Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Geographical Implications of Cancer

Utah officials outline cancer combat strategy | StrongerThanCancer

In a news release regarding one state's approach to cancer, it brought up some interesting thoughts on the geographical affects on cancer - like elevation, exposure to sun, and the lifestyle of the population.

Utah has very low cancer rates - their biggest concern is skin cancer which is quite preventable. But their lower overall cancer rate is attributed to their more active lifestyle.

It is interesting to think that in the United States we have such differences from one region to another. In the US, we have high cancer rates, and I often look to other countries with lower cancer rates to see how they may be reducing their risk. But there seem to be many areas WITHIN our country that have lower cancer rates, and not surprisingly, the higher cancer rates are in more urban areas.

Rather than blame geography, maybe we can look at the differences in lifestyle.

And how can we duplicate that if we live in a city, and work in a cubicle?

We are unsure if cell-phones cause cancer, but perhaps the lifestyle that has a cell-phone glued to the head could increase cancer risk. If the more active lifestyles have lower cancer risk, why limit it to the semi-regular trips to the gym - perhaps we can find ways to make our 'lives' more active - cultivate gardens, cook at home rather than eat-out, take stairs instead of use elevators (of course, if you work on the 30th floor of a building that can be difficult, but you could still take the elevator to the 25th floor and walk up a few flights)... or have a cab drop you off a few blocks away from your destination and walk the rest. Take every opportunity to get out and move - find ways to use your landscape - whatever it is - to keep energy flowing through your body...

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Detecting Breast Cancer In Dense and Non-Dense Breasts | StrongerThanCancer

Detecting Breast Cancer In Dense and Non-Dense Breasts | StrongerThanCancer

This could be an improvement. I have dense breasts, although I don't think that impacted my mammogram, the breast cancer was pretty obvious by the time I had the mammogram, and I was young, so had no previous experience to say whether it would have been detected at an earlier stage.

Any improvement in diagnostics, especially for conditions that are difficult to read is good.

BUT, I will be interested to see further information on the amount of radiation etc this imaging exposes us to. It seems with every advance, we are so eager to see results against the cancer, and we forget that the equipment or treatments may be contributing to future disease - all of this should be taken into consideration... and yet it rarely is, in the 'business' of medicine.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Find Your Cancer Fighting Lifestyle

Research now links lifestyle and cancer | StrongerThanCancer

This advice seems obvious - eat right, exercise, drink in moderation and you reduce your risk of cancer - nothing new here.

But, the thought of linking lifestyle to cancer got me thinking about how we view our lifestyle and the choices we make every day.

My own cancer came after a long stressful period of long work hours, poor diet, lack of exercise, relationship issues and minimal sleep. It didn't feel right. I wasn't happy.

Perhaps, instead of looking at the things we have in our life as something to blame the cancer on - instead of feeling guilty about the individual things we do that might contribute to the development of cancer (indulging in an unhealthy treat, or drinking a few glasses of wine at a party) - we should think about how our life feels.

Does our life feel right? Are we happy? Generally, when our life is in balance, and we are happy, eating well, and active - then our immune system is happy and functioning perfectly. It is only when life gets out of balance that conditions exist for cancer, and we feel this: we are tired, we are depressed, we lack motivation.

Look at your life. Are you happy? What would you change? Do you feel run down because of obligations to work or family or neighbors... don't let yourself get run down, you can't help anyone if you get sick - so it's critically important that you maintain a lifestyle that works for you. Take the time to nurture yourself.

Look at your life. Does it feel right? Whatever doesn't feel right, move toward minimizing or hopefully getting rid of that. What makes you feel healthy and alive? Try to include more of that in your life.

Yes, lifestyle contributes to cancer. But rather than constantly looking at study after study for the specific unhealthy lifestyle choices, as cancer survivors let's listen to our bodies. When your body is tired and run down, it's telling you to change your lifestyle. When it feels great, then your lifestyle is probably fine, even if you cheat on your diet a bit.

Your body has the energy and resources to fight cancer when it is feeling good - do what feels right for your body.  That's the best lifestyle choice for you!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Creating a Cancer DNA Database: UK | StrongerThanCancer

Creating a Cancer DNA Database: UK | StrongerThanCancer

This is an interesting project.

It doesn't directly impact the patients who participate today, but interesting to think that drugs in the future will be targeted to the patient's dna. Or, not so much the targeting, but decisions about drugs can be more informed because we will have better information about whether a patient is likely to respond to treatment.

This has the potential to have so many more patients surviving cancer, and living much healthier lives - mainly because I think the outcome will be LESS toxic treatments. Less patients will be given chemotherapy if it's not likely to have a benefit - and this will reduce unnecessary treatments, deaths and other serious side effects due to unnecessary treatments.

Chemotherapy is effective in some cancers - let it become a targeted therapy, rather than the fall back drug for anyone with cancer.

In Questioning ChemotherapyRalph Moss explains the many ways the chemotherapy is mis-used. There are political, but also medical reasons (the patient wants to do anything to fight the cancer, even if the benefit is slim for their particular cancer) reasons for the broad use of chemotherapy - but I hope one day it becomes a therapy only used for the cancers that it's most effective for.


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Cancer fallout from Japan's nuclear disaster may be hard to detect | StrongerThanCancer

Cancer fallout from Japan's nuclear disaster may be hard to detect | StrongerThanCancer

Sad to think that the reason it is so hard to detect, is that cancer rates are so high in the first place :(

And cancer rates are so high in developed countries, because we are constantly bombarded with "safe" or "low" levels of toxins/radiation/carcinogens in our environment and in the food we eat.

Yes, much of the food produced to nourish our bodies contain cancer causing chemicals - unless it is organic, or comes from a local farm.

Amazing that some of the experts considered the cancer risk of this disaster absent or too small to detect, while others predict thousands of cancer deaths. In the end, it will be spun either way depending on who is presenting the data and who they represent (the corporations, the government, etc).

As with all statistics, and numbers, and the grey areas in between, a direct link is not possible, only averages and numbers of cancer cases based on proximity to the disaster.... over time.

It will be very sad to me if they eventually conclude that the cancer risk was minimal because we would all probably get cancer anyway. One of my greatest concerns is that BILLIONS of dollars are being spent looking for cures for cancers - maybe if that same money, that same fund-raising effort was put into detoxing our environment we would save several times more than that in medical costs (not to mention lives, and painful treatments, and emotional trauma).

Yes - prevention is key. Prevention is something every individual should work toward. But if we are going to have a global effort, government involvement, research, statistics, and funding to fight cancer - why not fight the causes first?

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Quit Smoking and Double Your Survival | StrongerThanCancer

Why Smoking is Such a Bad Idea | StrongerThanCancer

I don't smoke, and I never have smoked. I would wonder why anyone in the world would smoke, except that I know several intelligent people who smoke and I have to accept that it will always be something I don't understand.

But the number one reason most people tell you not to smoke is: Smoking Causes Cancer.

The interesting fact of my personal experience, is that although I never smoked - I got cancer. To my knowledge, the people in my life who do smoke, do not have cancer.

So, cancer is a complicated thing. I feel like it is caused by a combination of stressors to the immune system: stress, lack of sleep, relationship problems, poor diet, lack of exercise, exposure to toxins in our environment... there is a lot that goes into cancer, so although I never smoked, I also did not listen to my body when it was getting run down.

But if you smoke, you are just adding that one extra push toward cancer -

Yes, I got cancer and never smoked. Maybe if I did smoke, I wouldn't have recovered as well as I did. Maybe the cancer would have spread. Who knows how smoking would affect the 'survival' outcome. We know it increases the risk of getting cancer - but smoking also affects survival - or rather if you quit, you improve your chances of survival: Smokers With Cancer Can Quit and Double Survival!!

When we are diagnosed with cancer, we are always thinking, "How did I get this?" Hopefully, we move past this and ask ourselves, "How can I prevent this from happening again?"

Regardless of what factors caused your cancer, if you currently smoke - quit now.

If you need help - go to smokefree.gov - it is a wonderful resource.

There are many reasons to quit, health reasons and social reasons - but do it BECAUSE IT FEELS GOOD!!




Son says Paterno has treatable form of lung cancer - Boston.com

Son says Paterno has treatable form of lung cancer - Boston.com

This is timely news given the fact that it's Lung Cancer Awareness Month - but also hopeful. Lung Cancer is particularly difficult to treat - radiation would be too damaging to the heart etc, so for doctors to feel that it is at a "treatable" stage is definitely hopeful.

I imagine it's tough to be a public figure and have to have your medical needs broadcast to the world - but I do find it inspiring to hear what doctors are willing to do for their patients, and that sort of thing just isn't publicized for the regular cancer survivors like... well, me.

A huge inspiration for me in my battle against breast cancer was all the news surrounding Suzanne Somers and her rejection of chemotherapy - as well as the long fight and ultimate decline of Elizabeth Edwards. Two battles. Two very different approaches. Two different outcomes.

I feel for celebrities who must endure a certain amount of publicity over their cancer. It's a very personal experience, and one that is hard to define until perhaps you are well past it - but whether they know it or not, they are a huge inspiration to the rest of us - we are all human - no one is immune - and we all fight this battle together!!

So, I wish Paterno best of luck for a good outcome - and thank you for sharing your story with all of us.

Friday, November 18, 2011

November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month | StrongerThanCancer

November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month | StrongerThanCancer

"It started with a cough that would not go away"

November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and everyone should be aware of the dangers and signs of lung cancer.

Often, those who quit smoking develop lung cancer many, many years later - so even if you quit, don't think you are done fighting cancer - your lungs need to clean out - get out and fill them up with lots of good fresh air, take walks and hikes, and BREATHE DEEPLY.

Eat cleansing foods like fruits and veggies that keep all the body systems working well, and provide constant anti-oxidants to fight cancer before it takes hold.

Drink Green Tea: The main reason we understand the health benefits of Green Tea, is because a study in China, a country with a large smoking population, found that men who drank 3 cups of green tea a day had a significantly lower rate of lung cancer. Green Tea had a protective effect.

Also, don't assume that because you don't smoke you won't get lung cancer. Many of us have been exposed to second-hand smoke, but also we live in a world with a lot of air-borne pollutants. We don't know whether what we are exposed to today will give us lung cancer in 10 years.

The best thing to do is keep your body healthy, do everything to prevent cancer, and become aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease and act quickly.

Lung cancer is best caught early because it is difficult to treat, but better yet - strive for prevention.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Inspirational and Inexpensive Gifts for Cancer Survivors

Get a jump on holiday shopping with some tasteful, and inspirational gifts of hope and encouragement for the cancer patients and survivors in your life.

STRONGER THAN CANCER GIFTS

For the most part the products are inexpensive t-shirts and mugs, but there are even little magnets for $2.85 - something for every budget.

The proceeds will support our efforts to educate, and improve survival for cancer patients, and ultimately support organizations with a focus on cancer prevention.  Nobody should have to endure the fear and trauma of cancer - but for those of us who have it - Let's Survive and Thrive!!

Finding Joy in the Holiday Season

In a post earlier this week, I mentioned finding things that bring you Joy as a tool to help in cancer recovery.

And as the holiday season approaches, it seems even more necessary to look beyond the pressures, and chaos, and noise of the outside world, and seek to fill your days with meaningful moments, and time with loved one.

A great book for anyone struggling emotionally, or overwhelmed, or stressed out - and an imperative book for trying to Move Beyond Cancer, is Finding Joy: 101 Ways to Free Your Spirit and Dance with Life.

The perspectives offered in this book are excellent for grounding yourself, discovering what's important in many areas of life: family, love, finances, and bringing out more joyful experiences in your daily life.

It has been part of my journey in recovering from cancer, that I should try to live life more fully - this book is a great help in that goal.






Europe to ban 'naked' airport scanners over cancer fears | StrongerThanCancer

Europe to ban 'naked' airport scanners over cancer fears | StrongerThanCancer

Europeans have always been sensible when it comes to protecting its citizens from health hazards.

They require labeling of GMO foods, and now they are banning airport scanners until more information is available about the radiation exposure and cancer risk.

Sadly, in the United States, the corporations who profit from the sales of these things can convince the government that there is a need. Maybe some day I will research the lobbying that goes on, but I prefer to blog about cancer.

But this is a GREAT move!!! I'm very happy about it, and I hope it sends a message globally that imposing untested exposure to radiation is not acceptable to the entire traveling population.

Cancer Flourishes On Recycled Cell Waste | StrongerThanCancer

Cancer Flourishes On Recycled Cell Waste | StrongerThanCancer

To be honest, the description here seems more like lobsters and other scavengers at the bottom of the ocean, than a Pac-Mac going around gobbling up whatever is in its path. But it's an interesting target for therapy.

My concern, as always with drugs like this, is the 'genetic manipulation' they casually throw out there, and then later the statement that "... if there is a way to block CMA selectively, so it only affects cancer cells and not healthy cells."

There seem to be many paths to target cancers - the challenge is finding treatments that don't affect healthy cells. The problem with the current standard treatment of chemotherapy is the terrible affects it has on 'healthy cells': that increase heart disease and risk of leukemia, and damage the immune system, blood cells, hair-skin-nails, and even the brain as many complain of 'chemo-brain' and memory issues.

I would hope that when they develop any new drugs, they follow "First Do No Harm", a sensible oath for our doctors, which should also be the cornerstone for research developing drugs that the doctors are to administer.

I wish this team luck in finding a way to block CMA without affecting healthy cells - I look forward to their future findings.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Healthy Heart Habits Also Guard Against Cancer | StrongerThanCancer

Healthy Heart Habits Also Guard Against Cancer | StrongerThanCancer

I love that the conclusion is to motivate physicians to focus on prevention. That has been my concern for a while, with groups seeking a cancer cure, putting their logo on unhealthy, sugary foods... as if prevention wasn't important, but raising money for drugs to cure cancer was.

I say we focus on PREVENTION first, while researchers are working more and more on targeted therapies for rare and hard-to-treat cancers.

But this article could even extend to other areas.

Whenever I look at lists of things that help prevent any chronic illness: arthritis, diabetes, heart issues... they ALL seem to point to the same thing.

Prevention is ALL about 1) eating well, 2) getting some exercise, and 3) reducing or eliminating unhealthy behaviors like smoking, or excessing drinking or fats. I would add to that finding balance, reducing stress, and participating in activities that bring you joy!! That can really change how the body, and the immune system responds.

So, rather than thinking of just heart disease and cancer - think about all the things you do to stay healthy:

IT IS FIGHTING EVERY DISEASE THAT YOU DON'T WANT.

That seems worth it!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Is the Pill behind rising prostate cancer rates? | StrongerThanCancer

Is the Pill behind rising prostate cancer rates? | StrongerThanCancer

This article just boggles the mind. It may be the first time a compound has leached into the environment from one person and caused cancer in another.

It just underscores how important it is to look more globally at chemicals/food/drugs. The FDA is always approving things that have 'safe levels' of known toxins, and I truly believe that cancer rates are going UP because we are bombarded daily with constant exposure to toxins in the environment.

Clearly, when they are approving the pill for use in women, they are looking at the potential side effects on HER body, and the efficacy of the drug. It's a stretch to think they would do studies on its affects on other people - but this study sheds light on the interconnectedness of all of us with each other and our environment. Just like second-hand smoke - the way we live our lives does have an affect on those around us.

But stepping back - to put the blame on birth-control pills may be premature. In that same time period, when birth control pills were more actively used - is it possible that that is the when hormones were used in animals for a greater yield, plumper meat, and to increase milk production?

This is one study. It raises many questions. The findings are interesting, but I believe the source of the problem could be elsewhere, or possibly a compounded issue of many areas where hormones are used to modify the body's natural behavior.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Teenage girls up breast cancer risk with every alcoholic drink | StrongerThanCancer

Teenage girls up breast cancer risk with every alcoholic drink | StrongerThanCancer

I've posted before about the the link between alcohol and cancer. This specific study shows a connection with teenage girls, and benign breast disease which is a risk factor for cancer.

Anything in excess is not healthy for the body, particularly for teens who are still in a stage of physical growth.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Top Ten Cancer Fighting Foods | StrongerThanCancer

Top Ten Cancer Fighting Foods | StrongerThanCancer

This is an excellent video - we all know there are certain foods that fight cancer, it's nice to know why. I'm really looking forward to seeing more in this series.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Cancer treatment shows promise for rapid weight loss | StrongerThanCancer

Cancer treatment shows promise for rapid weight loss | StrongerThanCancer

This is more than a little scary. Drugs are drugs. Drugs are powerful. Whenever they manipulate what your body naturally wants to do - I get nervous.

Perhaps it will work, but a therapy like this ignores the causes of obesity, and patients will not develop the self control needed to keep themselves in a healthy state. That is the best case scenario. The unknown is whether the drug will have other side effects. If it is restricting blood supply, what else is it restricting, or what vital organs may be affected?

In my opinion, there is only one way to lose weight: burn more calories than you take in.

Of course, there are clinical cases where a patient needs intervention. But cancer drug therapy doesn't seem like the best choice. It may be more appealing than getting your stomach stapled, or having a rubber-band put in (I've heard these work), but we simply don't know.

I often think my cancer is a result of having childhood allergies. Year after year of taking antihistamines - a drug made to suppress the immune system - must have taken a toll. Then when I needed my immune system to kick into gear, but it was weak and inactive.

It will be interesting to see how this develops.

For the sake of the patients, I hope it is well targeted to specific cases, but I can't help but worry.

Drug companies want to sell drugs. And with the epidemic of obesity in this country, that population is an desirable target for any marketable drug therapy...

Friday, November 11, 2011

A Mindful Approach to Cancer

As time goes by, and it has been 5 years since my diagnosis, it becomes clear that not enough attention is given to the emotional trauma that a cancer diagnosis brings about.

Everyone expresses concern, your team of doctors are doing everything they can, there are support groups - but there is still something missing.  You are still lost in a confusion of emotions.  You still feel lost.

I am sorry that I did not discover this book when I was going through treatment.  I'm sorry that I did not discover this book when I was just getting back on my feet after cancer treatment.  But I am glad that I found it now.  Five years after my diagnosis and treatment, I am still struggling with the same emotions.  I am struggling to move beyond the cancer.  I still have emotional healing to do, and the perspective given in Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery: A Step-by-Step MBSR Approach to Help You Cope with Treatment and Reclaim Your Liferegardless of where you are in your cancer journey, helps you to become whole again.



I hope in the future, all cancer treatment is provided alongside mindfulness coaching.  I think more patients will recover with better results, rather than just surviving the battlefield of chemotherapy and radiation, they can begin to embrace their lives and move away from fear and toward happiness and greater fulfillment.


Thursday, November 10, 2011

Computer ‘Pathologist’ Could Help Assess Breast Cancer Survival | StrongerThanCancer


Computer ‘Pathologist’ Could Help Assess Breast Cancer Survival | StrongerThanCancer

An interesting development, but I worry that too much emphasis is put on computers, and treatments will be prescribed - maybe even dictated - to the patient based on statistics and numbers. There is a lot that goes into surviving cancer. Information is important, but it needs to be kept in context as a tool for the patient to decide what is best for him/her (yes, some men get breast cancer).

My triple negative diagnosis put me in the category that would require the most aggressive treatment - it took a lot to decide to take a less toxic path. With computer data added to the doctors opinion... it may not be long before they don't allow you the choice to determine your own path to survival.

Maybe I'm stretching here, but we need to be careful. As it is insurance companies can deny us coverage if we have a pre-existing condition and a lapse in our coverage. The more people rely on computers to make decisions for them, the less personal our healthcare will be.

....all of that said, it IS a pretty cool tool though :)

Monday, November 7, 2011

Cancer: Don't Just Sit There and Take It

Further to yesterday's news: Is Sitting Too Long a Cancer Risk, the conclusion seemed to be that regular, even if only a minute, breaks during the day may reduce your risk of getting cancer.

Later in the day, I was observing how wonderful my body felt after doing yoga.  It was as if every cell in my body was alive.  That feeling lingers for most of the day; I'm in a great mood, I feel healthy, the everyday challenges seem more manageable.  To me, this was a big part of truly feeling like I could move beyond my cancer.  I am now building a resource list for yoga centers that have programs for cancer patients: Stronger Than Cancer: Yoga (if you have a center to recommend, please send it to me).

Yes, yoga is longer than the one minute break, and it is one break not several.  But the energy that the yoga created in my body, made me WANT to move throughout the day.   It was as if the yoga encourages the type of daily breaks/movement that reduces the risk of cancer.

The yoga that I have been doing lately is easy to fit into my schedule because it's on video: Brian Kest Power Yoga - this one may be too challenging for someone just recovering from treatment (click to image to see the description):



But there are wonderful yoga videos that help you go through and recover from treatment : Yoga for Breast Cancer:



Yoga has worked for me.  It is gentle, but leaves you feeling strong and healthy.  There may be other physical outlets that energize you - find what works for you.

Keep moving - stay energized - take lots of 'active' breaks.

Whatever activity makes you feel good, is also fighting cancer.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Getting Advice on Treatment

If you are recently diagnosed with cancer, it can be very confusing to understand your options when it comes to treatment.  Find out where you can learn about what your options are and who you can turn to for professional advice from those who know how to get you the best possible chance of survival.

Getting Advice on Treatment | StrongerThanCancer

The Cancer Risk of... Sitting?

We all know that regular exercise can help prevent cancer, and improve your survival.  But this week, Nevill Owen, PhD, of Australia's Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute presented research at the American Institute for Cancer Research conference showing a link between a sedentary lifestyle and cancer risk.

The findings encourage "break time".  Instead of just thinking of getting to the gym, which is difficult for many people, thinking of ways to get moving throughout the day will have an impact.

"We found that even breaks as short as one minute can lower these biomarkers."  The biomarkers they refer to are: waist circumference, inflammation, and other indicators of cancer risk.

The  risk effects seemed greater for colon and breast cancer.  The evidence was weaker for lung, prostate, and ovarian cancers.

But even without a specific link to other cancers, why not take breaks?  We often think more clearly when we get up and move around, and if it is also helping in the fight against cancer, it's a simple thing to do - and supports the plan to fit cancer fighting strategies into every part of daily life.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Fighting Cancer and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

A year after my diagnosis, I remember a conversation when I was explaining how I mentally I felt like someone who had returned from war.  I felt disconnected.  I had flashbacks.  I remember thinking it was like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

A few years later, a number of articles are published linking the diagnosis of cancer to PTSD - for me it was a revelation - it made sense.  see: Many cancer survivors suffer from PTSD.

My symptoms seemed slightly different, particularly the avoidance part of it.  There are definitely many parts of my memory that I have blocked, and some things I avoid - but others, particularly those people who stood by me, are so connected - that I have difficulty trusting anyone but them.

I thought the study was interesting when it suggested that it can worsen over time.

I don't think it's the majority of cancer patients, but it's important to consider.  Cancer patients should seek help if they are struggling with depression years after diagnosis.  Treatment for PTSD can help them move toward healing, and it doesn't seem to go away on its own if it's not treated...

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

BRCA and Cancer Risk

Today, they released new findings regarding BRCA and cancer risk, see No Higher Risk of Breast Cancer for Women Who Don't Have BRCA Mutation but Have Relatives Who Do

In a flash, I remembered the pressure from my surgeon to get the testing done, with all sorts of scary stories and the implications it had for my daughter, and handing me the phone because maybe I should call my husband, oncologist, anyone who might convince me to do it.

I love that testing gives us information, but it seems to me, that too often (especially in my case) testing only led to more tests, and justification to pressure me into preventative (surgical) actions.  This same surgeon was already suggesting that I have my ovaries removed to reduce the chances of ovarian cancer.

They are my ovaries.  I want to keep them.

Not long after this, I found a different surgeon, and she will forever be remembered as Frankenstein.

But the article also hinted at how eager the medical community was to find some greater risk associated with the gene existing in the family.

All of that said, having a family member with breast cancer does put you at greater risk.  But with the risk of getting some cancer in your lifetime very high :Cancer Strikes 1 in 2 Men and 1 in 3 Women, it makes sense that everyone, I mean EVERYONE should assume that they are 'at risk' of getting cancer, and should work toward preventing it!!!

Let's not rely on tests.  Tests and screens to find cancer make sense.  Tests to see if you are "AT-RISK" perhaps aren't necessary.  Living in our modern world puts us at risk.  We are all at risk.

With everything we know about what fights cancer, there's no reason not to begin the fight today and reduce our chances of getting cancer.  Let's not be a part of that statistic.