Lifestyle blamed for many cancers

[Al-khiyal]

Many lung cancer cases in nonsmokers: study

Journal of Clinical Oncology

[Shotokan_Karate]

It's a tricky one, isn't it Shotokan? I think ongoing education, rather than outright bans are far more effective, except, where you rightly say, the action would harm others/the environment. And that's tricky as well - smoking is more damaging to physical health but then alcohol abuse/addition can destroy whole families psychologically, financially, etc.

There's now also the arguement of not prioritising treatment of 'self inflicted' illness by the NHS...

Personally, although all the lifestyle factors listed in the article are clearly harmful, I strongly feel the harm done to us by chemicals legally being used in food processing, in household articles, etc are also doing us (and the environment) much damage. However, as with CO2 emmissions/, big business is involved and they will cover this up for as long as possible.

Pollution? Well, we may never eliminate it but I think it's everyone's (from government/international bodies to each individual) responsibility to dramtically cut our carbon emmissions now.

What do you think?

Yes, it's a tricky one indeed.

I agree ongoing education is a must. But like you said, the message still doesn't appear to be getting through to everyone. So where is education going wrong? Maybe it's just not enough!

I believe marketing and the media (as usual! ) have a huge if not greater effect on people's behaviour. What do we expect if junk food is still being marketed at enticing prices and advertised on TV screens? Smoking and alcohol in films etc, still associated with carefree life, sociability, fun and coolness? Marriage...boring, extramarital and unsafe sex...exciting?! Exercise...what's that?

Sadly, the majority of people I would say are followers (take fashion for example), always feeling the need to "fit in", even if this means causing self-inflicted illness in the long run. It's all about 'now' and deal with the consequences later! Thus many people don't need lecturing, or so they believe, but what they need is to be led by example. And in this day and age a big part of the responsibility lies in the hands of marketing, media and which role models and lifestyles they, not necessarily promote, but portray and continue portraying as real life scenarios! A vicious circle!

hmm...NHS, do they actually prioritise anything? Just wondering

I second what you said about food processing and the chemicals used in the production thereof. In addition, what annoys me the most is the naming of natural food as "organic". Why label natural food as if it's some kind of "alien food"?! It's what we should be eating in the first place! It is all the other stuff that should be clearly labelled as GM or "chemical food" or something like that! hehe

Yeah, I don't think pollution can ever be eliminated, unless you can take out the urban out of "urban pollution" . Yes, it is every one's responsibility, definitely! But with regards to global warming (continuing from Nectar's thread here) I think it's time for businesses to take the driving seat, by hook or by crook, to make big and drastic changes...fast! For the action you suggested is too slow a process given the alarming rate of damage was/is done to environment.

What do you think?

[liberte]

Well, I agree with what you say about 'fitting in' or peer pressure, especially with youngsters. I suppose it's down to both parents and schools to educate the young in healthy eating/lifestyles and encourage it by ensuring that good food is served and exercise is encouraged and made enjoyable.

Regarding the media, I think it's a vicious circle. Big corporations spend millions (billions?) on the marketing unhealthy products (not to mention lobbying goverments) and that influences the media agenda.

However, if people weren't buying it, so to speak, TV/press would be less eager to push it. Celebrity culture is a good example of this - there's a slew of magazines (not to mention newspaper & TV features) dedicated to celebrities and more launching each day. If they didn't sell, they wouldn't publish them but they've got huge circulation figures. Now, becuase the public is becoming more interested in the environment, it's moved far higher up the news agenda.

So, back to pushing for more educated consumers, I think. Knowlege = power (of some sort), plus consumer groups can then put more pressure on government to ensure big businesses are not poisoning us all!

NHS - since Bliar's been in charge, they prioritise targets and management consultants, I'm afraid.

[Shotokan_Karate]

Well, I agree with what you say about 'fitting in' or peer pressure, especially with youngsters. I suppose it's down to both parents and schools to educate the young in healthy eating/lifestyles and encourage it by ensuring that good food is served and exercise is encouraged and made enjoyable.

Ah! That's what I'm focusing on: the right encouragement!

Education is the key, no doubt about it. But it's up to the individual to walk through the door! And despite having the knowledge, individuals are influenced by their surroundings. So my concern is with the abundant educated consumers with bad habits/lifestyles.

The parents and schools' role in educating the young is paramount. But if you have noticed in schools, it wasn't until Jamie Oliver fought his campaign for healthy school dinners that changes started to take shape. And what a sight when parents begun feeding their children - who didn't like the healthy alternatives, the usual junk food through the school fences! Education is one thing but changing lifestyles is a different ballgame altogether.

"However, if people weren't buying it, so to speak, TV/press would be less eager to push it."
But if people are still influenced by TV/press they would buy it! And the cycle continues...until one of the sides (or both) breaks it. Which is what's happened to trigger public's interest in the environment.

I would say:
Knowledge = key to power (or as we say in Arabic: "العلم نور و الجهل ظلام" "Knowledge is light and ignorance is darkness")
but
Correct application of knowledge = power

NHS - At least Blair's less stressed