Which is More Dangerous Smoking Weed or Tanning?

NOTE: Dr, Art Hister is Not mentioned in this post which is copyrighted by me; I do not claim that he agrees with; or endorses; any, of my opinions, or views.

Several of my readers have asked me this question. It is very difficult to answer, especially since I am not a research scientist. But, let us examine the question together, in an attempt to answer it, here are some of the facts. 

 We know that: 
While lung cancer is the one usually most thought about; one third of all cancers are caused by smoking.

• A little little realized fact: many smokers already suffer from gastric/intestinal problems, including other forms of cancer, caused by the many toxins, and this situation will only escalate with  increased use of marijuana. 
• Up to a third of cancers are caused by obesity and lack of exercise.
• Not only is the skin damage caused by exposure to UV radiation: it is also a potential source of cancer; and it opens the way for many other infections; which in turn compromise the immune system; opening the way for still more disease and/or infection.
• Exposure to UV radiation is accounting for a rapidly increasing number of cancers.
• Skin cancer occurs in people of all skin tones.
• Most of the two million plus skin cancers diagnosed each year in North America are considered SUN/UV RELATED.
• Half of all cancers could be prevented, if people just adopted healthier behaviours. Instead of attempting to do so, many North Americans     because of their love for extreme, no real chance to win, gambling; (so much that through playing Russian Roulette-a compulsion toward slow suicide-they seem determined to make it a certainty, that at some time in their lives, they will be diagnosed with cancer) refuse to do so.
• Tanning/UV exposure also causes Actinic or Solar Ketosis  (which is a concern because it can progress into cancer), eye damage (cataracts), and PREMATURE AGEING.   

What is cancer?

In the simplest terms, cancer is a disease initiated by your own body, where your own cells start to proliferate madly and uncontrollably, until these cancer cells disrupt normal systems and eventually kill the body.

If you think about it, it's kind of like unintentional suicide. However, there are ways to control or even prevent this deadly disease. Find out about the most common cancer-causing agents (both artificial and natural), and how to decrease your risk of developing it.

There are two Main Types of Skin Cancer

·         Melanoma

·         Non-melanoma

Melanoma is the less common, but more dangerous form of skin cancer, and accounts for most of the death due to skin cancer each year. Melanoma is cancer that begins in the epidermal cells that produce MELATIN (melanocytes).

Non-melanomas (basil cell and squamous cell carcinomas) occur in the basil or squamous cells located at the base of the epidermis, both inside and outside the body. Non-melanomas often develop in sun-exposed areas of the body, including the face, ears, neck, lips, and back of the hands.

Astonishing Findings

In North America alone, there are more than 30,000 chemicals, either manufactured or imported from abroad, that have been proven to or are suspected of causing cancer. In the past, cancer was believed to be caused by certain types of viruses; however, it is known now that more than 80% of all cancers are caused by behavioural factors and are fully under human control. Obviously, for whatever reason, many North Americans actually want to get some form of cancer-it has become a sort of status symbol or possibly they are hoping to use it as an excuse for an unfulfilled life. 

Not-So-Astonishing Findings

Poor diet, (including the  consumption of pet foods, and other highly processed foods-including breakfast cereals and meats[including those containing "pink slime"which every day is being proven not to be safe]), especially among CHILDREN, seniors, and others on “fixed” incomes; who often have few dietary sources and are forced by our government to EXIST at income levels far below the poverty line is one of the leading causes of cancer. 

This is a huge drain on our Health-care System and again, it is at least 80% preventable--if, instead of looking strictly at their own pet area of interest bureaucracies, governments, and other cavil servants would learn to look at "THE BIG PICTURE". The government could easily save average Canadians, the tax payers, millions; simply by getting their priorities straight, and ending the need for "Food Banks"by spending more to eliminate this intolerable situation; instead of wanting to legalise marijuana and thereby increasing it.

However, it still boggles me, to this day, how millions of other Canadians and North Americans; who can afford better-- and know better-- disregard their own health. They continue to smoke and drink on a regular basis. They continue to tan and use tanning beds.

Again, three of the leading causes of cancer in our nation are tobacco smoke, exposure to U V radiation, and poor diet.

These three factors are responsible for more than two thirds of all cancers diagnosed each year.

(Another interesting finding is that chemical pollutants only account for about 5% of all cancers diagnosed each year.) This number could be even higher since it's extremely difficult to calculate exactly what effect these pollutants have on the general population.

Less Exposure, Less Risk,

Less Gambling at Russian Roulette 

More Thought of the Rights of Others,
More Love of Self, 
More Government Doing it's Job,
More Love of Family,

 Then, But only Then,
Most Cancer is Entirely, 

Preventable

The simple truth of it all is that the less you are exposed to carcinogens (the term commonly used for cancer-causing agents), the more you really care, the better your diet, the less risk you have of developing the disease.

In fact, cancerous cells are commonly present in our bodies on a regular basis, but do no harm, since healthy immune systems detect the cancer cells and eliminate them right away.

What we Have Found

It does not really matter which is the more dangerous; both represent very expensive, very selfish, very thoughtless activity; and both are very avoidable.The risks associated with indulging in either -- "PLEASURE"???-- are just too costly for all; and not worth taking. 
There are far too many people indulging in such "No Brainers".

©Al (Alex, Alexander) D. Girvan