Cancer - Could be just bad luck...

[Head2Toe]

Interesting results from this cancer study - which just happens to coincide with my belief system:  http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/01/02/bad_luck_or_behaviour_new_cancer_research_reopens_divisive_debate.html

I have watched family, friends, and co-workers who have lead pristine lives get cancer or other life-threatening diseases.  I have also watched family, friends and co-workers who do all the 'wrong' things and I suspect they will outlive us all.

I don't study diseases, but I do pay attention to the people around me - and the correlation between 'healthy living' and actual 'health' is not as clean and clear cut as some in the 'health industry' would like us to believe...  Perhaps that's why I found Ashewoman's recent joke to be so funny

[litliwlowa]

Interesting article.

I am reminded of that guy (can't recall his name) that used to do commercials about healthy lifestyles and he didn't smoke, didn't drink, ate healthy and all that - of all things he died of cancer. Can't remember his name and it's been about maybe 20 years ago.

[Carolina]

Dear Head2Toe and other Angels,

Here's a link to the Johns Hopkins article.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/bad_luck_of_random_mutations_plays_predominant_role_in_cancer_study_shows

I try NEVER to blame the victim for his/her cancer, or any other disease.   It is so common and it is so unfair.  I hear other people say all the time:  "Well, she smoked, or he ate lots of fats, or drank too much."

There is a statistical correlation between some physical behaviors and some physical conditions (smoking-cancer, obesity-diabetes) but correlation is NOT causation.  "The luck of the draw' is how most of what happens to us can be described.

Wrong place, wrong time is responsible for most deaths by forces of nature and other accidents.

It is a 'self protecting mechanism' to blame the victim.  He/she did the wrong thing and died/got sick.  I do not do the wrong thing so I won't die/get sick. 

We Sjogren's Angels, of all people, know how little we control, and how painful it is to be told that we are doing the wrong things, or failing to do the right things, or just 'too sensitive' (I nice way of saying "hypochondriac"). 

It is human nature to shun others with problems, to 'blame the victim', but then it is human nature to do so many things that we wish to 'rise beyond' as much as possible.

Here we learn so many things, principle among those lessons, for me, is patience and tolerance.  The lessons for me never stop, and I am grateful for them, no matter how painful the process may be.

Hugs, Elaine

[Pisces24]

I was finally diagnosed with Sjogrens in 2003.  In 2012 they found lymphoma on a fluke CT scan. I had absolutely no symptoms and felt fine.  No history of it in my immediate family or grandparents. Even checked with my 1st & 2nd cousins and nothing there.

Yeah:  Healthy Living and Health and not clear cut.  Maybe someday they will find the cause.

As far a blaming people for there health. I had a cousin who would not take his meds, tests, etc. Developed diabetes and wouldn't watch his food either, just pigheaded. You have to take help if needed.

Old story I was told: Man lived in a house and flood was coming. Neighbor came by to help him get out and he said "He will provide" & would not leave. House totally flooded so man is on roof, boat comes by to rescue him. Man says "He will provide" and didn 't leave.  Man evidentially drowns and gets to heaven and says "Why didn't you help me?".   He says "Who do you think sent over the neighbor and the boat?".

[litliwlowa]

Pisces. I remember that story!! Good one!!

RE: your cousin - where it gets tricky is that it was his decision, whether anyone else agreed with it or not. Now if your cousin was blaming others for the consequences of his choices, that is a while different matter.