When you hear that someone has got cancer, do you subconsciously blame their lifestyle for it?

Question

In the back of your mind do you think people with cancer have led an unhealthy lifestyle, or eaten the wrong things etc, or do you think its just bad luck or genetics?

Answer 1

nope, I've known many people, including myself who's had it. It's just the luck of the draw.

Answer 2

no way, there are tons of cases of cancer in people that have always had good health habbits you just don't hear about it too often and there are some people who are in the 80's and have smoked 2 packs of palmals with no filters for 70 years and were flaming drunnks for 30 years and are healthy as could be. genetics on the other hand, white black yellow or green who doesn't have cancer run in their family? reasurchers have known for years the black americans tend to devolpe odd and rare cancers due to they are to far north from the equater well the same goes for whites and others and in the USA we lack vit. D and the sun helps the body absorb D and there is close to none in milk and there are lots more that americans are lacking i would have to think that it is the enviroment along with society well just about everything yes we are a free country and not that i would want it any different at all but i think the FDA needs to change guidlines in our food we need more natural meats fruits and veggies not these steroid injected animals slatured and then flooded with dye and crops that have been sprayed with toxic waste to grow big, fast, and bug free.when you buy yard foggers look at the big hazord symbol well think of that x10,000 or so and that is what we are eating. every year they have to come out with stronger sprays because the insects are adapting to it, look at the mosquito's jees oh petes there big fat juicy suckers that if you smack them they still alive you have to sqooooosh them to death and hope they don't start buzzing in your ear again. now as for bad luck? well i wouldn't know i have bad luck every other day or mabey we would say today was a bad day or today was a good day there is no good luck or bad luck it is what you make of it make a bad thing turn into a good thing like somthing bad has happend to you so what can you do to change it to benifit you? or is no cure or fix try new thing to prolong the effect or do somthing that mabey won't help you but help others in the future. well thats my answer mabey i am wrong and i think toooo much but thats my answer.

Answer 3

Some people may have lead a lifestyle which could possible have lead to the possibility of them having cancer. Just because you smoke doesn't mean you are going to get lung cancer. And just because you get lung cancer doesn't mean that you have been a smoker. Many factors could or have to occur - right place, right time, genetics, and yes, lifestyle is a factor but only one. I have been to Children's Hospital in Birmingham and you can't tell me that the 1 year old I saw who had has cancer since she was 3 months old had anything to do with her having cancer. What can you blame it on? Bad milk? No. Cancer is just a very unfortunate thing that happens and no one deserves to get it - no matter what your lifestyle happens to be.

Answer 4

You can't blame lifestyle every time. Sometimes, it's in the genetics. Sure, if you're gonna stand in a pub, or eat all the wrong food & don't exercise, you're asking for trouble. Stress can be a factor, but until you really know the facts about that person's life, you shouldn't really criticize them. A relative had it recently, & eats healthily, exercises regularly, works in a smoke-free job - & STILL gets it!!! If you do know someone who's got cancer, whether you blame them or not, tell 'em to get well soon.

Answer 5

Although leading an unhealthy lifestyle will increase a person's chances of cancer there alot of possible causes, so the answer to your question is no.

For a start babies get cancer, what did they ever do to anyone?

Answer 6

No, I don't.. although a person may have lived an unhealthy lifestyle like having been too drawn to excessive smoking and drinking which are more likely to contribute to liver and lung cancers... but they are other catalysts to such illness.. another one is being exposed to harmful chemicals, UV rays and/or food preservatives. Yes, it could be genetic too.. but it's not definitely logical to say it's out of bad luck.

Answer 7

No. My mom died of cancer and she NEVER (even ONCE) smoked or drank...she exercised, ate good stuff...looked 15 years younger than her 67 years when diagnosed...everyone thought my brother was her husband and that she and I were sisters...so sometimes it just IS....we can't question Why..only lend our friendship and support in what is sure to be a very scary and emotional time for this person....Lifestyle can, of course, play a factor in getting cancer, but it's certainly not a given!!

Answer 8

No. I've seen too many people with incredibly healthy lifestyles develop cancer.

I do think it has to do with genetic susceptibility,and that there are definite causative factors involved in some cancers (smoking in lung cancer, early sexual activity and promiscuity in cervical cancer etc). I think these are factors rather than causes.

I do wonder if it's more to do with stress, repressing feelings or guilt and inability to communicate problems.

Answer 9

No one should attach blame if someone has contracted cancer, one of the most terrible of diseases. Genetics plays a large part, as does lifestyle (such as smoking heavily) but, whatever, forget blame and concentrate of assisting where possible.

Answer 10

I think that someone with cancer will tend to blame themselves but my personal opinion is thy should be given all the love and understanding that can be given because no matter what our lifestyle we did not want such a heartrending illness as this and my heart gos out to anyone with such an illness

Answer 11

No.
I'm a doctor, I've seen a lot of people with cancer, and though you can certainly raise or lower your risk by how you live, in the end it's all luck.
Besides, if the cancer is serious, odds are the person will be dead within a period of a few years, I don't generally like to kick people while they're down like that.