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Original poster

to think people who think cancer is caused by lifestyle choices are ignorant?

158 replies

user19201881 · 10/05/2023 21:00

I have a work colleague who thinks that cancer is always caused by lifestyle choices - drinking, smoking, obesity etc. I have had cancer and find this sort of attitude quite upsetting.
I know of 6 people under the age of 40 who have/had cancer and none of them smoke, rarely drink and are not obese. It can't just be down to lifestyle otherwise children wouldn't get cancer.

OP posts:
FannythePinkFlamingo · 10/05/2023 21:09

I have had cancer caused by a genetic mutation which makes certain types of cancer more likely - Lynch Syndrome. That is something I can't change through lifestyle changes, I was born with it. Your colleague is correct that cancer can be caused by lifestyle factors, but they are incorrect to say all.

Treesoutsidemywindow · 10/05/2023 21:08

Your colleague is talking out of their backside! Yes, things like smoking, being overweight, etc., can contribute to cancer, but they are definitely NOT the sole cause, and next time she starts pontificating, I'd tell her to shut her mouth before she causes serious offence, but that's just me.

HermioneWeasley · 10/05/2023 21:06

Some are bad luck, some are massively affected by lifestyle (eg: lung cancer and smoking)

Oysterbabe · 10/05/2023 21:05

It's obviously not always lifestyle, babies get cancer.

Toddlerteaplease · 10/05/2023 21:04

As does too much sun and no sunscreen. Some cancers are more likely to develop due to lifestyle. But obviously many are just bad luck, and nothing can prevent it.

Inkblue · 10/05/2023 21:04

Evidence shows those things can increase the risk of certain cancers.

nether · 10/05/2023 21:03

Some cancers are closely associated with specific exposures.

Many have obesity and smoking as important risk factors.

But plenty are just utterly random

And whatever the cause (known or unknown) it's shit for the person who has it

XBealtaine · 10/05/2023 21:03

Smoking, drinking, too much sugar.... these increase livelihoods of getting cancer though 😪