Cancer

First off, go to google maps directions, type in japan to china, and look at direction #43. I think its really funny, I think Brandon thinks its kind of lame. You decide.

I saw a statistic the other day that said 3-4 million cancer cases could be eliminated each year with proper diet and exercise. So you know me, I've been reading cancer statistics for you all. To see what's really up with the whole odds of getting it. go here for full cancer.org results . Here's some excerpts I found informative. READ IT ALL!!! (but I have underlined and bolded a few key points)

It’s been estimated that approximately one third of the cancer deaths that occur in the US each year are due to poor nutrition and physical inactivity, including excess weight. Eating a healthy diet, being physically active on a regular basis, and maintaining a healthy body weight are as important as not using tobacco products in reducing cancer risk.

In the US, overweight and obesity contribute to 14%-20% of all cancer related mortality. Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for developing many cancers, including cancers of the breast in postmenopausal women, colon, endome­ trium, kidney, pancreas, and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Evidence is suggestive that obesity also increases risk for cancers of the gallbladder, thyroid, ovary, and cervix, as well as for myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Increasing evidence also suggests that being overweight increases the risk for cancer recurrence and decreases the likelihood of survival for many cancers. 

• Adults: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigor­ ous physical activity, in addition to usual activities, on 5 or more days of the week. Forty­five to 60 minutes of intentional physical activity is preferable.

• Children and adolescents:Engage in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 5 days per week.

Living a physically active lifestyle is important to reduce the risk of a variety of types of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabe­ tes. Physical activity is associated with a 20% to 30% reduction in the risk of colon cancer. Studies also show that physical activ­ ity reduces the risk of breast cancer, especially vigorous activity. Physical activity also indirectly reduces the risk of developing the many types of obesity related cancers because of its role in helping to maintain a healthy weight. Being active is thought to reduce cancer risk largely by improving energy metabolism and reducing circulating concentrations of estrogen, insulin, and insulin­like growth factors. 

There is strong scientific evidence that healthy dietary patterns, in combination with regular physical activity, are needed to maintain a healthy body weight and to reduce cancer risk. Many epidemiologic studies have shown that populations that eat diets high in vegetables and fruits and low in animal fat, meat, and/or calories have reduced risk of some of the most common cancers. Moreover, evidence that a diet high in red and processed meats is associated with a higher risk of developing gastrointes­ tinal cancers has increased over the years.

Two major classes of factors influence the incidence of cancer: hereditary factors and acquired (environmental) factors. Hered­ itary factors come from our parents and cannot be modified. Environmental factors, which include behavioral choices, are potentially modifiable. They include tobacco use, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, obesity, certain infectious agents, certain medical treatments, excessive sun exposure, and exposures to carcinogens (cancer­causing agents) that exist as pollutants in our air, food, water, and soil. Some carcinogens occur naturally, and some are created or concentrated by human activity. Radon, for example, is a naturally occurring carcinogen present in soil and rock; however, occupational exposure occurs in under­ ground mines and substantial exposures also occur in poorly ventilated basements in regions where radon soil emissions are high. Environmental (as opposed to hereditary) factors account for an estimated 75%-80% of cancer cases and deaths in the US.