It’s a question that many people ask when faced with a family history of cancer. If your parents or grandparents had cancer, does that mean you are destined to develop it too? The short answer is not necessarily. While genetics play a role in disease risk, the emerging science of epigenetics shows us that your lifestyle and environment have a significant impact on how your genes behave.
Have you ever wondered how your body knows exactly what to do to keep you strong and healthy? It’s like an instruction book that’s been passed down to you—your DNA. But here’s something truly fascinating: not every page of this book is used all the time. Instead, your body has a special way of deciding which pages to read and which to set aside based on what’s happening in your life. This remarkable system is called epigenetics.
What makes epigenetics so exciting is that it doesn’t change your actual DNA—the instructions remain the same. Instead, it works like sticky notes or bookmarks, marking certain genes to be turned on or off depending on your needs. If you’re running and need more energy, your body flips on the right pages to release it quickly. If you’re fighting a cold, it highlights the genes that support your immune system.
And here’s the truly amazing part: your lifestyle plays a major role in how these notes are placed. What you eat, how much you move, the stress you carry, and even the air you breathe can influence which genes are activated. Eating fresh, healthy foods can add helpful notes, making your body work more efficiently, while too much stress or exposure to harmful substances can place negative marks, making it harder for your body to function at its best.
When it comes to cancer, this is incredibly important. While you may inherit genes that slightly increase your risk, it is how those genes are expressed that truly determines your health. Many cancer-related genes can be turned on or off depending on lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress management, sleep, and toxin exposure.
The best news? Many of these changes can be reversed. You have the power to rewrite the notes your body uses. By making simple, positive choices—like nourishing your body with good food, staying active, and managing stress—you can help your genes work in your favor. Scientists are even using epigenetics to develop groundbreaking treatments, resetting the “notes” on genes to fight diseases like cancer and chronic illnesses.
Epigenetics reminds us that while we inherit our DNA, how it’s expressed is influenced by the choices we make every day. This means that we have more control over our health than we might have thought. Even small changes can have a big impact, unlocking your body’s natural ability to thrive.
So if you’ve ever felt like your health was beyond your control, take heart. You are not just a product of your genetics—you are an active participant in your own well-being. Every choice you make is a step toward a healthier, happier you.
Disclaimer – Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary from patient to patient based upon the circumstances of the patient’s specific situation. A result is not promised and/or guaranteed from the act of receiving a treatment.
