Prepare for cancer explosion...

[JerryMungo]

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/SA-prepares-for-cancer-explosion-20120706

Cape Town - The public health care system must gear itself for an "explosion" of non-communicable diseases like cancer, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Friday.

"The whole world is going to experience an explosion of non-communicable diseases, among them cancer. Planning for cancer is very much planning for the future," he told reporters at research facility iThemba Labs in Cape Town.

 

[killadoob]

Wow planning for cancer but not planning for aids.

Seems logical.

 

[DJ...]

Cancer explosion? I guess at least something is being done. Well a lot of talk, for now.

But a cancer explosion? What on earth is he basing this on?

 

[JerryMungo]

Cancer explosion? I guess at least something is being done. Well a lot of talk, for now.

But a cancer explosion? What on earth is he basing this on?

Yeah, alot of comments in that article n saying it's true but not one to back it up. Perhaps the reality is we've become better at diagnosing reasons for death where before people just died of old age or 'natural causes'. i.e. We're more paranoid.

Another angle I get from that article is that yet another ANC crony is suggesting a new avenue for tenders and moneymaking. Play on people's fear of disease.

 

[InternetSwag]

Based on what evidence?

 

[noxibox]

Based on what evidence?

Making much of these diseases is very popular these days. Usually the next thing out of politicians' mouths is all the ways they're going to be taking over our lives to do away with these diseases. Apparently they're going to eliminate death.

 

[BTTB]

Wow planning for cancer but not planning for aids.

Seems logical.

Poll added:

On a serious note, without going into detail about our Public Health System, I personally think there is far higher incidence of Cancer nowadays and planning for what could possibly turn into an epidemic is a step in the right direction.
I don't know of anyone in my family or close friends that have AIDS, but Cancer most definitely. In the workplace, I have encountered several people with AIDS.

In my opinion Cancer is a far more serious disease compared to AIDS. Cancer is the silent killer that is taking away a lot of very good people from our society.
AIDS through education can be cured, Cancer is altogether a different story, it can enter anybody's home at any time and is a very serious health problem in this country, the cost of which is huge financially and emotionally for the families involved.

 

[porchrat]

Cancer explosion? I guess at least something is being done. Well a lot of talk, for now.

But a cancer explosion? What on earth is he basing this on?

I can't speak for the whole world or for an impending cancer explosion (these are sensationalist words) but in black South African populations cancer is definitely on the rise. I did a mini-thesis on prostate cancer in certain populations of black South Africans a while back and the figures were startling to say the least.

If I recall correctly one potential contributing factor being looked at at the time was inappropriate storage mechanisms for food, especially grain and the like which lead to a rise in carcinogenic mycotoxins (EDIT: fungal toxins) present in our food. Considering the amount of those sorts of ingredients present in the average black South African's diet one can see how the effect of this could be catastrophic.

This article could just be a reference to cancer traditionally being a disease of the old and the largely aging populations of the Western world. With the sorry state of some South African journalism I just can't be sure any longer.

 

[Techne]

Looks like iThemba Labs in Cape Town needs a cash injection. A little sensationalism won't hurt.

 

[Elimentals]

Re Poll

Do you know of people, or friends of friends that have AIDS, Cancer or both?

Is it do or did?

Cause I know quite a lot couple that died from both, but nobody that has em currently, unless undiagnosed.

 

[BTTB]

Re Poll



Is it do or did?

Cause I know quite a lot couple that died from both, but nobody that has em currently, unless undiagnosed.

Amended.

So far just over 60% of the poll indicates Cancer Only.

 

[DJ...]

I can't speak for the whole world or for an impending cancer explosion (these are sensationalist words) but in black South African populations cancer is definitely on the rise. I did a mini-thesis on prostate cancer in certain populations of black South Africans a while back and the figures were startling to say the least.

If I recall correctly one potential contributing factor being looked at at the time was inappropriate storage mechanisms for food, especially grain and the like which lead to a rise in carcinogenic mycotoxins (EDIT: fungal toxins) present in our food. Considering the amount of those sorts of ingredients present in the average black South African's diet one can see how the effect of this could be catastrophic.

This article could just be a reference to cancer traditionally being a disease of the old and the largely aging populations of the Western world. With the sorry state of some South African journalism I just can't be sure any longer.

would really appreciate a PM or two with this data, if possible. Really interesting stuff, Georgie Porchy...

 

[Nicodeamus]

are we getting nuked?