I just read yahoo’s e-headline today, Wednesday 10th of December.
The World Health Organization (WHO) discloses that cancer would be the world's leading source of death by 2010, Associated Press medical writer Mike Stobbe reports (9 Dec. 2008). The existing staggering diagnosis approximations impacted gravity to readers like myself especially when populations of China, India, and Russia were added. Smoking is pinpointed as main causal of cancer.
While reading that news something rings in my mind, a gut-feel, that's near to “danger”. The cortical feeling arises not only out of my cancer mode or hypothyroid state. Or because I read a well-documented book about an industry’s greed at the expense of human’s well-being, even of life itself. Or due to the economic recession here in USA.
The story sounds newsy, a PR marketing prep to "create disease" in our emotionally driven minds, to quote pharmaceutical products advertising gurus themselves, Robert Chandler and Gianfranco Chicco. They also said that the “ultimate goal” is “to sell the consumer a message or product without the consumer even being aware that a ’sell’ is taking place” (Melody Peterson, Our Daily Meds, 2008; Sarah Crichton Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux: USA).
Although I take conspiracy theories with the tongue in my cheek, I'm beginning to open my mind to what others are saying (even from Kevin Trudeau) about the pharmaceutical industry's influence on the FDA, politicians, medical institutions and its practitioners, health and medical insurance companies, medical/health educational and research institutions, and other (public/private) organizations that share this industry's profits (directly and indirectly) through bribery, gifts, donations, funding, grants, "extras", "fringes", payroll, exchange deal, samples, aid, sponsorship, advertisement fees, and the likes. For one, pharma products and their ads are all over the place. Two,so many new diseases keep coming out that some of them sound stupid like, restless legs syndrome.
So why wasn’t I impress to know that WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer director Peter Boyle released this not-so-novel-cancer-update at a news conference and appearing together with officials from the American Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Cancer Institute of Mexico? Why am I not move by their statements: “If we take action, we can keep the numbers from going where they would otherwise go," from the cancer society officer John’s Seffrin. Or “Cancer is one of the greatest untold health crises of the developing world," according to president-elect of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Dr. Douglas Blayney, and "Few are aware that cancer already kills more people in poor countries than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined. If current smoking trends continue, the problem will get significantly worse” And I didn't wonder on Komen’s chief executive Hala Moddelmog comment, “Where you live shouldn't determine whether you live.”
Why is smoking the lone cause marker for cancer? I think they targeted the cigarette industry because it is a dying industry in well-developed countries. The failure to mention and emphasize other variables that lead to cancer (and other illnesses and diseases)that are more prevalent and more damaging in terms of market duration availability and usage by humans - indeed make WHO story a twitter that plays on people‘s fear primarily. Another is the absence of a “real” view of cancer and prevention tips to organizing steps to stop both global corporations and small local businesses from manufacturing hazardous or harmful products and technologies that create or tweak illnesses in human genes of this generation to future generations.
The following are the most cited factors that cause cancer or chronic illnesses: 1) The accumulation of toxins (types: cellular toxicity, heavy metal and chemical toxicity, and toxic build up in the colon) that creates metabolism imbalance in the human or animal body - making fertile environments for cancer growth; (2) stress; and (3) unhealthy lifestyle. I suggest that when you do your search regarding these matters or any type of perceiving (this blog included) always check the presence of patron(s)and funding agencies or organizations behind faces, names, titles, stories, activities, content, and shadows. A little dose of cynicism would make us healthy and wise.
Oh, cancer is considered a chronic illness (not disease) like diabetes. Meaning, some treatment may always be required. Cancer is considered too, like many other illnesses, by respectable physicians and scientists curable if the body's affected organ(s) or system(s)is not severed and compromised to a point of no return. And yes, there are inclusive cancer cures that work as combination of conventional and alternative(s) do like, healthy nutrition and conventional radiation treatment or alternative therapy and traditional surgery (last resort please).
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
10 December 2008
01 March 2008
Life is Parang Buhay! (Life is Like Life!)
When Dr. Won's (not his real name)proverbial smile inversed, my mind yelled, “Ay sus, life is parang buhay! Maluto, gulay!” (Ay sus, life is like life! Rice, veggie!)
[That expression is not original. A friend would usually say, “Life is parang buhay!”(Life is like life!) whenever things go slow or rough unexpectedly. Sometimes it is followed by “Hay buhay! Maluto, gulay!” (Hay life! Rice, veggie!) I never asked for its explanation. I assumed he meant just that, with merit to circumstances.]
My primary physician does not understand Tagalog or Filipino culture. So it's a relief that I shouted silently (understandable; Dr. Won and I are almost strangers. Within two years as an immigrant in America, we only met six times in a 15- or 30-minute duration). Had Dr. Won heard me he might supposed that I insulted or called him names. Worst, uttered a spell to change him into a frog as soon as I left the office.
“It really all boils down to belief,” Won said while he scans my file and jots something down. (How can he read or write and talk - all at he same time?)
(Still looking at my file.) “No amount of good diet or change of lifestyle will lower high cholesterol. You’re gravely risking a heart attack or a stroke five to ten years from now for not taking Vytorin.” More scribbling.
Then he sighs. That, to me, is a dismissal. He stands up and excuses himself out of the room to call the nurse for my flu shot.
I left the building without seeing Dr. Won. I’m going home without a prescription, which makes me very happy. But I feel uncomfortable too.
The uneasiness, from my experience, comes from the awareness that I had cause someone’s ire, from disobeying my doctor's "order", and from anxiety about a heart attack or a stroke.
I read somewhere that one of the top medical practice peeves of physicians is the client’s refusal to follow advise. But hey, clients or patients have the right to refuse advises. It's ironical that Dr. Won wasn’t listening to himself when he said it all boils down to belief? He didn't want to hear what I was telling him -- I want to experiment first with natural to alternative cures. After two surgeries late last year I embarked on a more healthier diet and lifestyle. I'm coping with low metabolism due to the absence of thyroid glands which, I think, also contributed to raise my "bad" cholesterol levels. If a healthy lifestyle doesn’t work in six more months -- then I’ll join daily Vytorin poppers -- who do not only contribute to North America's drugged tap water but add to billion profit earnings of pharmaceutical companies. Perhaps in a year I would pop more pills as side-effect illnesses take toll and, for life! Besides I’ve already compromised my belief for life with the daily intake of a synthetic hormone replacement drug (to prevent recurrence of thyroid cancer and for hypothyroidism). That pill could "kill" my liver or waste muscles 10 to 20 years from now. No choice. As author Moalem wrote, in order to live tomorrow. Who knows, we'll have cures without ill-side effects.
The uncomfortable feeling from being the cause of negative emotion and from disobedience slowly fades after this reflection.
My fear of a stroke is tied with the fear of dying. I’ve accepted death. But dying looks so painful (gasping for air)and gross (rotting dead cells). Nostalgia fills me too every time I imagine leaving my family, friends, garden, this life, this planet, this universe. Yet these notions and feelings, at this moment, are passing away.
I am thinking of my mother who had desired death in old age. I will always remember how mama left -- sleeping with a peaceful smile. Hummm, uneasiness is completely fading. Hay,, life is parang buhay! Maluto, gulay!
[That expression is not original. A friend would usually say, “Life is parang buhay!”(Life is like life!) whenever things go slow or rough unexpectedly. Sometimes it is followed by “Hay buhay! Maluto, gulay!” (Hay life! Rice, veggie!) I never asked for its explanation. I assumed he meant just that, with merit to circumstances.]
My primary physician does not understand Tagalog or Filipino culture. So it's a relief that I shouted silently (understandable; Dr. Won and I are almost strangers. Within two years as an immigrant in America, we only met six times in a 15- or 30-minute duration). Had Dr. Won heard me he might supposed that I insulted or called him names. Worst, uttered a spell to change him into a frog as soon as I left the office.
“It really all boils down to belief,” Won said while he scans my file and jots something down. (How can he read or write and talk - all at he same time?)
(Still looking at my file.) “No amount of good diet or change of lifestyle will lower high cholesterol. You’re gravely risking a heart attack or a stroke five to ten years from now for not taking Vytorin.” More scribbling.
Then he sighs. That, to me, is a dismissal. He stands up and excuses himself out of the room to call the nurse for my flu shot.
I left the building without seeing Dr. Won. I’m going home without a prescription, which makes me very happy. But I feel uncomfortable too.
The uneasiness, from my experience, comes from the awareness that I had cause someone’s ire, from disobeying my doctor's "order", and from anxiety about a heart attack or a stroke.
I read somewhere that one of the top medical practice peeves of physicians is the client’s refusal to follow advise. But hey, clients or patients have the right to refuse advises. It's ironical that Dr. Won wasn’t listening to himself when he said it all boils down to belief? He didn't want to hear what I was telling him -- I want to experiment first with natural to alternative cures. After two surgeries late last year I embarked on a more healthier diet and lifestyle. I'm coping with low metabolism due to the absence of thyroid glands which, I think, also contributed to raise my "bad" cholesterol levels. If a healthy lifestyle doesn’t work in six more months -- then I’ll join daily Vytorin poppers -- who do not only contribute to North America's drugged tap water but add to billion profit earnings of pharmaceutical companies. Perhaps in a year I would pop more pills as side-effect illnesses take toll and, for life! Besides I’ve already compromised my belief for life with the daily intake of a synthetic hormone replacement drug (to prevent recurrence of thyroid cancer and for hypothyroidism). That pill could "kill" my liver or waste muscles 10 to 20 years from now. No choice. As author Moalem wrote, in order to live tomorrow. Who knows, we'll have cures without ill-side effects.
The uncomfortable feeling from being the cause of negative emotion and from disobedience slowly fades after this reflection.
My fear of a stroke is tied with the fear of dying. I’ve accepted death. But dying looks so painful (gasping for air)and gross (rotting dead cells). Nostalgia fills me too every time I imagine leaving my family, friends, garden, this life, this planet, this universe. Yet these notions and feelings, at this moment, are passing away.
I am thinking of my mother who had desired death in old age. I will always remember how mama left -- sleeping with a peaceful smile. Hummm, uneasiness is completely fading. Hay,, life is parang buhay! Maluto, gulay!
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