I assure you that 90 per cent of those who huff and puff in our parks each morning and evening do so following a major illness. A brisk walk of at least 20 minutes for five days a week is surely a small investment in terms of time. Unfortunately we lead such "busy" lives that even 100 out of 10,080 minutes a week just cannot materialise.
I get a couple of phone calls a week from 40, 50, 60 something year olds asking me what they can do for themselves to prevent cancer. To be honest, precious little. Some of us in this age group may already have undetectable pre-cancer as the "incubation period" of cancer is anything from 10 to 20 years.
In other words, the seeds of cancer have already been sown in some people way before they reach young middle age.
I don't go into any lengthy scientific discourse with the callers. I usually mumble something like "Please undergo a yearly mammogram", "Have you done your PAP smear?", "Please stop smoking if you have not done so already" and "Eat well and lose weight". I wonder what big difference all this would make if they had been indulgent and slothful all their lives.
I only wish these callers would ask me how to prevent cancer in their progeny. That would have been a far more useful exercise.
> Dr Albert Lim Kok Hooi is a consultant oncologist. For further information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my. The views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles. The Star and AsiaOne do not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
The Star/Asia News Network
This story was first published in The Star on Nov 16, 2008.
