Cancer

In the past year or so, you may have heard of a vaccine by the name of Gardisil. It is manufactured by Merck for the prevention of the Human Papillomavirus or HPV. Certain types of HPV have been found to be associated with oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma, a form of throat cancer and genital wart cases. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer which is the second leading cause of death from cancer world-wide and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in developing countries.

Here is the controversy and of course TX is involved: Gov. Rick Perry issued an executive order in 2007 that required Gardisil to be given to all school girls entering sixth grade, beginning September 2008. This led to an upheaval for many parents who felt that the states were intervening on their constitutional rights.

On the ethical and moral side of things, what kind of message does it send when schools are vaccinating children for diseases that are primarily contracted through sexual contact? For some, it is in the same boat as Nurse Ratchett handing out packs of birth control to your 11-yr old daughter. I am all for preventative care...but I am not sure this method was on the agenda?!? But before you get upset: In April of 2007, the Texas legislature overruled this mandate until at least 2011.

Bossa Nova

If you know anything about music, you know that Bossa Nova is the musical heart and pulse of Brazil. But now, the Bossa Nova Beverage Group has bottled and produced a lovely array of juices that are made from the antioxidant packed berry, the Açai (ah-sci-ee). According to the website "it is a rainforest berry - a small, dark purple fruit that grows on palm trees on the floodplains of the Amazon basin. Recent scientific study has earned it the enviable title of “world’s healthiest fruit” in part, because it is likely to be the world’s highest antioxidant fruit. "

I personally drink about 2 of these a day. At first the taste was a little hard to get used to but now I love it. It has a similar taste and consistency to grape juice (not soda).

Relevance to cancer- All over the media we are hearing about antioxidants with phrases such as "free radicals," "oxidation," and "age-defying." But what does this really mean? Antioxidants are poised as one of the best natural fighters for premature aging, heart disease, CANCER, and Alzheimer's disease by stabilizing free radicals. Free radicals, in simple terms, are unstable atoms or molecules present in the body that can cause damage to cells, protein and DNA. These radicals can enter into your skin and body through increased exposure to the sun and pollution. So grab a bottle of Bossa Nova! (it's not cheap though).