Los Angeles Times Editorial: Residential Development Near Freeways is Bad for Health

As many people who read this blog and follow the work of USC Environmental Health Centers know, our researchers spend much of their time and energy studying the health effects of outdoor air pollution. In particular, our researchers have published many studies on how pollution near busy roads and freeways can affect people's health both in the short term and over the lifespan.

Therefore, we take particular note when media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times not only cover stories that relate to the impact of the environment on health but publish editorials about them.

The LA Times editorial below describes important information that people living in urban areas should consider when choosing where to live, as well as how cities and urban developers can influence and protect or (or alternatively create health risks for) local residents.
Editorial: L.A.'s freeway-adjacent residents need more protection from pollution

Feature and background article on the DaVinci apartment complex fire:
Da Vinci developer packs apartment complexes next to freeways 

Cancer - What You Need to Know About Its Causes

The word cancer is a broad term used to describe a complex but common group of more than 100 different diseases that can affect just about every organ in the body. Organs that cancer has a high rate of infection include the lungs, breast, and skin but it also affects other organs like throat, eyes, brain, and so on; each with its own causes, symptoms, and methods of treatment.

Causes of cancer

Cancer can affect any type of tissue in the body - and sometimes, is not restricted to a particular tissue alone but can spread over time to other parts of the body. However, what causes cancer in some cases may not cause cancer in other organs. For example, tobacco smoke is the leading cause of lung cancer but certainly cannot cause skin cancer.

Causes of cancer include:

Genetic make-up

Changes in the DNA structure in a gene can mean serious problems for the entire body. Such changes or errors are called mutations, and these mutations can be passed down from a parent to an offspring. That doesn't mean that all the children will have cancer, but this indicates a predisposition to having cancer. What this means is: their chances of infection are higher.

Immune system

Generally, a weak immune system means the body cannot effectively fight diseases. That goes for cancer too. A weak immune system is like a ranch house surrounded by skyscrapers, the chances of the house getting a space in the landscape is slim.

Smoking, diet and physical activity

People with lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and unhealthy diet are prone to different types of cancers. Too much red meat and processed food without enough fruits and vegetables increase the risk of cancer. Excessive alcohol can be responsible for cancer too.

Age

As you age, your body undergoes changes whereby gene mutations and cancerous cells have increased. The older you get, the more cases of abnormal cell growth there will be. A typical example is prostate cancer which affects men mostly in middle age. Environmental factors

Believe it or not, even something as pleasurable as a deep sun tan can be dangerous. This is because excessive exposure to sunlight can cause melanoma which is a form of skin cancer. Exposure to ultra violet rays of the sun and radiation made by man are very well-known carcinogens (cancer causing agents).

Cancer can be prevented in simple ways and also, sometimes, with the use of new surgical means. Knowledge is the core of cancer prevention, that is: knowing the causes and the risk factors. Medically, breakthroughs in gene mapping are allowing doctors identify cancer causing genes and those studies will no doubt lead to better ways of eliminating the genetic factors that increase predisposition to cancer.

7 Misunderstandings About Cancer

When it comes to diagnosis and treatment of cancer there are a number of misunderstandings. These misunderstandings, be them from doctors or patients, can only serve to keep the cancer returning post-treatment if indeed there has not been death. To avoid this it is necessary to identify and act on these misunderstandings. Not an exhaustive account, but here are 7 common misunderstandings about cancer.

1. Early detection saves lives

The claim that early detection saves lives is simply untrue because it is impossible to tell whether or not the cancer will turn out to be benign or malignant. Don't be fooled or misguided by the early detection myth. For example, Pathologists will tell you that some 30-40 times more cancers; prostate, pancreatic, and thyroid cancers were found during autopsy. These individuals, when alive, never went to the doctors because due to healing abilities their bodies had been able to encapsulate the cancer, rendering it as benign and symptomless.

2. The symptoms are the cause of the illness

Oh no! Many people don't realize that cancer is only a symptom of some underlying root-cause. In other words cancer is a knock on effect or warning sign and is the body's way of trying to heal itself... Heal itself of what, did I hear you say? -Read on

3. Treating the symptoms is the cure

No again! Many doctors make this mistake. Yes, it's important to treat the symptoms but the cancer will eventually return because the underlying root-cause is ignored. This is what is happening when patients are treated using conventional medicine. The root-cause of cancer is nutritional deficiency and toxicity which indeed needs to be addressed to be sure that the patient is cured.

4. Natural cures don't work

To say that natural cures don't work is nothing more than disinformation. The medical pharmaceutical establishment don't want you finding out about inexpensive, natural, non-toxic and non-evasive cures because it undercuts their business, so, to counter this, they spread disinformation through the mass media... Doctors found treating patients with unapproved natural cures could be struck off the list even if the treatment works...

5. Nutrition does not have much of an effect

How doctors, cancer research and people suchlike can basically ignore nutrition, one of the things that makes up our very being truly amazes me. As I've been saying in previous articles with backed up evidence cancer is the result of long-term nutritional deficiency and toxicity. Therefore the cancer needs to be addressed by treating the cancer patient with a strict dietary regimen of specific foods and supplements to heal the body as well as detoxification.

6. One day there will be a magic bullet cure for cancer

Many, falling for the cancer research con, think that one day there will be a magic bullet cure for cancer or something like that. Every so often, you see something in mainstream media that promotes the latest drug that could turn out to be the 'miracle cure' of the future but nothing ever comes of it. That's because curing cancer doesn't work like that. A multi-factorial holistic approach is needed; one that addresses the nutritional deficiency, toxicity, stress handling, the mind-body-spirit connection and exercise... to cure the patient.

7. Mobile phone use does not cause cancer

A source that's often used to support the above misunderstanding is a Dutch study conducted by Patrizia Frei et al in 2011. The study found that mobile phone frequent / heavy use did not cause cancer. However, the study was criticized by Professor Dennis Henshaw et al at Bristol University, pointing out that there had been a number of major flaws in the study. This was ignored by mainstream media.

Some studies such as those conducted by Yaniv Hamzany and colleagues at Tel-Aviv University (2013) concluded that long-term frequent / heavy mobile phone use was harmful and could cause cancer. Also, a Swedish study headed by Stefan Lonn published in the American Journal of Epidemiology(2005) found that long-term frequent / heavy mobile phone use for 2 plus hours each day meant a 250-1 greater chance of getting brain cancer.

Then there's the 2012 Bio-Initiative report that puts any doubts laid to rest. This documents 1000's of pages of primary source studies, showing harmful effects...

Lifesaving Procedures: Early Cancer Detection Through Mammography

At some point in her life, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Take a good look around you. You probably see at least eight women in your office building or walking down the street at any given time. One of these eight women will come face to face with a brutal, remorseless killer. Forty thousand women will die of this terrible cancer this year, and another 220,000 will be diagnosed with it. Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women worldwide, and it is the second most common cause of death, right behind heart disease. Mammography can and does save lives every single day!

The Key to Beating Cancer: Early Detection

Like every other cancer, if breast cancer is caught early, the prognosis tends to be very positive. Mammography is the best early-detection resource available to women. It consists of a low energy x-ray beam that is fired at the patient's breasts. The x-ray beams make any abnormalities that may be present in the fatty tissues stand out in the resulting x-ray image.

Digital vs. Traditional

Besides the traditional breast cancer tests, a second digital method has been developed. The digital tests are just as effective and as safe as traditional testing procedures, but the images are better and are produced much faster. This allows for your doctor to go over the images with you before you even leave the office. Digital testing practices take early detection to the next level!

Diagnostic Tests and Screenings

There is a major difference between these two types of exams. It is highly recommended that all women between the ages of 35 and 40 get a baseline mammogram and then get a routine screening every single year after their 40th birthday, since age is one of the main risk factors for women. Screenings are for women who have never had breast cancer or other issues with their breasts. They are not as comprehensive as diagnostic tests, but if you have never had a problem, they should be more than sufficient for you.

Diagnostic tests are for women who have had breast cancer, other breast issues, or breast implants. These tests obtain images from multiple angles. In the case of a cancer survivor, diagnostic tests are used to ensure the cancer has not come back. In the case of someone with breast implants, diagnostic tests ensure that the cancer doesn't slip by a screening, since breast implants can make it harder for an accurate screening. There is no evidence that links implants to breast cancer, but it makes it harder to detect with traditional screenings.

Affordable Annual Mammography

Don't worry about not being able to afford your annual tests: because these tests are so vital in fighting the disease, the Affordable Care Act has mandated coverage for breast cancer screenings. Monetary issues will not prevent you from ensuring you are clear of breast cancer.

Forgive Cancer to Be Free of Its Heaviness

Often pride hinders freeing ourselves from the burden of resentment associated with sustaining a grudge. Finding how to begin to consider forgiving cancer for most remains difficult as life seems turned upside down. In many cases the cause of cancer is indeterminable to further intensify a common question of asking, why me. Not knowing the cause exacerbates the burden of resentment and for some the feeling of guilt from thinking was it something I did to have this disease. Some cancer cases have no determinable cause as genetics may have played a role as a gene mutation could be responsible for expressing normal cells to become cancerous. This is no fault of our own or our family tree, yet some people hold a grudge from genes being passed down.

No matter the cause of resentment the burden becomes heavier as time passes. Attempting to cope with cancer carrying this persisting burden aggravates the struggle of coping to the point of possibly becoming debilitating. Help to ease the struggle of coping begins with the heart to acquaint ourselves with compassion and wisdom to direct us to the desired destination of forgiveness. The heart is the gyroscope of goodness for effectively navigating through this emotional maze of conflict tempting us to consider excuses to dismiss forgiveness. Clarity will gradually emerge for a sense of calmness and peace for the grace to forgive. The heaviness of the burden from sustained resentment dissipates to completely be removed for freedom from its constrictive influence. Forgiveness releases feelings that exerted unfavorable influence toward feelings with encouraging goodness to live again in peace and happiness free of resentment and bitterness. Forgiveness is critical to the healing process. Once we forgive life begins to slow down to where we feel less worrisome to relax some to cherish each day and moment. We learn to mange the journey leading to enhanced awareness to recognize goodness and live again.

Since cancer significantly impacts us to become a part of life it seems difficult or impossible to forget. Understand that it is not imperative to forget cancer. Instead use cancer as a reminder to encourage us to reach higher to go beyond our expectations. Discover inner strength for the faith to persist throughout this challenge to never give up. Forgiveness frees the burden to seek balance of mind, heart, and soul to draw strength from the positives in life and from the goodness within and surrounding us to improve the journey for overall well-being.

Carrying a heavy grudge of resentment and bitterness toward cancer effects the quality of your journey and quality of life. Learn the grace of forgiveness to become free of the constrictive influence of sustaining a grudge.

Cancer Causing Foods You Are Eating

According to the American Cancer Society, "in 2014, there will be an estimated 1,665,540 new cancer cases diagnosed and 585,720 cancer deaths in the US. Cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the US, accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths."

If you - or someone you love - have been among any cancer statistic, you know that the disease is awful. And chances are you have asked - how did this happen?

Unfortunately there is no definite answer, but there are some suggestions on how you can change your eating habits to decrease your chances of cancer.

Here are some foods that are believed to cause cancer:

Non-organic fruit - It's no surprise that fruit is sprayed with pesticides, but organic fruit is sprayed with safe, natural pesticides. Chemical pesticides are the ones to watch out for because they're known to be linked to cancer, Alzheimer's, ADHD and birth defects. Pesticides build up in your body and affect your nervous, reproductive and endocrine systems.

Canned tomatoes - Canned tomatoes lined with a chemical known as BPA. In 2010, the FDA "identified possible hazards to fetuses, infants and young children." However, they still have not banned them.

Deli meat - I have already warned you about the link between deli or processed meat and Alzheimer's, but meats like hot dogs, sausage, bacon and most cold cuts contain carcinogens. Processed meats look so yummy because of preservatives with nitrates and unfortunately these are well-known carcinogens.

Diet beverages - many people choose a diet drink to save the calories, but what if I told you that you're actually better off drinking the full-calorie drink (if you have to, it's better to avoid these types of drinks all together). Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose and saccharin have been found to cause cancer.

Farmed Salmon - I know, you may have been eating salmon because you've been told that fatty fish are good for your heart but the director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the State University of New York at Albany established that farmed salmon (instead of wild) are grown using harmful chemicals, pesticides and antibiotics.

Hydrogenated oils - Since vegetable oils are chemically removed from their source and then they are deodorized to become hydrogenated, you'll want to avoid them.

Refined white flour - which unfortunately are found in lots of processed foods. Processed flour actually has a very high glycemic rate, which has been found to feed cancer cell growth.

Refined sugar - many researchers have stated that cancer has a sweet tooth and feeds off sweet foods that contain ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup. Luckily manufacturers have been listening and there are now plenty of snacks, cereals and juices made without high fructose corn syrup.

Alcohol - no worries, in moderation a glass of wine is OK to enjoy. It's when alcohol is abused in excess when it can cause heart disease, a stroke and even cancer. The American Cancer Society has alcoholic beverages listed as a "known human carcinogen".

Corn and Soy GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) - According to the USDA, approximately 94% of soy and 89% of corn products are genetically modified. These foods have been chemically grown and modified with chemicals. There have been oodles of arguments about GMOs, but the bottom line is that 30 other countries have banned them and the "FDA approved commercial production of GMOs based on studies conducted by the companies who created them and profit from their sale."

So there you have it. You may love many of these items, but believe me, they are easy to give up. And when it comes to cancer - better safe than sorry.

Outreach program and community partners host “Diesel and Your Health” lunch forum

On November 24, the community/academic collaborative the “Trade, Health and Environment (THE) Impact Project” partners hosted the first of an ongoing lunch series. The Community Outreach and Engagement Program of USC’s Environmental Health Centers is a longstanding part of THE Impact Project. The meeting focused on the urgency of addressing health impacts from diesel emissions, and brought together organizations and concerned community members from impacted areas.

Moderator Michele Prichard, director of Common Agenda for the Liberty Hill Foundation, kicked off the program by asking participants to introduce themselves and tell the others on a scale of 1-10 how much they thought they already knew about the health effects of diesel emissions. (Attendees were much too modest in their assessments!) Presenter Andrea Hricko of USC then did a presentation on the Health Effects of Diesel, highlighting the national, state and local history of the path that diesel emission reduction has taken. She noted that although progress has been made in reducing overall diesel emissions in the Southern California regions, there is still a long way to go in terms of reducing diesel emissions in specific diesel “hot spots” around the region. Such “hot spots ” receive the brunt of diesel emissions, thereby raising health risks in the most impacted communities, near the ports, rail yards, warehouses and traffic corridors.

These risks were highlighted in the recently released MATES IV report from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, found here. The report has an interactive map, allowing viewers to click on their communities and see the overall cancer risk from air toxics, including diesel particulate matter.

Professor Martha Matsuoka from Occidental College outlined the history of THE Impact Project whose efforts included hosting conferences that were the impetus for developing a nationwide Moving Forward Network. Matsuoka explained that the Network serves as a resource, bringing environmental, community, academic, and other groups from around the country together to share information, resources, trainings and workshops.

To round out the featured presentations, mark! Lopez, Director of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, spoke to the participants, many of whom live in areas impacted by heavy diesel emissions, of the need for community change to push for environmental justice for people living around ports, freeways, and goods movement centers. Lopez spoke about not accepting “the way things are,” but changing the environment to be a healthy place in which people live, work, play and go to school.

At the conclusion of the presentations, participants discussed their concerns and questions. The following themes emerged for future activities and further information:

• Strategies for healthy living in polluted and disadvantaged communities
• Advances in technology to deal with port/goods movement pollution
• Local forums hosted in affected communities
• Updates on the current status of goods movement projects in the area
• Scientific information in easy-to-access form for community

THE Impact Project Partners include:
Coalition For A Safe Environment (CFASE)
East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice (EYCEJ)
Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma (LBACA)
University of Southern California (USC) Centers for Environmental Health, Community Outreach Program
Urban & Environmental Policy Institute (UEPI), Occidental College

Thanks to sponsorship by the Luce China-Environment Program at the Urban & Environmental Policy Institute (UEPI) at Occidental College.