Family History

By alohalady1989

1 min read

My dad passed away from lung cancer on May 4, 2001, he was just 57 years old. He was the youngest of 5 children. 4 boys and 1 girl. His sister was in her early 30's when she died from lung cancer and he lost 2 of his brothers from the disease as well.

Only one brother escaped the horror of lung cancer and he died of heart disease in his 60s. The other brother was murdered and we will never know what other fate would have befallen him had he lived longer. My grandfather was born in 1887 and died in 1945, most likely from lung cancer. They said he died of "consumption" but no one really knew.

What lies ahead?

My brother and I have wondered what lies ahead for us. Will the same fate await? I met with a geneticist. There is not a test for familial lung cancer as there is for say breast cancer. I was told, just continue leading a healthy lifestyle, don't smoke, eat healthy, exercise.

Will that be enough? Lung cancer is not specific to nonsmokers, or those who eat fried foods or don't run 5 miles every day. The day my dad turned 50 years old, he called me and said, "Teresa, our family doesn't have a great track record of living out of their 50s." He died at 57. I am 54. This is very scary.

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Alisa Moderator
Hi @alohalady1989, I totally understand your fear. I also have a family history of lung cancer going back to my great grandfather, then my grandfather, then my mother right before my own diagnosis. It was suggested to me that my twin sons should get a baseline low dose CT scan when they turn 30. I am in an early detection nodule program and the director said she would get my sons into the program. I would suggest talking to your primary care provider about your concerns and have him/her get a referral for a baseline from a low dose CT scan. Please don't hesitate to follow up, we are here to support each other. Warmly, Alisa, <a href='https://lungcancer.net' target='_blank'>LungCancer.net</a> Team 
1. alohalady1989 Member
 Alisa, Thank you. I did have a baseline CT scan and I have 2 small 4mm nodules, one in each lung and I am currently on the watch the spot list. My next scan will be at the end of December 2020, one year from the first. Lung cancer does not discriminate, and so many think of it as a "smoker's disease." I have lungs, so I am at risk because my family history is riddled with lung cancer, and I have never touched a cigarette. We can blame sugar for diabetes, or lack of exercise for obesity, but those are not really the causes of those things either. They may be contributing factors but we have to stop demonizing habits that aren't necessarily good for us, but are not the sole contributor to disease. Cancer is a horrible disease and yes, my dad was a smoker, but no one deserves to suffer so much agony and then to have someone say, well, what did you expect? Wow! I would not wish cancer, in any form on my worst enemy.
2. Alisa Moderator
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katek Member
If you and your brother have not already done so, see about getting yearly low dose CT scans. The best chance at beating cancer is early detection. With a family history of lung cancer, I would think you would be eligible for a yearly scan. My first lung cancer was found accidentally about 7 & 1/2 years ago, I was stage 2. My second was found about 2 & 1/2 years ago at stage 1a. I am NED (no evidence of disease), I just had my 64th birthday. Lung cancer is no longer the death sentence it once was, but early detection is very important. I wish you both all the best.