Below is a list of prominent atheist who have had cancer.
- Christopher Hitchens (Died of esophageal cancer likely caused by drinking and smoking up until his death.[1][2]). See also: Atheism and alcoholism and Atheism and smoking
- Leonid Brezhnev (Jaw cancer, but died of a heart attack[3]) See also: Atheism and obesity
- Sigmund Freud (Died of oral cancer.[4] Freud was a heavy smoker with a 20-cigar/day habit.[5]).
- Gordon Stein died of cancer after having it for an extended period.[6]
- George Melly (Before his death, he was battling cancer and dementia.[7] He also had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.[8] He was a smoker.[9]). See also: Atheism and Alzheimer's disease
Atheism and cancer
See also: Atheism and cancer
Irreligious countries such as European countries and China, have significant problems with cancer (see: Atheism and cancer). The World Health Organization declares concerning secular Europe: "Europe comprises only one eighth of the total world population but has around one quarter of the global total of cancer cases with some 3.7 million new patients per year."[11]
Denmark, France and Australia have significantly higher rates of individuals holding to an atheistic worldview (see also: Irreligion in Denmark and French atheism and Irreligion in Australia). According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, Denmark, France and Australia have the three highest per capita cancer rates in the world.[12]
According to the American Cancer Society:
| “ | According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 69% of cancer patients say they pray for their health. A recent study published in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, suggests a link between religious or spiritual beliefs and better physical health reported among patients with cancer.[13] | ” |
Speculation that Friedrich Nietzsche's madness was caused by cancer
See also: Cause of Friedrich Nietzsche's insanity and Friedrich Nietzsche
- 'Madness' of Nietzsche was cancer not syphilis, The Telegraph, May 2003
See also
References
- ↑ http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/07/video-extended-interview-hitchens-on-cancer-and-atheism/
- ↑ Why did Hitchens continue to smoke & drink during treatment? -CTV News
- ↑ Death and state funeral of Leonid Brezhnev, Wikipedia
- ↑ The oral cancer of Sigmund Freud, Clinical Plastic Surgery. 1983 Oct;10(4):709-14.]
- ↑ Sigmund Freud: smoking habit, oral cancer and euthanasia by Adeyemo WL. Nigerian Journal of Medicine, 2004 Apr-Jun;13(2):189-95.
- ↑ Walter, Nicolas (6 September 1996). "Obituary : Gordon Stein". The Independent. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ↑ George Melly's battle with cancer and dementia
- ↑ George Melly's battle with cancer and dementia
- ↑ George Melly's battle with cancer and dementia
- ↑ World Health Organization - Cancer statistics for Europe
- ↑ World Health Organization - Cancer statistics for Europe
- ↑ Data for cancer frequency by country, World Cancer Research Fund International
- ↑ Study: Cancer Patients with Strong Religious or Spiritual Beliefs Report Better Health, American Cancer Society