6 chapters across the catalog
President Trump issues several proclamations for the month of April, including Cancer Control Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The proclamation for National Financial Capability Month is highlighted as a potential signal for reduced government safety nets.
Presidential Proclamations, April 2015 Awareness Months
President Barack Obama issued several proclamations for April 2015, designating it as National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The administration also highlighted National Donate Life Month, noting that 123,000 Americans currently require organ transplants. A shift in terminology was noted regarding National Cancer Control Month, focusing on disease management and preventative lifestyle choices rather than a primary focus on a cure.
Angelina Jolie wrote an op-ed in the New York Times about her decision to have her ovaries removed following a previous preventative double mastectomy. Jolie carries the BRCA1 gene mutation, which increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. The hosts describe this trend of "preventative" surgery as a form of "self-mutilation" and question the medical ethics of removing healthy organs based on genetic probability.
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month prompts a discussion on the risks and benefits of preventative screenings like colonoscopies. Concerns are raised regarding hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA and the "dark ages" of modern medicine. Reference is made to Warren Buffet's reported skepticism of certain medical interventions for the elderly.
Cruciferous Vegetables, Cancer Prevention and Digestive Issues
New research suggests that eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale can significantly reduce lung cancer risk in smokers. However, the hosts discuss the side effect of intestinal gas, which one host attributes to the use of nitrogen fertilizers in non-organic farming.
Patient Protection Affordable Care Act, Vaccine Mandates, Pharma Profits
An analysis of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act suggests the legislation mandates coverage for vaccines recommended by industry-connected panels. The discussion links new screening guidelines for mammograms and pap smears to the development of new vaccines, such as those for breast cancer. The hosts argue that the medical industry is shifting from treatment to high-profit "prevention" through immunization.
