Last week I had orientation for obgyn (obstetrics & gynecology) as well as several days of lectures from attendings and fellows on a broad range of topics. They were all fascinating but one stood out in particular: gynecologic oncology. We discussed the pathophysiology, treatment and patient counseling involved in uterine, ovarian and cervical cancers. While discussing ovarian cancer, we came across the topic of ways that patients cope and how they become involved in their own care. The one thing that really resonated with me was when the gynecologic oncologist commented that many of her patients, after their diagnosis, have a new-found passion for their lifestyle and general approach to wellness - often indulging in the newest cleansing trend, trying alkaline diets, etc. This really got me thinking - why do we wait so long, often after we've been dealt a bleak outlook, to change or do something about our health? Procrastination is arguably human nature, but shouldn't we be more proactive about health? One would think so, but that's not always the case.
Since it is January, I know we've all seen the social media pictures poking fun at the fact that gyms are all of a sudden teaming with new attendees. That's not to say that this isn't a real thing that happens every year after people have formed their new years resolutions à la "new year, new me." To me, this makes me reflect on two big points: waiting too long to change, and discouraging others from making a healthy change.
As a soon to be physician and someone who is passionate about my health and that of my loved ones, I consider myself an ambassador of health. This is a role I hope to embody throughout my career. I am not perfect, and though I've always striven to live a healthy life, I have certainly had my own struggles with optimizing my nutrition and lifestyle. This was especially true during my toughest years of my battle with Valley Fever. For example, during those years I would fluctuate between 100% commitment to avoiding gluten, dairy and any excess sugars while trying to keep my liver healthy; and sometimes I would indulge and inevitably feel guilty and resentful. I was lost in a vicious cycle that caused me a lot of grief when I really should have focused on eating clean, whole foods and staying active.
In our world, we're constantly bombarded with messages that immediate satisfaction is the key to happiness. These marketing strategies exploit our collective social tendency toward ignorance of one simple fact: short-term satisfaction does not build long-term change. But we have to be better than that, and not wait until it's literally too late to make a change. That means preventing disease before it happens, and one of the greatest tools we have is ourselves, equipped with both a mind & body. Through proper nutrition and lifestyle we can prevent, cure, and manage disease and that's very powerful, at least to me.
One other idea I've been thinking about is why we discourage others from making a healthy change, whether unintentionally or deliberately. I often see fitness trends marketed as exclusive movements that require some kind of acceptance into the larger group. This takes me back to those pictures I mentioned before, while they might make us giggle they are actually alienating many people who are genuinely trying to make a change but might feel like they're not welcome. The truth is, we all start somewhere. And the purest place we start is from within. That's why it's so important to encourage others in even the smallest of ways without being proud or aggressive and showing them that you truly care. No matter where someone is in their health & wellness journey, you can help encourage and motivate them. That might mean starting at the ground floor, like encouraging someone you care about to stop smoking; to applauding a friend's long-term commitment to exercise & even joining them.
I know this sounds like a bit of a soapbox but it's something I'm really passionate about. It's 2016, and even though we have incredibly advanced medical technologies and sophisticated treatments some of the most potent therapies we have are on our plates & our physical activity levels. We can all make a change, and we don't have to wait until it's too late.
