does this cause cancer?

This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 7 months ago by bnw.

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March 28, 2015 at 10:16 am #21676

nittany ram
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http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2015/03/28/does-this-cause-cancer/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freethoughtblogs%2Fpharyngula+%28FTB%3A+Pharyngula%29

Does this cause cancer?

I get asked that question so often. My usual answer is, “I don’t know, probably.” (It’s also a good answer if they ask, “does this prevent cancer?”) That’s safe to say, because just about anything can be found associated with cancer, if you look hard enough. I’ve read enough papers to know that if you can find a study accusing a food to be of the devil, you can find another one saying it’s angelic. And there will probably be some feckless mass media organ screaming CAUSE or CURE.

Did you know that broccoli contains entirely natural and known carcinogenic pesticides? And that it also contains glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, which are supposed to be good for you and prevent cancer? But wait — at high concentrations, glucosinolates are known to cause cancer in rats! And you know that most plants don’t want to be eaten by animals, so they’ve evolved chemical defenses. Why should they be good for you, you plant-killer, and how can chemicals be simultaneously good and bad?

You simply can’t judge the effect of a compound from a single study. You must understand the background to the work, the context in which it is implied, and other related studies that might tell you something about the mechanism of its operation. That chart above is also a little misleading: all clinical trials are not equal. What is the sample size, what population is involved, what protocols were used?

Just keep that in mind next time you see an article in the popular press touting a food as the simple cause or cure of a disease…and next week another article claiming the opposite, that’s not a problem with the science. It’s a problem with the press. That range of results is an indication of the complexity of the problem.

(But not to let all of science off the hook: there’s also a fair amount of bias out there. You can find old studies praising the health benefits of cigarettes, or new ones claiming that global climate change is nearly nonexistent, which is a consequence of the taint of big money.)

March 28, 2015 at 10:47 am #21679

bnw
Blocked

Reading that post causes cancer. Not reading that post protects against cancer.

The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.

Sprinkles are for winners.

March 28, 2015 at 1:46 pm #21690

Zooey
Moderator

I have this deep fear that ALL of us are going to die someday.

March 28, 2015 at 3:46 pm #21693

wv
Participant

I skimmed a book called “Snake Oil Science” a while back.
It kinda fits in this thread, i think.

http://dannyreviews.com/h/Snake_Oil_Science.html

There’s scientific studies,
and there’s
scientific studies.

w
v

March 28, 2015 at 9:17 pm #21703

TSRF
Participant

I worked with a Radiation Effects Engineer from one of the main Prime Contractors a few years ago. We had to come up with a test plan for the IC’s and transistors used in our box, and then had to go test them at their facility.

In casual conversation, he stated that he believed low level radiation exposure was actually beneficial. His argument was that radiation kills off weak cells. Old cells are for the most part weaker than young cells. Old cells are also the ones that tend to mutate into cancer.

Who knows? Maybe cell phones really are good for us…

March 29, 2015 at 10:00 am #21715

bnw
Blocked

All the science warrants the history of reducing the supposed safe level of exposure. Since Fukushima the levels have been relaxed or ignored. So many weak cells. So little time?

The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.

Sprinkles are for winners.

March 30, 2015 at 6:23 pm #21810

sdram
Participant

I thought it was damaged cells that mutate into cancer? Same thing maybe – old and\or damaged. I have no memory past my last bathroom visit so don’t quote me on anything, ever.

I had a cousin who was close die from pancreatic cancer a few years back and did quite a bit of research then – very depressing for me at the time. As a data and stats guy, the risk factors kind of hit home with me. Cigs are the number one risk factor for many forms of cancer including pancreatic cancer.

Anyway, I eat all those things on the list – except Wine. But, I’ve been known to indulge in both red and green grapes so there’s that. Do grapes equate to wine? They do for heart based benefits as I recall. Probably another study for another time.

Most prepackaged consuming, sun worshiping, butt sitting, booze drinking, cig smoking, over stressed, nut bearing, male human geriatrics will end up with some form of cancer before they check out. About all I think I can do is try to eat healthy and try to live well. That can be challenging while living with the same 58 year old woman for the past 39 years. Ok – I’m kidding about that. My wife is a treasure who enriches me daily and I couldn’t breathe normally without her.

April 2, 2015 at 11:34 am #22001

bnw
Blocked

sdram wrote:

That can be challenging while living with the same 58 year old woman for the past 39 years. Ok – I’m kidding about that. My wife is a treasure who enriches me daily and I couldn’t breathe normally without her.

Relaxing the stranglehold on your throat?

The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.

Sprinkles are for winners.

April 5, 2015 at 1:40 pm #22168

sdram
Participant

bnw wrote:

sdram wrote:

That can be challenging while living with the same 58 year old woman for the past 39 years. Ok – I’m kidding about that. My wife is a treasure who enriches me daily and I couldn’t breathe normally without her.

Relaxing the stranglehold on your throat?

She’s only trying to help me, right!

April 5, 2015 at 3:53 pm #22178

bnw
Blocked

sdram wrote:

bnw wrote:

sdram wrote:

That can be challenging while living with the same 58 year old woman for the past 39 years. Ok – I’m kidding about that. My wife is a treasure who enriches me daily and I couldn’t breathe normally without her.

Relaxing the stranglehold on your throat?

She’s only trying to help me, right!

The upside to being a Rams fan is heartbreak.

Sprinkles are for winners.
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