Cancer Villains: the "Dirty Dozen"

Have you ever wondered how young children get cancer?  Normally, they haven't been alive long enough to have damaged their bodies with poor diet, smoking, or drinking, so what is it?  Genetics?  Bad luck?

A compromised immune system is what allows cancer cells to reproduce and thrive, but what causes cancer cells in the first place?   It is reported that 85% of all cancers are caused by environmental toxins.  Genetics don't play nearly as large a role in cancer as was previously believed, and, frankly, "bad luck" has nothing to do with it.  Back to the children--again, it seems they couldn't possibly have absorbed that many toxins in their short lives, but the shocking truth is that they have been absorbing toxins even in the womb!

The Environmental Working Group analyzed the umbilical cord blood of 10 random babies born in August-September, 2004, in U.S. hospitals, and the babies' cord blood contained an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants.  A total of 287 different chemicals were identified--180 of those are known carcinogens, 217 toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 of them known to cause abnormal development or birth defects in animal tests.  The study was repeated in 2009, using the cord blood of 10 minority babies, and the results were nearly the same.  Again, more than 200 chemicals were identified with special attention given to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) which is a xenoestrogen found commonly in plastics.

In 2013, the Environmental Defense group of Canada studied the cord blood of only three infants, but found similar results.  They identified 137 total chemicals (ranging from 55-121 per infant) of which 132 are carcinogens, 110 are neurotoxins, and 133 cause reproductive and developmental problems in mammals.  Present were flame retardants, PFCs (compounds used in non-stick coatings of cookware and clothing), and PCBs (carcinogens which were banned in Canada in 1977).  One conclusion of this study is that even when dangerous chemicals are banned, that doesn't mean they just disappear.  They remain in the environment, continuing to cause harm.

I don't know about you, but I found this information to be pretty disturbing!  I tend to think of the womb as being a safe place for an infant, but even in the womb our babies are being poisoned by all the toxins that their mothers are absorbing.

Following is a list of the top 12 "Dirty Dozen" environmental toxins:

1. Heavy metals including mercury and aluminum commonly found in dental fillings, antiperspirants, vaccines, and cookware.
2. Xenoestrogens  The Greek word "xeno" means false--these are synthetic compounds that mimic estrogen and disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system.  Xenoestrogens cause increases in reproductive site cancers (prostate, breast, uterine, ovarian), estrogen dominance, fertility problems, thyroid problems, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, uterine and ovarian issues, endometriosis, and Testicular Dysgensis Syndrome.  Xenoestrogens are found in sunscreens, parabens, plastics, flame retardants, red food dye and BHA (a food preservative), chlorine, thermal receipt paper, cleaning agents, building supplies, insecticides, the oral contraceptive pill, and HRT (hormone replacement therapy).
3. GMOs  Genetically Modified Organisms or "God Move Over."  Virtually all commercially grown corn, soy, cottonseed, sugar beets, and papaya are now GMOs.  Monsanto, the giant producer of GMOs, has already successfully gotten congress to declare them immune from prosecution, is attempting to get laws passed stating that GMO-containing foods do not have to be labeled, and have propagated false studies and narratives on the "safety" of GMOs.  GMOs have already been banned in some other European countries.
4. Pesticides/glyphosate  Namely Roundup as well as all other chemical pesticides.  This is why it is best to eat organic foods.
5. Emotional toxicities  One doesn't have to look far to find information about the impact of negative emotions (stress, anger, anxiety, etc.) on physiological health.
6. Non-organic makeup, skin and hair care products  These products are full of chemicals and toxins.  Skin is the largest organ of the body, and anything that contacts the skin is easily absorbed into the body.
7. Radiation  This includes not only radiation from x-rays, mammograms, and other diagnostic tests, but also radiation from nuclear disasters like Fukushima in Japan, and radioactive waste. It contaminates ocean water and the seafood it contains.  Radioactive particles from disasters/accidents are spread through the air and atmosphere to other areas of the globe.  The West Coast of the United States is affected by radiation from Fukushima.
8. Root canals/dental toxins  Old root canal sites are almost always a hotbed of toxic bacteria which are able to access the blood stream and travel throughout the body, causing harm.
9. Aspartame  A poisonous manmade artificial sweetener.  When aspartame is broken down in the body it produces formaldehyde, a known neurotoxin.  We northerners know the caustic effects that road salt has on automobiles--aspartame is to the brain what road salt is to vehicles.
10. Flouride/chlorine  Contrary to what the American Dental Association preaches, fluoride is not a nutrient that helps "make strong teeth and bones."  Flouride can occur naturally in the earth, but the vast majority of it is toxic industrial waste byproduct.  Rather than bearing the heavy financial and logistical burden of disposing of it as toxic waste, industrial manufacturer lobbyists managed to convince authorities that flouride was beneficial to humans; thus it became dumped into the water supply starting in the 1950s.  Flouride is a toxin that causes bone to become brittle, not strong, and it is linked to bone cancer.  Interestingly, the rise of osteoporosis correlates with the onset of fluoridated public water supply.  Our water supplies are also chlorinated, so not only are we consuming it internally, our skin is absorbing it, too with every bath, shower, and swim in a chlorinated pool.
11. EMFs  "Electromagnetic Frequencies" disrupt the normal flow of energy in the body causing cancer, interrupting sleep, and affecting the immune and reproductive systems.  In May, 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared EMFs to be Class B carcinogens.  EMFs are emitted by cordless and cell phones, cell towers, baby monitors, WIFI, and smart meters (smart meters emit 30 electrical pulses per minute!).
12. Sunscreens  Sunscreens contain many harmful chemicals which, ironically, cause cancer instead of providing protection from cancer.  Natural sunscreens without xenoestrogens and parabens are available, and another option is wearing a hat and covering up with light, loose-fitting clothing.

Pretty depressing, huh?  In our quest for evermore convenience and progress, we are sacrificing our health.  But all is not lost!  Although it is virtually impossible to avoid all environmental toxins, many of them can be eliminated or greatly reduced just by consciously making better choices in what we put in and on our bodies, what we use in our homes, and with what we surround ourselves.  And, of course, the most basic defense against toxins is choosing a truly healthy diet and nutrition that keep the body and all its systems functioning the way they were designed to function, able to neutralize and eliminate harmful invaders.