Although Dr. Crawley never uses the term "mental health", his discussion of cancer risk factors (i.e., obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition) are all related to mental health. You can argue a component of obesity is genetic; however, smoking, physical inactivity, and poor eating habits are about personal choice. Personal choice even plays a significant part in obesity.
Personal choice and mental health
Our decision-making, appetite, and energy level are influenced by our mental health. When depressed, energy levels decrease, inactivity increases, and decision-making abilities are compromised. Anxiety also affects our thinking and ability to make healthy choices. Research has repeatedly shown a link between cancer and alcohol (Kushi, Doyle, McCullough et al., 2012) and smoking (American Cancer Society, 2014) which are both related to depression and anxiety. (Read more about my thoughts on anxiety and smoking and alcohol.)
To further highlight the role of mental health in cancer rates, let's review smoking prevalence and cancer in America. As stated in the article, rates of cancer continue to decrease over the last 20 years. Interestingly, the smoking prevalence rate has decreased by almost 50% in the last 30 years from about 33% of adults in 1980 to under 20% in 2010. As for the rest of the world, the smoking rate is increasing as is the cancer rate.
Similar trends are found with obesity, inactivity, and poor diet with specific cancers. Poor diet, inactivity, and obesity are related to an uptrend in less publicized cancers such as esophageal and endometrial (uterine lining) and linked to more well-known cancers such as breast and colon.
Dr. Crawley presents a simple, concise framework of cancer and how to decrease your risk. We would all be wise to take his advice as we call can improve our lives in some capacity. I tried to emphasize how mental health plays a prominent, underlying role in our daily choices and medical health.
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