• Question: my grandad and my grandma died of cancer is there a posobility i might have it?

    Asked by chiefs1tj to Jess on 22 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Jessica Chu

      Jessica Chu answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      Hi Chiefs1tj,

      I am really sorry to hear that. My mother had benign (not agressive) tumours too but luckily she went through treatments and is doing OK now.

      Cancer can be caused by many things such as our diet, old age, smoking and excessive alcohol drinking, exposing to radiation with no protection and it can be genetic too.
      It will depend on what type and cause of their cancer because it can just be old age. Spontaneous mutations leading to cancer is the most common cause. Your grandparents will not have been related to each other and their cancer is most likely to be spontaneous or due to their lifestyle.
      Cancer takes roughly 20-40 years to develop or detect so that is why it is seen more in older people.

      I wouldn’t worry if I were you! Just live life happy and healthily. And remember your 5-a-days because fruits and vegetables have natural chemicals inside that will help prevent cancer and fight any cells that are mutating.

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