|
|
Trihalomethanes in the waterBy Randy Buhler Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Logan County Agent (Agronomy) The recent notification by the City of Sterling to its water users has resulted in some unusual responses. Some individuals say they will only drink soda or bottled water, while the stuff (trihalomethanes) is in our water. Such a response is unwarranted. In fact, it could prove more harmful to your health than the miniscule risk posed by the trihalomethanes. Cancer--the one word in our language that has the property of inducing anxiety, fear, anger, disbelief and depression in any individual when they are told they have it. At a recent cancer symposium held by the Colorado Plains Medical Center, a doctor made a simple statement about cancer. He said that if you live long enough, you would get cancer. This is such a profound statement, with several connotations for each of us. A research oncologist at the symposium stated that 10 to maybe 15 percent of cancers occur because of having a particular gene or genes in your heritage. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes predispose those who have one or both to increased incidence of breast and ovarian cancer. The other 85 to 90 percent of cancers derive from spontaneous incidence related to our environment, by exposure to carcinogens including sunlight, personal behaviors like smoking, and poor diet, and viruses. Radon is a natural radioactive gas given off by decaying uranium. Uranium is present in the geologic layers underneath our part of Colorado. After the first of the year, Colorado State University Extension will present some clinics about Radon. Radon causes lung cancer and the clinics will show you how to test for and protect yourself from its harmful action. This environmental carcinogen poses more risk for us than the trihalomethanes in our drinking water. Radon is five times more carcinogenic in our air than when it is dissolved in our water. Bonelli gave an allegory for cancer, based on the Disney movie "Fantasia." Mickey Mouse, as the Sorcerer's apprentice, wanted to make life easier for himself. His task was to carry water to fill a cistern. He conjures up a broom to carry two buckets. This was not fast enough; so he conjures up more brooms carrying more buckets. Soon there are too many brooms with too many buckets and the sorcerer's laboratory is flooded by the out of control brooms. Cancer begins when a cell divides, but the mechanism to shut down the process fails to work. Our bodies have a natural anti-cancer process to protect us. When that process fails to kill the cancer cell, the cancer cell continues to multiply, without limits. Each cancer has a genetic component and environmental trigger or series of events to produce the rogue cells. Epidemiologists use the incidence of cancer statistics to estimate a person's risk for getting a particular cancer. The incidence is a statistic of individuals affected out of 10,000 or 100,000 individuals. A risk of 1 in 10,000 is a 0.01 percent risk. Many factors can contribute to your own particular risk. Harvard University has a website where you can answer a few questions and receive a general estimate of whether you have below average, average or above average risk for a certain cancer. The website address is www.hsph.harvard.edu/cancer/index.htm. At the home page, click on "Your Disease Risk" on the top topic bar. On the page that comes up, click on cancer. You will find 12 common cancers listed, from which to choose. One of the research oncologists commented that her patients are 90 percent of the cure and the doctor provides only 10 percent. The doctor determines the kind and severity of a cancer and then prescribes a protocol or treatment plan to fight the cancer. The patient must have the will to put forth the effort and suffer the effects of the treatment, in order to conquer the cancer. This is where many people fail and their life becomes unnecessarily shortened. Breast cancer incidence has been declining since 2003. This change is directly related to the change in use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Studies at Colorado University and Colorado State University show significant release of estrogen into our waterways. Boulder Creek had sufficient estrogen products in it to cause fish to change gender, which prompted the study. These unintended consequences of medical practice can contribute to increased health risk in the population, unless water treatment efforts include removing carcinogens from our environment. I hope this explanation helps you to recognize your part in preventing, treating and conquering cancer.
Date: 1/10/08
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2012. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
