According to the journal Lancet Oncology, worldwide cancer rates are set to jump more than 75% by 2030.
Did you just say “jump”? Really? Haven’t we made ANY progress in the “fight against cancer?”
In fact, these rates may rise even further – by 90% – in less- developed countries.
If the new predictions hold, 22.2 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2030, compared with 12.7 million in 2008.
What is going on?
Socioeconomic status and lifestyle play big roles in the exploding cancer rates. In the U.S., obesity-related cancers such as breast and colon cancer are projected to rise. Also, the U.S. still faces the lingering after-effects of smoking-related diseases including cancer.
In poorly developed countries such as sub-Saharan Africa, cancer rates that are related to infection are high – these include cervical cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer.
Chemicals play a well-known, yet shamefully under-reported role in the rising cancer rates. The single major global change that most likely led to the explosion of cancer over the last 100 years has been the introduction of tens of thousands of chemicals into our environment.
These are chemicals that we were never exposed to previously – they are substances that our bodies simply don’t know how to handle.
The link between toxic chemicals and cancer becomes clearer, the longer we are surrounded by them. Roundup®, the widely used weed killer manufactured by Monsanto, has been linked by the World Health Organization and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to increased risk of a variety of cancers, including non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Yet Roundup is still on the market in the U.S., even though 19 countries in Europe have banned its use. Why? Doubtless because Monsanto grosses over $5 billion yearly from Roundup sales. End of discussion. Write to your congressperson – and good luck with that!
The exploding cancer rates have led to a major shift in the way we practice here at Pacific Naturopathic. Over the years, we’ve evolved from a primary care practice treating mostly colds, flus, infections and some chronic illnesses, to treating mostly chronic illnesses and cancer.
Simply stated, we have responded to the increasing need for the services we now offer. There are very few doctors in this country who offer adjunctive cancer care at the level we do. We hope this situation will change rapidly, and people will have greater access to effective, evidence-based, non-toxic cancer care.
How can we protect ourselves? As someone said about the spiritual life: “It’s very simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy!” Just change your diet, get regular exercise, avoid environmental contaminants in the environment and in foods, and avoid red meat – these simple measures will reduce your risk greatly.
As another sage counselor said: “I can inspire you, but I cannot motivate you to change!” The seldom-mentioned secret of getting off our butts and protecting ourselves is that it is enjoyable.
Exercise becomes once the first mild discomfort has passed. Healthy, organic foods are wonderful to eat because they absolutely do taste better. And, even in today’s supermarkets, there are countless safe, healthy and delicious red-meat substitutes to choose from, including cold-water wild-caught salmon, a wide array of veggie burgers, countless varieties of cheese, and wonderfully tasty pasture-raised eggs.
To learn more about our approach to adjunctive cancer care, give us a call: 650-917-1121. And don’t forget to visit our dedicated website: Hernandez Center for Adjunctive Cancer Care.