Did I give myself cancer?

That’s the difficult question they now want us to ask ourselves because, the latest studies now show that a high percentage of cancers are caused by potentially controllable risk factors, with up to 50% of all cases (in adults aged 30 and over) thought to be preventable through healthy lifestyle choices.

I should be absolutely clear that anyone can get cancer, and a lot of the time the reason can’t be identified. There are many factors and external agents that cause cancer, not all of which are preventable. Indeed, the cause of some cancers may be due to chance or factors not yet understood.

Some cancers also have a strong genetic component, meaning that, even if the person was to avoid known risk factors, they may still develop them. Age too, plays a part, and cancer risk increases as we get older.

Still, it’s a truly frightening statistic that around half of all cancers could have been avoided through lifestyle choices, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it. No one wants to admit to themselves, or their families, that they gave themselves cancer and telling my family that I was going to I die of cancer was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

I come from a family with a strong history of cancer, particularly bowel and gastric cancers. In fact, initial testing on my tumour identified some marker patterns suggestive of a DNA mutation (a genetic variant). This doesn’t mean that I was always going to get cancer, but it does mean that my risk was much higher.

Despite genetic testing, however, up to now, this pattern remains unexplained. This would suggest that it’s unlikely that I ‘inherited’ my cancer (around 10% of cancers are believed to be inherited from a parent), although it can’t be ruled out completely (so you’re not off the hook just yet, mam and dad).

There is further testing they can do which might determine why it arose but, to be honest, the idea scares me a little bit (a lot) because there’s a real possibility that I gave myself cancer and, as a parent myself, it’s a fairly harrowing thought that my daughter might grow up without a dad because of choices I made.

I accept that I may never know the reason, and I’m okay with that, but I do feel as though I owe it to myself and my daughter to at least try and find out. Besides, it may simply be a mistake in the DNA code, something out of my control. Similarly, it might turn out to be substances or chemicals in the environment that we’re all exposed to. Again, around 10% of cancers can be attributed to environmental factors.

It’s probably worth mentioning here that certain viruses, bacteria, and parasites are also known to cause cancer (up to 20%), including helicobacter pylori and hepatitis. Which, really, just leaves diet and lifestyle factors.

I just want to say now that there’s no judgment here. This post isn’t meant to make you feel bad about yourself. I’m an ex smoker, and I was a heavy drinker. I ate a diet rich in processed foods, red meat, and sugary drinks and snacks. I ate takeaways and junk food, but because I wasn’t obese, I didn’t think it was a problem. I have tattoos. All of these things are capable of causing cancer.

We can’t, said the snakes… we’re adders

It would be easy for me not to care about any of this; my cancer is terminal after all so it’s probably a bit late for me to start worrying about what I eat and how I live my life, right? Surely it would be better to just spend whatever time I have left enjoying myself and, if that’s you, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.

Now isn’t a time for looking back or having regrets but it just made sense to me that if diet and lifestyle can cause cancer then maybe these things, when used alongside medical treatment, could give me longer to live and a better quality of life. If nothing else, it didn’t feel too late to try.

A while ago I did read some interesting studies that show that the majority of patients diagnosed with the same cancer as me (adenocarcinoma oesophageal cancer – one of the most deadliest cancers in the world due to its extremely aggressive nature and poor survival rate), typically experience a series of notable changes that start with long-term acid reflux (GERD).

That was me, and I first reported symptoms to my general doctor at the time a number of years prior to diagnosis. All of the lifestyle factors mentioned above can contribute to this. One thing not discussed, however, is the fact that some prescription medications can also contribute (in fact, I was on one of these, tricyclic antidepressants for about 8 years).

It was around this time that my symptoms appeared, and I’ve come to learn that GERD is known to change and damage the lining of the oesophagus… Which can eventually lead to oesophageal cancer. Sasly, by the time I finally had an endoscopy, to look inside my oesophagus, the cancer had already spread and could no longer be cured.

My endless numbered days

There’s no doubt in my mind that by changing how I live to prioritise healthy habits (staying clear of smoking, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a balanced diet) has helped me to live well with cancer and, despite initially being given as little as two months, to survive for two years.

These days, I’ve waved goodbye to red and processed meat and drastically reduced the amount of poultry or fish I eat. Fried and fatty foods are out, and I slashed my sugar and dairy consumption. When I drink alcohol, which is in moderation, I stick to wine (and especially red, which has been linked to several health benefits). I fill up on nuts, seeds, and beans, drink healthy teas and coffee, and I eliminated all but the most minimally processed foods (for example, tofu and sourdough bread).

None of which means that I’m not going to die, of course. I think that by this point, that’s well understood. Besides, that isn’t what this blog is about. I want to live a longer and happier life with my family and give myself the best possible chance of my conventional treatment being successful (and I define my own success). So far, this is working for me.

When I received my terminal diagnosis, I was convinced that I was going to be one of those rare people who go on to survive a terminal diagnosis. Not because I thought that I was going to get “lucky”, but because I was going to learn everything there was to learn about my diagnosis, cancer treatment, cancer survivors, nutrition, natural therapies…

I read anything and everything, and I wasn’t prepared to bet my life on any one thing… If I had, there’s no doubt in my mind that I would’ve died. Instead, I radically changed my life and regained a sense of control… And if I can, then you can too.

Read the epic conclusion here