The U.S. government's Institute of Medicine reported that asbestos, which is accepted as a cause of a number of respiratory ailments including lung cancer, may also be a source for laryngeal cancer. The larynx produces the sound of your voice. Each year in the United States, more than 10,000 people learn they have larynx cancer. Men are four times more likely than women to get cancer of the larynx. Occupational related issues are certainly a factor with mechanics, construction, and other jobs that handle asbestos.

A series of studies have found that certain cancers of the throat and lungs are similar, so the U.S. Senate asked the institute to investigate a potential link between asbestos and other upper-body cancers. Asbestos is also linked to mesothelioma which is a rare cancer that attacks the lining of the chest.

Smokers and smokers that drink alcohol are even more at risk to develop cancer of the larynx. Symptoms of larynx cancer are hoarseness or other voice changes,lump in the neck, a sore throat or feeling that something is stuck in your throat, a cough that does not go away, breathing problems, bad breath, earaches, and weight loss.

Secondhand smoke rears its ugly head once again -- this time in the form of study results revealing high levels of secondhand smoke in the workplace can double the risk of lung cancer for non-smokers.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago looked at results from 22 studies conducted in the United States, Canada, Europe, India, Japan, and China. What they found -- and published in the American Journal of Public Health -- is a lung cancer risk 50 percent higher than normal for non-smokers exposed to smoke on the job for more than 30 years. They also found risk increases with level of exposure.

"We believe that our study provides the strongest evidence to date that smoking in the workplace does present a substantial risk to workers -- and particularly to workers who are working in highly exposed areas such as bar workers or restaurant workers," lead researcher Leslie Stayner said.

Previous evidence for increased lung cancer risk caused by secondhand smoke comes from studies of non-smokers married to smokers.

Secondhand smoke -- also known as passive smoke and environmental tobacco smoke -- is smoke from a cigarette, pipe, or cigar as well as smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers and inhaled by non-smokers. It can cause cancer, respiratory problems, and asthma in non-smokers and is leading to increased efforts by communities to ban or limit smoking in the workplace.

This week in France, bans begin in offices, stores, schools, and hospitals. Come January 2008, cafes and restaurants must also comply with bans. For now, smoking in these areas is permitted in hermetically sealed rooms without any services.

I could eat pesto on just about everything. As a spread on warm bread, sauce over meats, drizzled over salads and into soups, and on pasta. So some good news for all you pesto lovers because it is extremely healthy aiding in digestion and boosting the immune system. It is good for gout, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, and your respiratory system. Some studies show that basil is a cancer preventative herb. It also helps people with diabetes because it can lower blood sugar levels and aid insulin release. 

One ounce of fresh basil leaves has 12 calories.  It provides 0.9 g protein, 0.3 g fat, 2 g carbohydrates, 91 mg calcium, 0.3 mg iron, approximately 12,380 IU vitamin A and 8 mg vitamin C.  One teaspoon ground basil has 4 calories.  It provides 0.2 g protein, a trace of fat, 0.9 g carbohydrates, 30 mg calcium, 0.6 mg iron, 131 IU vitamin A and 0.9 mg vitamin C.

Vicki's Pesto Sauce
4 cups fresh basil leaves
4 large garlic cloves
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/2 lemon
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup walnut oil  (if allergic to walnuts then double the olive oil)

Squeeze lemon into food processor making sure no seeds get in. Combine the garlic and pine nuts in the processor with the lemon juice. Add basil and cheeses and continue processing. With the machine running, slowly add the mixture of olive and walnut oils.  Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper and process to the desired consistency.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Can be kept in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to a week.