Smoking Cancer and Smoking kills

SMOKING AND CANCER

Smoking today stands indicted as a significant factor in many types of cancer, most notably cancer of the lung. Most researchers believe that there are multiple causes, rather than some single cause, for cancer. 

Many believe that certain human cancers will be proved to be due to viruses which already are known to produce some cancers in animals. No matter what the cause may be, the basic cancer process involves a change in DNA or RNA, chemicals that are part of the reproductive mechanism of cells.

As a result of the change, the cells no longer reproduce in orderly fashion but divide rapidly and, upon dividing, each cell may produce three or more new cells instead of the normal two. Whether a virus is the cause or chemical disturbances are involved, the effect is upon the cell reproductive system. 

And many contributory factors may open the way for cancer by disturbing the balance between viruses and cells or by upsetting chemical processes in cells. Thus, sun- light, soot, and other irritating substances are known to be factors in provoking skin cancer; radiation is known to be involved in leukemia; and cigarette smoke in lung cancer.

Lung cancer today is the leading cause of death from malignancy in the United States. Before World War I, 371 deaths in the United States were attributed to lung cancer. By 1940, there were 7,121; by 1950, 18,313; by 1960, 36,420; and recently the rate has reached 55,300 a year. The increase has been epidemic in its proportions. The association between smoking and lung cancer has been established by many studies. 

One of the largest involved a follow-up of more than one million men and women for a four year period. The study determined that the risk of dying from lung cancer for men aged 35 to 84 who smoke less than a pack a day is 6 times as great, and' for men smoking

Smoking more packs 16 times as great, as for nonsmokers. 

Vacations as a relaxation tecnique

VACATIONS

Vacations are not luxuries; they are necessities. From the viewpoint of big business, the chairman of the board of a major corporation not long ago remarked: "We regard the rest period as a vital component of a year's total work situation, and I constantly remind our people that they II t' not scoring points with the corporation by refusing to take their valuations. 

Physicians have observed that non-vacation-takers often are plagued by poor mental and physical health, family conflict, and inefficient work performance. A consultant in psychiatry and neurology at one of the largest corporations in the country recently reported that "Between 85 and 90 percent of the problems that psychiatrists see at work are the results of off-the-job troubles, and many of these could at least be lessened by more frequent recreation and regular vacations."

For both man and woman, a proper vacation is important for both physical and mental health. And the essence of a proper vacation, at least for most people, is a complete change from the usual routine. It is possible to stay home and have vacation-doing things in the garden, the workshop, and the library, going to ball games, golf links, theater, and beach. 

This can save money and avoid some of the frustrations and disappointments sometimes involved in going away. But generally you can have a better and more rewarding time by going away; a complete change of scene and of people usually helps to improve morale. Should a family vacation together or separately? There is no hard-and-Last rule.

If tastes differ markedly, the family that is together all year long may well profit most by taking separate vacations. When tastes are much the same, the joint vacation may be more enjoyable. And there are families who enjoy vacations on the basis of compromise, doing this year what one member enjoys most, next year what another does. 

There are no clear-cut guidelines for how long a vacation should last. For some people, a two to four-week vacation once a year works well. More and more now, there is a trend toward dividing up vacation periods find taking two or more vacations a year. This, too, has its advantages on many people. 

Sports as relaxation tecniques-football, bowling, for american men and women

SPORTS

 if properly chosen, with the advice of your physician as to suitability in terms of your health, sports can be relaxing and at the same time can contribute to your physical well-being. Too many young people become proficient only in sports that cannot be carried into later life. 

Football, baseball, basketball, crew, and track may be too strenuous in the middle and later years or require too many participants. A busy adult with job and family responsibilities rarely has time to set up a neighborhood football or baseball game. But such activities as swimming, golf, tennis, handball, canoeing, hiking, badminton, squash racquets, horseback riding, skating, cycling, bowling, rowing, and swimming can be carried into middle and later life. They can be mentally relaxing, physically stimulating, require only one or two people, lend them to weekend relaxation.

Married couples can enjoy them together; children can participate in them. Many of these activities can be taken up at any time of life. Badminton, for example, is popular because it can be played with pleasure by beginner as well as expert, the court is relatively small, the player does not have to cover so much ground, yet the fast action builds wind, strengthens leg and shoulder muscles, and provides a feeling of exhilaration. Canoeing, rowing, and sailing in season provide healthful, relaxing outdoor exercise.

Millions of Americans bowl

Bowling exercises the muscles of arms, shoulders, and back. And although it is not vigorous enough to offer more than mild exercise of heart and lungs, it is suitable for people of all ages and for many for whom other sports may be too vigorous. Bicycling, before the automobile made it dangerous, was once the most popular recreational activity.

It is now becoming increasingly popular again as cycle paths appear. While it exercises the leg muscles principally, it does provide some workout for back and shoulders, and is excel- lent for building endurance. Golf, enjoyed by millions, primarily provides walking exercise, with the average golfer covering about six miles on an 18-hole course. 

Some five million Americans now play handball. Many modern playgrounds include a cement court with one wall; many gyms have four-wall handball facilities. Handball develops both speed and endurance, while also strengthening leg and shoulder muscles. Roller skating maintains its popularity.

Ice skating has increased in popularity as indoor ice rinks have become more common and made the sport an all-season one. Skating provides exercise similar to, but less vigorous than, running. Such four-wall court games as squash racquets, squash tennis, racquets, and paddle racquets enjoy popularity because they are fast, emphasize skill, and can be played year-round. 

They are excellent conditioners for both men and women. About seven million Americans play some version of tennis on grass, lay, wooden, or composition courts indoors and out. Tennis provides good conditioning activity if regularly, played. Agility is essential for competitive tennis; the game can be modified and played even by the elderly.