Public Service Announcement

Cancer. Every day there are more and more findings of it's causes. And yet, more and more of our loved ones or ourselves are suffering from it. I got this URL in my inbox today, "Carcinogen Found in KFC's New Grilled Chicken". Well, yeah! Traces of it are found in over-grilled charred meats. Did you know that? One more reason I am happy to be a vegetarian again.

I recently lost both of my parents to lung cancer. The funny thing is, they have been divorced and far apart from each other for about 20 years. Both were smokers, and smoked different kinds of cigarettes. My grandmother, and my great grandfather is and was a smoker, and both have lived very long lives. I'm sure there were less toxins like plastics and cigarette additives around when they were younger, as well.

Years ago before I was born, my parents lived in Sparrows Point, MD along with my Aunt and Uncle and their significant others in the same neighborhood. I don't know about the significant others, but all had lung cancer, and only my Uncle survived it. I believe that he is the only one who doesn't smoke. All of them would now be in their 50's.

The Sparrows Point area is the number one disease cluster in the State of Maryland (asthma, leukemia, cancer, birth defects, miscarriages, developmental disorders) and the 26th worst disease cluster in the United States (reference: Center for Disease Control and Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene). This has originally been linked to when Bethlehem Steel began mass production in that area years and years ago. I would not be surprised if this was the number 1 cause of the development of their cancer some 30 years later. I can't help but to obsess about it, and all of the other little things that may have further induced it. Environment, CIGARETTES, genetics, diet, medications, poor health and well being, sun exposure, cooking methods: Teflon pans, microwaving plastics, char-grilled meats and the list goes on. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to start a macrobiotic diet!

Am I paranoid? Absolutely! Cancer runs rampid in my family and is on the rise, and I am determined not to get it. I've seen cancer at it's uglyest, and I don't ever want to experience it. I am not pushing anyone to change their lifstyle, I just want to share my findings and help you become more aware or remind you of it's causes so that you can make the decision for yourself. I still cook all of my husbands favorites for him, because I have for 13 years now and it makes him happy. This is his choice. I always try to prepare foods as healthy as possible, and leave the unhealthy indulgences in moderation. Such as most of those polymer clay treats I've been making. ;-)

Another thing that I have discovered is that Cancer Treatment Centers of America is very misleading. They advertise that there is hope even when your oncologist gives up on you. I tried to get my Mom in there, and she had a cap on her health insurance, as do most people. Cancer patients can easily exceed insurance allowances, as treatment is rediciously expensive. The only way they would accept her is if we put $100,000.00 payment down. Who has that kind of money to toss around? I could go on and on about how angry I am with all the little nuances of health care and insurance, but it's not going to bring my parents back.

Just be mindful people, of all the things out there that cause cancer. Prevention is best. Just because the FDA approves food and medications, doesn't mean it can't harm you. And cancer treatment can do some serious damage to your body as well. We only have one body, and once damage is done, it greatly depletes the quality of our lives.

I feel a little better now that I got that off my chest, and I hope you found this information to be helpful. You will probably never hear me rant like this on my blog again!