This week we learned of Angelina Jolie’s bizarre decision to have both of her breasts surgically removed even though she has no breast cancer, just as a measure of prevention. I guess that makes sense, if she has no breasts she cant ‘get’ breast cancer. The medical viewpoint is that because she carries the BRCA1 gene then she has an 87% chance of getting breast cancer therefore if they remove the breasts they have prevented the disease – chalk another run up to medical science. This is the epitome of evidence based medicine – the most obvious proof of prevention right before your eyes.
Whether Angelina wants to medically mutilate her body is up to her, the real issue is, in my opinion, that she like many women, have been scared into a state of obedience to the medical industry and a total distrust of her own body. She has subscribed to the myth that our genes predetermine our life and we cant do anything about it. We are helpless and victims to our genes and their blueprint.
This is an outdated notion but its very convienent for the business of medicine. Cancer, or any disease for that matter is never a matter of “chance” or “luck.” It is a lifestyle issue, it’s a matter of cause/effect. Genes are turned on and off by our lifestyle activities.
The advertising push on selling this ‘preventative health care’ is to let women know that they have options. Yes, those options are cutting, poisoning and burning – and its working. Cancer clinics in the US are reporting a huge influx of women requesting the BRCA1 testing. There is no inclination to suggest to women that they could do something to nfluence their genes turning on/off. Areas such as their structure, diet, environment, emotional state, exercise habits don’t rate a mention – lifestyle considerations seem to be irrelevant.
This is a wake-up call to those chiropractors who see a bigger picture than this limited model of reductionism. The people who seek your counsel are being bombarded by this outside/in thinking that is desempowering them at every turn. I contend that one of our most important roles as chiropractors (and CAs) is to restore TRUST in life to those we serve. When people trust their body they are more connected to it and tend to treat it with more reverence. Then they see that there is a smarted way to prevention.
