Possible Causes of Preventable Cancer
Based on scientific studies and governmental reports, we have been able to compile this list of possible causes of cancer. Some are obvious, some are shocking, and some are myths that are exposed. Regardless, this is something you need to know. This is something your loved ones need to know. We will update this page anytime new data is presented.
Microwaved Food
Simple logic makes you think that heating something with a microwave is just like heating something normally. It is not. A perfect example of this is human blood. Before human blood can be transfused, it must be warmed. If this is done in a microwave, it will KILL the patient. Microwaving is not an ideal form of heating something, and we recommend using other types of heating to warm food. But we understand the microwave is almost a necessity in this day and age, so if you have to use if, you must understand the dangers.
The most striking issue is the use of plastics in a microwave. Studies are finding all kinds of potent carcinogens in microwaved plastic, which can seep into your food. If you need to microwave anything, even prepared TV dinners, take them out of their container and use a microwave safe plate or ceramic dish. No plastic, and especially no plastic wraps! Also do not warm a baby's bottle in a microwave. We have not been able to find any direct studies linking specific cancers to microwave use, but the proof of carcinogens being formed in food by microwaves, especially when plastics are involved, exists.Hair Dyes
It is becoming more and more clear that hair dyes are not very safe. Chemicals such as diaminoanisole and FD&C Red 33 are found in hair dyes, and scientists have directly classified both of these as carcinogens. This evidence is also supported by separate studies that link hair dyes to such rare cancers as: non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and multiple myeloma. Another study claims that at least 20% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma found in women is caused by use of hair dyes.
We do not have extensive detail on specifically what is bad about hair dyes, but experts have estimated that 20% of the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases found in women may have been cause by use of hair dye. Until more studies are done on this, or a hair dye proves itself to be safe, use hair dyes as sparingly as possible.Talc
Talk is a mineral that is mined and used in many household and cosmetic products. When talc is processed a minute fiber that is very similar to asbestos is not removed, and ends up in the products you take home. Talc is in many things in small quantities, but poses the biggest threat in powder form such as baby powder, medicated powers, perfumed powders and designer perfumed body powders. Inhalation of these powders has been linked to lung cancer, while ovarian cancer has been directly linked to women who use these powders in their lower region. Numerous other cancers may be linked to talcum powder use, but there isn't enough evidence to support it.
Meats and Eggs Cooked at High Temperatures
When foods such as meats and eggs are cooked at high temperatures, heterocyclic amine compounds are formed inside the food. The compounds that are formed are also found in cigarette smoke. In-depth studies of this are very recent, but scientific testing on animals suggested a link between these compounds and cancer of the stomach, colon, liver, oral cavity, mammary gland, skin, and cecum. Older studies conducted on fried foods suggest a link between these compounds to breast and colorectal cancer. This whole topic is very new, and quite shocking. Fried meats are not good for you anyway, so removing them from your diet is going to be a health improvement for multiple reasons. But grilling and other types of cooking may also be hazardous, so please stay educated on this topic and be careful not to cook at temperatures that are extreme.
The Shocking Causes:
Pesticides
Everyone knows that pesticides are not good for you and can be poisonous. But what you didn't know is the extent of impact researchers are finding on pesticides and cancer. Pesticide "Bombs" in the home, termite control products, flea collars on pets, insecticides in the garden or orchard and herbicides for week control have all been proven to have direct impact on cancers, especially childhood cancers. The risk of leukemia increases by FOUR TO SEVEN times for children 10 or under whose parents use home or garden pesticides. Use of any of the aforementioned products can also be directly linked to increased risk for childhood brain cancer.
Lanolin
Lanolin is a harmless product normally used on a baby's skin. The problem is that studies have found contaminates in Lanolin including carcinogenic pesticides and DDT. Make sure any Lanolin product is proven to be rid of these contaminants.
Cosmetics
There is no startling evidence to say that cosmetic use will give you cancer. But the worrisome aspect of cosmetics is three fold. First, cosmetics are not regulated strongly by the FDA. The FDA only comes after a cosmetic after it has entered the market and generated complaints. They also do not require pre-market safety testing or FDA approval. Secondly, the human skin is extremely permeable. This means that things you put on it soak into your body and into your bloodstream including your cosmetic products which were not meant to be in your blood. Thirdly, many studies have found contaminants in a wide array of beauty products, and althought we could not find any direct studies that linked cosmetic products other than hair dye and talc containing products to cancer, we believe the risk is there.
List of chemicals to avoid in your cosmetic productsX-Rays and Gamma Rays
Exposure to these two types have radiation have been proven to be carcinogenic. The cancers they have been linked to include leukemia and cancers of the lung, breast, thyroid, salivary glands, stomach, colon, bladder, ovaries, central nervous system and skin. Childhood exposure to these two types of radiation seems to be more potent and more likely to develop leukemia and thyroid cancer in children. 55% of X-radiation exposure in humans is classified as medical or dental X-Rays, while the other 45% is from natural sources such as radon. While x-rays may be a necessity in certain medical situations, avoid them if at all possible. Also ensure that your home is tested for radon.
Mycotoxins (From Mold)
A Mycotoxin is a toxin produced by certain organisms in the fungus kingdom. There are a variety of Mycotoxins, many of which are hazardous to the health, and many of which can be carcinogenic. When the right conditions are met, including temperature and humidity, Mycotoxin producing fungi can contaminate foods. In the food industry it is common for food producers to take measures against Mycotoxins, and the government has regulations on how much Mycotoxins can show up in foods. But trace Mycotoxins are in many of the foods we eat, and overtime these trace amounts can prove to be carcinogenic. Cheaper produced foods, and foods prepared with less care can be more likely to be contaminated with Mycotoxins. Moldy cheese, cereals, fruits and vegetables can all develop Mycotoxins. Many foods are on the long list of foods that contain Mycotoxins, but the ones that are known to be carcinogenic are found often in corn, wheat, nuts and cheeses. Wine and other alcohol can contain Mycotoxins due to the yeast used when brewing, but fermentation destroys most of the carcinogenic Mycotoxins. The bottom line is that the responsibility for Mycotoxins lies on the food industry. It is their responsibility to test for Mycotoxins in food produced, feed given to livestock, and in their crop, and take measures to prevent it. The consumer can do nothing to control Mycotoxin intake except stay away from cheap Corn, Wheat, Cereal, Alcohol and anything with mold on it. Studies have linked breast cancer directly to Mycotoxins, and have found a number of Mycotoxins prevalent in tumors removed from breasts.
The Worrisome Causes:
Tobacco
We categorize this as the most obvious carcinogen on the planet. Hopefully you have been educated enough to this point to know that all tobacco use, including smoke, chewing, and second hand smoke all cause various types of cancer and other diseases. The main purpose of this site is to let you know that there are other lifestyle choices and things in your daily life that cause cancer that aren't so obvious. But for those of you who haven't gotten the point, tobacco can cause: Lung Cancer, Laryngeal (Voice Box) Cancer, Oral and Esophageal Cancer, Stomach Cancer, and a whole slew of non-cancerous health problems. If you haven't gotten the point yet, don't use tobacco.
Unhealthy Diet
Yes, a healthy diet can do a long way towards avoiding preventable cancer. Not only does a poor diet lead to heart disease, but many studies show a spike in cancers in the overweight and obese. You don't have to be a diet "nut" or be super skinny to qualify for having a healthy diet. We recommend ensuring your intake of vitamins and minerals through fruits, vegetables and a multivitamin. Obviously if you struggle with weight you know it's a battle, but hopefully now we can add a motivation for you, that obesity not only leads to heart disease and diabetes, it can lead to cancer.
Excess Sunlight
This is probably the most widely known carcinogen next to tobacco. Sun exposure and sunburns have been proven time and time again to lead directly to skin cancer. Skin cancers are most common in light-skinned people, although they also occur in people with darker skin as well. Recent studies suggest that children and young adults are most likely to contract cancers from sun exposure, so it's up to you parents to keep your kids educated and protected against sun exposure. Remember people, sunblock is your friend!
Alcohol
Not as widely known as a carcinogen, many studies have linked alcohol drinking and the risk factor for a number of cancers. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, and liver in men and women, and of breast cancer in women. Studies have shown that risk factors begin to increase after consumption of 1-2 drinks per day, and grow as the number of drinks per day increase. Moderate alcohol consumption should still be considered a healthy activity, but bulk consumption and daily consumption of more than 1-2 drinks should be considered a serious health risk.
Asbestos
"Asbestos" is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers. While this is a very broad classification, it is fitting since asbestos are found in such a large amount of materials. The building and construction industry uses asbestos regularly. Over 5,000 products contain asbestos. Asbestos can be directly linked to lung, larynx, oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and kidney cancer, as well as Mesothelioma-a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen. Nearly every American will become exposed to asbestos at some point in their life, but similar to cigarettes, daily exposure is usually to blame for these cancers. If you work in the field of shipbuilding, asbestos mining, brake repair, demolition, drywall removal, and firefighting you are more likely to be exposed to asbestos. If so, when you are doing so it is best to wear a protective mask, and then immediately shower and clean your clothes after such exposure. It is up to the government to remove asbestos from things that may exposure humans and they have done a good job.
The "Should Be" Obvious Causes:
Cell Phones
There has been debate since the inception of cell phones about their possible link to brain cancer and tumors. There have been some studies that have attempted to link cell phone use to brain cancer, but the bigger, more recent, and more credible studies have all found no link. Conspiracy theorists argue that the cell phone companies are fueling many studies attempting to prove cell phones to be completely safe, but right now it seems that different researchers are debating this fact, with the current edge going to NOT causing cancer.
Artificial Sweeteners
Since the introduction of artificial sweeteners there has been much debate on their impact on health. While lowering your sugar intake can undoubtedly be proven to be healthy for most consumers, the debate over the safety of their alternatives is in question. While studies on animals have linked a number of animal cancers to "old generation" sweeteners (saccharin, cyclamate and aspartame), there are no definitive reports linking any human cancers to use of artificial sweeteners. For "new generation" artificial sweeteners "acesulfame-K, sucralose, alitame and neotame", there hasn't been anyway near the amount of studies and inquiries made to provide any definitive answer. Until further notice, we can only wonder about the carcinogenic effects of certain artificial sweeteners. In the meantime, we suggest using artificial sweeteners in moderation and abiding by the old adage that "too much of anything is bad for you".
Caffeine
Caffeine is a very tricky drug to diagnose in respect to carcinogenic characteristics. Some researchers attempt to link heavy caffeine intake via coffee to bladder cancer, and cell mutation associated with spreading of cancers (via caffeine's inhibiting of the protein kinases used in the body to "fix" damaged dna) , but no definitive studies have proven any of this. More studies have shown positive anticancer effects in relation to caffeine intake. Until a definitive study comes out, we cannot fully pass judgment on caffeine, but of course, in regards to any drug/chemical you intake, its always best to practice moderation.
Water Fluoridation
The CDC estimates that over 66% of US households receive fluoridated water in their homes. While dentists praise the healthy effects this has on teeth, skeptics have questioned the health risks of fluoride since it was introduced in the US, over 60 years ago. Since then a number of studies have attempted to link the fluoride in water to cancers, specifically osteosarcoma (a fairly rare bone cancer). For the most parts studies have been extremely inconclusive, mostly struggling due to the lack of ability to run an accurate test experiment. As it stands, it is proven that fluoride is crucial to a child's tooth development and helps prevent tooth decay, but its links to cancer are inconclusive. Regulating your fluoride intake with bottled water or by contacting your local water company and making sure their level of fluoride is moderate is recommended.
Electromagnetic Fields
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are areas of energy that surround electric devices. EMFs are produced by power lines, electrical wiring, and appliances. Power lines have specifically been an area of speculation and debate regarding their potentially dangerous nature. This debate has been going on since the 1970's and has resulted in a number of studies trying to link exposure to EMF to a number of cancers, specifically childhood cancers like leukemia. Unfortunately the most in-depth studies have had mixed results. While some find slight correlation between EMF exposure and cancer, others dismiss it by proving that cancer occurred at equal rates in both homes with higher and lower EMF exposure. Other studies have also failed to link use of electric blankets (which produce long term EMF extremely close to the body) to any specific type of cancer. So, after 30+ years of researching this issue there are not definitive results, nor any governmental standards on EMF exposure. There are still true believers in the public and in the scientific community that adamantly believe in the dangers of EMF. While one side cannot definitively win the debate on this topic, there is enough valid evidence and more than enough speculation to keep this issue as an active concern. Our best advice is to attempt to limit your EMF exposure by not spending prolonged time near running appliances, using electric blankets, and if you are considering moving your family into a new home get it tested for higher than normal levels of EMF.