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Not to be a contrarian, but working in oncology, often one meets people who "did everything right." Meaning, they eat right, exercised and meditated, went through annual screenings, etc., and when diagnosed with cancer, they are they are absolutely stunned. It's like they thought by doing everything right, they made some kind of pact with God to be spared. At least for someone who "deviated," they can revamp their lifestyle, change their outlook, but when you "did everything right," and ended up with cancer, the hard landing is much harder indeed....

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So your contention is a healthy diet and exercise is ‘doing everything right’?

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I'm just saying that "healthy diet and exercise" is not a panacea. Never seen 99-year-old French ladies smoking like a chimney and drinking red wine? No need to tempt the Providence but to assume that "doing everything right" is some kind of a guarantee. It is not.

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What most people consider “doing everything right’ may be nothing of the sort.

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I agree with this comment. Doing everything *right* from a western doctor's perspective, usually means living a very unhealthy life.

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I read somewhere that obsessing over healthy living, ie being a "health nut" can backfire and lead to problems. It may have to do with following bad advice, or taking good advice too far. Of course, diet/exercise/meditation/fasting are positive things, but even that should be done in moderation; a bit of indulgence & intoxication is fine, as long as you don't overdo that either.

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There’s lots of bad ideas about diet promoted as “right” by the medical industry. Also a “screening” whose result “stuns” the patient may well be erroneous.

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