Community News
The Cancer Epidemic – Cancers among young adults have become a global health crisis; Why is that?
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
I remember when cancer was something distant, something that happened to other people, but now, it feels like it’s everywhere. I think everyone knows someone who’s been affected by cancer. It’s become a part of our reality, a very sad reality.
Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases of the 21st century. A hundred years ago, cancer was not so common; however, since the last couple of decades, its incidence has been rising alarmingly.
What is cancer? Put simply; cancer is the abnormal growth of cells. Cancers arise from any organ, or body structure and are composed of tiny cells that have lost the ability to stop growing. Transformation of a normal cell into a cancerous cell is probably not such a critical event in the genesis of cancer; rather it is the inability of immune cells of the body to identify and destroy the newly formed cancer cells when they are few in numbers. The risk of cancer is multiplied in people whose immune system is suppressed due to any factor including chronic stress, old age, or a chronic debilitating disease.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal analysis of data from the National Cancer Institute, one in five new colorectal cancer patients in the United States is under 55, That’s nearly twice the rate in 1995.
While deaths for colorectal cancer patients over 65 are going down, deaths among younger patients are increasing, a reflection of the higher mortality rates often observed in early-onset cancers. Scientists say these cancers can be more deadly because they are not caught early enough for successful interventions (colonoscopies are not recommended until age 45).
There are several hypothesis for the increase in cancer; one claim is that the increase in global obesity rates since the mid-1990s plays a significant role in the uptick, and scientists have found that specific diets, such as those rich in so-called ultra-processed foods, have been associated with a higher risk of GI cancers, regardless of a person’s body-mass index.
The increase in early-onset cancers has become undeniable, replicated in study after study. A BMJ article published last year found that the early onset of 29 different cancers, including: breast, stomach, and colorectal, had risen nearly 80% between 1990 and 2019 worldwide. Another study published in JAMA Network Open last August found that the occurrence of a wide range of cancers among people under 50 had increased between 2010 to 2019 among American adults, particularly among women.
John Marshall, Director of the Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers at Georgetown University, has been treating patients for 30 years. Early in his career, he says, he would never have a patient under the age of 50. Today, half of his patients are in that younger cohort, many of them otherwise healthy and fit. He first started to notice the trend with colorectal cancers, but later found an increase in other cancers as well, which significantly mirrors the research literature.
Findings have also pointed to another revelation: “We have, each of us, different risks depending on when we are born,” Shuji Ogino, a Molecular Pathological Epidemiologist at Harvard Medical School, shared in his research.
According to a paper published last year by a New Zealand research team, the upticks in cancers among young adults matched the timeline that we would expect from the multiplication of microplastics in the environment. Research on cellular and rodent models has suggested that microplastics (plastic bottles, packaging, synthetic textiles, cosmetics, and industrial processes) could promote tumor growth. Yeah, pretty much everything that has become commonplace in our lives. Though more research is needed, we already know these materials contain chemicals that can disrupt hormones and pose a risk to our health.
“People born in the first half of the 20th century had a lower risk of developing cancer by age 50 than people born in the second half,” Shuji shares. Other scientists increasingly suspect that exposure to risk factors at certain ages — whether: in utero, early childhood, or early adulthood. — could be playing an important role in a person’s risk of developing cancer at a young age.
Then, there are some other less researched reasons that have been illuminated. According to a recent peer-reviewed analysis, it was discovered that COVID-19 vaccines can trigger genetic changes in cancer patients that could aid in the further development of the disease in such individuals.
The review, published in the Cureus medical journal on December 17th, 2023, looked at the relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and cancer. A review of multiple studies led the authors to conclude that certain COVID-19 vaccines may create an environment that predisposes some cancer patients, including survivors, to “cancer progression, recurrence, and/or metastasis.”
The conclusion was based on two factors. First is the “multi-hit hypothesis” of cancer, which suggests that cancer is the consequence of several genetic mutations. The second is the “growing evidence and safety reports” in the Vaccine Adverse Effects Report System (VAERS), which suggested that some cancer patients who took COVID-19 vaccines saw their conditions worsen.
“In light of the above and because some of these concerns also apply to cancer patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, we encourage the scientific and medical community to urgently evaluate the impact of both COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination on cancer biology and tumor registries, adjusting public health recommendations accordingly,” the review said.
Let’s talk about why and how this is happening. MRNA vaccines have the potential to trigger a set of biological mechanisms that could lead to the progression of cancer. These effects are attributed to factors like the “pro-inflammatory action” of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and tumor-causing effects of the vaccines’ antigens, namely the spike protein. LNPs are nanoparticle drug delivery systems that can be used to deliver DNA and mRNA into a body. Researchers found that the spike protein, found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus, facilitates the entry of the virus into healthy cells.
The authors who wrote the review are Raquel Valdes Angues from the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine in Portland and Yolanda Perea Bustos from the education department in the Government of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain. They declared that they received, “No financial support” from organizations that might have an interest in their work, and they were involved in no other relationships, or activities that could have influenced the review.
Now, let’s turn to another undiscussed factor; 5G. In an article titled “Health risks from radiofrequency radiation, including 5G, should be assessed by experts with no conflicts of interest,” (Lennart Hardell, and Michael Carlberg), the researchers appealed to the European Union (EU) in September 2017. Their appeal (endorsed by >390 scientists and medical doctors), requested a moratorium on 5G deployment until proper scientific evaluation of potential negative consequences has been conducted.
This request was not acknowledged by the EU. The evaluation of RF radiation health risks from 5G technology was ignored in a report by a government expert group in Switzerland, and a publication from The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Conflicts of interest and ties to the industry seem to have contributed to the biased reports. In the report, they note that the lack of proper unbiased risk evaluation of the 5G technology places populations at risk. They also note that there seems to be a cartel of individuals monopolizing evaluation committees, thus reinforcing the no-risk paradigm.
To bring relevance to those thoughts, I discovered an open editorial titled “Moskowitz: Cellphone radiation is harmful, but few want to believe it,” by Anne Brice. For more than a decade, Joel Moskowitz, a researcher in the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley, and Director of Berkeley’s Center for Family and Community Health, has been on a quest to prove that radiation from cellphones is unsafe, but, he said, “Most people don’t want to hear it.”
“People are addicted to their smartphones. We use them for everything now, and, in many ways, we need them to function in our daily lives. I think the idea that they’re potentially harming our health is too much for some people.”
“Cellphones, cell towers and other wireless devices are regulated by most governments,” said Moskowitz. “Our government, however, stopped funding research on the health effects of radiofrequency radiation in the 1990s.”
Since then, he said, research has shown significant adverse biologic and health effects — including brain cancer — associated with the use of cellphones and other wireless devices. And now, he said, with the fifth generation of cellular technology, known as 5G, there is an even bigger reason for concern.
The International EMF Scientist Appeal, signed by over 250 scientists with extensive research backgrounds, underscores a growing concern regarding the health effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields emitted by wireless devices like cell phones. With over 2,000 published papers and letters in professional journals, these scientists advocate for health warnings and stronger exposure limits. Their research, spanning numerous animal toxicology studies, indicates a potential for increased oxidative stress, including free radicals, stress proteins, and DNA damage.
A comprehensive 2009 review published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, suggests a link between heavy cellphone use and heightened brain cancer incidence.
I want to take a moment to highlight the fact that they have attempted to blame many things for the uptick in cancer diagnosis and have ignored two major factors: the introduction of a vaccine, and fifth generation cellular technology. I liken it to the actions of the telecom industry; the comparison to the tobacco industry is striking. Just as tobacco companies once enlisted doctors and dentists to downplay smoking risks in the 1940’s, the telecom industry now utilizes a nuclear physicist to reassure policy makers of the safety of microwave radiation. This pattern echoes the tactics employed by Big Tobacco and underscores the telecom industry’s considerable economic and political influence, surpassing even that of its predecessor.
It appears that we are going to be witnessing more and more cancer diagnosis, especially of people who are much younger. This article was meant to inform and educate; I hope that you utilize this information to ensure that you take all precautions when it comes to your health. You have to care about you, because the powers that be do not!
REFERENCES:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9885170/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36739075/
https://bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-023-01967-0
https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/cancer-young-people-doctors-baffled-49c766ed
https://www.saferemr.com/2017/09/5g-wireless-technology-is-5g-harmful-to.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7405337/
https://news.berkeley.edu/2021/07/01/health-risks-of-cell-phone-radiation/
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(18)30267-6/fulltext
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2808381
https://bmjoncology.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000049#DC1
https://www.bmj.com/content/378/bmj-2021-068921
BY RUSHANE FERRON
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has received an unprecedented number of submissions for this year’s FiWi Short Film Competition. Launched earlier this year, the competition drew an impressive 47 entries. Currently, 17 shortlisted films are available for public viewing on the JCDC’s YouTube channel, with winners set to be announced on October 24th.
Executive Director of the JCDC, Mr. Lenford Salmon, expressed pride in the competition’s growing success, stating, “This record number of entries reflects how Jamaicans are embracing the programmes offered by the JCDC. While the Commission is well known for preserving and showcasing our culture, we also recognize the importance of using technology to engage, particularly with our youth. The FiWi Short Film Competition is a perfect example of how we can bring our culture to life in the digital age. The fact that it’s four years old and already experiencing this level of growth is a promising sign for the future.”
Drama and Theatre Arts Development Specialist at the JCDC, Mr. Shaun Drysdale, attributes this year’s spike in entries to the increasing interest in filmmaking, fueled by the proliferation of social media platforms that support storytelling through visuals.
“We are living in a digital age. Filmmaking is now in the hands of the average person on the street via his, or her cell phone. Add to that the inherent creativity of Jamaicans and you are left with a potent combination, which when given the correct environment, can reap tangible rewards. That is what we are experiencing at this time,” Mr. Drysdale said.
The JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition seeks to promote Jamaican culture through the production of films ranging from 3-5 minutes in duration. The films must be based on set criteria, and primarily centred around a Jamaican proverb.
This year’s proverbs are: “Sweet mout fly follow coffin go a hole”; “Puss nuh hab han, but him tek him foot wipe him face”; “Keep clear a ole house, les dem fall dung pon you”; “Rockstone a riber bottom nuh feel sun hot”; and “Finger tink, yuh cyan cut eh trow ‘wey”.
In addition to the proverbs, participants were also given two special themes around which to build the treatment of their films, based on concepts provided by two sponsors. These are: “SEAS IN FOCUS: Uniting for marine managed areas”- National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica (NCTFJ) and “Need a passport quick, Get it with just a click”- Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA).
Mr. Drysdale further noted that this year’s shortlisted films represent a variety of the possible genres with eleven dramatic works, two animation films, one comedy, one documentary and two science fiction films. Three of the participants are from the youth category, which is for filmmakers between 12-18 years old and the remaining 14 from adult category.
In addition to viewing the short films online, the public will have an opportunity to view at a special screening to be held on National Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 21st, 2024, as a feature of JCDC National Heritage Fest and Family Fun Day being held on the south lawn at Devon House in St Andrew.
The FiWi Short Film Competition was started by the JCDC in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition is the brainchild of the JCDC’s Drama and Theatre Arts Unit and encourages Jamaican amateur filmmakers to examine selected Jamaican proverbs and based on their interpretation create the treatment for a short film.
BY PAUL JUNOR
The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), which administers the Grade 3, 6 and 9 assessments across Ontario and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), recently released the 2024 results. For many schools across the province, EQAO results are a snapshot of how students are doing compared to their peers in other schools at the same grade level.
The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) has maintained a high level of consistency with respect to the outstanding performance of its students on the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). In a media release on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, details were revealed about the positive achievements and exemplary accomplishments of its students.
EQAO results were released on September 26th, 2024. The focus was, “Mathematics Achievement Remains an Area of Focus but Sees Gradual Growth Over Time with Some School Boards Showing Significant Increases; Literacy Achievement Remains High but Shows Some Decline.” The data was based on the 2023-2024 school year during which over 570,000 students wrote the EQAO assessments at the elementary and secondary levels on the English and French-language school systems.
For students who wrote the Grade 3 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:
- 71% met the provincial standard in reading compared to 73% in 2022-2023, and 73% in 2021-2022.
- 64% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 65% in 2022-2023 and 65% in 2021-2022.
- 61% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 60% in 2022-2023 and 59% in 2021-2022.
For students who wrote the Grade 6 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:
- 82% met the provincial standard in reading, compared to 84% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.
- 80% met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 84% in 2022-2023, and 84% in 2021-2022.
- 50% met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 50% in 2022-2023 and 47 % in 2021-2022.
For students who wrote the Grade 9 Assessment in Mathematics:
- 54% met the provincial standard, compared to 54% in 2022-2023 and 52% in 2021-2022.
For students who wrote the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT):
- 85% of first-time eligible students were successful, compared to 85% in 2022-23 and 82% in 2021-2022.
- 52% of previously eligible students were successful in 2023-2024, compared to 63% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.
John De Faveri, Interim Director of Education of the YCDSB writes, “We are always looking for ways to provide a better school experience, but today is a time to celebrate our students and staff for their excellent academic achievement. I want to particularly highlight the incredible work that is being done in mathematics, which we see in these results. Mathematical literacy is such an important life skill and we are happy to share a love of numbers with our students.”
Results from the Grade 3, 6 and 9 EQAO Mathematics results show improvement in Mathematics compared to 2023. In addition, with respect to reading and writing results for Grade 6 there has been a consistent steady upward rise in the performance of students as 89% and 90% of students met or exceeded provincial standards when compared to the province’s average of 82% and 89%.
Elizabeth Crowe, Chair of the Board of Trustees for YCDSB states, “EQAO results are just one of the ways we see how York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement. As a Catholic learning community, we want to see every child succeed and EQAO results help us measure our progress toward that noble goal.”
Overall, the percentage of students who participated from YCDSB in Grade 3 and 6 EQAO were 97% and 98%, respectively. For Grade 9 Math assessment there were 93% of eligible students and 97% in the OSSLT.
Any parents or guardians interested in learning about the 2024 EQAO and OSSLT results and individual school results for their children can check the EQAO’s website: https://www.eqao.com/results/.
BY PAUL JUNOR
There is: planning, preparation, and organization that parents, guardians and caregivers must make in York Region as they prepare their children for high school. For those who chose to send them to a high school at the Catholic board, there are open houses planned to make this process easier to navigate.
In a press release on Thursday, October 10th, 2024, details were revealed about these open houses. It notes, “The open houses will highlight key aspects of each school, including administration, programs, graduation requirements, uniforms, school structure, student opportunities and more. In addition, information about the registration process, including registration dates, deadlines and documents needed to enroll, will be discussed.
The media release mentioned the seven regional programs, and ten Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) programs. They include:
Advanced Placement
Programs with an extended and enriched curriculum allow students to earn credits or advanced standing at most universities.
English as a Second Language
(ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD)
English as a Second Language and English Literacy Development programs assist English language learners from diverse linguistic and education backgrounds in attaining English language proficiency.
French Immersion (FI)
Students who completed the Elementary French Immersion programs, or equivalent can continue with the immersion program to earn a French immersion certificate upon graduation.
High Performer Athlete (HPA)
An academic-based program for student-athletes participating in competitive-level athletics. Students benefit from a flexible timetable to help balance their academic and athletic commitments and earn high school credits for the work they put into their training.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
A rigorous and intellectually challenging pre-university course of study that allows students to earn an IB Diploma upon graduation, recognized in Canada and abroad.
Regional Arts (RAP)/Integrated Regional Arts Program(iRAP)
Students specialize in drama, dance, visual arts, digital media arts, instrumental music, or vocal music- while obtaining their high school diploma. In the iRAP, students experience their learning through an integrated model where the curriculum is explored in relation to the interconnectedness of the individual, the community, and the world.
STREAM Program
Students explore real-world challenges and use the design thinking process to develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills, guided by the traditional Catholic social teachings. This academic program uses an interdisciplinary approach to inquiry and problem-based learning.
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
Students can obtain a diploma with a specialist in either: Arts and Culture; Aviation and Aerospace; Business; Health and Wellness; Hospitality and Tourism; Information and Communication Technology; Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services, Manufacturing; or Non-Profit. Every YCDSB school offers a SHSM program.
Parents or guardians who live in York Region and are interested in any programs can check: Website: www.ycdsb.ca
Record entries for JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition
York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement
York Catholic District School Board plans open house for future high school students
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