suhre@trwrba.UUCP (Maurice E. Suhre) (03/20/85)
Several years ago, there was an article about cancer in the
Scientific American. It was mildly distressing. There were a
couple of points which I am repeating to the best of my recollection.
If you are really curious, I would recommend the library for the
exact words.
One proposition offered was that we are all sub-clinical cancer
patients as the body naturally manufactures some number (200-300)
of cancerous cells daily. The immune system locates and flushes
these cells out. As we age, the immune system becomes less effective
and eventually a cancer will start (if we haven't died of other
causes yet). Extending this argument just slightly, we can't avoid
cancer but we may acquire it earlier than necessary by smoking,
working with or handling carcinogens, etc.
There was also a discussion of skin cancer, and skin conditions
which were possibly pre-cancerous. The medical bill to surgically
remove all pre-cancerous skin conditions was truly staggering
(billions if I remember right).
All in all, the article was quite interesting and mildly upsetting.
It left a somewhat dismal prognosis (at least in my opinion).
The mention of the late Adele Davis reminded me of this article.
BTW, I had my physical last week and my Doctor reminded me that
the leading killers, heart disease and cancer, could almost surely
be improved upon if the populace was willing to quit smoking and
improve their diets and exercise.
Maurice
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