lung cancer - Long history of lung cancer

	Asked by automatic74 (Male ) on Fri 28, Mar 2008 10:09pm :
	thanks for your reply. there has been such a long history of the disease i feel i am just waitin for my turn(ps mother was non smoker taken at 34 years) should i go for regular checks?
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	Answer by Dr Bobby V, MD (oncologist) on Sat 29, Mar 2008 11:12am: Hi, Losing your mother and many of her siblings to cancer, and also having seen your father battle cancer, must have definitely taken an emotional toll on you. However, you must realize that being fatalistic about this issue is not the best response. You have been smoking for a long time despite a strong family history. One of my patients in a similar situation argued that "My mother never smoked, yet died of lung cancer. My uncle smoked heavily, yet lived a healthy life till age 90. So why should I quit smoking?". It is difficult to convince such patients. Cancer textbooks make statements like "Most lung cancers occur in smokers; Most smokers do not develop lung cancer". So what does this mean in plain English? I will try to explain. There are, broadly speaking, two ways human cancer develops. One is genetic, the other is environmental. An example of genetic predisposition to cancer is FAP or Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. Most people with this gene defect (in chromosome 5) develop colon cancer. An example of environmental insult causing cancer is the atomic bombing of the Japanese cities in World War 2, which were followed by a huge increase in leukemias and other cancers in survivors who were exposed to the radiation. A person blessed with very "good" genes may tolerate greater degree of environmental insult (like prolonged heavy smoking), yet not develop cancer. Another person not so lucky, may inherit some "cancer predisposing genes", and may develop cancer without ever smoking. I suggest that you quit smoking. Take help for this if needed. And seek an internists appointment to evaluate your current symptoms. Please go for regular checks. Thank you for using our service.  If you are satisfied with the answer or if you want a detailed answer for your question, please make a donation and request for further clarifications.  Our oncologists will provide an elaborate answer for your clarification.   Please make a donation by clicking the button below. You may donate using funds from your PayPal account or Credit Card. Please rate my answer (select the stars below, no need to log in.)
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