It seems that hardly a week goes by without us being told that our life style choices are the reason that we get cancer. We don’t get enough exercise; we drink too much fizzy pop; we smoke too much; eat too much sugar or red meat; sit down too long; wear the wrong colour lipstick – ok I know the last one is tongue in cheek but it seems to me to be a bit unfair to be blaming people constantly for getting cancer. It’s hard enough coping with the diagnosis and treatment without the added pressure of being made to feel like you bought it on yourself by being a bad person!
Raising awareness of the possible consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle is one thing, but blaming people who already have cancer – and who may have led a far from unhealthy lifestyle just seems so unfair.
However, a new report out is now saying that many cancers can be put down to “bad luck” –essentially random mutations of our DNA.
The thing is, is this any easier to accept? You got cancer because you were unlucky!!! Is this any easier to accept than being told you got cancer because you were obese or lazy?
You can read more about the research here
xx Kaz xx