Peasants in China are also exposed to carcinogenic substances
In their traditional diet, common in many parts of the country: pickled vegetables.
So, going back to the peasant life would not even be necessarily that healthy.
some quick links:
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/40/8_Part_1/2633
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2151691
I love those pickled things, btw, but I don't eat them every day of the year.