Is health a choice? Doctor explains the impact of lifestyle and habits on our body

Doctor, how can I stay away from getting cancer? 

This is the most common question that I often get from people these days. That said, this question is highly relevant in the modern age. The human body has become a battleground, and we often have to face our ‘enemies’ in some form or another. It could be viruses or situations that lead to diseases like cancer.

In most cases, our bodies emerge the winners, which is why we remain healthy. We will suffer from diseases whenever this system starts malfunctioning. So, it is wise to avoid habits, lifestyle choices, or specific situations that may harm health and lead to disease. How to go about it?

Health is a choice
I do believe that health is a choice. For instance, smoking is a choice. Despite all the statutory warnings that we have been seeing for ages, youngsters still fall for this habit. There could be many reasons for that; anyway, let us not get into that now. But it is also a choice to quit smoking. A person often starts smoking when he/she is a teenager or a youngster. But that person becomes a cancer patient only in their middle age or old age. This is where the analogies mentioned at the beginning of this article become significant. As the body is a strong warrior in youth, smoking might not cause many health problems. However, mutations that cause cancer happen when the body becomes weak. This is precisely the reason why we should make ‘health is a choice’ our motto. 

Questions to ask yourself
Alcohol ruins not only our physical and mental health, but it also destroys families. It is solely your choice whether to consume alcohol or drink every day. Do you really need those two full scoops of ice cream after having a heavy meal, because being obese is your choice in many cases?  Do you have an aversion to vegetables and fruits? That too is your choice. Most people avoid exercise, often citing a lack of time and busy schedules as excuses. Do you want to exercise or sleep an extra hour? It's your choice.