Unhealthy situation

Opinion

Cancer is not one disease but a whole series of conditions of some cells of the body which run amok; a few of them have been identified, such as the links from smoking and asbestos. Screening is available for some cancers, and one object of research is to find effective screening methods for others, such as ovarian cancer, so that they can be treated early. .

Mr Mynott is rather sweeping in his assertions on health (Letters, 24 April). Maybe some areas of the world have fewer identified cancers because people generally die younger of other diseases.

Cancer is not one disease but a whole series of conditions of some cells of the body which run amok; a few of them have been identified, such as the links from smoking and asbestos. Screening is available for some cancers, and one object of research is to find effective screening methods for others, such as ovarian cancer, so that they can be treated early.

I feel we are adding medication to all without understanding its other effects or taking account of the risks, such as the water supply contamination scandal at Camelford.

J Gray
Warwicks

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