selection 31 Summary

The article Living Downstream: An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment by Sandra Steingraber, talks about the need for more knowledge on the environmental factors in cases of cancer. Shes begins with a personal story how she had bladder cancer as an young adult. She then talks about the perception that genes are the main cause of cancer; if your in a "cancer family" your sure to get it. she goes on to say that she is adopted, therefore something in the environment must be leading to the cancer trend in the family. Cancer is caused by a mutation where a single rung of the DNA is swapped for another resulting in a change of the gene. She then asks the question what is causing bladder cancer? She found that there are many carcinogens in streams and rivers that we come into contact with and gets into our drinking water.this is from industries, pipe materials and water treatment. She states that we need a better way of regulating these contaminants. She goes on to state there are hurdles to overcome if address cancer's environmental roots. Presently cancer research is focused on inherited cancer from family. She then says that even though cancer causing products have been stopped from being used domestically they still linger in the environment. chemicals such as DDT last in the environment for a long time. Some people are more at risk of cancer than other because of genes but those who work with and live by carcinogens are at high risk no matter what DNA they have. She concludes by saying we need to be guided by the principle of the least toxic alternative which means we need to choose the least harmful way to solve problems.