Devra Davis: The Secret History of the War on Cancer
Devra Davis was interviewed on NPR's Fresh Air radio program on October 4, 2007. We highly recommend that everyone listen to it.
Davis directs the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and is the author of the new book The Secret History of the War on Cancer. She warns that we're ignoring dozens of cancer-causing chemicals and that the chemical industry is obfuscating the true dangers.
Highlights:
- Aspartame. "A ticking time bomb". Said that aspartame got approved in 1981 due to then CEO of Searle Laboratories, Donald Rumsfeld, "calling in his markers". I researched this a bit. Searle holds the patent to and manufactures aspartame. For the 16 years prior to 1981, the FDA had denied the petition for approval of aspartame due to researchers concluding that it induces brain tumors and is neurotoxic*. In 1981, Ronald Reagan was sworn in as President of the United States. As part of Reagan's transition team, Donald Rumsfeld, CEO of Searle, hand picked Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes Jr. to be the new FDA Commissioner. In one of his first official acts, Hayes overruled the Public Board of Inquiry, ignored the recommendations of his own internal FDA team and approves NutraSweet (aspartame) for dry products. Hull later left after allegations of impropriety. Hear the disturbing story in the words of renowned Washington consumer attorney, James Turner.
- Breast cancer. Only 1 in 10 women get it from gene defects. The question is, what's happening for the 9 out of 10? Believes it's related to hormones, natural and synthetic. Drugs or chemicals can act like hormones. Two times as many young (- Household cleaners.Don't use any product that says "use in good ventilation".
- Diagnostic radiation (x-rays).Tremendously overused and will increase cancer burden in future. Especially harmful are pediatric CT scans.
- Cell phones. Very concerned about cell phone use and brain cancer. Previous studies have been biased against finding a problem.
Listen to the Interview