The Impact Cancer Had on American Culture during the Late 1950s and Early 1960s - Research Paper Example

The most common symptoms of cancer are: fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of weight, night sweats and fever. Cancer is tested through chest x-ray, complete blood count, bone marrow biopsy, MRI scan among others. Treatment is through early diagnosis and treatment, removal of the abnormal cells, chemotherapy and radiation. Prevention of cancer can be done through regular exercise, healthy dieting, limiting alcohol and not smoking (Cantor 21). “The spread of cancer was facilitated by poliovirus vaccines that were used during the late 1950s and early 1960s and were contaminated with a monkey virus that is harmful to rodents and has been identified in some human cancers” (jnci.

oxfordjournals.org p.3).The monkey virus was discovered in 1960 and its effect on rodents in 1961 a year that American government demanded for uncontaminated poliovirus vaccine. Despite this the previous virus remained in the immunization program up to 1963. This immunization program targeted children between 5-9 years and pregnant mothers. 1961’s survey revealed that persons born between 1941 and 1961 had been vaccinated with the poliovirus vaccine especially those below the age of 20 years.

“The rate of exposure to the polluted vaccine decreased with increasing age” (jnci.oxfordjournals.org p 14). . Most Americans had embraced the culture of drinking and this led to the rapid spread of cancer. The introduction of radioactive skin cream and toothpaste has contributed to high cancer rates (Patterson 27). The African Americans were mostly affected by lung cancer as they had the highest rates of smoking (Patterson 15). They were exposed to agents that cause cancer in their jobs and had little or no information of exposure to environmental risks like the occupational exposure to smoke and chemicals in their places of work.

Their socioeconomic status was correlated to incidence of cancer as they had minimal access to good healthcare. Genetics also seem to have had a great impact on the spread of cancer. The reason was black people had a high level of generic cancer which still remains in the blood stream and thus can be passed on to other genetic relations. Cancer had a negative impact on the work force as it lowered the rate of production and had made healthcare expensive. “The Native Americans used chaparral as a herbal remedy for various illnesses but that was found to cause problems with the liver and kidney function”(www.cancer.org p 6).

In America, there was a high risk of colon cancer due to radiation exposure. This exposure was from the natural unavoidable sources of the environment. Traditional attitudes of the Native Americans about fear of a poor prognosis, male gender roles and their lack of trust with the medical community and inadequate health insurance made them participate less in screenings. The African American men were not comfortable with rectal examinations and were afraid of the sexual side effects of treatment of cancer as they thought they would be unable to