04/08/2002 - Childhood cancers have increased by 26 percent since 1971

Childhood cancers have increased by 26 percent since 1971, with some cancers being even higher, especially acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with a 62 percent increase; brain cancer, 50 percent; and bone cancer, 40 percent. We believe that electromagnetic fields are a causal factor in the development of cancers. The final version of the Californian Health Board EMF report is due out during August. Watch this space!

International studies have found paternal and maternal exposure (pre-conception, during conception and post-conception) to a wide range of occupational chemicals to be major causes of childhood cancer. As well as food additives being strongly incriminated as likely factors in the development of cancer, there are strong associations between childhood cancers, particularly brain cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and leukaemia, and domestic exposure to pesticides from uses in the home, including pet flea collars, and chemicals used on the lawn and garden.

Lindane, a potent carcinogen in shampoos for treating lice, is associated with major risks of brain cancer as it is readily absorbed through the skin. Ritalin, which is often prescribed for hyperactivity (ADD) in children, has been shown to induce highly aggressive rare liver cancers in rodents at doses comparable to those prescribed to children. Maternal exposure to ionising radiation, especially during pregnancy, is strongly associated with excess risks of childhood leukaemia. It should be particularly stressed that foetuses, infants and children are much more vulnerable and sensitive to toxic and carcinogenic exposures than are adults. Foetuses, infants and children are also more likely to suffer from other chronic toxic side effects of exposure to carcinogenic agents, including endocrine disruption and reproductive, haematological, immunological and genetic effects, for which there are no available incidence trend data comparable to those for cancer.

It is internationally accepted that expsoure to 0.4 microtesla (4mG) power frequency magnetic fields after birth double the incidence of childhood leukaemia. Almost all childhood leukaemia is initially triggered (in terms of genetic damage) in-utero, probably in the first trimester of pregnancy. Maternal exposure to a few microtesla of power-frequency EMFs is almost certain to increase the risk of leukaemia and birth abnormalities. The Californian health board report on EMFs reckoned that maybe up to 40% of early miscarriages are due to transient EMF exposure, such as you get near many electrical appliances and when travelling on electric trains. Miscarriages are often due to gross abnormal effects occurring in the foetus. Those unborn children that survive to birth may well have more chronic effects that cause cancers and other abnormalities.

Increasing parental exposure to microwave radiation from mobile phones (pre-conception, during conception and post-conception) and subsequent children's exposure (including from household DECT phones), may well be another contributive effect. It is unclear at the moment whether radiation from mast antennas may play a part in cancer development, but increasingly we believe they may have an effect on hormonal and endocrinal disruptions.

Cancer research, largely funded by drug companies, concentrates more on treatment of cancer than prevention. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) in America spends under four percent of its budget on primary prevention, while the charitable American Cancer Society (ACS) allocates less than 0.1 percent of its revenues to primary prevention and "environmental carcinogenesis".

This item was sourced from "Epstein and Young Warn About Escalating Childhood Cancer" U.S. Newswire and www.heall.com and other sources.