It's been all over the newspapers and news-shows--cancer deaths have dropped 2.1%!!!! Wow--time to buy a lollipop! What they don't tell you is that cancer deaths have dropped because of an increase in finding early colorectal cancers. See, when the media prints and discusses any kind of study, fellow Alchemists, you must remain skeptical. While general cancer deaths have dropped, the number of cancer diagnoses is on the rise--but you won't find that as a footnote on any news article. You want the truth? Go to the statistics listed on the American Cancer Society website. But only if you, or someone you know and love, doesn't have cancer--otherwise, you'll be very depressed.
Statistics are tricky--their best use is to get attention, however, sometimes that attention is then misdirected by the numbers. Probably why I like words better than numbers; everyone knows that words are meant to be deceptive--not so with numbers. Numbers have a hard and fast reputation for being solid, honest citizens...it's why there is such emphasis on them in these studies.
Well, duty knocks. Until next time, fellow Alchemists!
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