Do you assume obese people with cancer are to blame?

[Hapshepsut]

following on from the diabetic thread.

I was obese for years, then I developed type 2 diabetes. I only have myself to blame. I started taking my health very seriously, and took up sport, ate sensibly and lost more than 7 stone.

20 years later, I still have T2 diabetes, and can only blame myself. I also have cancer, which is genetic. I have now been on treatment for cancer for 18 months, which involves operations, chemo and a massive daily dose of heavy duty steroids.

I have put on more than 7 stone, and am obese again. I still eat healthily, I still play sport. But this obesity is related to my medication and is a normal and expected side effect. Lots of people I see at treatment are also on these steroids, and also putting on masses of weight.

There is a difference between the two times I have been obese, and the two illnesses! One I had some control over, one I have no control over at all

However, lots of people who don't even know I am diabetic, assume my cancer was caused by obesity, rather than my obesity has been caused by treatment for cancer

Even though steroids can cause T2 diabetes too?

I was warned when I was prescribed steroids that they may well cause T2. I was slim and (until I got ill with neurological condition) v fit. I didn't get it in the end (because steroids gave me Cushing's instead) but people really need to wake up and understand that there are medical causes too .

No I don't. I do think it about type 2 diabetes - but I know the causes of obesity itself are very complex. I try not to judge people.

and i dont blame the smoker for getting cancer, that is a mean attitude imo

No, and I assume many other things about obese people.

Blame is an awful word to use regarding any illness. The person is suffering already !

To reply to the comments earlier on:

I also don't judge drug addicts / smokers or other people who engage in dangerous practices as to be honest, like obesity it's harmful to themselves and there's always a bigger story

The reason that medical causes like medication that causes weight gain is glossed over is because then the NHS would come under pressure to provide the more expensive alternative.

I remember a similar discussion on here years ago where a consultant was moaning at an MNer for gaining weight while writing her yet another prescription for steroids.

Honestly I don't even think about it
I saw some colleagues watching coronation street in the break room once and they were "god she looks awful, yeah she's put weight on, that lipstick is way too dark, he looked better with a beard didn't he..." all the way through it

I changed how I thought after that because I don't want to be that person so I try my absolute hardest never to bitch/gossip or think anything bad about someone. Every so often it creeps in and I'll think I don't like that top and I make myself then think but she has lovely hair to kind of balance it

It sounds ridiculous but i genuinely don't think about people's appearance or anything about them now

No, you can't judge anyone for getting cancer, it can and does happen to anyone. There's no doubt though that obesity is a big factor in other health issues.