A basic premise that I have is that I have cancer cells in my body from the day I was born. It is a strong immune system that produces killer cells to remove aberrant malformed cells from my body.

The challenge we have in the US is to avoid toxins in our air, water and food that we eat. It isn’t easy because we live in a society where chemicals abound. The saying “Better living through better chemistry”
has become the norm.. the mantra.

The chemical industry’s defense is that the minute amounts you consume do not show any harm. The problem is that it is the cumulative effect of minute amounts of toxins that build up in our body over time to cause havoc with our immune system and alter the DNA of our cells. Depending where you live, the time line may be very short.

Each of us has grown up in a unique environment that has produced its own set of challenges to the individual. From Monongahela Valley to
the chemical producing capital of Houston to Love Canal., as examples of intense exposure to unwanted toxins to the fresh clean air and water of country areas uninhabited by man impacts the potential of developing a cancer.

The challenge to each of us is to minimize the potential for getting cancer by rejecting nutrition that is laced with chemicals, protesting manufacturing practices that contaminate our air and water, be a non-smoker and use alcohol in moderation and avoid chronic use of medication unless there is no other answer.

In addition, improving our nutritional base, exercising regularly and
supplementing with nutrients where tests have shown you have a deficiency is a must. A good example is Vitamin D. The majority of Americans are deficient in this nutrient especially if they live in the northern half of the country. Only now, are there steps being taken to increase the recommended daily requirements for Vitamin D.
In the meantime, have your Vitamin D level checked out, if it is low, start spending 15 minutes a day in the sun at lunch time or supplement with Vitamin D3. Check out this video to learn more. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ-qekFoi-o

I recommend a number of books that will open your mind to the challenges we face in this country to conquering cancer, the medical cost of which is breaking the back of our economic base.

Dr. Samuel S. Epstein. The Politics of Cancer Revisited
Dr. Devra Davis The Secret History of the War on Cancer
Dr. Servan-Schreiber Anticancer: A New Way of Life
Dr. DiNubile FrameWork

Finally, on a personal note: I lost my wife of almost 50 years to lymphoma in the spring of 2009. It was diagnosed in May of 1999. Chemo treatment was necessary, but Ladybug had almost 10 years of remission due to good nutrition and physical exercise.

There are only two cancers that are growing in occurrence. Lymphoma and Skin Cancer. Both have a strong association with toxic environmental conditions. If you have or know someone who has Lymphoma, please refer them to www.lymphoma.org

In closing, my best wishes to Frank and Carolyn Kaiser.

Tom Braun R.Ph.
Retired but not senile yet!

Copyright © 2009 Thomas Braun

T. Braun, Pharmacist, Buyer, Marketing Executive for a Major Drug Chain. Active for over 45 years in Pharmacy. Tom would like to hear from you at tbran10@hotmail.com

READ FRANK'S SUDDENLY SENIOR COLUMN ABOUT AARP: WHEN WILL AARP GROW SOME BALLS?

READ TOM'S COLUMN FROM TWO WEEK'S AGO, "NEW MEDICARE CARDS EXPOSED." CLICK HERE