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Topic
Jen posted
almost 2 years ago
It might be Hereditary?
This is a post more directed at young people who are have a parent with cancer or who have died from cancer. Sometimes there is a family history of cancer and you know how to take precautions and get tests to hopefully gain early detection. But what if your parents cancer was a ‘one off’? What if no one else in your family has ever had it? It might be in your genes it might not. What are some cancers your parents have had/died from and are there any tests you have looked into/ got to try and manage the possibilities of this being in your family genes to?
Personally my mum died from Bowel Cancer and I am always thinking and looking into tests etc.. so that I hopefully don’t have the same fate as her.
10 Comments in this Topic
ShoeGirl said
almost 2 years ago
My Mum had bowel cancer 2 - she was diagnosed in her late 20s...after having to keep telling the dr something wasn't right. So since I was 18 I've been going for checks (yep, as you can imagine, sooooo not fun). The GP said in my case (I am sure it is different for everyone so don't rush off to your dr!) that I should start 10 years prior to when she was diagnosed age-wise just in case. But all has been good & they don't think it is herediatry. Some other cousins in the UK have been diagnosed 2, so they are looking at genetic testing. Not sure if I would want to do it tho?
stephano711 said
almost 2 years ago
My mum had breast cancer and i've been thinking about getting the BRAC gene test but the cost is quite high if you dont have private health insurance and sometimes it doesnt pick it up anyway... I've been talking to my doctor about it and i get more frequent checks with all the general girl stuff just as a precaution but i think just being aware of it is a good start anyway :)-
ShoeGirl said
almost 2 years ago
Have to be honest, it does make me nervous though. I know its predictable but everytime something is a bit off (god even a headache) theres a little piece of my brain going could it be cancer??? I am not sure that everyone thinks that way or is it just because of what I know?
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Jen said
almost 2 years ago
Wow late 20's that is seriously young. My mum was 45 from memory. I got the same information about starting to get checkups 10 years prior to the age she was diagnosed...I guess a bit of me is pretty freaked out about it all (and lets face it-bowels are not really a 'nice' area to get cancer) I really admire you going to get (im guessing colonoscopy?) and checked since 18...very brave. I think i need to borrow some of yours to get through going! im only 23 now...so technically I don’t need to get checked till 35 but its really plaguing my thoughts...Its one of the things that really stresses me to!!! All the time...Im like you (even for a headache) im like....ohh that might be cancer. I think its only natural to have these thoughts though...VERY common if you have had a diagnosis in your family. I find I go through phases of thinking bout it! And then I forget about it and up and down so on and so on... So don’t fear Shoe Girl you are not alone.
Being aware is a great start, suck it up and get it checked...Im the biggest chicken. But lately I have been getting better with doctors! I think im still scarred after mums death (Again which im sure it normal!) 
NWcontent said
almost 2 years ago
Definitely normal, Jen :)-
ShoeGirl said
over 1 year ago
Yeah, thanks Jen.
Just wanted to say you inspired me to go and check when my next one (yep, it is the good ol' colonoscopy) is due. Have to admit I had kind of been trying to put it out of my head. But coz Mum was so young yada yada and all the other family stuff, I am supposed to go every 3 years so I am due soon for another. So I am going to suck it up and book in! I promise not to give you the gory details... -
ShoeGirl said
almost 2 years ago
Yeah, thanks Jen.
Just wanted to say you inspired me to go and check when my next one (yep, it is the good ol' colonoscopy) is due. Have to admit I had kind of been trying to put it out of my head. But coz Mum was so young yada yada and all the other family stuff, I am supposed to go every 3 years so I am due soon for another. So I am going to suck it up and book in! I promise not to give you the gory details... 
NW Content said
over 1 year ago
We've just uploaded a new fact sheet about hereditary cancers here: http://www.nowwhat.org.au/info/factsheets/hereditary-cancer
killergoldfish said
about 1 year ago
Well my dad has melanoma right now and I have been told that it runs in the family, which really worrys me because I don't want to get it, too....
NW Team said
about 1 year ago
Most melanomas develop by chance (in that they aren't hereditary) but if your Dad has a specific gene then there is a possibility it could be passed on to you (but only if he has it - which you would find out through testing). But the chance of inheriting this gene is about 50% (from info we looked at) but this doesn't mean you would get melanoma, it just means the risk of getting it is inherited. Many people with an increased risk of getting melanoma never get it, but there is a higher risk than the regular population. The only way to find out if you have this risk is to undergo genetic testing. But - don't forget to make sure you keep yourself well protected from the sun (suncream, hat etc - you know the drill) and have regular skin checks by a doctor.
