For four decades, scientific research has yielded little hope and progress in the treatment of breast cancer and other cancers/chronic diseases. As quoted in the January 2008 issue of Gastrointestinal Cancer Research, John Marshall, MD, at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington, D.C., states that “We [the scientific community] have, in many ways, lost our way with regard to the goal of curing cancer.” Millions and millions of dollars are poured into cancer research every year with little return. The phrase “1 in 9” has now become “1 in 8” or “1 in 7” women are being diagnosed with breast cancer more than ever.

This state of scientific research with regards to cancer and other diseases leaves us with feelings of anger and despair. In my opinion, the public is not getting the progress in disease research it deserves. However, there are actions you can take to protect your health and the health of your family while we wait for science and medicine to come up with truly effective treatments and cures. Actions we can take before disease is diagnosed.

In the 1930s, a formal concept called the Precautionary Principle evolved in Europe. The Precautionary Principle simply states: “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.” If applied to our lives, families, and households, the Precautionary Principle gives us a chance to prevent breast cancer and other diseases. Even if indisputable scientific evidence doesn’t exist for a suspected cause, it doesn’t hurt to adopt a “better safe than sorry” approach and simply remove suspect chemicals from our daily lives.

The thought of preventing disease on our own can be daunting at the very least, yet, there are many resources, most only a mouse click away, that provide plausible replacements for the causes of disease.

In searching for safer alternatives, www.preventionisthecure.org is a great place to start. The website lists healthy alternatives in food, clothing, household products, lawn care and skin care. Also, neighborhood supermarkets now carry generous amounts of organic produce, meat and dairy, and“green” household cleaners. Disease prevention is becoming easier and “hipper” every day. You need only to ask…and seek healthier alternatives.