<p>My father died in 1992 at the age of 62 of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He was an anesthesiologist for over 30 years. When I was a little girl in the early 60’s, I used to smell the ether on his clothes when he came home from work (even though he worked in scrubs and changed into his suit to come home). It was a very high stress job. Since he was one of the best, he worked mostly on the cardiothoracic cases (long surgeries, very sick patients). I believe that the stress mixed with the toxic chemicals (which were not well contained in those days), mixed with his love of a good steak (which he ate at least 3 times a week) killed him.</p>
<p>Paternal Grandfather died at 59 of heart disease. He was a postman.</p>
<p>Maternal Grandfather died in 50’s of massive heart attack - was very overweight and a heavy smoker. Worked a variety of jobs, factory, etc.</p>
<p>Maternal Grandmother died in 50’s of a stroke - poor woman gave birth to 10 kids, and almost never went to the doctor because there was no money. No blood pressure meds, etc.</p>
<p>Thank heavens for my Paternal grandmother, who live to be 98. Both her parents lived into their 90’s. We all want to take after that side of the family!</p>
<p>(Greenery - all of these people were raised in the deep South, where they ate a lot of fried food. They also ate a lot of vegetables, though.)</p>
<p>Maternal grandmother died at 63. She had been institutionalized for many years. Maternal grandfather died young, in WWII. Mother still alive at 84, has been suffering with mylodysplasia for many years, possibly caused by chemical exposure.</p>
<p>Paternal grandmother died at 58 from ovarian cancer. Father dies at 75 from lung cancer. Heavy smoker for 50 years, had quit ten years before he was diagnosed with cancer. The cancer didn’t kill him but the treatments did.</p>
<p>Cangel,</p>
<p>Yes Im sure we have some mutation of some type, I also forgot my brother has had 2 episodes of malignant melanoma both places were where the sun has never shone, butt check next to spine, and hip area. He was mid 30’s both instances. </p>
<p>We have had some genetic snip testing done, but one I would like to get tested is the p53 tumor suppressor gene. One reason I feel that environment/gene interaction is so strong for us is grandparents both lived into their late 80’s without cancer yet all the female children died young from breast cancer.
Myself and 2 other female first cousins are all in studies, each one of us in different ones as to determine what is behind it.</p>
<p>Mother died at 64 of mesothelioma in 2000. She was a school teacher. Shortly before she died, I accessed an NIH database and cross-referenced mesothelioma and occupations. There is a high incidence of mesothelioma in shipworkers, automotive workers who install brakes, bakers, and other professions working directly with asbestos-related products. Interestingly, there is also a high incidence of mesothelioma in school teachers. This is presumably due to asbestos installed in public schools built in the 1950s, then renovated in the 1970s before the dangers of asbestos were fully understood and OSHA required abatement procedures during school renovations.</p>
<p>Father died at 63 of renal cell carcinoma in 1999, 364 days before my mother. I cross-referenced mesothelioma and renal cell carcinoma in the NIH database and discovered that there is a weak correlation. </p>
<p>Younger sister was diagnosed at 28 with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in March 1996 but she survived because of a bone marrow transplant (BMT) and the discovery of a molecularly-targeted drug called Gleevek (approved by FDA in 2001).</p>
<p>I was told that 3 cancers within 4 years is not statistically significant and does not represent a “cancer cluster.” The 3 different cancers are not related nor are they genetic. I was told that they are likely the result of some environmental exposure. I’ve often wondered about the formaldehyde-based insulation installed in our former family home.</p>
<p>I’ve read that cider vinegar can decrease blood pressure: 2 tablespoonfuls a day. I started taking it and my blood pressure went down.</p>
<p>Lafalum84 said" (Greenery - all of these people were raised in the deep South, where they ate a lot of fried food. They also ate a lot of vegetables, though.)</p>
<p>I know how delicious the Southern food can get…but a lot of “fried” food always concern me after I have eaten it. Northern foods, such as steaks are delicious too, have lived in both worlds.</p>
<p>Actually taken better care of what I’m eating…checking those labels. I have discovered that I can still eat the flavors I crave the most and loose or keep my weight. An example is that I bought those delicious bread sticks with sesame seeds (60 calories with three) and added some grape jam (no fat). I asked my H to buy me some bread sticks and he bought a bag, not as good, but 90 calories for 3 of them.</p>
<p>Northstarmom & thecheckbook: I was thinking the same…I will give a try to the cider vinegar with honey…</p>
<p>What interesting stories everyone has posted…I have read them more than once…thanks for sharing a part of your lifes.</p>
<p>Re: mesothelioma - just wondering if blackboards and long term exposure to chalk dust is a factor.</p>
<p>I know lots of people who had/died of cancer and none of them worked in a hospital. My dad’s four brothers all succummed to different cancers - they were all in their 80’s except for one. He died of lung cancer 25 years after he quit smoking. All served in WWII. My aunt died of brain cancer at age 51. She never worked in a hospital.
My SIL died of lymphoma in her 60’s - she was a farmer her whole life and exposed to lots of nasty pesticides.</p>
<p>Back in the day… before we became a sedentary society people could eat foods high in fat and carbohydrates. They worked off those calories and the food moved on through. In fact, the healthiest populations were those who engaged in physical labor daily as long as they had enough to eat. Those who lived an upper class lifestyle often suffered a number of ailments related to excessive diets.</p>
<p>I have a relative that died from leukemia in his late 60s. He worked in factories with plastics for years (started doing this work at 16 y/o). I recall from my childhood that he once mentioned working with formaldehyde. I think that has everything to do with his leukemia.</p>
<p>So many woman in my family have passed away. My sister survived breast cancer before she was 25 but died from Ovarian cancer at 50. My mom died at 60 from ovarian cancer and each of her sisters (large family) all died from either breast or ovarian cancer. The BRAC gene is a scary thing. There have been over 18 deaths to these diseases and many more of us who have battled this disease. The younger generation have either gotten tested or plan to. Many have already chosen to have surgery.</p>