Do i have a chance to get cancer?

Question

both of my great grandfathers had cancer, my grandma's sister had breast cancer, and now my grandfather has cancer.

Answer 1

If a woman has relatives with breast cancer in her family, there is a possibility, especially if it is on her mother's side, that she could get it. But just be on the lookout for lumps and have mammograms as often as the Doctor says, depending on age. If a man has a relative with prostate cancer, be on the lookout. If people of either gender have a close relative with colon cancer, then have a colonoscopy because it can run in families. But it does NOT mean you will get it.

There is no way of saying just because relatives have cancer you will, anymore than not having any cancer in your family means you will not. Now almost everybody has a relative who has had cancer of one kind or another if you come from an extended family. And some like you, many. But the cancers might be unrelated. If a woman has breast cancer and her father had bone cancer, for example, it might not be connected.

There is another factor today, people, fortunately are diagnosed with cancer earlier.

Even 35 or 40 years ago people died and either it was not known what they died of, or cancer was kept quiet, like it was a secret. Other people died younger, in their 50's or 60's.  Some kinds of cancer tend to hit later, as late as the 70's, 80's or 90's. Cancers like Prostate Cancer, Multiple Myleoma, a bone cancer, and Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia usually hit older people. Years back, when many people did not live as long on average, there was less cancer. But smoking and other factors are now causing cancer earlier, too.

But just watch for symptoms and signs, have regular check-ups, but don't worry about it.

Answer 2

Everybody in the world has a chance of getting cancer.

Answer 3

If your maternal or paternal sides have the same kinds of cancer, such as the paternal side all having colon cancer, then you are at risk for colon cancer.  There are families who pass down a particular cancer predisposition.  If one side has a history of breast cancers, then you might want to get checked for the BRA-1 or 2 gene.

If they all had different cancers, your chance is about as high as everyone else.  However, having cancer doesn't mean that cancer will kill you.  The treatment for cancers are better and better today, with a sharp reduction in cancer death in some areas.

Answer 4

Cancer is caused by normal cells mutating.  Normally your body will flush these out if your immune system is good.  If your immune system is not good, they will collect in one area and cause a tumor.  

Everyone can get cancer - people with a history of cancer in their family are more likely to get it than others, but that doesn't mean they will.

The best thing you can do to avoid it is to have a healthy lifestyle - eat well - fresh fruits and vegis and protein and whole grains.  There are certain foods with more antioxidants than others (these help clean your system of some of these cancer causing cells) those are red and blue fruits and vegis like raspberries, blueberries, grapes, ggrape juice ppomegranates etc.  You can look up Antioxidant foods to get more info.

Also, studies have proven that exercising every single day can cut your chances of getting cancer (and heart disease, etc.) by more than half.  Even walking 30 minutes a day will do it.

Live a healthy life and you will probably have nothing to worry about - load up on junk food every day and don't exercise and you just may.

Answer 5

Anyone can get cancer, but having relatives with a history of cancer can up your chances. If you're young, cancer isn't a huge concern, but when you get a little older you should make sure your doctor knows your family's medical history so that he/she will be able to look out for anything that could be of particular concern or risk for you.

Don't worry about it too much--worry isn't good for your health.