tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post5494386039949408962..comments2023-05-19T13:43:33.131+02:00Comments on LLanito World: Citizens' Rights and the GSD GovernmentLlanito World-Robert Vasquezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03683191110402987525noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-42628820791615659072011-01-24T14:41:12.719+01:002011-01-24T14:41:12.719+01:00What are 'normal'incidence rates for any d...What are 'normal'incidence rates for any disease? What are the acceptable incidence rates for you? That question is difficult to answer by anyone. We all wish our cancer levels were practically zero, however that is not realistic. Cancer levels are rising within the industrialised world due to a combination of genetics, lifestyle, pollutants and hormones; the combinations are highly complex (see Epid Study and Breakthrough website). <br /><br />Today's article in 'the Telegraph' on UK breast cancer rates identify alcohol (increases sex hormones), being overweight(oestrogen stored in fat), doing less exercise (exercise reduces oestrogen levels in the body) and more affluence (more women are on HRT) are all related to oestrogen levels which can trigger breast cancer.<br /><br />We concur and agree we must not become complacent about our 1 in 8/9 rate and we always advise women to lead healthier lives (when we give them talks): lose weight, do exercise, drink less alcohol, eat less fat and eat more fruit and veg as these will also increase their wellbeing and general health. <br /><br />However many high risk women do not get breast cancer and vice versa. <br /><br />1 in 9 is the rate for breast cancer in women in the UK, a figure we have always used and is reflected now in this study for Gibraltar. We use the UK as a benchmark (and have done so historically) for all medical treatments, incidence rates and success rates, that is our point of reference.<br /><br />Cancer charities and related organisations are researching and studying potential causes, effects and outcomes as we speak. We are certainly living longer and surviving cancer more successfully; it is the increasing of survivability that has and can be a reality, moreso than reducing the risk of contracting it. Better screening, improved treatment and greater awareness are key.<br /><br />When Breast Cancer Care comes back to us with their view Llanita, I will revert to you via this medium. However please see end of Telegraph article for cancer charities' expert opinion in reaction to news.Isobelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-34558287258538447562011-01-24T00:21:39.230+01:002011-01-24T00:21:39.230+01:00Llanita from Gibraltar says...
Isobel, thanks for...Llanita from Gibraltar says...<br /><br />Isobel, thanks for all the information above, but as I said in my reply to you before, the facts and figures speak for themselves and your position was already stated very clearly in your GBC interview last week. <br /><br />I don't doubt the actual figures at all whatsoever - after all, they are from an independent source. My doubts lie with the advice issued by the government, and also by yourself, that breast-cancer rates in Gibraltar are 'normal' and that we shouldn't worry, especially as the ESG remain unconvinced. <br /><br />Perhaps we will have to wait for further clarification until both the ESG's health advisers and, on your part, Breast Cancer Care UK, have had a chance to study the report.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-26581742401200736232011-01-23T22:40:15.315+01:002011-01-23T22:40:15.315+01:00Thank you IsobelThank you IsobelLlanito World-Robert Vasquezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03683191110402987525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-71848423321384256542011-01-23T22:38:49.802+01:002011-01-23T22:38:49.802+01:00PART 2
“It is thought to take many years for most...PART 2<br /><br />“It is thought to take many years for most breast cancers to develop and it is very difficult to work out what chemicals women with breast cancer have been exposed to over 10, 20 or even 30 years before their breast cancer is detected. It is also hard to isolate the effects of individual chemicals on breast cancer risk when we are exposed to low levels of thousands of chemicals during our lifetime. Breast cancer is likely to be caused by many factors and we don’t know how the complex interactions between an individual’s lifestyle, environment and genes contribute to breast cancer development. It may not be possible to unravel the effects of any one particular chemical from the rest of these factors or other chemicals we may be exposed to.” And this I mentioned during my GBC radio interview at the time.<br /><br />Also, there is not real link between breast cancer and lifestyle choices either (as the Chief Minister said in his interview to GBC); there are only three ABSOLUTE risk factors (see below):<br /><br />ABSOLUTE RISK – being a woman, older age (80% of breast cancers are as a result of exposure to oestrogen for longer, therefore period, menopause, having children, breast feeding, HRT all have effect); 5-10% of breast cancer are due to one of three faulty breast cancer genes (Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity has a higher rate of two of the faulty genes)<br />RELATIVE RISK – post-menopausal overweight (oestrogen produced from androgens in fat cells); excess alcohol increases breast cancer recurrence (increases sex hormones)<br />DEBATABLE RISK (requires more research) – eating fatty foods; Oral Contraceptive pill; stress; medical radiation; night shift/less sleep (reduces protective hormone melatonin)<br />NO RISK – smoking; deodorants; eating dairy; lipsticks; water in plastic bottles; shaving underarms; underwire bras; bruising to the breast<br /><br />Nobody is suggesting we do not carefully examine the study, and that the ESG stop the sterling work they do (I am a member and help out for CUTW), but I believe that there is nothing to worry about immediately. It is still important for the ESG to continue to pressure for our right to breath clean air and to raise awareness about pollutants in the environment, such as that caused by local traffic, shipping, generators and Cepsa flaring. We will always welcome research and monitoring of the health of our population, and if this epidemiological study will instigate further study and awareness of cancer (and other respiratory diseases) in Gibraltar, that is positive.<br /><br />We, as a cancer charity, have a responsibility to give unambiguous and honest information, as Llanita pointed out, it is our health and we deserve to be told the truth, to the best of our ability. We therefore refer to experts in the UK and give out the scientifically proven facts as they are discovered (see ‘risk’ list above and check charity websites). <br /><br />To further investigate breast cancer in Gibraltar, only genetic testing and profiling, and oestrogen level monitoring would give a true picture of patterns of breast cancer incidence in Gibraltar. This would be hugely expensive and prove difficult to conduct. For now, the most important thing is for women to be breast aware, to check themselves regularly to know what is normal for them so they are confident to detect any changes, and to go to their GPs straight away with concerns. Early diagnosis and new treatments successfully treat 80% of breast cancers, so above all, please attend mammography screening when invited as part of Gibraltar’s new Breast Screening Programme. <br /><br />Please contact me if you want to meet for a chat or need further information.Isobel Ellul-Hammondnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-13065875307891842332011-01-23T22:37:08.482+01:002011-01-23T22:37:08.482+01:00PART 1
The epidemiological study (which I have re...PART 1<br /><br />The epidemiological study (which I have read Fussy Fellows) was commissioned to establish whether Gibraltar is a high-risk community for cancer and whether there was an increased rate for a certain type of cancer linked to environmental pollutants (plus other related questions). <br />On the face of it, the results speak for themselves; we believe the figures are valid and reliable and that the study was conducted by reputable and independent epidemiologists from Aarhus University in Denmark. <br /><br />The answers to the above study objectives are basically “no” (please read the study, or at least the conclusion, for these answers as they are too long to quote here). We are relieved that “Gibraltar is not a high-risk community for cancer” and that even though “breast cancer is in the upper centiles among EU countries...elevated compared to the rest of the EU, but still within the normal range”. According to the chart on page 74, this means that breast cancer rates are about 1 in 8/9 women (it is 1 in 9 in the UK), a figure our charity has assumed and worked with these last four years. If the epidemiological report had concluded breast cancer rates in Gibraltar were 1 in 5/6, then we would be concerned and have more questions to ask.<br /> <br /> A point on the breast cancer bar chart on page 74 of the report which shows the EU countries’ average incidence rates: even though Gibraltar may register near the top for breast cancer, cancer data for different European countries are gathered in different ways and may not be methodologically comparable (see page 89 of the report for their view)? Some figures are gathered as incidence data (real time) such as us, UK, Denmark; others are mortality data (at death) such as Greece, Spain (only 20% of breast cancers end in death); other countries gather regional incidence data and average for their country; and other countries have no data (the average from their neighbouring countries is used).<br /><br />We understand that questions still remain regarding airborne pollutants and their potential effect on breast cancer, which is why we have sent the report to ‘Breast Cancer Care’ UK for their expert opinion (as I mentioned on GBC). The ESG claim to know otherwise and we would certainly wish to know who the ESG’s breast cancer public health advisors are and the reasons why they are not reassured by the results from the study. Our experts are ‘Breast Cancer Care’, ‘Breakthrough Breast Cancer’, ‘Cancer Research’ and ‘Macmillan Cancer Bacup’ (please refer to their websites and type in “breast cancer risk” for further clarification). We totally agree with the ESG that reassurance comes from knowing “that all cancer levels are low to zero within the EU or global range”, but the reality is that cancer is very real and “the global burden of cancer is increasing, especially in the developed world” (page 5 of report). <br /><br />Let me explain breast cancer risk: as far as the abovementioned cancer charities are concerned, there is no reliable, proven correlation between chemicals in our environment and breast cancer incidence. Any high presence of pollutants in the Gibraltar atmosphere would maybe have shown in an increase in respiratory and digestive tract cancers (page 87 of report) but that is not the case according to the report. There are neither high levels of carcinogens nor high levels of these cancers according to the study, so why would the pollutants then increase levels of breast cancer? Let me quote from ‘Breakthrough Breast Cancer’, which is constantly reviewing data and conducting research on breast cancer:Isobelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-76647208200697659432011-01-23T16:32:40.510+01:002011-01-23T16:32:40.510+01:00Fussy Fellows
Things may become clearer soon but ...Fussy Fellows<br /><br />Things may become clearer soon but not now or in this forum.Llanito World-Robert Vasquezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03683191110402987525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-18258800407019966562011-01-23T16:30:17.483+01:002011-01-23T16:30:17.483+01:00Llanita 15:58
I believe Isobel to be an exemplar...Llanita 15:58 <br /><br />I believe Isobel to be an exemplary member of our society and an extremely likeable person, yet I concur on all counts!<br /><br />The ESG findings should not be taken lightly.<br /><br />KKaelan Joycenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-74684115218860716622011-01-23T16:30:15.473+01:002011-01-23T16:30:15.473+01:00In which case, I hope that your resignation does n...In which case, I hope that your resignation does not acquiesce their right to question your political independence.Fussy Fellowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05172504329317674843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-54189870878381440432011-01-23T15:58:52.534+01:002011-01-23T15:58:52.534+01:00Llanita from Gibraltar says...
Isobel many thanks...Llanita from Gibraltar says...<br /><br />Isobel many thanks for the offer but its not a case of you personally allaying my fears, the facts and figures speak for themselves. You have set your position out very clearly, or so you seemed to on GBC the other day. The ESG, on the otherhand don't seem to agree with you - perhaps you need to speak to them, instead of me.<br />Once again, I repeat, your charity does sterling work and I am well aware of the help you give breast-cancer sufferers behind the scenes. However, the ESG is just as passionate about their cause as you are about yours so they cannot be dismissed, hacin por la cara!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-23266052055372813892011-01-23T15:52:23.845+01:002011-01-23T15:52:23.845+01:00Fussy Fellows
As a matter of constitutional righ...Fussy Fellows<br /><br />As a matter of constitutional rights and law, no, the restrictions applicable to public officers and civil servants do not apply to members of the FSC.Llanito World-Robert Vasquezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03683191110402987525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-58893865464295431652011-01-23T15:48:05.255+01:002011-01-23T15:48:05.255+01:00And by the way Llanita, if you call me, I promise ...And by the way Llanita, if you call me, I promise to keep your pseudonym a secret.<br />IsobelIsobel Ellul-Hammondnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-29977014317962891192011-01-23T15:46:41.139+01:002011-01-23T15:46:41.139+01:00Llanita, call our charity mobile 58008944, who wil...Llanita, call our charity mobile 58008944, who will give you my mobile number, and call me. I will explain our situation and hope to allay your fears.<br />Isobel Ellul-HammondIsobel Ellul-Hammondnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-72950661828169661472011-01-23T15:44:35.704+01:002011-01-23T15:44:35.704+01:00Ref the epidemiological study - I do not believe I...Ref the epidemiological study - I do not believe Isobel had read the report at the time of the interview, save perhaps for the Executive Summary and this was made obvious during her responses to the interviewers questions. <br />Had she read the report she would have realised that for Breast Cancer, Gibraltar is 7th worst in the whole of Europe and that this is only based on 5 years worth of data! <br />Had she read the report she would have also been alarmed to know of the presence of 3 major contributing carcinogenic substances which we are breathing into our lungs on a daily basis which are as yet not quantified.<br /><br />I would go further and say that her opinion was misinformed as it was based solely on the wishy washy, 'drive a truck through' statement which the CM clutched onto which was that Cancer rates in Gib are within the European norm. The Norm is High!<br />The ESG on the otherhand avoided any off the cuff statements and had the report analysed by their experts before they gave a statement, for me it is very clear who to believe.Fussy Fellowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05172504329317674843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-57384282238866399802011-01-23T15:13:50.183+01:002011-01-23T15:13:50.183+01:00Please excuse typo - meant anonymity and not animo...Please excuse typo - meant anonymity and not animosity (damn spellcheck lololol)Kaelan Joycenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-13115533798388823252011-01-23T15:12:01.935+01:002011-01-23T15:12:01.935+01:00On the subject of whether pedestrians will be perm...On the subject of whether pedestrians will be permitted to cross the runway or not - This is not only critical to Gibraltar's ability to become a Civil Aviation Authority, thereby allowing for the transfer of control from the RAF but equally it may also be a compelling issue for the UK to allow, should they wish to, the future removal of the RAF presence in Gibraltar, being one of the joint sovereignty Red Lines for the UK. I say keep pedestrians walking across at all costs!<br /><br />I am sorry to hear of your resignation from the FSC. It is ironic that only a couple of blogs ago we discussed Code of Conduct for Civil Servants (holding a public seat) and the rules regarding expression of personal views critical of the Government of the day. <br />Did you not think this applied to you too? <br /><br />Politics here is very divisive, at times even between families. Ultimately it is a reminder to everyone that in a place like Gibraltar there is a cost to pay for speaking one's mind.Fussy Fellowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05172504329317674843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-33840806206148236652011-01-23T13:06:24.538+01:002011-01-23T13:06:24.538+01:00Llanita from Gibraltar says...
furthermore, Rober...Llanita from Gibraltar says...<br /><br />furthermore, Robert, I have an enormous respect for the sterling work Isobel and her charity have done both for sufferers of breast cancer, past, present and future, and for raising awareness in the community. I also have as much respect for Janet Howitt from the ESG, though - so I don't quite know who to turn to at this point in time!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-21853627851858444142011-01-23T12:57:41.717+01:002011-01-23T12:57:41.717+01:00Llanita from Gibraltar says...
Robert I couldn...Llanita from Gibraltar says...<br /><br />Robert I couldn't agree with you more! However, read for yourself what the ESG has to say in both the Chronicle and the Panorama online, the latter going into more detail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-23947175175939388952011-01-23T12:57:12.821+01:002011-01-23T12:57:12.821+01:00Llanita
I have not looked into the epidemiologica...Llanita<br /><br />I have not looked into the epidemiological study or the ESG's report but I would find it impossible to believe that anyone would misinform about this issue nor is there anything to be gained by this. The study was carried out by a renowned independent organisation. Surely we must believe it and not let rumour and uninformed opinion colour our views on this issue?Llanito World-Robert Vasquezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03683191110402987525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-48214632174842323442011-01-23T12:56:03.900+01:002011-01-23T12:56:03.900+01:00Llanita from Gibraltar says...
Robert its sad tha...Llanita from Gibraltar says...<br /><br />Robert its sad that you have had to resign from the FSC but I trust some good will come of it, time will tell. Along with many others, I await to see how this unfolds over the next few weeks.<br /><br />You write about Citizen's rights, this week we've seen the epidemiological study come out and, we have been told 'not to worry' by both the Chief Minister and Isobel Ellul-Hammond .<br /><br />As a citizen, and a female one at that, I hope I am not being misinformed - this is my health after all and I believe I have the right to be told the truth and not fobbed off i.<br /><br />Reading the ESG's report, though, I am growing increasingly sceptical and becoming very worried indeed!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-28244089694017486032011-01-23T00:39:18.674+01:002011-01-23T00:39:18.674+01:00Fred says:
Robert, I am sorry to hear about your ...Fred says:<br /><br />Robert, I am sorry to hear about your resignation from the FSC. I am sure that you will give your reasons in due course.<br /><br />I am certain that others within the FSC have more to worry about as regards political impartiality than you have, and I am not thinking just of allegiances to political parties in Gib.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-22178751592644256392011-01-22T21:13:21.030+01:002011-01-22T21:13:21.030+01:00Robert I am very sorry to hear about your FSC resi...Robert I am very sorry to hear about your FSC resignation. A courageous move none the less.<br /><br />Anon 16:05/17:13<br /><br />I believe you to be either very naïve, very stupid or not who you say you are. <br /><br />Demasiao “students” and “apoliticals" ay aqui escondiendose detra de cloaks of animosity comiendole el Culo al CM.<br /><br />Te cuento el cuento de la Buena pepita?? Pero que se creen que todos los hemos caido de un arbol? Or que pasa? Lolololol Cracks!!!<br /><br />I will enlighten you the same way I enlightened Mr. Jamie Trinidad via my rebuttal to his “My Opinion” piece.<br /><br />Article 43 (1) of the Andorra constitution states the following: <br />“In accordance with the institutional tradition of Andorra, the Co-princes are, jointly and indivisibly, the Cap de l'Estat, and they assume its highest representation.” Please note the words, jointly, indivisibly and highest representation. When put in layman’s terms this means that even though the Sovereignty of Andorra is vested with the people of Andorra the Co-princes will have the final say in all matters. Furthermore the aforementioned article cannot be altered as it is part of the very foundation on which the Andorra constitution was built upon. <br />The CM PROPOSED it!! Let us note that there is a BIG difference between responding to such a proposal and making the proposal oneself! The CM cannot retract on what was said (and recorded). You have viewed the video numerous times right (or so you claim)? Then you MUST have also heard him say the following, “una propuesta para Gibraltar, que es un problema para todos en cierta medida, seria un estatus como Andorra”, “Yo incluso no lo veria impossible RECOMENDARSELO al pueblo de Gibraltar”. He should NEVER have said that! He had no right! We DO NOT want to be Spanish, be it 50% or 2 %!! We VOTED we said NO! Why the need to call a referendum have we not been clear enough? <br />Read between the lines my misguided friend something is NOT right.<br />Additionally even if the Andorra “solution” does not mean joint sovereignty (which it does) don’t you think it somewhat precarious to have a PRINCE from a nation that claims we are “rightly theirs?? <br /><br />As for democratic deficits it is clear there are many even GSD supporters have admitted this is so. You excuse this with the inexcusable though. You cannot state (in my opinion)that having democratic deficits is fine as long as the CM has “tried” to tackle them. It is this type of apathetic attitude that infuriates me! This is not fine! If he cannot produce the type of results that the PEOPLE want then he should not be in office. It is as plain as simple as that. Should the public (via their taxes) pay a police man who “tries” but does not uphold the law? Or a Fireman who “tries” but does not put out fires?? Or a Computer expert who “tries” but cannot fix computers? You get PAID to do your job. If you can’t do it then you should be fired.<br /><br />KKaelan Joycenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-26714886957831018642011-01-22T19:55:34.686+01:002011-01-22T19:55:34.686+01:00Anon at 15:45 para con los misterio leshe! Do you ...Anon at 15:45 para con los misterio leshe! Do you mean "55" in Main Street or 55 Line Wall Road? Robert ha creau mushisimo enemigo a la veje por que dise lo ke piensa y eso no le gusta a los manadamese and the powers to been. Mind I don't agree agree with many things that Robert says but in a DEMOCRACY we all have a right to be wrong. I think the FSC thing is a storm in a tea pot como dise mi prima Rita and that come Monday it will all be hugs and kises and all OK por que Dios los cria y ellos se juntan. Dale duro Robert y amino que todos estamos detras tuya. Viva Vasquez!!!!!!!!....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-92009646118529685532011-01-22T17:31:34.172+01:002011-01-22T17:31:34.172+01:00Anon14:05. I think we have enough with ghost singi...Anon14:05. I think we have enough with ghost singing that tune don't you? Surely there are no more of you. Or are there, could it really be possible that team GSLP are on yet another delusional road of hype thanks to the one and only Robert V? But only to have others like you spoil their vision thing of absolutely nothing, other change because Caruana has been there too long. Oh and the buses, ah y el constitution, pero eso ta cool ya. Y las puertas del Cumberland, y la economia que apparentemente se a ido al pique, pero todavia no Los hemos enterao. Lo de Los cruise ships, hay mas que en el 96 o no?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-19005275945759174732011-01-22T17:25:46.318+01:002011-01-22T17:25:46.318+01:00Anon at 1605h...you say you are a student, and I t...Anon at 1605h...you say you are a student, and I take it you are young then, unless you are a matue student. <br /><br />If you are a young student, you have probably not "worked" in gibraltar other than perhaps the odd Summer / weekend job. When you return to Gib and get into full time employment, no matter if it is with the Private Sector, please come back and tell us if you feel the same way. <br /><br />Also, you mention than anyone can visit the CM. True and Yes, positive. But it says a lot when you have to visit the CM for a metter not related to his Office because he has decided HE will be the one deciding despite there already being a highly paid Minister / head of dept. detailed with that specific responsibility.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2247742529089642474.post-50733196952081262212011-01-22T17:20:30.135+01:002011-01-22T17:20:30.135+01:00Anonymous at 16:05 and 17:13
Thank you but improv...Anonymous at 16:05 and 17:13<br /><br />Thank you but improvement is possible.<br /><br />On Andorra a CM cannot make throw away remarks like that and absolve himself of responsibility by hiding behind a referendum. If he supports such a proposal and he said "possibly" he may he has to stand by it and take political responsibility for it.<br /><br />I don't want to start the whole Andorra argument again ... flogged to death already!Llanito World-Robert Vasquezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03683191110402987525noreply@blogger.com