Cancer in my family?!


Question: Cancer in my family!?
im 16 and my mom died of cancer almost 2 years ago and i havent gotten checked yet for it!. im doing a essay on cancer and im getting really freaked out and i really what to get checked!. but i talked to my dad and he was like well what im i suppose to do!?!!.!.!.!.!.!.!.so i dont no what to do, n im scared!.!.!.!.!.!.plz helpWww@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
I'm going to say some things that are very different than the people before me and they are not meant to frighten you but I am a mother of 3 children, 2 girls, and I have 4th Stage Ovarian Cancer!. There is a hereditary predisposition for Ovarian Cancer and you can be screened for it!. It is the BRCA1 & 2 if I am not mistaken!. They can look at this and tell if you have the mutation that is LINKED to cancer!. It doesn't mean that you will get cancer but that you are more likely than most, it's something like an 80% chance!. I don't know that birth control pills will help you reduce your risk of Ovarian Cancer!. It is linked to the release of the egg during your cycle and the pill doesn't stop the release of the egg!. I am only 33 and was diagnosed almost a year ago so you can get this disease very young!. My doctor kept telling me I was too young, he was wrong!. You can also limit your risk by controlling your diet!. Cancer cells are fueled by sugar, and I don't mean just sweets!. Refined sugars in potatoes, bread, pasta, pretty much everything! I've also been told that highly oxygenated blood makes it harder for cancer cells to survive, don't know if that's true or not!. What you need to do is make sure you have a very good gynecologist, let them know the situation so they know you have to have more in depth screenings!. Know the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer so if you experience one you know right away and get checked!. The key to beating Ovarian Cancer is catching it early! If I had my way I'd give my daughters hysterectomy's right now but unfortunately I can't do that!. People telling you to not be scared isn't the way to go, be scared, be alert, be conscious of your body and follow your gut instinct!. It's better to be checked and find nothing then not and wind up with a 4th stage case like I did!. If you have any questions please email me I'll be glad to help you any way I can! IT WHISPERS LISTEN!Www@Answer-Health@Com

I'm very sorry for your loss!. There are several people in my family who have also died!. Take a deep breath and relax because there are a lot of things that would need to happen for you to be considered at risk!. So, this is what helped me!.!.!.

The first step is to understand your mother's cancer!. What type was it!? Where did it hit!? Is the cancer organ specific!? Is the cancer considered environmental or genetic!? Many cancers are a combination of the two, where there is a genetic pre-disposition and an environmental trigger causes cancer!.

When does this type of cancer typically start!? Your mother was obviously well along in her years, and many cancers are able to take hold with age!. You may have several years before this could even start to become a potential issue!.

Once you understand this, then a simple call to your physician can help determine whether/when you should be screened/tested!. In the case of genetic, there may be a genetic test to screen you out!. Even if it is genetic, the gene contribution from your father could have eliminated the increased risk!.

There are many cancers that are the result of environmental exposure to carcinogenic substances!. It is possible that you mother was exposed as a child or teenager, and that you currently aren't exposed to because of improved understanding and environmental regulation!.

If you could follow up with some more specific information, then I could be more helpful rather than talking in a bunch of generalities!. Email me if you like!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Oh honey, first of all I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom!.
That must have been so difficult, and I'm sure you still struggle with it!.
Depending on what type of cancer your mom had you will need to be checked at an earlier age than others, but not at 16!.
For example, if your mom had breast cancer, you should start getting screened (by mammogram) in your 30's instead of your 40's!.
If your mom had cervical cancer, it really won't change how you get screened, and you are at an age when screening for that is possible!.
Maybe an aunt or female family friend can get you an appointment with a gynecologist for a breast exam (by hand) and a pap smear!. These are things we women do regularly, and you are pretty much at the age they should begin!. Also, the doctor will teach you how to do a self-breast exam, so you can keep in touch with your body!. It's the BEST thing for all of us to do!.
Don't be so afraid of cancer, even though it is scary!.
Just educate yourself and follow screening guidelines!.
And remember, sexual activity will increase your risk for cervical cancer, as the HPV virus is responsible for a large percentage of cervical cancer cases!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

I'm so sorry you lost your mother so young!.

you don't say what type of cancer she had; has a doctor told you you should be tested!?

You may not necessarily any more at risk than if nobody in your family had cancer!.

Most cancers are random and not inherited; nobody knows what causes them!. Fewer than 10% of cancer cases are due to hereditary factors!.

!.You can inherit a tendency to get SOME particular cancers (not all), but you won't definitely get that cancer!. Some cancers are not hereditary at all



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