To Your Health - Good Luck!

Found this article in the Worcester Telegram -

Study: Cancer mostly due to biological 'bad luck,' not behavior
By Chitra Somayaji BLOOMBERG NEWS

Cancer in most cases may be the result of biological bad luck rather than caused by genes or environmental factors, with the random division of stem cells making people more vulnerable to mutations, a new study shows.

A formula that plotted the number of stem-cell divisions over a lifetime against the risk of cancer showed a correlation and explained two-thirds of cases, according to a research paper published this week in the journal Science. The study, conducted by mathematician Cristian Tomasetti and geneticist Bert Vogelstein of Johns Hopkins University, hinges on previously published cancer statistics.

The research may bolster arguments that cancer often can't be prevented, with risky behavior such as smoking and excessive exposure to the sun being less of a factor than chance. That would support focusing more resources on diagnosing the disease in early stages and on treatments to reduce mortality rates.

The researchers cautioned that the study isn't a license to engage in unhealthy behavior. "Cancer-free longevity in people exposed to cancer-causing agents, such as tobacco, is often attributed to their 'good genes,' but the truth is that most of them simply had good luck," Vogelstein said in a statement.

Tissue types that have more stem-cell divisions are more prone to mutations that can lead to cancers, with data demonstrating a statistical correlation between the two, Vogelstein and Tomasetti said in their paper. They suggest that only one-third of the variation in cancer risk may be due to environmental factors or inherited predispositions.

Stem Cells

The researchers focused on stem cells because they live longer, with divisions of the self-renewing cells maintaining the tissue's stability while also having the capacity to initiate a tumor. Random mutations — or bad luck — occurring during the replication of noncancerous stem cells, which typically account for a small number of the total cells in tissue, can lead to the disease.

The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer is 6.9 percent, while that of thyroid is 1.08 percent and brain cancer is 0.6 percent, according to published statistics. Acknowledged risk factors that explain some of the incidence include smoking, alcohol consumption, ultraviolet light and human papilloma virus, as well as genetic variations.

To explain the remaining cancer risk, the researchers from Baltimore, Mayland-based Johns Hopkins focused on 31 tissue types. The positive correlation between the number of stem-cell divisions and lifetime risk of the disease was seen among different types of cancers with varying levels of incidence.

Some cancers, including breast and prostate, weren't included in the report because reliable stem-cell division rates haven't been determined, according to the study. 

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This article is so wrong in so many ways. Where to begin? To exclude the two leading cancers - breast and prostate from a study and then make a pronouncement to chalk up your chances of getting cancer to "good luck or bad luck " is pure bullshit.

Recent statistics from the WHO (World health Organization) and the ACS (American Cancer Society)  indicate that one in two men, and one in three women alive today WILL face cancer.

How many of your loved ones, your friends, your neighbors, your family members have been diagnosed with cancer?

There are alternative cancer treatments available. Do your own research. There are alternatives to poison, slash and burn. In the transcript of the video "The Quest for the Cures...Continues" Dr. Tony Jimenez states: "eighty-six percent of oncologists polled or so said they would not give themselves what they give their patients." Dr. Suni Pai states:"There is a study that came out about ninety percent of physicians particularly in oncology would not prescribe the drug that they give to their patients to their wife or their child."

Alternative Cancer Resources:

Chris Beat Cancer

American Anti-Cancer Institute

Truth is none of us will get out of this world alive - we will all die. If it is possible to treat cancer in way that is less painful and miserable, why not look at other options?

My opinion... supported by FACTS ! ! !

Julie Farrell