to feel really upset about Caroline ahern and lung cancer

[sarahhammer]

I'm horrified to hear people on the radio showing no sympathy for her, just because she smokes it does not make lung cancer self inflicted!

[Davsmum]

Well,.. I have sympathy for her. Having cancer is not nice whether other people think you 'deserve' it or not

Smoking certainly can help contribute to developing cancer but I think the 'having no sympathy' attitude is awful.

[frignorant]

My fil died of lung cancer. Whenever we had to tell anyone, the first question was always "was he a smoker". Did it matter? (By the way, he wasn't. It was caused by eorking with asbestos).

[turgiday]

I dont care if she partly caused it by smoking. Show some bloody compassion for the woman. She has cancer that will kill her.

[frignorant]

My fil died of lung cancer. Whenever we had to tell anyone, the first question was always "was he a smoker". Did it matter? (By the way, he wasn't. It was caused by eorking with asbestos).

[cathyandclaire]

I think some people who develop Retinoblastoma (eye cancer) as children lack a gene that suppresses tumours elsewhere in the body so are at a much greater risk of bone, bladder, skin, uterine, breast and lung cancers and lymphoma. Smoking would increase that risk but is definitely not the only factor, she has been hugely unlucky and my heart goes out to her and her family.
Hopefully as she will be aware of this they will have picked it up early.

[Goldmandra]

Read the BBC News Website.

She has had previous cancers genetically linked to this one. She was predisposed to developing this.

There is no guarantee that smoking caused any one person's cancer. It's just odds.

Caroline Aherne was dealt a crap hand genetically. She doesn't need people making smug comments about her lifestyle to add to it.

[Babyroobs]

And just to add, anal sex is a risk factor for cancer of the anus and rectum, I believe that is because of exposure to the papillomovirus that also causes cervical cancer. Oral sex is now also considered a risk factor for developing cancer of the mouth and throat ( also due to the same virus I think ).

[HellonHeels]

Shocked at the judgmental comments from some on this thread.

Here is an article from the BBC news site which indicates that she no longer smokes and that her brother has stated that the three cancers she has been treated for are genetically linked. Not that that alters the compassion I feel for anyone living with cancer, regardless of cause.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27389409

[FragglerockAmpersand]

I know one person who died at 24 of Lung cancer. He was a devout Christian and had never been in a pub, never mind smoked.

I know one person who died in his early 50s of mouth and throat cancer. He'd never smoked.

This is only 2 people, I know. But you're on a VERY sticky wicket if, equipped with no information at all, you think you can blame someone's cancer on their lifestyle.

You're also a bit of an arse.

[BalloonSlayer]

What a shame.

I think she is great.

[ModernToss]

Total sympathy from me. She's been dealt a very poor hand, and she is indeed a comic genius.

[nethunsreject]

Bloody hell, the lack of compassion/blaming that some people are doing is appalling.

It can happen to anyone; pretty much anything bad could happen to any of us. I would hope that I'd receive compassion if it were me, regardless of my lifestyle. Ffs.

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

Joe Bloggs down my road died of a massive heart attack - he as a fat git though so serves him right.

Jane Doe round the corner has just had a massive stroke - to be fair it's her fault as she had high blood pressure, her diet was shit and she didn't exercise - tough luck really.

Fred Smith got run over crossing the road - he didn't look properly so tough titties to him

I could go on and on and yes, I would sound like a massive arse.

This thread makes me :( to think some people lack such compassion for other human beings.

[Babyroobs]

I have worked in Oncology/ Palliative care for years now and can honestly say the vast majority of patients with primary lung cancer are smokers or have been heavy smokers in the past for long periods of time. Of course there will always be a few who have never smoked, but the vast majority have, it is usually documented in their notes. Whatever the cause, we should always show compassion and care. people never think it will happen to them despite all the knowledge they have about the risks. Being obese is also a risk factor for many cancers.

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

The only 2 people I know who died of lung cancer were non-smokers.

Data-anecdote blah blah.

Very sad, I didn't know, I wish her well.

to those who have lost loved ones to this awful bloody disease.

[IdkickJilliansAss]

I used to smoke, took it up very young (11) got addicted but finally managed to kick it when I wanted DC at 24. If I develop lung cancer in the future I don't care about some people's cruel opinions but if I heard someone saying it in earshot of my DC I would probably use my last strength to give them a right royal slapping

[TheCunkOfPhilomena]

AgaPanthers ODFOD

[IdkickJilliansAss]

I think it'd be more a false sense of security rather than helpful Aga

[Nancy66]

I love CA. Such a fantastic writing talent. 'So what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?' still prob one of the funniest questions ever asked on telly.

[ExcuseTypos]

I love her

Anyone who's first thought is "it's her own fault" needs to have a word with themselves about being a judgemental twat.

[Viviennemary]

You can still feel sorry for somebody with a horrible illness even when they have smoked or done something else adverse to their health.

[Owllady]

It's really black and white too to think oh well they smoked/drank/took drugs/ate compulsively without realising for most people (all?) Addiction is a complex illness and there is hardly any support and what support there is is often difficult for an addict to access because of the stigma, as demonstrated with a lot of the opinion on this thread.

Poor Caroline :( I wish her well

[dexter73]

What a shame. I think she is a great woman.

'So what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?' still prob one of the funniest questions ever asked on telly.

Absolutely agree!

[movingsoon23]

Pointing out that smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer is in no way saying that you don't have any sympathy or that someone deserves cancer. In fact it makes it all the more tragic - that they could have done something to save themselves but for whatever reason felt unable to.

Smokers are very good at justifying their habit. Brushing the fact that smoking kills people under the carpet is not helpful at all. Smokers need warned of the risks and supported to help themselves quit if that is what they want. This isn't the same as judging or blaming someone.