Are We Giving Our Kids a Fighting Chance? Rethinking What We Pass On—Beyond Genetics

Are We Giving Our Kids a Fighting Chance? Rethinking What We Pass On—Beyond Genetics

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When you’ve walked through a cancer diagnosis, everything changes. You reassess your habits, your priorities, and how you care for yourself. But here’s the question we don’t ask enough: What are we passing on to our children—beyond our genes?

As survivors, we understand the trauma and chaos that comes with hearing the words “You have cancer.” But what if part of our healing journey is equipping our kids to avoid that same path? What if the real legacy we leave them is not just resilience, but prevention?

That’s the conversation we had in our latest Besties with Breasties podcast episode, and it’s one we all need to have.

Our Kids Are Not Okay

Let’s talk facts. Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past four decades. Ultra-processed foods dominate school lunches. Movement is optional. And screen time? It’s the new default.

When we were kids, we rode bikes until the streetlights came on. Today, many of our kids are living sedentary, high-stress lives—despite being just 10, 12, or 14 years old. As adults, we know this lifestyle takes a toll on our bodies. But for kids, the damage is just beginning.

And here’s the kicker: up to 40% of cancers are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and weight. This isn’t just about feeling better. It’s about not getting cancer at 35.

What We Can Do—Today

So how do we protect our kids? Not by shaming, scaring, or preaching—but by modeling. Here are a few small shifts that can make a big difference:

1. Get Moving Together

Turn family time into walk time. Take your kids hiking. Start a simple family fitness challenge. Movement should be normalized—not just for sports teams, but for life.

2. Cook at Home (Even When It’s Hard)

Our podcast co-host Sarah shared how she’s shifting from fast food to family dinners—even if it’s just once or twice a week. You don’t need to be a chef. Just start with one real-food meal.

3. Talk About Health Like It Matters

It’s okay to talk to kids about how food affects their brain, mood, and long-term health. When we frame it as empowerment, not restriction, they listen.

4. Let Go of Guilt

If you’ve relied on convenience foods or too much screen time to survive cancer treatment (or life), you are not a bad parent. But today is always a chance to make a new choice.

Your Diagnosis Can Be Their Prevention

There’s something powerful about survivors stepping up to break the cycle. We can turn our experience into action—not just for our own recovery, but for our families’ futures.

In this week’s podcast episode, we didn’t just talk about the data—we talked about the why. Why it matters. Why it’s hard. Why it’s worth doing anyway. You can listen to the full episode here:

Final Thoughts

At Faith Through Fire, we believe in thriving—not just surviving. That means making changes that ripple through our homes and our communities. Helping our kids develop healthier habits isn’t just a parenting win—it’s a generational investment in wellness and longevity.

Because maybe the best way to fight cancer… is to help our kids never hear those words at all.

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