What is causing cancer rates to skyrocket?

A friends comment to me this week, was the inspiration for this month’s newsletter and blog.

She said ‘I have been in the same place of work for 28 years and never has any of my colleagues developed  cancer – this year 3 women have been diagnosed with breast cancer.’ What is going on???

It’s hard to ignore this unsettling trend, cancer diagnoses are on the rise globally. Many of us might quickly think genes are to blame, but the truth is that our environment plays the biggest role in this increase. I wanted to take a closer look at some key contributors to cancer risk that we often encounter daily.

We’ll delve into topics like toxins and chemicals, microplastics, ultra-processed foods, hormones, infections, viruses, and heavy metals. Plus, I’ll share some practical, easy tips to help you create a cleaner and safer home for yourself and your loved ones.

If you email me back stating ‘Toxin Free’ I will send you a free downloadable PDF with easy to swap alternatives to create a safe toxin/chemical free home and body.

Toxins and Chemicals

We encounter a huge amount of visible and invisible toxins and chemicals daily, whether from household cleaners, personal care products, or the air we breathe. Many of these substances have been linked to various health issues, including cancer.

Tip: Choose natural cleaning products and personal care items whenever possible. Look for brands that are transparent about their ingredients and consider DIY alternatives using common household items like vinegar, baking soda and essential oils.

Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that have seeped into our environment, making their way into the air we breath,  water bodies and even the food chain. On postmortem exams, it has been shown that the brain of Alzheimer’s patients can contain up to a credit card weight/size amount if microplastics. (1)

Tip: Reduce plastic use by opting for glass or stainless steel containers and avoiding single-use plastics. Support local initiatives aimed at reducing plastic waste in your community. Swapping things like plastic chopping boards to wood ones, plastic spatulas to wooden ones and so on. Use a coffee keep up over take-away cups.

Ultra-Processed Foods

The convenience of ultra-processed foods can be tempting. However, these products often contain unhealthy additives, preservatives, and high levels of sugar or unhealthy fats. Research indicates a strong link between diets high in ultra-processed foods and increased cancer risk. (2)

Tip: Focus on whole, unprocessed food ‘REAL FOOD’ fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts and seeds. My motto is, if it has come from mother nature than it is ok to eat. If it is coming from boxes and bags with barcodes, then need to have a second look.

Hormones in Our Environment

Synthetic hormones from various sources can disrupt our bodily functions, interfere with our own hormonal system and contribute to cancer risk. These hormones often come from food, pesticides, plastics, and cosmetic products. (3)

Tip: Select organic produce when feasible, as organic farming limits the use of synthetic pesticides. Don’t use plastics, switch to safe skincare/make up and home cleaning products.

Infections and Viruses

Certain infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis, H pylori, others less well known links such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).

Tip: Test and address any infections/viruses, if even not active dormant infections can also be problematic for the immune system.

Heavy Metals

Exposure to heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium can also pose significant health risks. These metals can be found in contaminated water, mercury amalgam fillings, certain fish (Larger/bigger fish being the highest for mercury), and even old paint in homes.

Tip: Safely with a holistic dentist have any mercury amalgams removed, only eat small locally caught fish. Have a heavy metal test if concerned and can then do a chelation/heavy metal detox if required.

Understanding the influences of our environment on health, particularly concerning cancer risk, is crucial for making better safer choices. By taking proactive steps to reduce our exposure to harmful substances and clean up our immediate surroundings, we can create better health for ourselves.

In short, focus on:

• Choosing natural products to use in and around your home.
• Reducing plastic usage.
• Eating whole, unprocessed foods.
• Being mindful of hormonal exposure and where these exposures come from.

 

Tamara

(1) https://hsc.unm.edu/news/2025/_media/41591_2024_article_3453.pdf

(2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10285062/ 

(3) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389424016467