Hijab May Prevent Nose Cancer

Arab News ^ | 19 March 2004 | Maha Akeel

[Eurotwit]

JEDDAH, 19 March 2004 — The veil or hijab may be a factor in the low incidence rate of nasopharyngeal (nose) cancer among Saudi women according to Dr. Kamal Malakar, head of the oncology department at the Princess Norah Oncology Center at the National Guard Hospital in Jeddah.

Dr. Malakar began his research about three years ago by comparing the incidence rates of different cancers in several countries. He found that men are 25 percent more liable to cancer.

Removing all gender associated cancer incidents — such as vaginal and prostate cancer — from consideration, he still found that the ratio was 1:2.2 between females and males. Saudi Arabia had a lower ratio of 1:1.54 of females to males.

During his research, Dr. Malakar discovered a high rate of nasopharyngeal cancer in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Jeddah, Riyadh and Asir. The main causes of nasopharyngeal cancer are virus infection and smoking. Dr. Malakar suggests that the low number of cases among Saudi women is because they wear a veil from an early age, which protects them from the virus.

Dr. Malakar says nasopharyngeal cancer is very rare in Western countries but is common in Eastern countries such as China and Vietnam. “It is not reasonable to suggest that everyone should wear a veil, but in countries where the incident rates are low, most people wear masks in workplaces where there is a chance of a virus infection,” said Dr. Malakar.

[ChadGore]

talk about ignorant.

[Walkingfeather]

well could the veil act as a low grade air filter?

[Arkinsaw]

Perhaps its just very, very, dry air that is the difference.

[KC_Conspirator]

Yeah, the next thing we will hear is that a clitorectomy stops uterine cancer and honor killings stop the spread of venereal disease.

[cyborg]

The veils are probably acting like a filter as another FReeper pointed out. That has to be a lot of smoking and a lot of coughing and spewing to me.

[thoughtomator]

Well, heck, let's all trade our freedom for a slight reduction in the incidence of nose cancer!

[cyborg]

Sure a clitorectomy stops uterine cancer. After you die from the infected open wounds, you can't get cancer at all and no AIDS either :(

[sweetjane]

I think the veil covers the hair, as opposed to the burka which covers the hair, face, and body. The burka might filter out pollutants. Doubt the veil does. Don't know how many Saudi women wear the burka. Seems like more wear the veil.

[pragmatic_asian]

Viruses can pass through veils very easily. During the SARS episode, scientists showed that the SARS virus could easily be inhaled through those dust masks. The only preventative help those masks provided was to contain sneezes and coughs to the spewer.

I think a better explaination is the fact that they keep their women locked up at home away from smoking establishments and potential virus carriers.

Their next study will probably show that those decapitations also prevent dandruff.

[timm22]

Well, heck, let's all trade our freedom for a slight reduction in the incidence of nose cancer!

I'll need to bookmark this thread, and use it the next time some Freeper defends seat belt laws, fat taxes, or anti-smoking ordinances with the "public health" argument.

[thoughtomator]

Hi guys... funny thread for yas =)

[Drammach]

An Arab Male researcher at an Arab medical research facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, undoubtedly a devout Muslim, finds "evidence" that Muslim Women should follow custom and cover their head and face..

Gee, I doubt any Peer Review of the data will verify his conclusions..

[Walkingfeather]

you would be incorrect, most saudi women have their faces covered, the eyes are exposed unlike the burka.

[Our man in washington]

In other research, beheading cures balding.

[MrB]

How large are viruses?
and how large are the holes in a veil?

This author is an idiot.

Any reduction in cancer may be a result of gender differences, I didn't see any study of this specific cancer referenced for different societies.

If anything, it is limiting exposure to the sun that reduces the cancer risk.