Each year 8,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer.
Interestingly, only 20% of those cases of childhood cancer are due to genetic factors.
So, if its not bad genes, what exactly is causing this tragically high number of cancer diagnosis among our most vulnerable population?
Science has proven definitively that carcinogens can cross the placental barrier, thus endangering our children even before they are born. Once in the womb and in contact with the developing fetus, there are two ways carcinogen exposure may lead childhood cancer: by causing tumor development and perhaps most frightening of all, by actually altering the baby’s genes –thus leaving them with a life-long predisposition to cancer.
It is frightening to think that current cancer rates reflect past toxic exposure. But fortunately today’s parents are better informed about the risks posed by many chemicals found in common household products. These parents in turn are driving the market for safer alternatives to harsh, chemical-laden traditional cleaners and personal care products. We can only hope that more attention on this issue will result in even greater safer shopping options for health-conscious families.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Bob Piniewski // Nov 14, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Just to be clear, the number is ove 12,500. That’s the last official count, and its growing at 1% per year. 1 in 4 or 5 will not survive. It kills more than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies, and pediatric AIDS combined. It effects 1 in 300 kids before age 20. It takes 180,000 potential life years every year. Breast cancer takes 200,000 and prostate cancer about 10,000. Yet it is underfunded and awareness of his killer is lacking. Thanks for even thinking about it.
AJs Dad
Founder
People Against Childhood Cancer
http://www.CureChildhoodCancer.ning.com
2 admin // Nov 16, 2008 at 7:02 am
Dear AJ’s Dad
Thank you for adding more detailed information to my post. Have you read the book the book by Devra Dasic, The Secret History of the War on Cancer?
Her basic premise is that when scientists first began to study what they perceived as an emerging problem — increasing rates of cancer– they looked to environmental factors for a logical explanation. They wondered if the chemicals introduced during the Industrial Age were to blame. Devra goes on to explain how currently the focus is on cancer treatments and not prevention in the first place because often times that would mean going after big economic interests.
Again, I thank you for your comments.
Lisa Jo
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