Why modern life does cause cancer

Cancer is often regarded in our society as a natural part of the human ­condition — a dark shadow that hangs over our health.

This is hardly surprising, given that one in three people develop cancer at some stage in their lives, with the disease ultimately responsible for a quarter of all deaths in Britain.

Through research I have uncovered powerful evidence to suggest that cancer could largely be a modern phenomenon linked to our diet, ­environment and lifestyles.

Over the past 30 years, we have ­conducted an extensive study into ancient mummified bodies, skeletal remains and classical literature from ancient societies. If cancer had always been ­prevalent in humans, we would have expected to find a large number of cases of it.

But what we discovered was striking. In all these studies, involving tens of thousands of individuals, we found hardly any. Among the hundreds of mummies we examined, only three definite ­incidences of cancer were detected: one from Chile, one from 14th-century Italy and one from ancient Egypt.

A host of studies show that modern life can be a killer.

We are constantly in motion while still sitting down, whether it be through commuting by car or working at a ­computer. We are surrounded by a cacophony of noise, emails and gadgets — and too many of us survive on fatty, processed foods.

Being overweight is a known risk ­factor for cancer. In women, the ­fatter you are, the more estrogen your body produces, which may explain why ­overweight women are at greater risk of breast cancer.

Stress, meanwhile, has been cited in some studies as a trigger for the growth of cancerous tumours (пухлина).

None of these factors were present in the ancient world, where life was ­altogether less complex.

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HOW FACEBOOK CAN RUIN YOUR LIFE

That Facebook is a part of many Americans' daily lives is clear. But how it's affecting those lives is still being examined. We know that Facebook can be good for your health.But there's also a potentially sinister side. Below, several ways that Facebook can do more harm than good.

Your creditors can track you down. Creditors use Facebook as a way to both track the movements of debtors and keep their eyes on any potential assets (активи) that could be seized to cover those debts. At first, lenders may use Facebook to determine whether you're a worthy candidate for a loan.

Your ex can use it against you in a divorce. Facebook is a popular tool for divorce attorneys, who comb pages of their clients' spouses for evidence of neglect, infidelity, or deception. Mashable(назва сайту)says a woman lost custody of her children after her ex proved she was spending time tending her crops on Farmville instead of spending quality time with her kids.

It could make you depressed. Researchers from New York found that teenage girls who spend the most time discussing their lives with friends were more likely to be depressed. Apparently, spending too much time dwelling on gossip and your problems can make you feel worse, not better. The researchers didn't study Facebook in particular, but they indicated that social-networking sites such as Facebook made it easier for people to be in constant contact with friends and perpetuate the unhealthy discussions.

It can cost you a job. A British survey of employers found that half of those polled had turned down (відмовляти) job candidates once something unsavory about that candidate surfaced on Facebook. (Examples include tales of drunkenness, photos of illegal activity, and bad grammar).

It can out you to your family.Even if you're discreet on Facebook, your loose-lipped friends might not be and could post comments on your wall that betray your secrets.

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