To worry that 77-year old relative is at risk of cancer

[Orchidacea]

I just found out that a 77-year old relative has taken up cigar smoking. He says he smokes 2-3/month. He quit cigarette smoking 30 years ago.
He has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, which seems to be getting worse, but he is in good shape physically.
He is extremely stubborn, so will certainly not listen to advice from me about cigars.
I know no one can predict the future, but AIBU to worry that he will now develop cancer from this new cigar-smoking habit?

He may do, or he may not. Tbh at 77 and with whatever time he has left I'd just accept he chooses to do this and let him enjoy it. What is the point in living longer but maybe not even enjoying it? You could mention you're worried but ultimately the decision is his and he may just want to get on with it.

I'd let him crack on and enjoy it to be honest.

He's 77, I feel like at 77 I would want to be making decisions that are more about enjoyment of life than longevity

At 77 let him carry on

Does it matter at 77?

Every 77 year old is more at risk of death than they were beforehand. Crack on!

Let him carry on.

Isn't it his choice if he smokes a cigarette twice a month

I gave up smoking a couple of years ago and regulate my wine intake for the sake of health, but if I'm lucky enough to still be about at 77 I'll be having at both with wild abandon.

He lives alone; very solitary person. No relatives nearby. If anything did happen, it would be very difficult.

If at 77 he has cognitive decline, I’d let him crack on.
dying of dementia doesn’t seem like a peaceful way to go.

I don't think dementia would be any easier. Everyone has to die of something. He is enjoying simple pleasures whilst he can.

If anything did happen, it would be very difficult

He's 77. There's no 'if' anything happens - it WILL happen at some point, regardless of cigar sm

Cancer doesn’t just start the instant you pick up a cigarette, it would take a good few years of heavy smoking before it develops (and smoking isn’t guaranteed to cause cancer anyway). Let them crack on!

Of course when a loved one dies it's difficult and dying of dementia or a cognitive impaired disease isn't going to be great either, he's 77 leave him to enjoy his cigars. I suspect my mum has a sneaky cigarette now and then I don't think there's much I could say tbh.

Tbh, I'd be more worried about a house fire than any cancer risk! Difficult situation. If he's still able to live alone and deemed able to make his own decisions, he will do as he wishes. And you have to accept that, worrying as it may be.

Everyone's at risk of cancer.

He's 77. I think he's old enough to know if he wants to take that risk or not. If he's got cognitive decline he's probably not got that many pleasant years left

Difficult for who, he will die at some time. It might be anything, does he want anyone involved in his future care or planning his final years.

Let him enjoy his life! He's 77 for god sake!

For perspective my very healthy mother has just died of a very fast, very aggressive lung cancer in her 70's, having never touched a cigarette in her life.

Cancer risk is a long term thing.

When my gran was in the throes of dementia my mum said something about her having too many sugary drinks. I think tooth decay was the least of her worries. Better to let her do whatever she enjoyed at that point.

He is 77. Leave him in peace to live how he wishes!

Very sorry for your loss.

He'll die of the dementia long before cancer gets him.

Or in a house fire

My Gran craved sugary fizzy drinks when she was in the midst of dementia the nurse on her ward said it was quite common.

Jesus fuck. He's 77. Let him enjoy his life!

It's absolutely nothing to do with you whatsoever either.