History of early family cancer deaths finally hitting me ...

[robnplunder]

I am 56 YO, happily retired. Both of my younger brothers died of cancer at ages 49 & 54. At the time of their death, it didn't occur to me that I am next. I am in perfect health and never thought about dying before 80. Now, I realize I have outlived my younger brothers and I can die of cancer at any time. Frankly, I am quite miffed about the whole deal. For those who were/are in similar situation as me, how are you dealing with this "family history?"

 

[Teacher Terry]

I am so sorry you lost both siblings. Everyone on my mom’s side of the family has died of cancer except for my aunt who is still cancer free at 93. It may never happen to you.

 

[RAE]

Very sorry to hear about you losing both of your brothers at such an early age. I don't have a lot history of cancer in my family, but I have done a fair amount of reading about lifestyle/diet modifications that may help reduce cancer risk. One website I would recommend you check out is the one by Dr. Colin Champ. Dr. Champ is an oncologist in Pittsburgh who has written extensively about things we can all do that may help prevent cancer. He also has written a book, I believe, but I have not read his book yet. In any case, I think a lot of his blog posts are worth reading, and his advice is worth considering (note: I have no connection to him other than I do follow his blog). Here is a link:
Colin Champ - Passionate about your health

 

[RunningBum]

My mom's parents only made their late 50s and early 60s. She figured she wouldn't live much longer, but she just had her 82nd.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Most of the people I know that died from cancer lived and ate super healthy.

 

[Fedup]

You might want to check out books from Jimmy Carter from the library. I did read that his family died very young, in the early 50s, but he did modify his diet and he is still alive and kicking. Even though my mom died young with cancer at 63, I have relatives on both sides made to the 90s without a lot of modern medicine. Call me an optimist but I plan to follow these relatives.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I don’t think anyone should be reckless with their health but much is beyond our individual control.

 

[Texas Proud]

I think I would see if the cancers that they died of had a genetic connection... and if they did I would get a genetic test done if possible...


I would also make sure that I had a checkup on a regular basis and make sure the doc knew my families history... there are many times I do not think they even read what you put down as they always seemed surprised when you tell them that so and so in your family had whatever... even though you put it on the form you had to fill out....


SOOO, testing, testing testing.. many cancers can be dealt with if found early enough...

 

[robnplunder]

Very sorry to hear about you losing both of your brothers at such an early age. I don't have a lot history of cancer in my family, but I have done a fair amount of reading about lifestyle/diet modifications that may help reduce cancer risk. One website I would recommend you check out is the one by Dr. Colin Champ. Dr. Champ is an oncologist in Pittsburgh who has written extensively about things we can all do that may help prevent cancer. He also has written a book, I believe, but I have not read his book yet. In any case, I think a lot of his blog posts are worth reading, and his advice is worth considering (note: I have no connection to him other than I do follow his blog). Here is a link:
Colin Champ - Passionate about your health

Thanks. I will check it out.

I have been looking into good habits to stave off cancer. When the 1st of my brother was diagnosed with cancer, I stopped what little smoking I did. I have been eating healthier food, switched from coffee to green tea, do regular Dr. checkups, .... But I wonder if genetics is against me. The one good thing going for me is that I have always buck the family trend .

 

[mamadogmamacat]

I have no siblings, but I'm in a line of direct same gender ancestors who all died of the same type of brain cancer, going back five generations. All passed somewhere between age 54 and 67. So, I expect the same may well happen to me. One Aunt bucked the trend and made it to 91 and a cousin died at 44. i really do not worry about it, but do simply note I am now at 58 soon, right in the middle of the pack statistically (most died toward the low end of the range). If i make it past 67 it will be interesting to see how far i go. None of us is guaranteed a known expiration date (well perhaps except once we get the diagnosis, but that is only a matter of months to a couple yrs at best), so live as happily as one can, do what seems reasonable and effective for you in terms of healthy living and enjoy the time.

 

[ncbill]

I think I would see if the cancers that they died of had a genetic connection... and if they did I would get a genetic test done if possible...


I would also make sure that I had a checkup on a regular basis and make sure the doc knew my families history... there are many times I do not think they even read what you put down as they always seemed surprised when you tell them that so and so in your family had whatever... even though you put it on the form you had to fill out....


SOOO, testing, testing testing.. many cancers can be dealt with if found early enough...

Yes, please, get regular checkups, mammograms, etc.

One older relative that I'm now caring for (early 70s) basically didn't get any of the above after she was laid off around age 60 (never went back to work) because of the out-of-pocket cost.

Beginning of this year she started having back issues too painful too ignore, and eventually went in for spinal surgery.

Which had to be stopped given what the surgeon saw...after more tests were then diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer.

Apparently the tumors from that were impinging on the spine and causing the back pain.

She's gone from hospital to nursing home for rehab now to skilled care and I'm trying to find them an assisted living situation as well as get her on Hospice (could still live several more years)

 

[Dawg52]

My brother died at 56 of cancer. Parents lived to a ripe old age although my mother had breast cancer along the way. So cancer in my family is a mixed bag. I know cancer could raise its ugly head at anytime, but I don't dwell on it. I just try to eat a balanced diet(could do better) and exercise daily. And have annual physicals. Not much else I can do.

 

[joeea]

I am in perfect health and never thought about dying before 80. Now, I realize I have outlived my younger brothers and I can die of cancer at any time. Frankly, I am quite miffed about the whole deal. For those who were/are in similar situation as me, how are you dealing with this "family history?"

Everyone can die at any time.

Until last year I considered myself as being in perfect health. Then I was diagnosed with cancer. I'm being treated and I feel fine.

You deal with it by making sure your doctor knows and understands your family history, and sets up the appropriate screening tests. Depending on the type of cancer, heredity may or may not have any bearing on your prognosis. Your doctor can tell you for sure. My cancer is not hereditary and should have absolutely no impact on my children, grandchildren, or siblings. I told them all about it.

For me, I haven't done anything differently. I live my life as I did before. Other than periodic infusions, I don't let it get in my way at all. I have a great life.

 

[eytonxav]

My mother died at 59 from cancer, and father at 74 from heart disease. I am almost 70, so I just try to eat reasonably healthy and exercise. I do not want to spend my time left worrying about my eventual demise.

 

[RAE]

I don’t think anyone should be reckless with their health but much is beyond our individual control.

I don't necessarily agree. Quite a few cancer experts believe that a majority (maybe up to 90%, even) of cancers have their roots in diet/environment/lifestyle, and not genetic defects. A lot has been written about this in the medical literature.

Yes, sometimes cancer does kill people that are doing everything right. But I think it probably kills a whole lot more people that could have made some improvements in diet/lifestyle/environment to reduce their chances of dying from it. So I think it is a mistake to think that getting cancer is virtually inevitable, if you have a history of cancer in your family.

 

[RAE]

robnplunder - One thing you may have come across in your reading about cancer prevention is intermittent fasting. We have discussed it before on this site......there is probably a thread with that title if you do a search. Anyway, some doctors and others think intermittent fasting may help reduce the chances of getting cancer, and also other diseases. IF does not mean that you go without eating for a full day, or anything like that.......typically you can just restrict your eating to a 16-hour window for at least a couple days each week (or more days, if you like). No need to restrict overall food consumption or go hungry.

Anyway, it may be something you could look into. I have been doing IF for a short while now, and I may continue. Here is one short article about it:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-intermittent-fasting

 

[Bamaman]

Best thing everyone can do for their health is to for yearly physicals including bloodwork and a Xray.

So many lung cancer patients are stage IV when they find out they have cancer. They dismiss their chronic coughs and signs. And they do often are smokers. We recently buried a friend that had lung cancer that not been going for physicals.

We buried our favorite niece that died at 45 of uterine cancer. She had not even been to the doctor for years--living in France and England.

My wife had an especially fast growing uterine cancer that was caught quick on a yearly PAP smear. With surgery, no radiation or.chemotherapy was required--11 years ago. Had she waited 6 months, her situation would have most likely been terminal.

So many examples hit us all in life.

 

[Fedup]

My mom had lung cancer. She complained to her doctors and they said it was old age. Gave her some aspirins or something like that until one day she collapsed on the floor of her house and ambulance had to be called in. She was never a smoker. But she had asthma her whole life.

 

[Fedup]

On what to eat to avoid cancer, I tend to eat less high caloric food because I’m always worry about the free radicals. Also I don’t eat charred food. I tend to marinate my meat first before I grill it. I read and avoid food that potential cause trouble.

But in my family, most people died of heart attack, only one so far died of cancer. My grandmother died of breaking bone, osteoporosis I believe, but she was a smoker. Nobody had breast cancer.

But I worry about ovarian cancer because it’s a silent disease. I don’t know how you can detect it ahead.

 

[Bir48die]

I don't necessarily agree. Quite a few cancer experts believe that a majority (maybe up to 90%, even) of cancers have their roots in diet/environment/lifestyle, and not genetic defects. A lot has been written about this in the medical literature.

Yes, sometimes cancer does kill people that are doing everything right. But I think it probably kills a whole lot more people that could have made some improvements in diet/lifestyle/environment to reduce their chances of dying from it. So I think it is a mistake to think that getting cancer is virtually inevitable, if you have a history of cancer in your family.

I doubt the 90% claim. For every theory there is one that is changed years down the road. We're all looking for an answer to why people get cancer. I'd be curious what men do wrong to get prostate cancer.

Not everything in life can be explained. I've lost a wife at a young age to cancer. To this day I wonder why but also understand that life is random and messy.

 

[latexman]

Similar situation. Dad had a quadruple by-pass at age 62. Older brother had a stent at 57 and a triple by-pass at . . . 62. I'm 62 next year.

I had a stress test this year. Dr. said I did so well don't come back for at least 5 years!

My brother told me this just means I didn't need a by-pass THAT day.

Don't you just love family.

 

[kgtest]

Getting screened for Colon cancer on Friday. I know, I know, everyone tells me NEVER do this procedure on a Friday. I am hoping by me asking the Dr to be honest about his detection rates that he will perk up and end his week on a very concentrated effort.


I swear a person can live by the book, and still be the unlucky one. I also feel as you get another decade older, there is just that much more noise about people passing from cancer, or knowing those who have.


The only thing I fear is death. I need some readings or books to help me cope with that anxiety lol. I can't wrap my head around non-existence. Perhaps a few more pains and aches need to pop up before I start to think otherwise.

 

[joeea]

Also I don’t eat charred food. I tend to marinate my meat first before I grill it.

Do you feel that marinating meat prevents charring?
We might have different definitions of "charred food".

 

[NW-Bound]

Most of the people I know that died from cancer lived and ate super healthy.

Cancer is a strange disease. It is not well understood, yet 1/2 of people will eventually develop it. It is most common among older people, but I think more and more younger people have it, meaning 50 and below, and as young as in the 20s. Environment has something to do with it, but it may not be something one can avoid in modern society with all kinds of chemicals used in manufacturing. Maybe that's the price to pay for having smartphones and computers.

Yet, cancer is as old as living animals. In Ref 2 below, the author describes how fossils of dinosaurs show they had bone cancer.

I found the following books helpful in understanding cancer.

1) The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer - Siddhartha Mukherjee

2) The Cancer Chronicles: Unlocking Medicine's Deepest Mystery - George Johnson

 

[easysurfer]

I have the same fear as the OP in the back of my mind. I go for annual checkups, and my doc says that I'm in good health. Yet at the same timing, looking at family history, I fear cancer would show up. In the meantime, I try my best to live healthy (don't abuse myself by smoking or eating wrong, exercise), yet at the same time I wonder if nature wins over nurture.