Why are so many people being diagnosed with cancer in SVG?

Dear Doc,

I find that so many people in our country are being diagnosed with cancer. Is it because of the food we are eating?{{more}}

Lornette

Dear Lornette,

This is difficult to prove, though many hold the notion that our modern diet has a significant link with cancer. A recent study in the UK could not find significant differences in cancer rates between the regular population and a group of persons whose diet comprised of “healthy” fruits and vegetables mainly.

There are many factors to consider when discussing cancers and, indeed, it might be too many. It is close to impossible to investigate whether a single item has more than another when the association is so complex. It is like blaming your husband when your child uses an obscene word, when that word is used in the presence of the child by multiple persons in the household and community, within ear-shot of the child. You might blame your husband based on the fact that he is the child’s mentor, but that does not guarantee that he has the greatest influence.

The increase in cancer diagnoses may be due to people living longer, larger populations, efficient diagnoses, environmental changes and many more.

There might be more diagnoses of cancers, but what we have to do is not to look for a single cause for cancers, but make multiple changes that include behavioral, diet and increase our surveillance and preventative methods.

Doc

SVG Cancer Society,

P.O. Box 709, Kingstown.

Email: svgsocietycancer@gmail.com

Phone: 526-7036