Hello...to make a short story long, my father died of lung and throat cancer in 1984. I was 14 years old. He and my mother were divorced and he was also an alcoholic, which we were told had contributed to his demise. He was a smoker most of his life, starting at the age of 18 up to nearly literally the day he died...I think he was 54. We never had a relationship, so I'm not sure. Anyway, my mother was also a smoker, starting again at age 18, but quit in 1993. She was 59 years of age and I was at that time 23. She was fine for a while, but in 1999 had been told that she had esophagial cancer, which was her primary cancer, and lung cancer as her secondary. They couldn't pin point the lung cancer tumour, but did radiation and chemo for her. Finally, they found the mass and it had moved to just behind her heart, making surgery impossible. She died at age 65 in November 1999 of what was now the main diagnosis of Lung Cancer with Brain Matastes (sp?).

I am now 31 years of age. I have never smoked in my life, but I am now fearful that I am at risk for lung cancer because my parents smoked. I was exposed to second-hand smoke from literally the time I was in my mother's womb (they didn't know the risks involved then apparently), until I was 23. I try to stay away from smokey environments, and I try to stay healthy and active.

What are my chances, if any, for getting lung cancer? I am worried about this and have been since the death of my mother, especially since she'd quit smoking a while prior to her getting it. I realise that it can take a while to manifest itself, but that only adds to my worries. If anyone out there has any advice or knows if I am now at risk for it, your comments are appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Hi Sorry to hear of your plight...
My Granfather had cancer and now mum has...
My hubby is in remission from cancer ..we had to do a study for hospital to trace back into hubby family to see if any other members in the past had cancer..and yes we were surprised how many had!
The theories are we all can have cancer...we can only try and live healthy lives to prevent it...Cancer is in every single one of us ....it just depends whether or not our bodies develop it further...Please please do not spend your life worrying if you are likely to get cancer..Make sure u have the usual screenings, smears etc..you can only do that...I dont smoke...drink...but mum did...My grandad was very healthy...but developed a tumour in his leg...
I have developed IBS irritable bowel..due to the stress and yes I thought I may have cancer...the fear was terrible...So please do not worry... we have to live our lives...and please try to live a happy one...I have lot in common with you, if you would like to mail me it janiebell@bellandkendall.fsnet.co.uk
take care and god bless..love Janie xxxx

I have met so many people that have never moked and have lung cancer. Unfortunately we are more at risk just for being women. I know that having lung cancer in your family puts you in risk as well. I am 28, no family with lung cancer, and am a woman. I had smoked lightly for about 12 years. The doctors say its environmental. I am already in stage iv, if you are concerned you should talk to your doctor about what things you can do to prevent lung cancer. Get regular check up and take vitamins. Eat healthy, and exercise. Take an deep breath for me while you are at it!! Take care!!!
Michele

My father read that cancer can be mental. The more you think about it, the more likely you will get it. Don't go through life worrying about wether or not you will get cancer. You will miss out on so much of life's pleasure's.

The research now tells us that smoking does damage to the lungs that can't be repaired. What I have read is that it damages areas of tissue there that have to do with immune response...the part that fights lung cancer if it should appear. That's the bad news. It doesn't mean you will get cancer. It just means that this might be a weak area. There are herbs out there that protect the body against cancer like garlic and green tea. I take Kyolic garlic but go off it every once in a awhile. Drink green tea every day. When you make it drink it while it is still green before the color changes. I hear that it is more effective that way. There are other herbs too..look them up in the herb journals or surf for them. My sister was just diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. I have smoked in my life but have quit. I am afraid of the same things. I worry that I have exposed my daughter to damage too. We eat lots of garlic bread! Who knows what the future will bring...what with all the genome research and new medicines...there will be many more options for us very soon. Eat right and take care of yourself. Don't drink...it ups your chances of cancer even more if you have more that a drink or two, tops.