A cardiologist’s 20-year fight against recurrent cancer reveals five lifestyle choices that can turn a healthy body into a cancer-prone one—starting in childhood.
Dr. Chen Wei-hua, a cardiologist in Taiwan, never expected his own medical expertise would become the lens through which he examined his own survival. Over two decades, beginning at age 32, Chen was diagnosed with cancer not once, not twice, but four separate times. Speaking on the Taiwanese health program Health 2.0, he traced the root of his recurrent illness not to genetic predisposition, but to a set of deeply ingrained habits formed during his early years—habits that, he now believes, created an “easy-cancer constitution.”
The Four Diagnoses That Changed a Doctor’s Life
Chen’s first cancer struck when he was in his early thirties. Subsequent diagnoses followed at intervals over the next 20 years, each requiring aggressive treatment and forcing him to re-evaluate his own health practices. While the exact types of cancer and treatment milestones were detailed in the program, the key takeaway was consistent: none of the cancers were attributable to a hereditary cancer syndrome. Instead, Chen pointed to five specific lifestyle patterns he adopted as a child and maintained into adulthood.
The Five Habits That Fueled a Cancer-Prone Body
According to Chen, these behaviors collectively compromised his immune system and cellular repair mechanisms:
- Chronic sleep deprivation – He regularly slept fewer than six hours per night, starting in adolescence.
- A diet heavy in processed and grilled meats – Frequent consumption of charred or preserved foods introduced carcinogens over decades.
- Sedentary lifestyle – Long hours seated during study and later at work led to metabolic sluggishness.
- High stress without proper management – He suppressed emotional strain rather than addressing it.
- Alcohol consumption despite facial flushing – Perhaps the most telling habit: Chen would drink alcohol even though his face turned red—a sign his body could not properly metabolize ethanol.
The Alcohol–Flushing Connection: A Genetic Warning for Asians
Chen’s experience dovetails with a well-documented phenomenon among East Asian populations. Approximately 30–50% of people of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean descent carry a genetic deficiency in the ALDH2 enzyme. This deficiency prevents the efficient breakdown of acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. The immediate symptom is facial flushing, but the long-term consequence is far graver: a dramatically elevated risk of esophageal cancer—up to 50 times higher than in those without the deficiency.
“Drinking until your face turns red isn’t a harmless trait; it’s a biological red flag,” Chen explained on the show. He now advocates for routine screening and lifestyle audits, especially for individuals who experience this reaction.
Expert Insights: Prevention Starts Early
Oncologists and public health experts who reviewed Chen’s case emphasize that while genetics play a role in some cancers, modifiable risk factors account for an estimated 40–50% of all cancer cases worldwide. The World Health Organization lists tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and infections as the leading preventable causes.
Dr. Chen’s story offers a powerful, human counterpoint to statistics: a medical professional who knew the risks but had internalized them only after personal crisis.
Nine Actionable Steps to Reduce Cancer Risk
Drawing from Chen’s experience and broader clinical guidelines, here are evidence-based strategies:
- Prioritize sleep – Aim for 7–9 hours per night; chronic sleep disruption impairs immune surveillance.
- Limit alcohol—or avoid it entirely if you flush – No amount of alcohol is considered safe for cancer prevention.
- Eat a plant-forward diet – Minimize processed and red meats; choose whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
- Stay physically active – At least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
- Manage stress proactively – Meditation, therapy, or even regular social connection can reduce inflammation.
- Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke – The single most impactful change.
- Maintain a healthy body weight – Obesity is linked to 13 types of cancer.
- Get vaccinated against HPV and hepatitis B – These viruses cause cervical and liver cancers respectively.
- Undergo regular screening – Early detection dramatically improves outcomes.
A Broader Lesson for Hong Kong and Beyond
Dr. Chen’s narrative is especially relevant in Hong Kong, where cancer is the leading cause of death. Lifestyle-related cancers—including colorectal, breast, and lung—are rising. The city’s high-stress, fast-paced culture often encourages the very habits Chen described: poor sleep, irregular meals, and reliance on alcohol for social lubrication.
His story underscores a crucial message: cancer prevention is not merely about avoiding the obvious—it’s about examining the everyday choices that, over decades, tip the balance from health to disease. For those who grew up with “harmless” routines like skipping breakfast or drinking until flushed, the warning is clear: the body remembers what the mind chooses to ignore.
For further reading, explore resources from the Hong Kong Cancer Fund or the World Cancer Research Fund on lifestyle and prevention.