cancer guilt and blame

Cancer: self-help vs. guilt and blame

by Barry Bittman, MD

Is cancer my fault?

Some people facing that challenge tend to think so. They cite a number of articles and self-help books concerning the mind-body connection, look back upon their lives and believe they are to blame. Norman Cousin’s statement, “Beliefs are biology,” echo over and over again, as the assumption takes hold that beliefs caused cancer. As a result, some simply give up, give in to the illness and never forgive themselves, rather than taking a proactive stance conducive to healing. Their remaining energy is wasted feeling guilty and blaming themselves.

To set the record straight and to promote peace of mind instead of guilt and blame, I’m about to challenge such conclusions.

Initially, however, let’s focus on how such thinking evolves. As medical researchers began to progressively unravel the mysteries of cancer, three basic approaches emerged. These are prevention, medical treatment and self-help strategies.

The latter is certainly drawing a great deal of attention these days for two reasons. The first is that few people tend to focus on prevention. After all, cancer typically isn’t an issue of concern until we’re face to face with the diagnosis. The second is based upon the fact that advances in medical, surgical and radiation treatment strategies have not evolved at the robust pace we anticipated 20 years ago. Essentially, we weren’t able to cure cancer for the masses by the turn of the millennium.

Yet over the last 10 or so years, many intriguing issues concerning self-help and the mind-body connection have surfaced, bringing to the forefront discoveries with implications that are often misinterpreted.

Such misinterpretations seem to promote the tendency for some patients to blame themselves for the disease. Consider the following assumption that actually appears at least somewhat logical on the surface. “If what goes on in my mind determines what happens in my body and it’s immune system, then I must have been focusing my attention and thoughts all these years in a way that caused my cancer. Therefore I am to blame.” For those who assume such a stance, this rationalization is remarkably straight-forward.

Yet what’s beneath the surface is actually more complex than what initially meets the eye. It’s based upon what I like to refer to as a seemingly logical but incorrect assumption. As an example, consider the fact that you are sitting in a chair absolutely still, not moving a muscle, with a cup of coffee in one hand without the slightest ripple in its surface. Every one of your senses explicitly tells you that you’re not moving. There isn’t a doubt.

Yet when you veer away from your perspective (a few hundred miles straight up), it becomes clear that you, your chair and your cup of coffee are actually being hurled through space at a phenomenal speed unrevealed by your five senses on earth.

This case in point simply illustrates the fact that our beliefs are often based on conclusions we reach when all the facts are not available to us. Therefore, let’s take a few moments to explore a more precise perspective of what we actually know today about cancer and the mind-body connection.

First, it’s a fact that beliefs do affect biology. The mind-body connection is inseparable. There is a biology specific to emotions such as anxiety, fear, agitation and worry in the same manner that characteristic biological changes accompany a sense of calm, nurturing and inner peace. What goes on in the mind has been scientifically shown to directly impact the body.

Yet what goes in the mind is not the only thing that affects the body!

Determinants of the biology of illness are extensive and complex¾ our present understanding is limited. Numerous factors including genetics, environmental toxins, tobacco and certain diets have been implicated as causes of cancer. It’s therefore futile to elicit a single cause when so many factors or combinations thereof (many yet unknown to medical scientists) are likely to come into play.

And while sense of calm and peace of mind have been demonstrated to improve quality of life, it’s a fact that no belief has ever been shown to cause or prevent cancer. In a similar manner, while a sponge is used to soak up water from a broken pipe, it cannot be used to cause or prevent a leak in the first place.

Yet if one can move past blame and consider this issue from a responsible perspective, it becomes readily apparent that beliefs can sometimes lead to cancer¾ at least, indirectly. In certain individuals, anxiety, fear, agitation or worry lead to choices which result in habits such as smoking, which in turn, are known to directly cause cancer. It’s obvious that energy expended in prevention is a great way to eliminate blame in the long run.

In any event, if you’re convinced that your beliefs caused your cancer, it’s time to assume a healthier perspective. Focusing on the past is not going to help you today when your beliefs have the potential to improve your quality of life. There is no doubt that your mind is an invisible navigator. If you give up because you convince yourself that you do not have a chance, your body will not argue. Yet if you cherish and celebrate the unique person you are, inner peace and healing are within your reach¾ Mind Over Matter!