car exhaust
- Cigarette smoke
- Charcoal-grilled foods
- Sausages and roasted coffees may also contain PAHs.
These compounds have been linked to increased risks of lung, skin, and urinary cancers.” – National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- We all love barbeques, but try to keep them to a minimum.
- Prepare the same foods in a different manner to protect from this exposure.
Vinyl Chloride
Vinyl chloride is used in the plastics industry and has been associated with lung cancer and with angiosarcomas (blood-vessel tumors) of the liver and brain.
Most people are not exposed to vinyl chloride in large amounts unless they work in plastic manufacturing plants.
People who live close to such plants also may be exposed through contaminated air.
Phthalates
Are compounds used to make plastic soft. They are found in water bottles and plastic food containers. Research studies are beginning to find links between these compounds and disease.
CISN Tips: Phthalates may be especially dangerous when heated.- Keep water bottles out of the sun (throw out any water bottle hot to the touch)
- Do not microwave in a plastic container, always transfer food to a glass container.