Hi Brian ​ Like you l think it is a combination of things but also detection is better and people are living longer. Years ago many people would have died of other things before they even got cancer. Illnesses that have almost been wiped out, child deaths and women in childbirth also work and poverty related deaths are now rare not the norm.

Brian, I think this thread could be quite contraversial!  My father died suddenly in 1992 at the age of 77and there was a post mortem which showed he had a brain haemorhagge.  We were told by the pathologist that he had a very small tumour in his lung that had probably been there some time. He said had it been found and operated on at the beginning my father would have died many years before. I was told by my oncologist that we were all being used for research and we just had to hope that our children or, more likely, our grandchildren may benefit.

Sorry, I am a bit depressed today.  I have just had my usual 4 hour round trip to hospital for a 3 minute CT scan, only to get home and find a letter saying I have to go again on Sunday at 9.00am for a MRI scan. I reallydon't have the energy and just feel like crying.

Hi Brian

Good question but not sure any of my generation will ever get the answer! Hubby's cancer was known to be linked to exposure to asbestos in his early childhood (father was in the roofing trade and bought the stuff home to make toys out of).  However, there must be an underlying susceptability as his siblings show  no signs thank goodness. I think the list of probable/possible causes are far reaching and we can only hope with continuing research/technological advances future generations will have seen some advancement.

In my Dad's case he had prostate cancer in his early 80's but chose to go without any treatment and it was the seconday lung cancer which led to his death at 85. However he had survived his first brush with death during the war (lost a leg), second near miss (his words) in his early 70's when he suffered an  heart aneurysm which lead to him having triple bypass and he said he had to go with something eventually!!

My father in law had lung cancer in his 60's (very heavy smoker as was my husband), had radiotherapy and a year's remission enjoying retirement before  dying with pneumonia within 24hrs of being hospitalised.

It seems difficult to point the finger on one common factor when it comes to so many varying cancers.

Jules

Cancer really is the modern day plague.

More people are getting because: People are more unhealthy, There are more toxins in the world, Better techniques mean its found more, The modern world is more stressful and fast paced, People are living longer. Most food contains stuff it did not 50 years ago.

I know of a few cases with family where they had cancer but did not know until it was very serious. For years they lived normal lifes, and the cancer was only found because of a routine check up or small symptom, as soon as they found out, they went down hill very quick. 

My grandad was as fit as can be expected at 65, generally good health, he had an operation at 55 on his heart, and a routine scan 10 years later found a small stitch that was "not meant to be there". So the doctors said it had to be removed.

Two days after the operation to remove the sitch that was "not meant to be there" he was dead.

Sometimes, its better to let "nature" play out. With cancer or any other illness. I always remember that, if leaving the cancer in place means a   shorter but higher quality of life, then I would (like to think, but easy said than done) take that option.

Cancer thankfully affects mainly older people and as our life expectancy increases the cause of death will increasingly be cancer. Obviously children and younger people get cancer but not in the same numbers. Cancers seem to be the result of damaged DNA where the cells are not able to repair themselves plus the immune system doesn't or is not able to destroy the damaged cells, which then multiply out of control.

Age seems to be a factor because the cells make less and less perfect copies of themselves each time they divide.

We live with pollution which contains many known cancer causing chemicals. Radiation exposure from fallout from Chernobyl, long haul flights, excessive UV sunlight exposure from foreign holidays and sunbeds. Our modern diet, processed foods, lack of roughage, chemical additives, excess alcohol. Maybe a combination of these factors cause our immune systems to be compromised allowing cancers to take hold.

Smoking, most people in my generation did at some point. Asbestos, we didnt know back then. Lack of excercise, people are becoming increasingly sedentary.

People also used to die of diseases and medical conditions (which are treatable now), long before they could get cancer.

Many viral infections can cause cancer and modern lifestyles mean we are more exposed them. Hopefully the new HPV vaccine for girls will mean cervical cancer will be a disease of the past.

There's loads more but as we can't avoid them all, its best probably to just get on with enjoying life and not spend time worrying (probably a cause of cancer itself)  Kim

Hi Pauline

Im sorry to hear you are down in the dumps today. The trips to and from the hospital are more wearying than anyone not having cancer can imagine. Your trips also mean having to wait for results, always a harrowing time. I know how utterly defeated this disease can make you feel and I hope tomorrow brings you some energy to deal with your situation. I'm in the same boat as you today so also hoping tomorrow is a better day too. Kim

It is too late in the day for me to think of a useful contribution to this thread - the body is willing but the brain is not at 0.30am!  However, I just wanted to send both Pauline & Kim a hug and hope that you both find that tomorrow is a better day. The sun should be shining so thats a bonus! 

Good days and bad are a part of this blooming illness for many of us, but we are so fortunate to have found some great virtual friends to share them with. Hope you sleep well x 

Hi Max

Thanks for the kind words, today IS another day, and after a foggy start the sun is now shining, I'll see if I can get you a job at the Met Office.    After my foggy start I am up and running and looking forward to the day :) Kim

Hi, Max and Kim, thanks for the kind words and glad you feel better today Kim.  I phoned the hospital and they have changed my. MRI to next Sunday, 18th. So that gives me time to breath again.

You are so right about the food,in particular, Kim.  I was reading today that all bananas are picked when they are green and sprayed with a chemical to make them go yellow.there was a time when all our fruit was ripened naturally on the tree.

Sending you a huge hug too, Max.  Thanks for all the support. x 

hi im a new to this have a few thoughts of my own firstly on the cancer stats . the cdc when i last looked had definded cancer as some 35 difrent disease .why? what for? as for the cause recently i seen a profesor talk about cancer saying that h polri was at the centre of cancer which makes sence . so this got me thinking about were did it come from how did it get into my system i suspect it came via gmo insectiside sprayed over thosends of people down under here in nz. then there aer things that come to mind our water is has floride. man suvived centries with out it . then these the vacines shoved into children without there informed concent . the list goes on and on as im sure the lies go on and on it dose seem to be a cancer indusrty . anyway .  cheers donna