Young, but worried about cancer

robousy · New User Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 2

This is my first post on this forum so Hello to everybody. Very Happy

I don't really know anyone who can give me advice on cancer so had the bright idea of looking for a forum and found this site which looks like it has some well educated people! Smile

Here is my 'problem'. I am a 28 year old male and (as far as I know) do not have cancer. It very much runs in the family however.
My father died in his early 40s from multiple myloma.
Grandfather died in his 50s from leukemia and I remember my mum telling me of other male family members who have died if cancer.

So, as you can imagine, the track record for males in my family is not too great and I am thus a little concerned at my future prospects.

I have a healthy diet. I (stupidly) smoke as boy from about age 15 to 25, but no more than maybe 20 cigarettes a week and now have the occasional smoke (maybe once or twice a month).

My question really is the following. Should I be thinking about going for some kind of cancer checkup??? Who do I see, what do I say?? Would I be justified or am I just being paranoid??

Its been on my mind a lot recently as I just got engaged and don't want to die in a few years and leave my wife with kids she can barely support, which is (unfortunately) what happened in my mothers case.

Any help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

Richard

Smile

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 121 Location: CA SF

I'm guessing you don't have a primary doctor or a regular healthcare provider? If you're concerned then you should get an MRI, X-ray, Cat scan, etc to check your brain and body for any signs. If there's something bugging you like a pain then get checked but if there's nothing wrong with you other than your fears, just don't worry about it. Good thing you cut down on the smoking habit bit if you really want to be sure about a bright future, then stop smoking completely. A close family friend, he's in his 50's, was diagnosed with lung cancer, he used to smoke packs of cigarettes daily and the cancer is terminal but the good thing is the cancer is sleeping, and been for a couple years now. My advice, don't worry, get plenty of exercise and maintain a heathy diet!

robousy · New User Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 2

Ok, thanks a lot for the advice!

Btw, you mentioned only take action if I feel a nagging pain.
Is this a significant pain that hurts constantly, or can it be something that comes and goes?

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 121 Location: CA SF

well I don't know, either way if the pain is not by injury then you should get yourself checked, I mean it's better to be safe. Good luck

amitaken · New User Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 2

[quote] Ok, thanks a lot for the advice!

Btw, you mentioned only take action if I feel a nagging pain.
Is this a significant pain that hurts constantly, or can it be something that comes and goes? [/quote]

In my case, it was something that just seemed out of order. You know after 28 years what feels normal and is routine for you. If something suddenly changes or changes gradually over time (perhaps something spotted by a close friend or family member), get it looked at by your healthcare professional.
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pathos · New User Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 8

I would not immediatly follow SFGiants advice. It seems that what you have in your family is more blood cancers or soft tissue cancers in your family. And almost certainly a genetic predisposition. Getting any diagnostic test that uses radiation to screen for cancer may increase your risk of cancer. If you do not have a solid tumor then these test really are not needed. If I were you, I would talk to your primary care physician about your fears and get a consult with a hemtologist. I am sure that they can 1. look at your current blood cells and make sure they are normal and 2. use molecular diagnostics to explore your genetype for know mutated cancer genes that likely lead to soft tissue cancers.

leo · Owner Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Multiple myeloma and leukemia do not run in families. You should get the preventive care any other regular person at your age does. At your age no tests are indicated. You should abstain from smoking, that's the best thing you can do.

best regards,
Leo
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Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

pathos · New User Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 8

[quote="leo"]Hello

Multiple myeloma and leukemia do not run in families.

best regards,
Leo[/quote]

Are you certain? The literature seems to say that it does occur familially by identified suseptability genes and as yet unidentified genes.

Here is a review.
Familial (inherited) leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma: an overview.
Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2004 Jan-Feb;32(1):246-61.

jsmi43 · New User Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 3

I have APL leukemia and my doctor has told me that it doesn't run in the family. Lucky for me, since I"M 21, it can't be passed to children or anything. I wouldn't worry about inheriting it if I were you, but in my experience getting checked by the doctor if you're not feeling right is a good idea. I had nothing more than a bloody nose and some bruising and my doctors told me I had only a few days to live. Can't hurt to find out.

bluefin · Regular Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 16

Well i think as you are feeling fine then i dont think you sohuld go for a cancer checkup
however in the future if you are suffering from any symptoms of cancer then go to the doctor staright away for a check up and dont wait for things to aggravate
anyway you can have a look at this very intersting thread that i found at one of the forum
http://www.globalthreads.com/forum/ShowPost-15544.aspx

Brightlight · New User Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

I know I'm a little late on a response here, but I'm new and figured it couldn't hurt to post. Like you I have a family history filled with cancer, my own father was diagnosed just over 2 years ago with colon cancer (my grandfather also had colon cancer). With genetic counselling (the analysis of risk for genetic defects in a family and the presentation of options available to avoid or ameliorate possible risks) it was found that my sibling and myself were at a 55-70% chance of developing cancer. So I understand where you are coming from, I'm 20 years old and I know my odds (they aren't so good, but I refuse to let it rule my life). Even if I did inherit the defective gene, that doesnt mean that I will develop cancer so don't worry too much..
However, I agree with those who have already posted that you should see your primary doctor. A family physiscian is the best way to monitor your health, and because they know your history they can advise the best course of preventive action. I, myself, start yearly exams when I turn 22, as per the genetic counsellor's recommendation, because colon cancer is a genetic defect that is transmitted.

And as for your last question, you're not paranoid. When something like cancer hits so close to home, it's only natural to be worried.

I hope this helped.

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