The death of Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple, sparked widespread discussion about the potential causes of his pancreatic cancer and the impact of his dietary choices on his health. This article aims to explore the multifaceted factors that may have contributed to his illness and untimely death, drawing on available information and expert opinions.
Environmental Exposure and Cancer Risk
It's important to consider the potential role of environmental factors in the development of Steve Jobs' cancer. According to some sources, exposure to environmental chemicals while working in the electronics industry during his teenage and young adult years could have been a contributing factor. This aligns with the understanding that exposure to carcinogens can increase cancer risk. His father, a longtime electronics engineer and hobbyist died at age 70 of pancreatic cancer.
The Delay in Surgery and its Potential Consequences
One of the most debated aspects of Steve Jobs' cancer journey is his decision to delay surgery for nine months after his initial diagnosis in 2003. While the exact consequences of this delay are difficult to determine, some medical professionals believe it may have negatively impacted his chances of survival. Harvard medical school researcher, Dr. Ramzi Amri, referred to Jobs’ death at age 56, “unnecessarily early” due to his reliance on alternative medicine.
Amri argued that Jobs reduced his chances of survival by resisting his doctors’ recommendations of immediate surgery after the 2003 diagnosis. “Given the circumstances it seems sound to assume that Mr. Jobs’ choice for alternative medicine could have led to an unnecessarily early death.”
Dr. Jeffrey A. Norton, chief of surgical oncology at Stanford University, stated, “surgery is the only treatment modality that can result in a cure.”
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However, it's also important to note that Jobs had a less aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. Julie Fleshman, president and chief executive officer of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, said that patients in Jobs’ situation don’t automatically have to rush treatment. “The length of time before you have to make a decision about your treatment is not as quick as someone whose been diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma,” she added.
Ultimately, whether earlier intervention would have altered the course of his disease remains a matter of speculation.
The Role of Diet: Veganism, Fruitarianism, and Fructose
Steve Jobs was known for his strict and often peculiar dietary habits, including periods of veganism and fruitarianism. While some believe his lifelong plant-based diet may have prolonged his life, others suggest that certain aspects of his diet could have been detrimental.
There is a myth that Steve Jobs was a vegan. In 2000, a customer who worked at Apple said, “That’s actually a myth. Steve loves chocolate milk and drinks almost a quart a day.”
It is important to note that Steve Jobs' diet seems to have been consistently organic and high quality.
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The Potential Benefits of a Vegan Diet
A well-planned vegan diet, rich in whole plant foods, can offer numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of certain cancers. However, it is crucial to ensure that the diet is balanced and provides all the necessary nutrients.
The Concerns Surrounding Fruitarianism and High Fructose Intake
Jobs' dietary habits included periods of fruitarianism and a high intake of fruit juices. Some experts have raised concerns about the potential negative effects of excessive fructose consumption. Fruits and fruit juices are not only high on the glycemic index, but loaded with fructose. In all but small quantities, they greatly stress the liver and pancreas, contribute to diabetes and many other blood sugar disorders, and have been linked to pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Anthony Healy of UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center proposed that aberrant fructose metabolism-and not just aberrant glucose metabolism-might be involved in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer.
The "Mucusless Diet" and its Influence
Jobs was influenced by "The Mucusless Diet Healing System" by Arnold Ehret. Ehret claimed the human body is an "air-gas engine" that runs well only on fruits, starchless vegetables and edible green leaves. Soy and other legumes, according to this way of thinking, were to be disdained as mucus-producing forbidden foods.
Deviations from Strict Veganism
It's worth noting that Jobs occasionally deviated from his strict vegan diet and indulged in foods like eggs, salmon, and unagi sushi.
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Alternative Medicine vs. Conventional Treatment
Another controversial aspect of Steve Jobs' cancer journey was his initial reliance on alternative medicine treatments. While some alternative therapies may offer complementary benefits, medical experts generally advise against using them as the sole treatment for cancer.
After nine months of undergoing alternative medicine treatments for his disease, Jobs decided to allow for the use of conventional medicine in July 2004 due to the size of his tumor increasing.
It is still not known what exactly Jobs did to treat his cancer. He did reportedly restrict his diet to only fruits or fruits and vegetables, consulted psychics, and tried a procedure known as hydrotherapy.
Cancer Development: A Prolonged Process
It's important to understand that cancer development is often a long-term process. As one individual noted, cancer can spend so much time growing in the body. This perspective aligns with the understanding that exposure to carcinogens can initiate changes at a cellular level that may take years or even decades to manifest as detectable cancer.
The "Think Different" Approach: A Double-Edged Sword
Steve Jobs was known for his unconventional thinking and willingness to challenge the status quo. While this "think different" approach fueled his innovation and success, it may have also influenced his healthcare decisions.
The Gerson Therapy
Some individuals believe that The Gerson Therapy would have been the best course of treatment for Steve Jobs.
Lifestyle Factors and Genetic Predisposition
In addition to environmental and dietary factors, lifestyle choices and genetic predisposition can also play a role in cancer risk. Certainly, Jobs was exposed over the years to massive bombardment from WiFi and other electromagnetic fields (EMFs).