@copyman I too often wonder at that - especially with my Italian heritage. But think back…
We ONLY had prosciutto and mozzarella ONCE a year on New Year’s eve; today, people eat it multiple times per week - and they’re not even Italian! Lasagna and manicotti - holidays only.
Also, our grandparents/parents ate a LOT if vegetables: escarole and beans, lentils and spinach, broccoli de rabe, cabbage and beans, lots of fresh tomatoes, chickory, walnuts and fruit after the meal…
I could go on and on, but you get the picture.
And yes, the wine flowed and the DiNobilis perfumed the air…and most of those relatives lived to be very old.
But our generation became more ‘americanized’ and we ate more processed foods just as a matter of course - many a baloney and American cheese sandwich was eaten by yours truly as a teen; more candy and sugary cereals were the norm since they were heavily advertised on Kids daytime TV…
So you and I are a long way from how are grandparents lived - especially with all the toxins, pollutants and carcinogens prevalent during our lives that our forbears never came across, right?
So YES, there are a variety of factors that influence the initiation and growth of any kind of cancer and I think it will get worse, unfortunately.
Look at the booming rise in colon cancer in the 40 year olds; and now look at the junk they put in their mouths! I mean, you can assemble a 5 course meal at the check out line in 7/11 and never have to use to stove!!
Call THAT eating??
Best,
Phil