chances of cancer, and what to look for??

Question

My mother had cancer, her two sisters had breast cancer, their father, my grandfather had tumors which was probably cancer, and my dad had prostate cancer?? I don't know about any one on my dads side of the family because I don't speak to them, but what do you think my chances of cancer are?? I've already asked Dr's to see if they can run some tests to check for some early signs because of my family history, all they tell me to do is call if I find a lump in my breast?! Are there any other signs I should be looking for??

Answer 1

All you can do is live a healthy life and get regular checkups. Depending on your age, you might want to get a mammogram. Most people get their first one around age 30.

Answer 2

There are other signs, and it is very surprising that they didn't tell you about them. The two responses before this outline some very good indicators. Others are unexplained weight loss, cramping and vague abdominal discomfort -- more like pressure than pain. You should also be having pap smears, to check for uterine and ovarian cancer. You don't say what kind of cancer your mother had, but it does seem very common in your family.
Just a suggestion, but why not go to a cancer clinic and ask them for some literature on how to detect the various types of cancer.
That said, it's important that you don't obsess about this. You are right to be concerned, but don't let it take over your life. There have been wonderful strides made in cancer detection and treatment since your mother and your aunts had the disease. And they are making exciting new discoveries every day.
Cancer was once an almost automatic death sentence, but today it is not and for some types of cancers the cure rate is 80%. The critical factor is early detection, so go to the experts and find out what to watch for, then get on with your life.
Good luck to you!

Answer 3

Yes, there is genetic testing for breast cancer that can be done. Most insurance companies pay for it, but mine will not. It is called BRCA 1 & BRCA 2, and with your family history I would hope your insurance would cover it. I do know it is expensive though....about $3000. Yikes. Good luck!



Additional info added......

By the way, I have seen some posts about getting your bloodwork tested for what I think people are refering to tumor markers. And yes, some oncologists use them, but many now just use them to see if chemo is working, not to diagnos cancer. And the reason is this, tumor markers go up and down for many reasons, not just because of cancer. I know because this happened to me with my first oncologist. She believed that my cancer had returned after chemo based on my tumor markers, PET scan and CT scan, no biopsies. She wanted me to start chemo again and gave me a number as far as how long I would live. I went to Mayo for a second opinion, they did a biopsy and....it was NOT cancer, it was an inflamatory disease called Sarcoidosis. Within two months my numbers and scans were back to normal.

Anyway, you need to switch doctors. At the very least they should be doing a baseline mamogram. Oh, BTW, I was 29 years old when I was diagnosed and 8 months pregnant, with no family history (that I know of).

Answer 4

You can go to the doctor yearly for blood tests that will detect the cancer antigen. If you let your doctor know what types of cancer have been in your family, they should be able to let you know what tests they can run to see if you are a carrier of that same antigen. For example, in Ovarian Cancer they check the CA-125 level. It is the Cancer Antigen that is used to determine if ovarian cancer is present. If it is there is a rise in that number. Normal for ovarian cancer is 35 and under. For different types of cancer there are different antigens that they can check. You can do lump checks and all of that, but it's not fool proof because cancer can show up and not be detected early enough through feeling for lumps. Blood tests are a great way of early detection or detection period. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Get a new doctor because yours is living in the Stone age. There are tests to screen for certain types of cancer. Breast cancer screening is one of the tests that should be done because of the high incidence of cancer in your family. Your risk of cancer increases when close family relatives have been diagnosed with cancer.

Answer 6

Yes,
Nipple inversion
Discharge from the breast that isn't milky in nature
Peau d'orange, or the dimpling of the skin of the breast.
Any bumps and lumps that weren't there the previous month, and are not on both sides.
You can have blood work run for some types of cancer.... but not usually breast cancer.
Ca-125, etc... can be run.

Answer 7

Go to another doctor. There are tests they can do.

I would say that you are at risk for cancer, as I am because of my family history. Don't stress about it. You might want to start mamograms around 30 years old, about 10 years younger than someone with a lower risk.

As long as you get checked and catch cancer early, your chances of beating it are good.

Answer 8

I am very sorry to read about the history of cancer in your family. Cancer is not hereditary in the real sense of that word, but predispositions tend to run in the family.

There is, however, no need for you to panic, as there are several rules on how to avoid cancer.

These include:

1. Keeping your body clear of toxins - eat only clean and fresh food, avoid artificial additives and food which is highly acidic. In particular aflatoxin b is a well recognised carcinogen, and needs to be avoided at all cost. You find it in the soft decaying parts of fruit and vegetables and it is not enough to just cut that piece out, aflatoxin b is like the cancer itself, it is spread throughout the entire fruit or vegetable, and it needs to be discarded. Also be careful of certain nuts, brazils in particular, these tend to attract mould which is toxic.

2. Keeping your bowels clear of parasites (more than a half of the population have bowel parasites, the intestinal fluke being the most common, and it is most often linked to cancer. Previous naturopathic research has shown that everyone who had cancer had the fluke, but not everyone who had the fluke had cancer. However, ensuring that you do not have the fluke is extremely important in cancer prevention.

3. Keeping the ph balance of your body in good shape by avoiding food that generates acidity in your digestive system, like coffee, pork, and tomatoes. It is a fact that cancer cells survive only in a body that has a disturbed ph balance, i.e it is acidic.

4. Keeping the body well oxygenated. Again, it is a fact that the majority of cancer sufferers tend to have an under-oxygenated body. Make sure that you get plenty of fresh air and take regular exercises outddoors.

Looking after the body is, however, not all. The body is often the reflection of one's state of mind, and it is important that you remain in a positive frame of mind about yourself, and your place in life. Make sure that you have always something to look forward to, and if difficulties set in, view them as a challenge that makes you stronger and wiser.

Those spiritually aware bear the burden of the loss of their loved ones much easier, as spirituality gives one the faith in life beyond the body and so the loss is not seen as final, but just as a temporary division.

I hope that the above is of some help.

To learn how I heal cancer you may visit: http://www/dhaxem.com/dhaxem4.htm

Best wishes.

Answer 9

I had breast cancer at 43. My daughter went to her doctor and he had her go for a mammogram so that later they will have one to compare with. Good advice given on all answers. I would see if you can get tested..Find out what kind of breast cancer your mom and aunts had and tell your doctor. Hope you NEVER EVER get cancer. Heres to good health.

Answer 10

the warning signs of cancer spell out caution
c- change in bowel or bladder habbits
a- a sore that does not heal
u- unusual bleeding or discharge
t- thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
i- indigestion or dysphagia
o- obvious change in wart or mole
n- nagging cough or hoarseness

hope this helps