Scared, will it happen to me too?

t187 · New User Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Hi guys this is my first post,

I come from a lebanese backround, we've been living and raised in Australia for the past 12 years or so. My issue is my fathers side of the family and the bad cases of cancer involved. My father comes from a large family,1 of my aunts has kidney cancer which she is still fighting, one of my uncles died of cancer last year. two of my cousins have had breast cancer, however one of my cousins passed away from it last year also. another uncle had a large tumor removed from his leg after feeling it last year, and my own father has liver cancer. He was diagnosed over two years ago, which is great seeing that our doctors, who are regarded as the best in our country(Professor Morris) only gave him a 2 month limit. however over the last couple of years the cancer has been treated, we've had numerous good and bad surgeries to remove it, it was all fine about a year ago when all the cancer had stopped growing and the bulk removed in an operation, however it has come back, and my father is now getting worse and worse, however he is not the type to just give up so we are staying optimistic no matter what.

All of this has happened recently as my grand mother(fathers mother) died a few years ago from cancer also, which prompted her children to get tested, which is where most of this happened, i mean my father is 57 this year and he was in perfect shape before finding out, it was only meant to be a check up, the rest of my aunts and uncles dont want to check, they are scared the same thing will happen, they would rather not know, which i dont agree with but it makes me think what would have happened if my dad didnt get that test done?

well my question is seeing as all this has happened, i am worried, but how seriuos is the risk of myself or my siblings getting cancer. and at what age should you start to check up and do the scans? (I am currently 20 years old).

Thankyou
Al

brainman

Hi Al, I am so sorry to hear how so many members of your family have been affected by some form of cancer. Other the the breast cancers, none of the others have proven family links. This not really any guarantee that you or one of your siblings will not get a cancer sometime in your life. While you may not have inherited the defective gene all of your had basically the same environmental, diet, etceteras that might be part of the problem. I really do not know. I wish I had a crystal ball and could answer your question with more certainty. You might want to talk this over with your doctor next time you have you go see him or her.

Good luck.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

In

Al- so sorry to hear of all your family memebers Having this awful disease.

But just think you have a warning- All you can do is be awear. You'll have regular checkups and not ignore odd things as most of had a some stage or other. You are not naieve or think you are invisable as some do...

Don't let this thing run all your thoughts and worry you sick. Live life to the fullest and enjoy.

You know your body best so, when -WHEN anything happens or seems odd. get it checked out.
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Thinking of you Inica

*Administrator*

~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~

My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

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9 Lives and still kicking Smile

t187 · New User Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Hey guys thanks for you replies,

I realise in my case it is not hereditary, however looking at my family history, let just say i have accepted the fact i am more susceptible than your average person.

However in saying that it has given me another perspective on life, i mean you hear everyone saydont do this, dont do that. Its overused, but "life's too short".
I believe whatever happens is going to happen, be it tomorrow, in 1 year, or 30. I did used to be quiet and reserved, but now i honestly couldnt care less what people say or think of me, i refuse to be embarrased, i love life, i embrace everything, i live my life the way i want to, nothing too outrageous Wink

, not the way people expect me to.

It has also helped with my father, he just got out of hospital after being there for a whole month, during that time you have the usual family and friends coming over, but the thing i hate is how depressed most of them look, i understand different people cope in their own ways, and alot dont understand what cancer is, i know it is awful, and i wouldnt wish this disease on my worst enemy, but i do not treat my father any differently. when everyone is visiting and looking so glum, ill start the Normal talking, (and by normal i mean the stuff we would talk about before this happened, not the latest blood test results, or what the doctors said yesterday), or crack a joke, or do anything to take everyones mind of the sickness, just because he's sick doesnt mean he's dead, or he no longer has an appetite for life.

I see people and their families in hospital, and its sad how depressed and quiet everyone is. We leave our father smiling no matter what.

On another note, what would be the appropriate age to start getting the check ups, my eldest sister is 30, while my younger brother is 18.
thankyou
Al

In

AL-

Good to hear- the right attitude.

All of you could start now- nothing bad about getting checked out early,. Very Happy

If you have a dad like mine- who likes some humor (normaly sick, or toilet humor- Rolling Eyes

) Then a good joke. A fluff and blame on him etc. Should get him a stich in the side from laughing- along with everyone else.

-When i was in hospital tied down to bed, with my broken back. My dad accidently steped on my urine bag- in front of about 10 visitors. Embarassed

And to break the ice, he said "did you get a rush? " Laughing

-My younger brother said- " you lucky my Guitar wasn't in the car- or I would have killed you myself".

- My older brother said after i cried over my gardian angle (little pin) was lost in my smashed up car..."well if i was your bloody angel, i'd fly away too, with your driving."

It's what kept me going. So have a laugh, joke, and keep things happy and lively.

good luck.
_________________
Thinking of you Inica

*Administrator*

~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~

My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

Smile

9 Lives and still kicking Smile

Cubie · New User Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Hong Kong

Hi Al,

Yes there's a chance you may be more susceptible than the average person, and it's good to hear that this has just made you stronger and live life to the fullest Smile

My dad died of cancer when I was 13 years old. My grandfather, and uncles from both my mom and dad's side of the family also had cancer. (They had different types of cancers.) Anyway, since I was young I always had it in my head that I'd die from cancer.. I just didn't expect to get it at 27 Shocked

But at the same time I wasn't shocked when the doctor told me.

I'm not telling you this to freak you out, I just think that negativity plays a part and you're totally doing the right thing.. it's the power of the mind! Very Happy

I think you and your siblings could get a complete physical every couple of years, just as a precaution. And if you ever feel unwell or something doesn't feel right there's no harm in getting checked out. There are (I think?) seven signs of cancer, including weight loss and tiredness but some people could attribute that to stress (like I did). So just be aware of any changes in your body... I found out about my lymphoma because my face and arms got really puffy and swollen. I saw four different doctors in three weeks (Internalist, Chinese Medicine Practitioner, etc) and they all insisted I was having an allergic reaction to something (We later found out that the puffiness was due to the tumor in my chest blocking the blood vessels... Sad

)

Anyway, I think you have the right attitude! Humor always helps... I'm also sure that your dad would appreciate talking about normal, everyday stuff. You can encourage his visitors to talk about that. Smile

When one of my girlfriends commented, "you've lost your bum!!!" (from lying down all day and taking steroids)... I was so happy, getting teased just made me feel like a normal person instead of seeing people afraid to say anything that might offend me. Smile

All the best to you and your family. Very Happy

PS. Inica- what a fun family you have! Laughing

brainman

Most families that have multiple members who have had cancer, like mine, have nothing to do with a genetic connection between the members. I correct my previous statement where I said that only breast cancer has such a connection. Colo-rectal cancer has also be show scientifically to have a genetic, multigenerational link. I believe there is one other cancer but I cannot remember now which cancer.

Obviously, some families do seem to have more cancers than the rest. However, most of those can be explained by environmental factors such as same exposure to smoking and other known carcinogens.

I would really like to know if my mother who died of a GBM had the 1p/19q gene deletions that I do.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

t187 · New User Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Oh k, i guess there must be some kind of connection, i mean it cant just be coincidence.

brainman

There just is so much we are learning about genetics and cancer. Who knows, someday a link could still be found. However, it probably is not just coincidence. You share the same genetic pool and environmental factors with your family.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello,

Given the high incidence of cancer in your family, it would not be unreasonable to be evaluated by a risk counseling specialist. We have a clinic at the University of Chicago that evaluates people such as yourself, to truly evaluate the risk and also to check whether anything should be done.

best
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

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