Sonali Bendre recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with a high-grade cancer that has metastasised. With this news, the actor falls in the category of other celebrities, such as Manisha Koirala, Lisa Ray and, more recently, Irrfan Khan, who were also diagnosed with different types of the disease. What’s worrying is the fact they were all leading healthy lives before being diagnosed with cancer. So, are lifestyle choices really to blame?
WATCH WHAT YOU CONSUME
Despite awareness, cancer continues to claim lives at an alarming rate. The government-run Kidwai Institute of Oncology alone witnesses some 1,000 patients every day from across the state. The patient pool doesn’t just consist of smokers. Experts, therefore, stress on the need for awareness and stricter regulations on food and packaging. “The common man is ignorant about the chemicals and pesticides that are pumped into the food we consume — with everything from bread to milk,” says Dr Vishal Rao, a head and neck oncologist.
Pesticides, preservatives and wasted calories seem to be the trends of new Indian recipes. Oncologist Dr BS Ajai Kumar says, “Urban Indians are yet to understand the serious implications of eating outside and how lifestyle changes can cause cancer. Unfortunately, because of our dietary habits, having canned and frozen food alters our body’s epigenetics (heritable changes in gene function that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence). The amount of pesticides and herbicides used is unnatural. Breast, ovarian and colon cancer has increased drastically because of this demographic shift. The middle-class is now into junk food and the repercussions are not good.”
BREATHING IN DANGER
The rampant burning of garbage across the city and the exhaust from vehicles is more than just an eyesore. Doctors warn that another reason why there has been a spike in the number of cancer cases is the toxins that we all invariably breathe in. “Not just food safety and regulations, another area that needs to be looked at is the amount of pollution in the air that we all breathe. Sadly, there’s no check and regulation on garbage burning, vehicular smoke, the burning of dry wood and industrial pollution,” says Dr Vishal.
THE HEAVY PRICE OF BEAUTY
A study done by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that 73 cosmetic products of four different categories were tested for heavy metals. Of this, 32 fairness creams (26 for women and six for men) were found to have mercury. Additionally, 30 lipsticks, eight lip balms and three anti-aging creams (samples included Indian and international cosmetic brands, along with a few herbal products) were found to contain lead, cadmium, chromium and nickel.
Causes
- Increasing obesity
- Lifestyle-related changes
- Alcohol consumption, which has increased three fold between 2000 and 2014
- Delayed childbirth and reduced breastfeeding
- Chemicals consumed through water and food
- Pollution, stress, lack of exercise
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