Could the fact that cancer is now more prevalent be because of our longer life spans? Could it be simply that we live long enough to get it?
I once read that if nothing else kills you, cancer will. Eventually our body's mechanisms that kill off the renegade cancer cells breaks down, but most of us die of something else before that happens.
Noting an increase in cancer deaths in children without noting the decrease in deaths from other causes, Rachel Carson started the process that led to the banning of DDT - causing untold numbers of deaths in developing countries from Malaria.
Yep. Aging is a major factor in causing cancer. As we get older our immune system weakens.
“Could the fact that cancer is now more prevalent be because of our longer life spans? Could it be simply that we live long enough to get it?”
Could obesity be the same situation? We are avoiding a lot more causes of death, living longer, so have the opportunity to get fatter.