Post by @ElenLeFoll@fediscience.org

2026-10-06 08:18 UTC

I take serious issue with the @guardian@flipboard.social's reporting on data showing increased cancer rates among young people "prompting warnings about lifestyle choices". It is completely inappropriate to suggest that cancer patients and survivors might have avoided their cancer had they made better life choices. The article says very little about the causes of cancer, only stating: "WCRF said risk factors such as growing obesity levels, poor diet, insufficient exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking and environmental exposures (such as pollutants, chemicals, plastics, water and air pollution) could be contributing to the trend" and adding "About 40% of cancers are linked to these kinds of modifiable risks." But that list mixes a lot of things: exposure to polluants, chemicals, plastics and pollution are not *personally modifiable risks*! These are society-level risks that require collective, i.e. political, action. So now is the time to report on irresponsible policies such as Germany's fuel subsidies or the EU's Food and Feed Safety Omnibus that aims to roll back safeguards protecting us and the environment from pesticides and are *currently* being implemented/negotiated NOT blame young people for not eating their fives-a-day. Seriously, what are we supposed to do: Cycle to work in more toxic fumes? Ingest more harmful pesticides by eating more fruit and veg? https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/oct/06/cancer-rates-rising-more-quickly-among-younger-people-international-study-finds #PinkOctober #cancer #pesticides #EU #OctobreRose #cancer_colere #Tankrabatt #Krebs

Replies (7)

@ElenLeFoll@fediscience.org 2026-10-06 08:22

Recommended listening on this topic (in French): https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/011026/epidemie-de-cancers-ne-veut-pas-tomber-malades-pour-sauver-une-filiere-agricole by @mediapart@mediapart.social. Further reading on the EU's current Omnibus proposal: - https://www.pan-europe.info/press-releases/2026/09/eu-member-states-back-weakening-pesticide-safety - https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/09/30/council-agrees-negotiating-stance-to-simplify-and-streamline-food-and-feed-safety-requirements/ - https://orbi.umons.ac.be/bitstream/20.500.12907/56531/1/_Wintermantel_2026_Pesticide_Omnibus_science_aeg.pdf - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g0dGYt6T0ud-rpFdlMk0Ci4qjlS-2tet/view

Open ##5197527
@ElenLeFoll@fediscience.org 2026-10-06 20:24

@guardian@flipboard.social UPDATE: I just wrote up this toot as a letter to the Guardian. I'll keep you posted if they reply...

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@CartyBoston@mastodon.roundpond.net 2026-10-06 10:19

@ElenLeFoll@fediscience.org @guardian@flipboard.social "It is completely inappropriate to suggest that cancer patients and survivors might have avoided their cancer had they made better life choices." I have tried to articulate this for decades and you just did it for me.

Open ##5197531
@PaulAKachur@mastodon.social 2026-10-06 12:11

@ElenLeFoll@fediscience.org if you get cancer it's your own fault for making bad lifestyle choices, don't expect the government to bail you out of medical expenses, and if you cannot afford them, you are no longer worthy of living

Open ##5197532
@kimlockhartga@beige.party 2026-10-06 13:17

@ElenLeFoll@fediscience.org @guardian@flipboard.social Some of the healthiest people I've known were the only ones to have gotten cancer in their families. But, people really want to make it the victim's fault. I agree that the environment plays a huge role. We can't poison the air, soil, and water and not expect adverse effects.

Open ##5197533
@gimulnautti@mastodon.green 2026-10-06 13:52

@ElenLeFoll@fediscience.org @guardian@flipboard.social ”just don’t be poor”, eh? 😞

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@Panda@lgbtqia.space 2026-10-06 14:11

@ElenLeFoll@fediscience.org @guardian@flipboard.social :neocat_sign_yes: :neocat_sign_yes: :neocat_sign_yes:

Open ##5197535