Those are the ones caused by the “treatment” of primary cancers.

Robin Roberts

And guess what? These so called “secondary cancers” now make up the sixth-most common group of malignancies—according to a 7-16-12 New York Times article (See link below). It was written by a survivor of testicular cancer who teared up while watching Robin Roberts talk about her cancer ordeal on television last month. He wrote:

Watching Robin Roberts tear up in front of millions of viewers on “Good Morning America” last month, I cried, too.

With equal measures of courage and fear, Ms. Roberts, an anchor of the show and a breast cancer survivor, explained that the life-saving treatment she received five years ago was responsible for a new diagnosis, this time myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare blood and bone marrow disease once called preleukemia.

MDS is a potentially fatal condition that can be caused by radiation and chemotherapy, both of which Ms. Roberts had in her initial cancer treatment. In medical-speak, it’s a “secondary cancer.”

The article continues: 

Secondary cancers now make up the sixth-most-common group of malignancies, in part because more survivors are living longer. Physicians are better at limiting toxicity from radiation and chemotherapy, so fewer people die from the effects of treatments. The bad news: More people are surviving their original cancers only to be haunted by the prospect of new diagnoses later.

President Richard Nixon signs the National Cancer Act on December 23, 1971.

Earlier this week, I published a blog about the huge cancer industry that has evolved in our country over the past 41 years. President Richard Nixon famously announced our nation’s “war on cancer” in 1971, back when the cost of health care (as a percent of GDP) was far less than ten percent. Now it is close to 20% and is expected to be over 30% by 2035. And  the out-of-control growth of our “cancer industry” is one of the primary reasons.

In my earlier blog (See link below), I explained that our “war on cancer” has now lasted seven years longer than the all of America’s military wars combined—since we won our independence in 1783. Sooner or later, we’re going to have to start telling our citizens about the primary driver of all cancers—our toxic western diet. Otherwise, these sad stories will continue. The author concludes…

For the nearly 14 million cancer survivors, including Ms. Roberts and me, life is a roller coaster of a ride knowing that the treatments administered to us may one day exact a heavy price. Neither the reprieve nor the freedom it brings is permanent — but with more awareness of these mental health issues and new therapeutic interventions, doctors and patients are much better equipped than ever before to fight these demons.

The greatest gift to your children—teaching them how to take charge of their health. Four of my five grandchildren; poolside in Massachusetts.

Meanwhile, at the epicenter of our nation’s “war on cancer” (The American Cancer Society), they continue to pay the CEO over one million dollars a year and spend most of their billions in revenue on administrative expenses. Please see my “war on cancer” blog along with the New York Times source article below:

• My 7-16-12 blogpost: The “war on cancer” turns 41; now a major industry…
• Source article: New Cancer Threat Lurks Long After Cure – NYTimes.com

The Bottom Line. We must begin focusing on eliminating the cause of cancer. Placing all the emphasis on early detection and treatment leads to a miserable experience for millions of patients and it’s bankrupting our nation. It may be too late to protect or reverse cancer for some of us adults, but it’s not too late for our children and grandchildren. Give them the greatest gift of life; teach them how to take charge of their own health while they’re young. 

Handy 4-piece take-charge-of-your-health kit—from Amazon.com

• The movie that’s changing the lives of millions: Forks Over Knives DVD 
• Healthy Eating, Healthy World, The “big picture” about food (our book)
• An essential scientific resource: The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell
• Dr. McDougall’s new book, The Starch Solution, with lots of great recipes.

Want to find out how healthy your family is eating? Take our free 4Leaf Diagnostic Survey. It takes less than five minutes and you can score it yourself. After taking the survey, please give me your feedback as it will be helpful in the development of our future 4Leaf app for smartphones. Send feedback to jmorrishicks@me.com

International. We’re now reaching people in over 100 countries. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or get daily blog notices by “following” us in the top of the right-hand column. For occasional updates, join our periodic mailing list.

J. Morris Hicks, working daily to promote health, hope and harmony on planet Earth.

For help in your own quest to take charge of your health, you might find some useful information at our 4Leaf page or some great recipes at Lisa’s 4Leaf Kitchen.

Got a question? Let me hear from you at jmorrishicks@me.com. Or give me a call on my cell at 917-399-9700.

SHARE and rate this post below.

Blogging daily at hpjmh.com…from the seaside village of Stonington, Connecticut – Be well and have a great day.

—J. Morris Hicks, board member, T. Colin Campbell Foundation