At age 59, my mother died of kidney cancer; a few years before that her sister died of kidney cancer. Some of my friends with whom I have shared this information are always concerned about my kidneys.

Especially those who are doctors or into science; they quote from the genetics textbook why I am at greater risk of dying of kidney cancer.

To be honest, I am concerned about my kidneys too, but not because my mother and aunt died of kidney cancer. I am concerned about my kidneys when I do not take care of my body the way I should.

As one who did just about every available genetics course in my university days, I do not deny the importance of genetic diseases, but when it comes to the diseases that kill us in Antigua and Barbuda today, I do deny and will defy the bad gene syndrome.

In other words, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, stomach and intestinal ulcers and even most mental illnesses are determined more by our lifestyle rather than the genes we may or may not inherit.

Let us take a hard look at cancer. The ones that seem to be more prevalent in our society are cancers of the breast, cervix, prostate, colon and kidney (not necessarily in that order). Although genetics does play a role in the development of these diseases, by far the most important factor is the way we live our lives.

Studies show, for example, that Japanese women living in Japan have a very low incidental rate of breast cancer, however in the United States the rate of breast cancer among Japanese American women is practically equal to the high rates seen among Caucasian American women.

While in Japan the lifestyle involves more exercise and a diet that consist of a fish, vegetables, whole grains, little fat and refined foods; the American lifestyle is more sedentary, and consist of diet more like that of a  Babylonian king. Interestingly in areas of Japan that are adopting a more Western lifestyle the incidence of breast cancer is increasing.

These findings are not isolated. In a study carried out recently by New Zealand scientists, it was shown that as countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa adopt a more Western lifestyle the incidences of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, gastric and intestinal ulcers and tooth decay are ever becoming greater. For the first in a very long time it is projected that the life expectancy in the United States will decrease as the incidences of childhood obesity, diabetes and hypertension increase.

In an extensive study known as the Danish Twin Studies, it was established that genetic factors play a less than 25 per cent role in how long or healthy a person lives. This should be seen as very good news as we can control the 75 per cent factor – lifestyle.

In his study of the so called Blue Zones (areas in the world where people live the longest and healthiest),  Dan Buettner explored why these people live longer and healthier  than the rest of the world. In Ikaria, Greece, the people drink a herbal tea that lowers blood pressure. In Sardinia, Italy, the wine they drink is loaded with powerful disease-fighting antioxidants.

In Nicoya, Costa Rica, the Meso American diet of beans, squash and corn tortilla propel people there to reach their 90’s at a rate four times greater than in the United States.

In Loma Linda, California, the Seventh-day Adventists live an extra decade compared to the rest of the American population. They follow a diet inspired by the Bible – Genesis 1:29. This is the concept, where the creator gives us for food every plant bearing seed and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.

Like the Rastafarian ital food, it is a diet that consists of food that is pure, wholesome and from the earth. It avoids artificial additives and foods produced using artificial chemicals – pesticides and fertilisers.

On average, people living in the Blue Zones reach 100 years of age at rates 10 times greater than the general American population.
Buettner found several principles that were common to the Blues Zone regions.

If applied to our lives they could make a huge difference; not only to how long we live but to the quality of our existence. He started by saying we need to move naturally. Be active without thinking about it. Exercise not for the sake of exercising, but find an activity you enjoy and make it fun.

He continues by admonishing us to eat less. Follow the principle of “hara hachi bi” of the Okinawans. That is stop, eating when the stomach is about 80 per cent full. Eat more plant products and less meat and if you drink a little red wine no more than two servings per day. But don’t abuse alcohol.

Determine your purpose in life, but don’t kill yourself with work and responsibilities.  Find time to relax. (Even God rested on the Sabbath day).

Participate in a spiritual community. Take time to pray, meditate, reflect and, at least once weekly, fellowship. Put loved ones first and spend quality time with your family circle and extended family.

Finally, be surrounded by people who share positive values  of healthy living. At times, it may be necessary to move from where you are to a more conducive environment. But what is your life worth?

The quality of your life and health is determined more by the choices that you make rather than the combination of genes you inherited from your parents. I especially like the way Dr. Ben Lerner, who has coached numerous Olympic champions, puts it.

He said “By putting nutrition, exercise, and stress and time management together with the wisdom and love of God, I put all the necessary pieces of the puzzle together to create wholeness.”

Kidney cancer may run in my family, but it is not a death sentence for me.

Dr. Jerry Simon (NSA Medical Centre physician).