Interesting. The origin research paper says that only a third of cancer deaths are due to lifestyle factors. So two thirds of cancer deaths are due to something else. If that is the case then the Australian views on the top three "causes", namely, age, genetics and chance, might be about right.
Even when there is good evidence that a particular activity "causes" cancer - smoking, exposure to the sun or certain chemicals - the activity is only associated with an increased risk of cancer. Smoking is not guaranteed to cause cancer. So are cancer patients wrong to say " fate" or "chance" plays a large part in their illness?
Of course it is still important to make people aware about things that increase the risk of getting cancer (or other diseases), to encourage changes to reduce the risk and to better understand the risk factors. However medics and the public need to recognise that the root cause of many cancers can't be identified at the moment - including the majority of MPNs. In these circumstances looking for something or someone to blame or dwelling on "if only I had done this or not done that...." can be unhelpful or worse.
Of course, you make quite a credible observation...
However, you also point out what I believe is the real purpose of these findings; that being, we all need to be the best advocates we can for being proactive and optimistic about maintaining our overall health through active lifestyle choices that include observing one's dietary needs and including an appropriate physical exercise regime...
Apathy, may have something to do with that Australian statistic... (?)
Many people who do not understand a 'thing' have a myriad of alternatives to explain it away...
Hence, a simple lack of knowledge, (ignorance in the face of some type of adversity), might be simply tossed aside by the cliche of: C'est la vie
Katie B, on MATEs FORUM has asked for some Feedback too in this regard, if you so feel inclined to respond to Katie's Post, where she asks questions about the presence of Stress:
My feeling is that the researchers have failed to take proper account of the fact that they have surveyed people who already have cancer. I dont think these people provide a relable foundation for developing communication messages about health lifestyles and preventing cancer.
Being fatalistic about their illness is an understandable way of coping woth cancer, even if they were heavy smokers! Telling people its their own fault would be cruel and probably inaccurate
Of course another approach is to blame - in retrospect - a specific cause that might be completely wrong. For example I can imagine ways in which stress might contribute to cancer but not everyone who is stressed will develop cancer.
"Everything in moderation" is probably the best advice.
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