[id34]

I've wondered if the rise in friends and colleagues with sudden late stage cancers has just been a fluke of my circle or a symptom of a wider problem of an unknown cause.

My father died of esophageal cancer not long ago - as a man in his early 60s he followed a path similar to the first patient in the article. Two friends are currently battling similar cancers and headed down the path of more and more agressive or experimental treatment. A large part of that choice seems intrinsic. When my dad was told he was stage 4, he smiled and reflected on the life he had lived - at peace with his mortality. When my close friend was told the same, he was distraught that he'd never had the opportunity for children. I understand how those unstated biases about a life well lived enter the medical field - an important reminder that a life is not simply measured in years.

[iwontberude]

Artificial colors are known carcinogenic (lake 6, 40, etc) and absolutely unnecessary. Why don’t we start there. I recently stopped eating them and had to cut out a huge portion of convenience foods and candies simply because they are loaded with known-carcinogenic artificial coloring. It’s sad that children are the ones most targeted and most parents don’t seem to care.

[tayo42]

Is the source of cancer usually something from 20 to 30 years ago? I can't imagine childhood food is causing cancer decades later? Don't our cells mostly turn over constantly?

Doesn't lung cancer risk basically drop off after quitting smoking? I thought skin cancer could be caused by just one burn?