Gary Yourofsky: meat and cancer

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Let me start by saying that generally, his tone is overkill, his mind unwavering.  But, I wanted to share this back and forth with him for general discussion, because I think it's a good debate regardless, particularly in light of the discussion on dairy and estrogen-sensitive cancers.

I will post the back and forth in the first response.

Comments

  • LtotheK
    LtotheK Member Posts: 2,095
    edited January 2012

    Dear Gary,

    I would like to suggest one reform to your discussion on cancer.  I am a 41 year old breast cancer survivor.  I am also a 25 year vegetarian veteran, many of those years were vegan, and my dairy and egg consumption to this day remains minimal.  I believe reducing or eliminating animal products from our diets would reduce the incidences of cancer.  However, cancer is a multi-factoral disease, often described as "a perfect storm".  In my case, I believe chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and toxic chemicals in the NY Metro area were part of my "perfect storm".  There are many different kinds of breast cancers, from estrogen receptor positive, to BRCA gene positive.  In fact, cancer remains a huge mystery to the medical industry, more recent studies suggest it is genetically triggered (with environmental and dietary consequences, of course, but this cannot be said for those carrying the BRCA gene, which is an almost certain case of breast or ovarian cancer in the carrier's lifetime).  

    You might be interested to know that estrogen-receptor positive cancers are being studied heavily, and even allopathic doctors are recommending limiting dairy and meat products, as they are potentially estrogenic (food for estrogen receptor positive cancers).  More study needs to be done.  In the world of cancer, there are more than 600 genes to study, and only 21 have been discovered in breast cancer so far.  

    I simply want to suggest that telling audiences their risks of cancer can be helped by dumping animal products is different from telling them it can be eliminated, and I believe this is an important clarification.

    My very warmest regards to you for your outstanding work. 

    His response:

    Breast cancer is NOT heredity in any way. And while chemicals can contribute to it, the MAIN cause of it is ANIMAL PROTEIN.
     
    Cancer can only thrive in an acidic environment. The only food that makes our blood acidic are animal ones. Go to my adaptt.org site, click ALL ABOUT VEGANISM, click the DAIRY and PROTEIN sections.
     
    DAIRY is the most toxic food substance on this planet. Even if people still ate meat, but eliminated DAIRY, cancers and other diseases would be reduced by 75%!
     
    There is a book that is banned in America entitled THE NO DAIRY BREAST CANCER PREVENTION PROGRAM by non-vegan scientist Jane Platt. She cured hers through veganism. She says in her book that if you plan on only being vegetarian to cure your breast cancer, forget about it. Don't even try it. It only works when dairy is eliminated. The China Study, the world's largest dietary study ever conducted, agrees with this. Dozens of studies on pcrm.org can affirm this as well.
     
    Eye color is hereditary. Cystic Fibrosis or Prader-Willi is hereditary. Cancer AND heart disease are not!
     
    I understand that we're all born with cancer cells. But those cells have to be turned on/triggered. Animal products - mainly dairy -are the MAIN trigger that allows the cancer cells to express themselves.  And eating a "limited" amount of toxins is not beneficial to your condition. Evil things in a limited way are still evil. If I only smoked 5 cigarettes daily instead of a pack, I am still at risk for lung cancer or emphysema. Yes, my risk has been reduced, but I am at risk nonetheless.
     
    Please reconsider your limited amount of dairy and eggs. I just posted a new study about the evil of eggs in the CHICKENS/EGGS/FREE RANGE SCAM section.

    My last response:

    Actually, after watching your video, I am going to try to cut all animal products again.

    I don't wish to argue, but you are misinformed about heredity and certain types of cancer.  The BRCA gene is a GENETIC mutation.  It is inherited:  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA  It is also widely understood that a direct family member with cancer poses a higher risk for cancer in other direct relatives.  It's impossible to suggest a definitive "cure" when science hasn't even uncovered how cancer definitively works.
     

  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited January 2012

    Whoa. I take issue with his "breast cancer is not hereditary in any way."  Has he had breast cancer?

    I say this and I live a largely vegan lifestyle - no meat, no dairy, but I will eat wild fish and the occasional egg.  On holidays and birthdays, I let myself cheat, although not too much - it usually makes me feel pretty crappy.   

    I agree with him about dairy, though - the more I read, the more I think everyone should give up dairy. 

  • LtotheK
    LtotheK Member Posts: 2,095
    edited January 2012

    Yes, sweetbean, I generally don't take well to people who suggest there is a "cure" out there.  If it were so easy, we wouldn't have the blasted disease to begin with.  Unless you subscribe to the conspiracy theories, which I really don't.

    I agree with you about dairy, particuarly for ER+ cancers.  Though, the research seems to be mixed, some studies indicate there is little-to-no relationship.  Regardless, it is food that just doesn't make sense to me.  Now...to try and get back on the coconut milk creamer.  Sigh.  I LOVE cream in my coffee!!!

  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited January 2012

    You know, I have gotten used to the non-dairy alternatives.  I don't really miss them at this point.  I liked all the different links to vegan recipe websites - i'm always looking for good vegan stuff!

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