PREVENTIVE MEDECINE: INCIDENCE OF CANCERS
Reproductive and sexual behaviour
These both influence the incidence of certain cancers, and change with westernization. Early first childbirth and having large numbers of children both reduce the incidence of breast cancer. In the West we delay the birth of the first child and women have few children. Both of these things have produced substantially higher levels of breast cancer in the West. Cancer of the ovary is also seen more in populations with reduced fertility. Cancer of the cervix, in contrast, increases in incidence with greater fertility. This relationship may be related to the proven link between early promiscuous sexual activity and cervical cancer. No one knows why this should be but the current theories are that smegma (the white matter that can collect under an uncircumcised man’s foreskin) or even semen itself might be carcinogenic. A more recent suggestion is that cancer of the cervix is caused by a venereally transmitted virus such as herpes. Genital hygiene and the use of a condom (sheath) reduce these risks.
Occupational exposure to chemicals
This is an unfortunate side-effect of moving off the land and into factories. It has led to increasing numbers, of men especially, being exposed to carcinogenic chemicals, for much of their working lives in certain industries. It has definitely caused an increase in tumours of the bladder and the skin. A particular type of lung tumour is seen commonly in those who work with asbestos dust. No one knows how great a problem industrial exposure to carcinogens is and today many known hazards have been reduced or totally removed, but westernized peoples are still exposed to food additives, washing-up liquid residues, air pollutants, water pollution from industry and agriculture and frank chemical hazards at work in varying amounts. The harm done by some of these agents is well known and provable, yet we continue to bombard ourselves, often quite unnecessarily, with chemicals of a dubious nature.
Improved hygiene
Better sanitary conditions are a reason for falling levels of certain sorts of cancer as populations become westernized. Cancer of the liver is the best example here. There is increasing evidence that hepatitis  is an important factor in the production of liver cancer and this infection falls with improved personal and community hygiene. Greater personal hygiene in the West has also led to a reduced number of cancers of the penis.
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