Advances in science & technology have exposed modern society to radiation from various sources (ranging from the electromagnetic waves emitted by cell phones to the nuclear radiation) that can cause cancer. Radioactive waves emitted in atomic explosions have significant carcinogenic effects. Most of the survivors of 1945 atomic bomb explosions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki developed leukaemia due to atomic radiation. Studies have revealed that incidence of pancreatic and breast cancers increased manifold in Japan after the atomic explosions. Similarly, after the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986, incidence of thyroid cancer increased 100 times among the children residing in the most exposed areas of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.
People living near nuclear power plants are exposed to radioactive gases, which are highly carcinogenic. A study conducted by Steve Wing, an epidemiologist, at the University of North Carolina on 8000 men working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (where uranium is processed), has shown that the workers, who are exposed to nuclear radiation have much higher incidence of leukaemia, lung cancer and stomach cancer. It has also been observed that the children living near nuclear installations have much higher incidence of leukaemia. In the USA, about 33 percent of the population is exposed to nuclear radiation, because 1321 out of the total 3053 counties in the USA are having nuclear facilities. Studies have shown that residents of nuclear counties have much higher rates of breast cancer due to the exposure to radioactive Iodine & Strontium (by-products of nuclear fission). It has been observed that four out of the sixteen most industrialised countries had a much lower incidence of breast cancer during 1971 to 1986 as compared to the remaining 12 countries, because these 4 countries (New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and Israel) did not possess large nuclear reactors during that period.
Major carriers of the fission by-products are water, air and dairy products. Studies have revealed that there is a much higher risk of cancer among the people who consume dairy products and other food items contaminated by radioactive releases from nuclear power plants. The radiation emitted by nuclear fission by-products work synergistically with other environmental carcinogens such as air-pollutants, diesel fumes, asbestos, cigarette smoke and pesticides.
Exposure to ionising radiation such as X-rays, Gamma rays and particle radiation from radioactive substances forms highly reactive ions in the exposed cells that can lead to genesis of cancer by rupturing the DNA strands, causing mutations in the genes. Studies have shown that exposure to even low-levels of ionising radiation can cause cancer. In earlier days, the radiologists were used to develop thyroid tumours and leukaemia because they were not protected from the X-rays. Research done by Ernest Sternglass, professor of Radiation Physics at the University of Pittsburgh, has shown that low-levels of radiation from X-rays, background radioactivity and nuclear reactor fallout can cause cancer.
Solar radiation (particularly ultraviolet B and ultraviolet C) is the cause of about 40 per cent skin cancers. Ultraviolet radiation induces permanent mutation in the tumour suppressor gene (p53 gene) in the exposed cells that leads to the genesis of cancer. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is increasing, day-by-day, due to the expanding ozone hole in the earth’s upper atmosphere. It has been observed that the people having darker colours are protected from ultraviolet radiation due to the presence of a pigment (Melanin) in their skin. Caucasians of Australia are the worst affected by ultraviolet radiation, due to over exposure to sunlight and lower content of melanin in their skin.
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by certain devices such as fluorescent lights, electrical wirings, electric motors, food mixers, hair dryers, heaters, electric shavers, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, televisions, computers, video terminals and cell phones, etc., emit 30 to 100 times higher EMFs than the permissible limits, which can cause cancer by activating various Oncogenes. Ordinary home appliances generate large cumulative electro-magnetic radiation due to the proximity of the user to these appliances. The EMFs from these appliances drop off at a distance of about 16 feet but the users usually stand or sit closer to these appliances. The electrical current induced in the human body by these EMFs is weaker than that produced by the electrical activities in the nerve & muscle cells of the body. These low frequency EMFs promote tumour growth by affecting certain enzymes, which are related to the Growth regulation, Gene expression and Pineal gland metabolism. It has been observed that the prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields activates various Oncogenes leading to the genesis of cancer, particularly the brain tumours and leukaemia.
Research done by Dr. Nancy Wertheimer, an epidemiologist, at the University of Colorado in 1979, has revealed that there is fivefold higher incidence of cancer in the children, who were exposed to EMFs arising from electric power lines running along the city streets. Another study conducted by the New York State Department of Health in 1987 confirmed Dr. Nancy Wertheimer’s findings and added that the exposure to EMFs inhibits production of a neuro-hormone called Melatonin, which has antioxidant, immune enhancing and anticancer properties. The National Council on Radiation Protection has reported that reduction in Melatonin can lead to the genesis of cancer. According to David A. Savitz of the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, the children living near high-tension power lines have threefold higher risk of brain tumours & leukaemia, and twofold higher risk of other cancers. Research done at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Centre in Loma Linda, California has shown that EMFs stimulate the activity of an enzyme called Ornithine decarboxylase, which promotes the growth of cancer.
Occupants of the homes situated above geological fractures and subterranean water veins are exposed to excessive magnetic radiation from the earth, which has carcinogenic effects. A large-scale study conducted by the U.S. government has reported that geopathic stress plays a major role in about 40 per cent of all human cancers.