What we're not doing is killing us
Some disturbing statistics from a new survey by the American Cancer Society, just released today.
83% of American know that losing weight, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise will cut their risk of cancer...but it's not enough to motivate them to adopt healthier habits.
It doesn't add up. As a society, we're terrified of cancer. We all know people who have been through it. We've seen the horrible toll the treatment takes. Even worse, we've lost friends, colleagues, and loved ones who've paid that price and still couldn't beat it. People are so afraid of this disease that they put off having screening exams like mammograms and colonoscopies out of fear that they will get bad news.
As this survey shows, most of us know what we can do to improve our odds. And yet only a third of Americans eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. And just 7% of those surveyed said that they were motivated to exercise in order to reduce their risk of cancer. All the pink ribbons in the world aren't going to help if we are unwilling to take the most basic steps to reduce our risks.
A third of the cancer deaths expected in 2008 will be directly linked to obesity, poor nutrition and physical activity. To help Americans do better, the American Cancer Society today kicks off the "Great American Eat Right Challenge." Go to www.cancer.org/greatamericans to find cancer-fighting tips, tools, and techniques.
Now, I realize that to a certain extent, I'm preaching to the choir here. Most readers of this blog are dedicated to eating a healthy diet (although we sometimes disagree on what exactly that is!). I'll bet that, as a group, our eating habits are better than the average American's. Still, I know I could do better than I do.
I'm sure we all sometimes struggle to stick to (or get back to) the habits and choices that we know are good for us. Why is it so hard, when the stakes are so high?
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Posted by: Kyle | Oct 7, 2008 10:32:28 PM
I used to always eat like crap... (mcdonalds for breakfast and taco bell for dinner) for the last 10 years. For the last year I have been jogging everyday and eating tons of fresh fruit and veggies and organic stuff but I dont feel any better.. in fact I get sick more often now.
Posted by: Raphael | Sep 27, 2008 5:47:28 PM
NOTE: I recommend the book: Molecules Of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine
by Candace B. Pert
Posted by: Raphael | Sep 27, 2008 5:42:54 PM
When is the last time your doctor talked with you about a specific nutritional regimen that would be compatible with the prescription drugs you take, or simply stated something wasn't good for the health issues you're dealing with so you can keep away from it?
Your doctor probably has never spoken about it.
It isn't up to the doctors to help you find out what a healthy diet consists of. It is up to a nutritionist, but ultimately it is up to you to follow what is best for yourself.
But look how many agents or substances can cause cancer! I mean... even in your toothpaste you have carcinogenics unless you're aware of what you buy! (but wait, that is if you read labels). Cancer is a condition achieved by a conglomeration of cells that is promoted by toxins. In other words when our bodies achieve very high levels of toxicity is when cancer is assertively "invited". But cancerous cells are also a metaphorical flag that gives us the opportunity to re-establish balance in our bodies because detoxing our physical, mental and emotional bodies we can help curing cancer! That means an individual effort needs to be invested in finding an individual cure. Doctors alone can not make the heal happen, we have to discern what's ok to be exposed to or not, t intake or not. If cancer didn't exist (as a mutation), when we reached those levels of toxicity our bodies would simply die (like a heart attack). So the cancer (as well as all health ailments) are a health opportunity. The opportunity to be more aware of what we consume or what we are needing to consume (i.e.greens, veggies, fruits, etc., since there are many elements which help prevent cancer), as well as awareness of how much we exercise or drink water (and the list of things we can do to maintain health goes on...). But worst case scenario, even if our bodies for some reason can't recover anymore we have to think about the quality of life we'd like to have before the day we die. Become an activist for your own life and by the way, take refreshing breaths every time you are stressed and have a gorgeous day :-)
Posted by: sue | Sep 8, 2008 11:50:29 AM
Hi
I think people are afraid of cancer when they think they have it but until they get it they think it's never going to happen to them and so ignore the advice. However, my husband has cancer and never smoked always ate healthy home cooked meals, is not overweight and at 56 is still a sports coach. I do belive that eating healthy effects our healths, but I'm not sure that is the whole story. About additives in foods, sprays on fruit and vegatables, hormones in meat not to mention antibiotics. We can eat healthy without knowing we are not eating healthy at all. Organic food is way too expensive for the average family and isn't always available. We can only partly control what we eat, the rest is up to the food industry.
Posted by: Collin Petty | Sep 1, 2008 8:22:41 PM
I would just like to say that the statistics used in this article may be somewhat biased, "And just 7% of those surveyed said that they were motivated to exercise in order to reduce their risk of cancer." What if people are motivated to exercise because they want to be healthier? I'm not motivated to exercise because it will reduce my risk of cancer, I'm motivated to exercise because I just want to look better and feel better but in all honesty...cancer is the last thing on my mind. Am I part of that 7% ?
Posted by: jbevans | Aug 29, 2008 6:55:50 PM
Thanks for passing the information along. It encourages me to do better!
Posted by: Megan | Aug 27, 2008 9:11:59 AM
Hi there, I was just reading the article "what we're not doing is killing us" that asks why people aren't changing their behaviours despite the huge amounts of evidence and research available. Anyone who is interested in learning about the psychology of behaviour change, and the stages we go through when we change problem behaviours, should look no further than James O. Prochaska's book "Changing for Good". His research and findings provided and continue to provide the basis for national smoking and over-eating cessation programmes implemented by governments and societies around the world. It is easy to read, interesting and most of all, the biggest help I have ever had in learning how to change my behaviors and how to support friends and family who also need to change theirs. Enjoy!
Posted by: Matt | Aug 26, 2008 6:56:39 PM
The link between cancer and nutrition is just one of the many health connections that have to do with your diet. For instance, diet can have an enormous impact on psychology/mood and even can help increase the comfort of people living with chronic pain. I work with a Sacramento area pain clinic ( http://www.gracermedicalgroup.com/therapies/page_07.php ) that offers a number of treatments to help chronic pain patients and one of the most effective options includes diet modifications along with carefully-selected medical therapies. I'm not sure why it's taken us so long to realize that what we put in our mouths (and what we breathe through our lungs) affects every aspect of our health. And as far as "scaring" people into eating healthier, I feel that it's more about education so that people can make responsible, healthy choices. Yes indeed, that $1 hamburger is costing our society much more than a buck.
Posted by: CC | Aug 25, 2008 2:37:12 PM
I live in the Netherlands where people have a built in healthy environment. Urban design is such in this densely packed (16 million) small country (size of Maine) that you do not need a car. Biking, walking, taking the train or bus is the norm. Children are not driven anywhere - they bike to school and activities. Diets are rich in vegtables and fruits and additives are not used in items like bread (which is made on the spot) refrigerators are small as shopping is done on the way home from work etc. Obesity - called here "The American Disease" is creeping up but is no where what the US and UK have - still it seems to me that there is a lot of cancer here. After living here for 8 years I have noted that cancer cases occur in healthy active people . . I have come to the conclusion we just don't have the whole picture on cancer. While nutrition and physical activity are important, I am wondering what role environmental factors play - like pollution, use of chemicals, additives etc.. After all disease seems to be attacking immune systems and wiping out other species at an amazing rate and scale.
I wonder if anyone has information that could compare the cancer rates of the US with other industrialized countries.
Posted by: Alex Baran | Aug 25, 2008 7:32:13 AM
Maybe successful people can motivate us. I read at http://www.projectweightloss.com about the healthy lifestyle of Jennifer Lopez.
Posted by: Michelle | Aug 25, 2008 2:34:34 AM
Big changes are hard, and for a lot of people, a healthy way of life would mean many big changes. I think they are making some of those changes, but it takes a lot of time. Years ago, when I was a completely sedentary person, someone told me that it wasn't really hard to run--one could run very slowly. Got me started running. When I couldn't run anymore, I tried aerobics, weight-lifting, etc. Today I walk, swim, ride my bike and lift weights--though not enough, of course. But it started with that friend's advice. Just try running a little bit, slowly.
Posted by: Steve Parker, M.D. | Aug 22, 2008 1:27:47 PM
"A third of [US] cancer deaths will be attributable to obesity, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity." That's correct.
Four in 10 of us in the U.S. will develop invasive cancer - a little higher in men, a little lower in women.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death here. But if you exclude people over 85, the leading cause is cancer.
The good news? Cancer death rates are starting to fall a bit!
Posted by: shannon | Aug 22, 2008 8:44:30 AM
I've been trying to think this way more and more as it's a subject that I've been reading a lot about lately: what is the true cost of that $1 hamburger?
Yes, it costs you only a dollar now, which may seem cheaper than lean protein or fresh fruits and veggies, but in the long run that burger will cost you more in terms of health. The burger might be a dollar, but how much will that add to your doctor's bill when you continue to eat these "cheap" foods over the course of your lifetime? It's much more worth it, both money-wise and nutritionally, to pay for the seemingly more expensive healthier foods now than to pay the consequences later, but unfortunately for most people (myself included) it's often hard to look ahead and see the whole, big picture.
Posted by: lily_pads90 | Aug 22, 2008 8:14:34 AM
"A third of the cancer deaths expected in 2008 will be directly linked to obesity, poor nutrition and physical activity."
Only a third? I've heard that 98% of cancers are due to lifestyle choices. Gives you something to think about, doesn't it?
Posted by: time bandit | Aug 21, 2008 9:54:28 PM
I also have a 40 hour a week job, plus the half hour commute. I'm lucky that I can commute by bike, which has the nice perk of doubling as exercise. Involve your kids in your cooking and cleaning (if they're old enough). Eating well doesn't have to be complicated - get one of those 30-minute meal recipe books and start there. Or devote part of Sunday afternoon to cooking ahead so you can have a home-cooked meal even on busy days. Slow cookers are grrreat too - with a little pre-prep the night before, you can come home to a delicious dinner that's been cooking while you've been at work all day. Sitting down together and taking a minute to enjoy each others' company over a nice meal is a wonderful way to end your day - just because everyone else is speeding up their lives doesn't mean you must buy into it! Start with small steps and lifestyle changes rather than overambitious goals and you might be surprised at what you can accomplish. Just one last word - you can eat well for cheap - the $1 cheeseburger is cheap and easy, but with a little forethought, you'll be much more satisfied with a more healthful diet.
Posted by: Patrick Pete | Aug 21, 2008 7:56:49 PM
As a cancer survivor (prostate) at the ripe old age of 39 I know firsthand that lifestyle issues could accelerate the onset of cancer and yet I didn't do anything until I was faced with the disease itself. For most of us. It doesn't become real until it becomes personal. The day I found out I had cancer I changed instantly. It is passion of mine to use my story to highlight to young people the importance of not relying on our youth as a guarantee of good health. I created a blog for that very reason. (www.ucan-behealthy.com) There is no better way to get the word out than to do it online.
Posted by: Nicole | Aug 21, 2008 7:29:15 PM
I agree with Person. And, on top of that, it's more expensive to eat a healthy, balanced diet than a $1 double-cheeseburger.
However, I think there's another factor altogether, and that's that it's just plain hard to exercise when out of shape. It's only really fun when you get better at it, and research shows people stick to exercise regimens when they are having fun.
Posted by: Person | Aug 21, 2008 5:41:29 PM
I understand why you might focus on fear as being the primary factor for not attempting a lifestyle change. However, I would tend to point out that time is also a concern. People work more hours now. There isn't someone at home that can do all the grocery shopping, cooking and subsequent cleaning that is required to really eat right these days. Especially in homes with single parents. Not to mention, where do you cram in the visit to the gym when you need to factor in childcare and you've already spent probably close to 50 hours of your week just trying to accomplish your 40 hour work week (30 minutes commute to/from work plus that hour lunch break that I suspect most people really do spend at their desks or running errands and then your 40 hour work week demands). I'm a firm believer in a good diet, regular exercise and a good sleep routine. But even I have a hard time cramming it all into a day.
Posted by: Breeze Harper | Aug 21, 2008 3:45:23 PM
Dear Monica,
As a PhD student in Nutritional Geography, I am also trying to tackle the questions you raise. My focus is, however, on African American health and food experience in the USA.
Perhaps the answer to your question is more complex? I am wondering if it is just "fear" that lack of motivation, or can the answers be found, if we understand better, how environmental and institutional racism and classsim contribute to one's perceptions of cancer prevention and one's willingness to be "motivated" to prevent it? These are the questions I ask, at least in the context of African American collectivity in the USA, and the rising health disparity statistics.
Here are a few articles that have helped me to better understand why my community has their own unique challenges with nutritional healing, and why the community continues to deal with rates of dis-ease that are far higher than the national average (not that the national average is "good"). In addition, I have also listed books that show the history of why many Black americans are fearful and untrusting of initially going to doctors (history of racist science, experimentation on blacks, doctors being racist and classist, etc.) Perhaps reading materials like these below, and similar, can help people in the health and nutrition activism movement to create nutritional education models that SPEAK to the culturally specific fears and oppression (racism, classism, etc) that prevent many "at risk" populations from practicing a disease preventative diet and exercise regiment.
Best,
Breeze Harper
breezeharper (at) gmail (dot) com
Ahye, Brenda A., Carol M. Devine, and Angela M. Odoms-Young. "Values Expressed through Intergenerational Family Food and Nutrition Management Systems among African Women." Familly & Community Health 29.1 (2006): 5-16.
Bailey, Eric J. Food Choice and Obesity in Black America : Creating a New Cultural Diet. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2006.
Bediako, Shawn M., Naa Oyo Kwate, and Reggie A. Rucker. "Dietary Behavior among African Americans: Assessing Cultural Identity and Health Consciousness." Ethnicity and Disease 14 (2004): 572-32.
Booth, Sue, and Mariana Chilton. "Hunger of the Body and Hunger of the Mind: African American Women's Perceptions of Food Insecurity, Health and Violence." Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 39.3 (2007): 116-25.
Collins, Catherine Fisher. African American Women's Health and Social Issues. 2nd ed. Westport, Conn.: Praeger Publishers, 2006.
Doyle, Colleen, et al. "Psychosocial Correlates of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption among African American Men." Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 37 (2005): 306-14.
Galnko, Joseph A., Jessie A. Satia, and Anna Maria Siega-Riz. "Eating at Fast-Food Restaurants Is Associated with Dietary Intake, Demographic, Psychosocial and Behavioural Factors among African Americans in North Carolina." Public Health Nutrition 7.8 (2004): 1089-96.
Galvez, Maida P, et al. "Race and Food Store Availability in an Inner-City Neighbourhood." Public Health Nutrition 11.6 (2007): 624-31.
Griffin, Anya T. "Racism, Stress, and Health in African American Females: The Impact of Stress Experienced from Perceived Racism on Cardiovascular Reactivity in African American Adolescent and Adult Females." Dissertation. Fielding Graduate University, 2005.
James, Delores C. S. "Factors Influencing Food Choices, Dietary Intake, and Nutrition-Related Attitudes among African Americans: Application of a Culturally Sensitive Model." Ethnicity & Health 9.4 (2004): 49-367.
Johnson-Taylor, Wendy L., and John Sankofa. "News Coverage of Diet-Related Health Disparities Experienced by Black Americans: A Steady Diet of Misinformation." Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 39 (2007): S41-S44.
Randall, Vernellia. Dying While Black: An Indepth Look at a Crisis in the American Healthcare System. 1st ed. Dayton: Seven Principles Press, Inc, 2006.
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