By Albert R. Faunce
Anderson resident
It is easy to blame secondhand smoke for just about everything when the answers are not known. After all, we know direct smoking is linked to lung cancer; therefore secondhand smoke is the next logical choice that the general public will readily recognize and believe.
Dr. Nassar Hanna spoke to our state legislators about the risks of secondhand smoke.
However, he never mentioned his uncertainty as expressed in a Medscape interview.
This is the essence of Dr. Hanna’s uncertainty.
He also lists the following as possible causes of lung cancer in never smokers: might have a viral origin, the human papilloma virus 16 and 18 subtypes, exposure to cooking fumes, pre-existing lung disease such as an old scar from tuberculosis, working in industries with chronic exposure to heavy metals, such as welders, radon is a known cause of lung cancer which has been suggested as the No. 1 cause of lung cancer in the never smoker, there may also be an apparent inherited genetic susceptibility to getting lung cancer, and lastly, there is some suggestion that hormonal factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of lung cancer.
There is a reason why the American Council on Science and Health states: “Any claim that exposure to exhaled or sidestream smoke poses a threat to life is ‘indisputable’ false. There are studies and scientists who dispute it strongly. These statements, among many others, are based on the results of studies that found no long-term health risks, and even on studies that claim to find risks, because the science is so weak."
Since the 1980s, a small but steady trickle of research involving smokers and never smokers has implicated the human papilloma viruses as a cause of lung cancer.
HPV DNA was detected in over 21.7 percent of non-small cell lung cancers.
Since it was not established that HPV causes 100 percent of cervical cancers until 1999, the prevalence of HPV is probably underestimated in these early studies.
After reviewing the data in 53 publications, a German study reports the data suggests that HPV is the second most important cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking and strongly argues the need for additional research on this issue.
This is just now beginning to be reported, in spite of the fact that some nonsmoking advocates are trying to repress this reporting. Will there be more research to point away from secondhand smoke?
Remember, the secondhand smoke campaign that has been waged by nonsmoking advocates has brought in billions of dollars in revenues, grants and donations and been responsible for smoking bans based on secondhand smoking claims.
Are any of these organizations and legislative bodies ready to lose their credibility and paychecks?
Remember the silicone gel breast implant cancer fraud of the 1990s?
Do you remember anyone, including doctors claiming to be expert witnesses, or attorneys apologizing?
Do you think the attorneys paid huge sums of money or the plaintiff’s awarded huge sums of money by duped and unsuspecting juries gave it back?
How about the wrongfully accused companies that had to file bankruptcy?
Are we so blinded that we are unwilling to accept a new truth or at least search for it?
For more information, do a computer search using the following: HPV Lung Cancer, Nassar Hanna and Dr. Michael Siegel.
Letters
Viewpoint: Not all studies have linked nonsmokers’ lung cancers to secondhand smoke
- Letters
-
-
Letter: Consumer-driven economy will pay off debt
To save America some money — by acclimation of course — let’s not have a presidential election in 2012. We already have a good president who will do his best to kill all Republican bills (DOA) and, consequently, create more good-paying jobs in the $30 per hour range.
-
Letter: Gingrich cashes in on political amnesia
Rasmussen says that Romney has flattened nationally. Why?
Two reasons seem to tell the tale. Gingrich has shown that he will fight, and Romney is a Mormon, believed to be a “cult” by a majority of evangelicals. -
Letter: Hiring Winkler not wise spending
As a taxpayer I want to know that my taxes are being spent wisely. Hiring Greg Winkler at a salary of $126,000 is not wise spending.
-
Letter: Bill of Rights being nullified by new law
President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act on New Year’s Eve. I doubt many Americans noticed its implications because they do not yet comprehend the big picture. This law, coupled with the Patriot Act, is paving the way for America’s direction toward tyranny.
-
Letter: $14 trillion debt started by previous president
I’m a proud atheist who’s lucky enough to know the difference between fact and fantasy.
-
Letter: Economy putting people in the gutters
We are now getting the results of putting people in the gutters. We need to take a second look at our government and its policies. It’s not working.
-
Viewpoint: Look at Creation Museum from an educational, scientific perspective
I encourage any and all who have interest in this vitally important topic to “go to the source,” to invest the time and energy into exploring The Creation Museum for themselves.
-
Letter: Blame the voters for our Congress
Why is insider trading legal for Congress and illegal for the rest of us? They make and enact laws for all of us, but then exempt members of Congress. Somehow this doesn’t seem to pass the smell test.
-
Letter: Smith’s firings appear vindictive
Anderson is a city of negative publicity and actions. Why else is Sears leaving? Can we stand four years of vindictive actions and negative reporting?
-
Letter: Planned devaluation of dollar is coming
I’ve submitted letters regarding the existence of a global elite for years now. I’m now submitting another one in which I hope readers will take note of.
- More Letters Headlines
-
Letter: Consumer-driven economy will pay off debt
