My mum was 58yrs old with ovarian AND breast cancer! I have a 1 in 8 chance of the same. Advice please!?

When it's genetic, there's really nothing you can do about it. Just get checked regularly for cancer, and eat well. Lots of fruits and veggies.





And don't dwell on it. =)

My mum was 58yrs old with ovarian AND breast cancer! I have a 1 in 8 chance of the same. Advice please!?
i think there is a 1 in 9 chance that any woman can get breast cancer not sure about ovarian cancer. i think you should keep checking yourself for anything thats not normal for you and just try not to think about it, otherwise you end up a nervous wreck
Reply:Check with your doctor on a regular basis,make sure to do a breast self exam every month. After your monthly cycle starting with the tip in a circle and working your way to the outer breast.Finally drink allot of water and eat foods high in fiber.At all cost avoid red meat %26amp; eat fish {salmon} especially.
Reply:i have had the same worries but my chances are way worse, cancer runs on both sides of my family. the only thing you can really do is eat healthy exercise. and since they came out with the recent cervical cancer immunization thing i would get that, if you qualify for it.get regular breast screenings, also do your monthly self check. you can also not take any hormone replacement therapy drugs since there has been a link to it. and stay ontop of the latest info about cancer. also don't worry about it, when it is genetic there is nothing you can do.
Reply:Sorry about that, dear. I can only imagine what that must be like. But you know what, the reality is that the disease is prevalent and affects many people so you are not alone.





I would seek professional advice from a place like http://www.cancercenter.com/ . From what I have heard, they do a good job.





God bless you %26amp; family and give you peace.
Reply:Hello,





(ANS) This is one of the problems thrown up by the advances in medical technology %26amp; medical science (that we often take for granted these days) advances in genetics. Now allow us to screen for %26amp; test for certain diseases and assess the risk factors for the condition within families.





**HOW!! do you know you have a 1 in 8 risk factor for these conditions? who told you this??





**If you have actually had your DNA taken and your genetics analysed and had a specialist in genetics tell you this then fair enough. Otherwise you should definately have further testing done for these conditions.





**If your correct and the 1 in 8 risk factors is accurate then in my opinion your risk levels are pretty low indeed and I dont think you should spend the rest of your life worry or feeling dreadfully anxious. Its a VERY low risk level indeed, its very small.





**YES! if your risk factors were say 4 or perhaps 5 chances out of 8 of the same conditions I could understand your fears much more %26amp; your desire to consider some form of pre-emptive approach (preventative treatment or even surgery as a last resort).





**Go and talk again to your GP or go %26amp; talk it over with a genetics counsellor if you are still really fearful or very anxious. Its a complex area but I know you understand this already.





IR
Reply:if you a concerned go to the doctors and ask if you can be tested to find out and put your mind at rest
Reply:watch your diet, eat foods that is rich in iron, and drink plenty of water. don't go where there is allot of smog, stay in the sun for 15 min. and live a happy and healthy life good luck.
Reply:Personally, everyone should eat healthy and take care of themselves but I think it is "bunk" that eating healthy and exercising will help you avoid breast cancer....hogwash!


My aunt was a slender woman who watched her weight by eating healthy every day (cottage cheese salads, etc.) and exercised every day. She died from breast cancer at age 59..
Reply:Given your family history of breast and ovarian cancer, you are probably more suspectible to it than the average woman.





Frequent screening and a healthy lifestyle has already been advised.





In addition, you may wish to ask your doctor about genetic testing for certain genes associated with higher risk of breast cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2). If you have mutated versions of either of these genes, one preventative measurement some women have done is have a preventative masectomy and/or hysterectomy. Those are pretty drastic measures but, some women have a better peace of mind knowing their odds of getting breast and/or ovarian cancer are close to nil.





Personally, I see preventative masectomy and hysterectomy as body mutilation but, then again, I'm a guy.
Reply:Regular check-ups are a must. Ask your doctor how often you need to be tested.





Low fat diet, lots of fruits and veggies. You might want to switch to organic foods. Or maybe see a nutritionist.


Also, watch your weight and exercise regularly.


A good doctor can go over all of this with you.
Reply:Look on the up side. You have a 7 in 8 chance of NOT developing it as a result of your genetic heritage.





The sad truth is that many of us will be affected by cancer in our life...I was one of them, but following some pretty nasty treatment - have been clear for 13 years now.





The best you can do is to LIVE life to the best you can - eat well %26amp; exercise. Laugh when you can. If you let a possible future illness scar your life now - you will have no life...If living on the super heathly diets %26amp; no meats, no processed foods, no plastic wrappers, no pesticides etc. will make you LESS happy than having a life with your friends and family now than YOU will have to weigh up the benefits in your life of a strict regime or being comfortable (but conscious) of your lifestyle.





Try not to fret.
Reply:My mom was 58 also when she developed ovarian cancer--we caught it in the late stages--but she still lived 3 years after diagnoises. As I understand it ovarian cancer can be caught in the earily stages and you have a very good chance when it is! Keep getting your yearly check-ups--and pray! That is what I am doing! Also, I am 35 and my doctor is having me do mammograms-every year also. I am also considering having a complete histerectomy (sorry about the spelling). Everyone thinks I am crazy for thinking this way--but I know it will put my mind at ease!!! We all can beat cancer if we try!!! God Bless!
Reply:Seeeing as everyone else has told you of the obvious health factors..............


I would make sure you enjoy life. Live everyday as if its your last. Tell those you love, that you love them. Never have any regrets. 1 in 3 will have cancer, and as awfull as it is (and I would know), at least you wil have no regrets. Life is precious, don't waste it.


Love............
Reply:relax a bit, then find an onocological gynocologist, they will follow you and watch for the ovarian cancer. Some will even do preventative surgery.