Cancer is basically a collective noun for a wide range of disease/illness that involves de-formation and/or mutation of normal cell growth, and continues to be a chronic health issue for Regional South Australians.
Life on the land is not the pristine pastime that I as a cityboy had in mind when I moved to the South East; one of the first things that struck me were the levels of pollution and almost total environmental degridation.
There are multiple 'industrial' components to farming that don't get a guernsey in the pantheon of Australian iconography about the Aussie farmer. Chemicals used for weed and/or parasite control, supplements for pasture health, machinery maintenance and operation, etc, all can have health affects either singly or in combination.
Industry is as much a polluter in the country as it is in the 'burbs. Groundwater contamination is a major concern, usually admitted to by authorities only when the truth is un-avoidable. Even then they try, eg, Coal Seam Gas 'Fracking' where un-tested chemicals are forced underground obviously contaminating water tables to the extent that locals can 'light' their tap water it is so pollouted with gas and/or chemical fumes, and testers merely driving by can detect massive increases in methane levels at 'Fracking' sites.
Despite these obvious problems, governments and developers continuely deny that there is any problem.
It occurs to me what a paradise this area must have been before the 'plague of Western civilisation' descended upon it; permanent groundwater, a temperate climate, and god knows how much wildlife. Find yourself a good vantage point, half close youe eyes, and try to picture Mt Gambier without the roads and fences and litter and derelict buildings and other assorted detritus....beautiful.
Then open your eyes and have a look at the reality.
As per previous posts, I have 'officially' survived skin cancer when only 29, and have had several moles removed over the years. The two removed in 1995 were described to me as 'regressed malignant melanoma' which I took to mean there was no problem; they had started to go 'cancerous' but had 'healed themselves'.
Basically, because I had stopped any sunbaking, etc, my body's natural systems had managed to repair the damage, however I don't know how common this is. I do know that one of the critical actors with skin cancer is the repeated damage that does not allow repair.
Apologies...Interweb dropping out and just lost half post...
Point: In cooler climates rates of skin cancer are often higher because people don't feel the need to wear hats, sunblock. etc. Farmers naturally spend a lot of time outside and must please take every precaution, eg, heavy brimmed hats, high collars, full sleeves and gloves, etc.
When working with chemicals always use maximum protection and follow safety guidelines, etc.
Uncomfortable? Inconvenient? Worth putting up with so as to avoid cancer?
Feral Plants: Another issue that tied in nicely with chemicals and my naivety about rural South Australia.
Pest plant control is a state wide responsibility for every citizen and should be a priority in food production and environmental protection.
The Blue Lake looks 'natural', but how many of those trees aren't feral pines or olives...not many. The same goes for many roadside reserves that are increasingly over-run with feral vines, etc.
To conclude: health of the environment is critical for our health, and the health of rual Australians is vital to the wellbeing of the entire nation.
If and when chemicals are used, think of the health of all concerned; the farmer, the farm, and the environment...and hassle your relatives and friends to look after themselves.
Sorry will finish and post while I can.
Tomorrow: Jack Shanks PATS
That charming chunk of bilge scum, Jack Snelling, is not going to improve the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme by correctly funding it, but by 're-distributing' the woeful funding it currently gets.
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