Unraveling the Origins: Exploring 101 Triggers of Cancer

Unraveling the Origins:

Exploring 101 Triggers of Cancer

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS CANCER?

Free Radicals

Cancer Treatment

Cancer Classification

1. Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ)

2. Stage I (Early Stage)

3. Stage II and III (Regional Spread)

4. Stage IV (Distant Spread)

Summary of the TNM System:

CHAPTER 2: A BRIEF HISTORY OF CANCER

CHAPTER 3: WHAT IS A CARCINOGEN?

CHAPTER 4. THE COST OF CANCER

CHAPTER 5: CANCER STATISTICS

CHAPTER 6: CANCER RESEARCH REPORTS

CHAPTER 7: ANIMAL TESTING

CHAPTER 8: CHEMICALS AND TOXICITY

CHAPTER 9: MY TOXICITY REPORT

CHAPTER 10: WE KNOW THE CAUSE — YET WE DO LITTLE FOR PREVENTION

CHAPTER 11: A TALE OF TWO CONSPIRACIES

Big Tobacco

Big Pharma

CHAPTER 12: LAWS AND CANCER WARNINGS

United States:

European Union:

Canada:

Australia:

International:

CHAPTER 13: CANCER TRIGGERS

Trigger 1/101 – Tobacco Smoke

Trigger 2/101 – Formaldehyde

Trigger 3/101 – Asbestos

Trigger 4/101 – Haloacetic Acids

Trigger 5/101 – Dioxins

Trigger 6/101 – Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

Trigger 7/101 – Ionizing Radiation (X-rays, gamma rays)

Trigger 8/101 – Alcoholic Beverages

Trigger 9/101 – Nitrosamines

Trigger 10/101 – Vinyl Chloride

Trigger 11/101 – Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Trigger 12/101 – Hepatitis B Virus

Trigger 13/101 – Helicobacter Pylori

Trigger 14/101 – Aflatoxins

Trigger 15/101 – Benzidine

Trigger 16/101 – Cadmium (Smelting)

Trigger 17/101 – Chromium Hexavalent

Trigger 18/101 – Ethylene Oxide

Trigger 19/101 – Lead

Trigger 20/101 – Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon

Trigger 21/101 – Radon

Trigger 22/101 – Anabolic Steroids

Trigger 23/101 – Aristolochic Acids

Trigger 24/101 – Coal Tar

Trigger 25/101 – Secondhand Tobacco Smoke

Trigger 26/101 – Tamoxifen

Trigger 27/101 – 4-Aminobiphenyl

Trigger 28/101 – Estrogen Replacement Therapy

Trigger 29/101 – MOOP Chemotherapy

Trigger 30/101 – Analgesic Mixtures Containing Phenacetin

Trigger 31/101 – Arsenic

Trigger 32/101 – Auramine

Trigger 33/101 – Benzo[a]pyrene

Trigger 34/101 – Beryllium

Trigger 35/101 – Betel Quid

Trigger 36/101 – Bis(chloromethyl)ether and Chloromethyl Methyl Ether

Trigger 37/101 – 1,3-Butadiene

Trigger 38/101 – Captafol

Trigger 39/101 – Chlorambucil

Trigger 40/101 – Chlorinated paraffins

Trigger 41/101 – Semustine (MeCCNU)

Trigger 42/101 – 2-Chloroethylvinyl Ether

Trigger 43/101 – Chromium (VI) Compounds

Trigger 44/101 – Cobalt Metal with Tungsten Carbide

Trigger 45/101 – Combined Estrogen-Progestogen Menopausal Therapy (MHT)

Trigger 46/101 – Contraceptives - Steroidal Estrogens

Trigger 47/101 – Creosote

Trigger 48/101 – Crystalline Silica

Trigger 49/101 – Cyclamates

Trigger 50/101 – Diethylstilbestrol

Trigger 51/101 – Dimethylcarbamoyl Chloride

Trigger 52/101 – 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine

Trigger 53/101 – Dimethylvinyl Chloride

Trigger 54/101 – N,N-Dimethyl-p-toluidine

Trigger 55/101 – 1,4-Dioxane

Trigger 56/101 – Epichlorohydrin

Trigger 57/101 – Erionite

Trigger 58/101 – Ethylbenzene

Trigger 59/101 – Ethylene Oxide (EO)

Trigger 60/101 – Etoposide

Trigger 61/101 – Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene

Trigger 62/101 – Indium Phosphide

Trigger 63/101 – Isoprene

Trigger 64/101 – Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpesvirus

Trigger 65/101 – Leather Dust

Trigger 66/101 – Melphalan

Trigger 67/101 – 4,4'-Methylenebis(2-chloroaniline)

Trigger 68/101 – 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (TCP)

Trigger 69/101 – Nitrogen Mustard

Trigger 70/101 – Antimony Trioxide

Trigger 71/101 – Arsenic

Trigger 72/101 – Untreated Mineral Oils

Trigger 73/101 – Nickel Compounds

Trigger 74/101 – Amitrole

Trigger 75/101 – Basic Red 9 Monohydrochloride

Trigger 76/101 – Acetaldehyde

Trigger 77/101 – 1-Bromopropane

Trigger 78/101 – Chloramphenicol

Trigger 79/101 – Dacarbazine

Trigger 80/101 – Danthron

Trigger 81/101 – Furan

Trigger 82/101 – Methylaziridine

Trigger 83/101 – Metronidazole

Trigger 84/101 – Nitrofen

Trigger 85/101 – Norethisterone

Trigger 86/101 – Oxymetholone

Trigger 87/101 – Reserpine

Trigger 88/101 – Selenium Sulfide

Trigger 89/101 – Vinyl Bromide

Trigger 90/101 – Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) Phosphate

Trigger 91/101 – Toxaphene

Trigger 92/101 – Cyclophosphamide

Trigger 93/101 – Azathioprine

Trigger 94/101 – Malathion

Trigger 95/101 – Glyphosate

Trigger 96/101 – Glycidol

Trigger 97/101 – Ciclosporin

Trigger 98/101 – N-Nitrosodimethylamine

Trigger 99/101 – Benzene

Trigger 100/101 – Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

Trigger 101/101 – Isobutyl Nitrite

CHAPTER 14: EXAMINING THE TRIGGERS

CHAPTER 15: FINAL THOUGHTS

REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION

Growing up as the son of a science teacher, I’ve always had a passion for science. During my senior year of high school, I recall my science teacher discussing cancer. At that time, I imagined one day discovering a cure for cancer. However, I later learned a crucial truth: it's scientifically and mathematically impossible to cure an ailment while perpetuating its cause simultaneously. This creates a paradoxical situation. For instance, if smoking can lead to lung cancer and one continues to smoke, treating lung cancer without addressing smoking doesn't truly resolve the issue. The key to solving such problems lies in understanding its origins to avoid repeating initial mistakes. This concept echoes Sir Isaac Newton's famous principle: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, which underpins our understanding of how objects interact through Newton's Third Law of Motion.

Traditional medicine often times ignores root cause analysis which is ensuring that solutions address the fundamental causes of the problem rather than just the symptoms. This book focuses on exploring 101 triggers of cancer.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (Benjamin Franklin, 1735), which is a familiar maxim and a fundamental tenet of the field of prevention science.

In 1939

German scientist Franz H. Müller published a study showing a higher incidence of lung cancer among smokers. The year is now 2025, eighty-six years later and we are still faced with the same problem; lung cancer is still highly

diagnosed. Simply put, man cannot compete with the laws of physics. Will there ever be a true 'cure' for cancer? Perhaps, but it will require addressing the root causes—those initial actions that are often overlooked in traditional medicine.

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS CANCER?

Cancer is a multifaceted disease characterized by the abnormal and chaotic growth of cells within the body. This aberrant growth, known as neoplasia, results from genetic mutations that disrupt the normal regulatory mechanisms governing cell division and growth. These mutations can arise spontaneously or be triggered by various factors such as exposure to carcinogens, genetic predisposition, or viral infections.

Fundamentally, cancer manifests when cells acquire the ability to proliferate uncontrollably, forming masses or tumors. These tumors can be benign, remaining localized and non-invasive, or malignant, invading surrounding tissues and potentially spreading to other parts of the body through a process called metastasis. Cancer cells often exhibit altered metabolism, evasion of immune surveillance, and the ability to induce angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) to sustain their growth.

The clinical manifestations of cancer vary widely depending on the type and location of the tumor, as well as its stage of progression. Symptoms may include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, pain, changes in bowel or bladder habits, persistent cough, and unusual bleeding or discharge. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of imaging studies (such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs), laboratory tests (including blood tests and tumor markers), and often biopsy to examine tissue under a microscope.

Free Radicals

A free radical is an atom, molecule (two or more atoms), or ion that has an unpaired electron in its outer shell, making it highly reactive and unstable. Because electrons prefer to be in pairs, free radicals seek to steal or donate an electron from or to other molecules to stabilize themselves. This process can cause a chain reaction of damage to cells, proteins, and DNA.

In the human body, free radicals are produced naturally as byproducts of normal metabolic processes, such as when the body uses oxygen to produce energy. However, they can also be introduced from external sources, like pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, and certain chemicals.

While free radicals play a role in some necessary bodily functions, such as fighting infections, an excess of free radicals can lead to oxidative stress, which is linked to aging and various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. Antioxidants are substances that can neutralize free radicals by donating an electron, thereby preventing them from causing harm.

In summary, free radicals can initiate and promote the development of cancer by damaging DNA, disrupting normal cell regulation, and promoting a cellular environment that favors uncontrolled growth and division. Antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals, are one of the body’s defenses against this process, helping to protect cells from oxidative stress and potentially reducing the risk of cancer.

Cancer Treatment

Treatment strategies for cancer are diverse and may include surgery to remove tumors and sometimes palliative care to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. The prognosis for cancer patients varies greatly depending on factors such as the type and stage of cancer, overall health, and response to treatment.

There are hundreds of drugs available to treat cancer, each designed to target different types of cancer and various stages of the disease. These drugs can be broadly categorized into several groups:

Chemotherapy: Traditional drugs that kill or inhibit the growth of rapidly dividing cancer cells.

Radiation/Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target specific molecules involved in cancer cell growth and survival.

Immunotherapy: Drugs that help the body's immune system recognize and fight cancer cells.

Hormone Therapy: Drugs that block or lower the amount of hormones in the body to slow or stop the growth of hormone-sensitive cancers.

Monoclonal Antibodies: Lab-made molecules that can bind to specific targets on cancer cells.

Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation: Procedures that restore blood-forming stem cells in patients who have had theirs destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy

There are also hundreds of herbs and plants that have been studied for their potential to treat cancer or to alleviate the side effects of conventional cancer treatments. These studies range from basic laboratory research to clinical trials.

The number of herbs studied for cancer is large, and the research spans a broad spectrum of scientific rigor. While herbs have shown results in preclinical studies, translating these findings into effective and safe treatments for cancer in humans is said to be complex and requires extensive clinical trials. Additionally, the use of herbs in cancer treatment should always be discussed with healthcare professionals to avoid potential interactions with conventional treatments

Cancer Classification

Cancer is typically classified into stages to describe the extent of the disease in the body. These stages help determine the prognosis and the most appropriate treatment options. The most commonly used staging system is the TNM system, developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). The stages are generally described as follows:

1. Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ)

Abnormal cells are present but have not spread to nearby tissue. This stage is considered pre-cancerous or early cancer. The cancer cells are still in the place where they started and have not spread.

2. Stage I (Early Stage)

Cancer is small and has only spread a little into nearby tissues. It has not spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Often referred to as localized cancer, the tumor is generally small and can be surgically removed.

3. Stage II and III (Regional Spread)

Cancer is larger and has grown more deeply into nearby tissues. It may have spread to lymph nodes but not to other parts of the body.

Stage II: Larger tumor size and/or spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage III: Even larger tumors and/or extensive involvement of nearby lymph nodes.

4. Stage IV (Distant Spread)

Cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). This stage is also known as advanced or metastatic cancer. It indicates that the cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.

Summary of the TNM System:

T (Tumor): Describes the size of the original tumor and whether it has invaded nearby tissue.

N (Node): Describes the extent of spread to nearby lymph nodes.

M (Metastasis): Describes whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Each of these components is assigned a number or letter to indicate the severity or extent of the disease. For example, T1N0M0 would indicate a small tumor with no lymph node involvement and no distant metastasis.

Understanding the stage of cancer is crucial for determining the most effective treatment plan and predicting the likely outcome for the patient.

CHAPTER 2: A BRIEF HISTORY OF CANCER

The history of cancer spans millennia, reflecting a gradual evolution in our understanding, perception, and treatment of this disease. Ancient medical texts from Egypt, dating back to around 3000 BC, contain descriptions of tumors that were likely cancerous. Throughout antiquity, cancer was often viewed fatalistically, associated with spiritual or supernatural causes, and treated with a combination of herbal remedies, surgery, and sometimes cautery (burning a part of the body).

Hippocrates (circa 460-370 BC) proposed that diseases, including cancer, arose from imbalances in bodily fluids, or humors. The term cancer comes from the Greek physician Hippocrates, who used the word karkinos (crab) to describe tumors because of their appearance.  This theory persisted for centuries, influencing medical thought during the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages, where surgical interventions were occasionally attempted to remove tumors.

During the Renaissance period, there was a gradual shift towards more scientific inquiry and anatomical understanding. In the 17th century, William Harvey's discovery of the circulation of blood laid a foundation for understanding how diseases might spread within the body, including cancer. However, prevailing beliefs about disease causation remained largely rooted in humoral theory and metaphysical concepts.

Humoral theory, also known as the theory of the four humors, is an ancient medical concept that suggests that the human body is governed by four fluids or humors: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. This theory dominated Western medicine until the advent of modern medical science in the 19th century.

The 19th century marked a significant turning point with the advent of microscopy and the understanding that cells were the building blocks of all living organisms. In 1838, Johannes Müller proposed the theory that cancer arises from cells, a concept further developed by Rudolf Virchow, who emphasized the importance of pathological changes at the cellular level. This era also saw the first systematic classification of tumors based on their microscopic appearance.

The 20th century brought unprecedented advancements in cancer research and treatment. The discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895 revolutionized diagnosis and enabled the visualization of tumors within the body. In the early 1900s, the identification of carcinogens such as tobacco smoke and occupational hazards led to a deeper understanding of environmental factors contributing to cancer development.

The mid-20th century witnessed breakthroughs in chemotherapy and radiation therapy, providing new tools to combat cancer. The development of antibiotics and improved surgical techniques also contributed to better outcomes for cancer patients. The discovery of DNA's structure by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953 paved the way for understanding genetic mutations underlying cancer, leading to the field of molecular oncology and targeted therapies.

Today, cancer remains a formidable challenge, with ongoing efforts focused on early detection, prevention strategies, and innovative treatments tailored to individual genetic profiles. The history of cancer underscores the enduring quest to unravel its complexities, offering hope for continued progress in reducing its burden on individuals and societies worldwide.

CHAPTER 3: WHAT IS A CARCINOGEN?

The term carcinogen comes from the Greek words karkinos (καρκίνος), meaning crab or cancer, and genes (γενής), meaning born of or producing. Genes (γενής) is a Greek suffix meaning born of or producing. When combined, carcinogen literally means "producing