how strange is this scourge, cancer?
we see it everywhere, all around us. and this is not like when you buy a red car, suddenly you see everyone else is driving a red car. this is the real deal.
we are shocked to realize that we know SO many people in our age group who have been diagnosed with various forms of cancer. and we look at each other - everyone is fit, 'healthy', on a good diet plan, living balanced lives - and we shake our heads. how can it be? it doesn't make sense?
this unfortunate reality somewhat paves the path for jane when she learns that she has breast cancer. it is a silent resignation, a 'crossing over' to the other side, joining close friends and family in the shared struggle for what is taken for granted - good health. so, the words are uttered - it's cancer - and suddenly off and away we go! we know the terms too well, not just because jane is a physician, but because we've heard our friends say them over and over.
but misery does NOT like company - although frankly we do draw upon the strength of others. then we are in the midst of the battle, and an acquaintance will call to share their story. did YOU know they had cancer? nope. then another. and another.
so, mr. gore, is it the environment? the fabled long island curse? the ddt that jane ran through as a child in baghdad, when they did pesticide spraying indiscriminately? is it our cross-pollinated genetically modified food? white sugar? bleached flour? stress? fatty food? genes? dye in our clothing, sheets, hair? radio waves? cell phones?
we may wait years for science to uncover the actual answers, and hopefully this knowledge is within our reach. the real question is, if there are environmental considerations in the causes of cancers, will we human beings have the fortitude to curtail our habits that may play a part in this plague?
h
we see it everywhere, all around us. and this is not like when you buy a red car, suddenly you see everyone else is driving a red car. this is the real deal.
we are shocked to realize that we know SO many people in our age group who have been diagnosed with various forms of cancer. and we look at each other - everyone is fit, 'healthy', on a good diet plan, living balanced lives - and we shake our heads. how can it be? it doesn't make sense?
this unfortunate reality somewhat paves the path for jane when she learns that she has breast cancer. it is a silent resignation, a 'crossing over' to the other side, joining close friends and family in the shared struggle for what is taken for granted - good health. so, the words are uttered - it's cancer - and suddenly off and away we go! we know the terms too well, not just because jane is a physician, but because we've heard our friends say them over and over.
but misery does NOT like company - although frankly we do draw upon the strength of others. then we are in the midst of the battle, and an acquaintance will call to share their story. did YOU know they had cancer? nope. then another. and another.
so, mr. gore, is it the environment? the fabled long island curse? the ddt that jane ran through as a child in baghdad, when they did pesticide spraying indiscriminately? is it our cross-pollinated genetically modified food? white sugar? bleached flour? stress? fatty food? genes? dye in our clothing, sheets, hair? radio waves? cell phones?
we may wait years for science to uncover the actual answers, and hopefully this knowledge is within our reach. the real question is, if there are environmental considerations in the causes of cancers, will we human beings have the fortitude to curtail our habits that may play a part in this plague?
h
No comments:
Post a Comment