18.
Global Cancer Epidemic
A ‘Crisis in Slow Motion’
Cancer, known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.
Every month 600,000 people die of cancer in the World which is more than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined.
In response to this situation and the epidemic of other noncommunicable diseases, the United Nations (UN) authorised a High-Level Meeting (HLM) in September 2011 to address the prevention and control of these diseases. The outcomes document generated by the HLM - known as a Political Declaration - is only the second of its kind to address a health issue on a global scale, the first being the outcomes document from the 2001 UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS.
Every month 600,000 people die of cancer in the World which is more than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined.
In response to this situation and the epidemic of other noncommunicable diseases, the United Nations (UN) authorised a High-Level Meeting (HLM) in September 2011 to address the prevention and control of these diseases. The outcomes document generated by the HLM - known as a Political Declaration - is only the second of its kind to address a health issue on a global scale, the first being the outcomes document from the 2001 UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS.
“As long as one egg looks pretty much like another, all the chickens like chicken, and beef beef, the substitution of quantity for quality will go unnoticed by most consumers, but it is becoming increasingly apparent to anyone with an electron microscope or a mass spectrometer that, truly, this is not the same food.”
~Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma
The UN secretary general has called it a ‘crisis in slow motion.’ This is only the second time in its 65-year history that the UN has held such a high-level meeting to address a health topic.
It is believed that the incidence of cancer will continue to increase in the next decade, with the majority of cases appearing in the low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, if you add cancer to other noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, that death toll rises to a combined 36 million deaths per year, according to the latest World Health Organization report.
It is believed that the incidence of cancer will continue to increase in the next decade, with the majority of cases appearing in the low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, if you add cancer to other noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, that death toll rises to a combined 36 million deaths per year, according to the latest World Health Organization report.
Cancer Epidemic - Present Assessment
One in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer, often before the age of 65. Since 1940, we have seen in Western societies a marked and rapid increase in common types of cancer. In fact, cancer in children and adolescents has been rising by 1 to 1.5 percent a year since the 1960’s.
For most common cancers - prostate, breast, colon, lung - rates are much higher in the West than in Asian countries. Yet Asians who emigrate to the United States catch up with the rates of Americans within one or two generations.
Dr. Sam Epstein, professor of Occupational & Environmental Medicine at the University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, is an internationally recognized authority in this field.
His work shows that since the 1950s, in North America, there has been a 55% increase in cancer, when the statistics are standardized for the fact that people are living longer. Childhood cancer of the brain and nervous system - 40% increase since 1975; male colon cancer - 60% increase; breast cancer - 60% increase; brain cancer in adults - 80% increase; prostate cancer - 100% increase; testicular cancer - 100% increase; estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer -135% increase; testicular cancer among men aged 28-35 - 300% increase. In 1950, 1 in 20 women had breast cancer. Now it’s 1 in 8.
For most common cancers - prostate, breast, colon, lung - rates are much higher in the West than in Asian countries. Yet Asians who emigrate to the United States catch up with the rates of Americans within one or two generations.
Dr. Sam Epstein, professor of Occupational & Environmental Medicine at the University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, is an internationally recognized authority in this field.
His work shows that since the 1950s, in North America, there has been a 55% increase in cancer, when the statistics are standardized for the fact that people are living longer. Childhood cancer of the brain and nervous system - 40% increase since 1975; male colon cancer - 60% increase; breast cancer - 60% increase; brain cancer in adults - 80% increase; prostate cancer - 100% increase; testicular cancer - 100% increase; estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer -135% increase; testicular cancer among men aged 28-35 - 300% increase. In 1950, 1 in 20 women had breast cancer. Now it’s 1 in 8.
“There are scores of studies demonstrating that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits reduces the risk of dying from all the Western diseases; in countries where people eat a pound or more of vegetables and fruits a day, the rate of cancer is half what is in the United States.”
~Michael Pollan
What is driving the modern cancer epidemic? Study after study points to the role of runaway industrial technologies… producing a dizzying array of synthetic chemicals that have never been screened for human health effects. Worldwatch Institute founder Lester Brown concurs, noting, “Every human being harbors in his or her body about 500 synthetic chemicals that were nonexistent before 1920.”
Cancer Epidemic - A Grim Future
Global cancer rates could increase by 50% to 15 million deaths per year by 2020, according to the World Cancer Report, the most comprehensive global examination of the disease to date. However, the report also provides clear evidence that healthy lifestyles and public health action by governments and health practitioners could stem this trend, and prevent as many as one third of cancers worldwide.
In many countries, more than a quarter of deaths are attributable to cancer. In 2000, 5.3 million men and 4.7 million women developed a malignant tumour and altogether 6.2 million died from the disease. The report also reveals that cancer has emerged as a major public health problem in developing countries, matching its effect in industrialized nations.
The World Cancer Report tells us that cancer rates are set to increase at an alarming rate globally. It calls on Governments, health practitioners and the general public to take urgent action.
The 351-page report is presented by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO).
In many countries, more than a quarter of deaths are attributable to cancer. In 2000, 5.3 million men and 4.7 million women developed a malignant tumour and altogether 6.2 million died from the disease. The report also reveals that cancer has emerged as a major public health problem in developing countries, matching its effect in industrialized nations.
The World Cancer Report tells us that cancer rates are set to increase at an alarming rate globally. It calls on Governments, health practitioners and the general public to take urgent action.
The 351-page report is presented by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO).
“It will not be long before the entire population will have to decide whether we will all die of cancer or whether we will have enough wisdom, courage, and will power to change fundamentally all our living and nutritional conditions.”
- Dr. Max Gerson