Jeff Bridges' Important Message
- Actor Jeff Bridges, 72, recently shared a message urging people to stop using single-use plastic materials, as they can harm both ourselves and the environment.
- Bridges was diagnosed with lymphoma in October 2020, and immediately went through treatment. He reached remission in September.
- There is no definite evidence to support that using plastic materials can cause cancer, but studies are being done in order to conclude whether there’s a link.
Partnering with Plastic Pollution Coalition, a global alliance dedicated to stopping the distribution of single-use plastic, Bridges shared an inspiring and informative video about the impact plastic materials have on the earth and on our overall health. According to the video, up to 700 bags of plastic materials are used everyday by each American, and these bags ultimately end up in our oceans and landfills and cannot be decomposed. To decrease the use of plastic, Bridges is making sure everyone knows about its impact in our society.
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Bridges’ passion for this subject likely stems from the link between plastic materials and increased cancer risk. Bridges announced in October 2020 that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Bridges didn’t disclose what type of lymphoma he was diagnosed with, whether it was Hodgkin Lymphoma or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, but he kept fans up to date on his journey and progress. In September, Bridges joyfully announced that he had entered remission from the disease and that he plans to focus on recovering.
Link Between Plastic & Cancer Risk
It’s important to note that using plastic does not directly “cause” cancer, but studies are still being conducted whether there is a link between using these materials, such as plastic water bottles, and increased risk of a cancer diagnosis.
"The way the plastic chemicals work is they're referred to as endocrine disrupters, so they're not carcinogens in the traditional sense of causing mutation," Dr. Robert Wright, chair of the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at Mount Sinai, previously told SurvivorNet.
Related: Understanding the Environment's Role in Cancer Risk Diet, Exposure & Genetics
Endocrine refers to hormones and endocrine disrupters work by changing the way the hormones work. "So the ability of your body to respond appropriately to a damaged, mutated cell is affected," Dr. Wright explained. "So, endocrine disrupters can affect that part of your body's response and potentially increase your risk of cancer."
While there is no sure-fire answer yet about whether these single-use plastics cause cancer, Dr. Wright says that it’s a subject that’s being seriously studied in order to find evidence behind the myth.
Dr. Sagar Lonial explains how we can prioritize cancer prevention
Lymphoma: Explained
Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system, which begins in a specific kind of white blood cell called a lymphocyte, which are part of the body's lymphatic system. In cases of lymphoma, the lymphocytes multiply and build up in the lymph nodes and other tissues. As they multiply and create an abnormal number of white blood cells, it's more difficult for your immune system to launch an effective attack against invading germs leaving the body prone to infections and other illnesses.
The disease is broken up into two main categories: Hodgkin Lymphoma and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. When trying to find out which type you have, doctors will examine the white blood cells within the body. If they are unable to detect the Reed-Sternberg cell (a giant cell derived from B lymphocytes), then it is classified as non-Hodgkin. If the cells are present, then it is classified as Hodgkin.
Dr. Elise Chong explains why your type of lymphoma matters
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