23 Comments
Nov 10, 2023Liked by Robyn Chuter

Another wonderful post! Not enough people are making these posts. The medicos just push more and more cancer screenings, tests, surgeries, chemo; you name it. And for what? At best, a measly few months of extra life, but that's just for the sigmoidoscopy (but almost ALL the patients have colonoscopies, anyway!), otherwise it effectively doesn't make a damned bit of difference. And who wants to spend a tonne of time in hospitals getting poisoned with chemo and seeing miserable 'doctors'?!

So I say get on with life, enjoy yourself, stress less - and of course do those healthy lifestyle things!

OK, so we don't eat a purely plant-based diet (we DO eat meat, but also plenty of organic plant food and we are dairy-free & soy-free & try to have no GMO foods + I make a lot of food from scratch), but we exercise, there's zero alcohol or smoking going on, I breastfed all my kids, they're adamant about eating well and having NO injections - ever - and they love sport! So perhaps in my family, even though my Mum has had countless skin cancers cut out/burned off, and my Dad had his prostate out in his 50s due to super high PSA, we tend to do the 'lifestyle' thing differently and thus may get different outcomes. I live in hope :-)

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author

You raise an important point which I was going to include in the article, but decided against (and now I'm questioning that decision) - what is the quality of life like for people who eke out that 100 or so extra days? Most of my clients who have gone through the cancer treatment process would probably opt to skip the chemo, radiation etc and just die sooner, rather than spend their remaining days on earth throwing up, suffering the pain and disability of neuropathy, and feeling exhausted.

By the way, if you remember my article on skin cancer screening (https://robynchuter.substack.com/p/skin-cancer-checks-life-saver-or), the Swedish women who had the most superficial skin cancers and highest sun exposure actually had the highest life expectancy.

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Nov 13, 2023Liked by Robyn Chuter

I think most people do the chemo out of fear of dying, or because the doctor said so. They're invariably told it's a good prognosis if they do the chemo - but we know this is not necessarily the case.

From my observation, too, these people are usually sick as dogs, their quality of life is pathetic, and sometimes they die anyway! Who wants a pile of surgeries to remove the tumour/s, only to find they've spread to the lymphatic system, then you do chemo, only to find you get horribly sick, depressed and miserable...and then you die anyway!

I've known for YEARS that I'll never do chemo. My Mum's inclined the same way. I just couldn't bear feeling sick the whole time and spending time in and out of hospitals (my least favourite places in the world...) only to probably die soon, anyway. Might as well live on my own terms in my own way, and then die on my own terms and my own way, too!

But since I don't get checked for cancers, I'll just do the living part for the time being, thanks ;-)

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I am 100% in favour of living, rather than spending your precious life in mortal fear of dying! And yes, hospitals are truly horrible places. AI visited a friend in hospital today. Vending machines selling junk food in every corridor, overweight nurses waddling through the wards, COVID signs everywhere - blech!!!!! I couldn't wait to get out of there!

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Nov 14, 2023Liked by Robyn Chuter

I hope your friend gets out of hospital soon so you don't have to go back there!

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You and me both!

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Why do many GP's have their "practice" next to a pharmacy? Personal responsibility for many people is a bridge too far; E.g jab uptake, trust in the government, that is all.

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It's a fully integrated business model.

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May 29Liked by Robyn Chuter

yes that is correct. Just drive down any main road and notice new building. Many of them are medical centres which incorporate everything. Building companies like one currently at Benowa are developed by specific practice builders. Just more and more and more of them.

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Nov 10, 2023Liked by Robyn Chuter

I remember hearing a story about a bloke in New York who won a substantial lottery prize. He could then afford to have a medical check up. A massive tumour was found and he died within weeks.

I just wonder whether it was the shock that forced his body into a death spiral, otherwise perhaps he would still be alive ??

I've often said, (tongue in cheek to some extent), that I don't go to the Dr because they might find something. So next time the bowel kit comes along, I'll turf it.

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Ooof, that's a depressing story. I have heard similar anecdotes, such as the man who was told he had a massive tumour that would end his life in a matter of months. He died right on cue, but an autopsy revealed no signs of cancer in his body. So what did he die of? Fear, grief, shock?

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G'day Robyn, not being a smart arse but the heading doesn't make sense. Should it be don't?

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No, that's what I meant to say - the study found that cancer screening programs don't extend life.

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Roc, shouldn't it be 'subheading' ? :)

Someone fix something or i will remain confused. :)

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Ah, thanks!!!! The do did need to be don't!

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My attempt @ correction was incorrect.👍🇦🇺😃

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I was too literal - I was focused on the heading rather than the subheading.

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All good, great to see we're paying attention.😃🇦🇺👍

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I read that the lifespan difference between a healthy lifestyle vs one that is reliant on medication, e.g., statins, blood pressure meds, diabetes drugs is only about 3-5 years. I’m not talking quality of life, just longevity. That doesn’t seem like a great return on investment. Please understand, I’m not advocating the poor choices that would put someone in a situation reliant on big pharma and mainstream medicine to keep them alive. Just curious. Is pharmaceutical life support that effective? Thinking about all the people my age I see at Costco waiting to get their prescription filled.

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The lifespan extension may not be a barn-burner, but the healthspan extension certainly is, and that's where the real return on investment lies. All those people you see at Costco are living existences of pain, disability and low energy. People who invest in their health are still ALIVE well into old age.

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May 29Liked by Robyn Chuter

Hi Robyn

Sorry to interject with this question in a chat but I am on the Goldie and have not seen a quack in some years having gone off reflux pills. I take nothing. I do believe at 70 yo I should perhaps get a check over but its hard to find a good integrative 'doctor'. Do you have any recommendations? My wife is on so many pills and the only places she goes is to do with docs, chemists etc so I am very strange in her eyes. My sister is going through a glioblastoma so it raises the question of checkups. Anyway great content as usual.

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It's highly questionable that you should get a check over!!! See my article https://empowertotalhealth.com.au/should-you-get-an-annual-check-up-the-experts-say-no/:

'A review of 14 randomised controlled trials, including a total of 182,880 participants, found that patients who attended an annual check-up (defined as “a visit dedicated solely to preventive counseling and screening tests” – i.e. not for management of a pre-existing condition) were, compared to the control group who didn’t attend an annual check-up:

20% more likely to be diagnosed with a new condition over the course of six years;

More likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol;

More likely to be prescribed drugs for high blood pressure;

Just as likely to be admitted to hospital, suffer a disability, worry about their health, be referred to one or more specialists, require additional visits to the doctor, or have to take sickness-related days off work; AND

Just as likely to die from cancer, cardiovascular disease, or any other sickness-related cause.'

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May 29Liked by Robyn Chuter

Thanks for taking the time to reply. That's pretty much my thinking. I'm watching heaps of people younger than me trotting off to appointments.

Customers I might work for have to slot you in between doctors visits which is sad. Anyway waffling on.

Thanks again

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