Here’s something we should be celebrating: The World Health Organization says 70% of all cancers are preventable.
But a major stumbling block to lowering the number of cancers is that the American cancer “industry” focuses on cures, instead of prevention.
Unfortunately, until someone discovers how to make billions off prevention, this topsy turvy approach will inevitably continue with increasingly devastating consequences.
Wouldn’t you rather prevent cancer than treat it in you, your children and your community?
Since it’s Breast Cancer Month, we’re thinking about this disease. (But the fact is, all cancers need to be looked at with a focus on prevention not just cure.)
- Today in the United States, a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is an alarming 1 in 8.
- Fewer than 10 percent of women with breast cancer have a genetic history of the disease
- Over half of all breast cancers cannot be attributed to traditional risk factors such as family history, genetics, smoking and obesity.
- A compelling body of scientific evidence links breast cancer to the chemicals in our everyday environment—chemicals in our food, our products, our air and our water.
- More than 80,000 synthetic chemicals are registered for use in the United States; fewer than 10 percent have ever been fully tested for their health effects.
From every aspect, prevention costs individuals and society so much less than the exceedingly complex and time intensive search for cures.
That’s why this month, we ask you to join us in supporting The Prevention is Power Campaign from the Breast Cancer Fund.
Here’s what we can do:
- Get a conversation going with those we know about prevention. (Share this post.)
- Feel free to use these tweets to spread the word:
+Do you know someone who has/had #breastcancer? Join me to help prevent it. #PreventionIsPower
- Donate to organizations involved in prevention like the Breast Cancer Fund.
- Learn as much as you can about prevention and apply to your life and family’s life.
- Make a difference. Use your knowledge to spread the word and take a stand.
Photo Courtesy Urban Organic Gardener.
Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, and founders of Green Halloween®.