The cause of cancer (or causes)

[vannah]

I would really like to hear anyones view on what they believe causes cancer.

I ask this because I am baffled and devastated by the number of people I know or know of who have died of cancer in the past 5 years, most were young - ie in late 30's/early 40s.

I firmly believe that its more to do with emotions, and the effect of stress on your cells, more so than diet. I say this because of the people I know who have died, unhappiness seems to be the common denominator - or 'bitterness'.

Some people agree with me, a few friends believe its more likely genetic (though I believe this is not true for all cancers),

what are your thoughts? If you knew of someone who died, would you say that unhappiness or poor diet may have been a link?

thankyou

Thanks Tamun, I think for my own sake I need to find out more about his particular cancer as I think it will help me come to terms with losing my father to it. I know it's hard when Mnetters post such personal stories, as it makes it difficult to respond in anything but an emotional way, but I have read the whole thread with real interest and agree with everything you have said. My grandfather (my father's father) also died of cancer aged 40, though it was a completely different type, so I am not clear whether there is a link. My dad's dr also told us that the type of cancer is not something that we are likely to have inherited, but I'm confused and scared nonetheless. It started in his prostate, yet isn't "prostate" cancer. Both my sister and I have DS's - I feel I need to find out more for their sake.

I don't know the stories you are referring to I'm afraid (lalaa as far as I know has had treatment and is taking herceptin, I wouldn't class that as spontaneous regression unless I'm missing something) but yes, in general, spontaneous regression is rare but can happen, and is well documented. I don't know much about the clinical details but I would think it's much rarer in some tumour types than others, and would be vanishingly rare once tumours has metastasised I would have though.

Sycamore, I think what you have to remember is that cancer will affect something like a third of us (not sure of the numbers exactly) so the chances of two family members both having cancer is really pretty high. If they are unrelated types then the only possible link would be something very hand wavy like, I don't know, a very mild inherited defect in DNA repair? I don't honestly think you will need to worry unduly, but of course it's impossible to say for sure.

Oops I didn't pick that up from lalaa and haven't put myself about enough to know people that well.. thanks anyway x

watercress helps cure yes cure lung cancer cells. if you smoke you should eat watercress at least twice a week.

My lovely friend, the writer Julia Darling, died of cancer nearly 3 years ago. You can read her very moving (and funny!) diary of her last couple of years of living with it on her website. She was by a very large margin the most positive, life-affirming person I have ever met. And people who think cancer sufferers bring it on themselves by their Bad Attitude should go fuck themselves with a sharp stick.

I wanted to post a virtual hug to MartianBishop, but not really a hug, because it's too limp and pathetic to be of any use to her. Because I (think) I know that what she needs right now is a massive, gigantic boost to her inner battery of strength, love and resilience in facing the loss of her D, D, DH. I am desperate about losing my dad, but I can take some solace from the fact that he is in his later years, and has led a full and happy life, and that his children are grown with children of their own to look after. When I see younger fathers at my dad's hospice, I just want to break down and weep for their families. MB - I think you bit your lip with an INCREDIBLE amount of self control, and I don't care that the OP may not have meant to be hurtful - she didn't stop to think beyond her own slightly neurotic fears before posting on what any fool must be able to imagine is an INTENSELY painful and emotional subject for hundreds and hundreds of Mnetters

I remember reading her blog, Zazette. I'm so sorry.

sycamoretree - huge hug. I nursed my father when he was dying of cancer (13 years ago) and it is heartbreaking.

In my fathers case (a brain tumour swiftly followed by lung cancer) it does seem genetic - all but one of his family died of it before they were 65yo. I'm adopted so not a blood-relative but my sister is. And I wish to God she'd quit smoking.

Thank you Zazette, for having the courage to express what I could only hint at. And thanks for the link - I really look forward to reading her story. It's clear from your passion that she was a much loved and cherished friend.

Thanks Tamum - it's what I thought.

I would also like to add (to no one in particular) that OF COURSE, in light of my father's cancer, I have massively reduced red meat, chicken and dairy from my family's diet, we only use organic cleaning products etc, but all of this is largely a knee jerk emotionally band-aid, which in my heart I know will have a much lower impact on whether or not any of us develop the disease than on pure genetics.

Re watercress. proof please for the claim that it 'cures' cancer.

And people who smoke should stop.

eating watercress if you smoke is like putting a bandaid on a slashed throat

Thanks for hug Duchess - it is heartbreaking, but the little things you can do for them are what get you through, aren't they? Things you never thought you would have to do for your own father, but rather you than a stranger, right? I put a brave face on all day then come home and collapse in arms of DH....which is why I am so full of heartbreak for MB...living 24-7 with a dying loved one is just about the hardest thing emotionally that anyone on this earth could be asked to do.

oddly enough you get 'used' to it. In some ways it isn't as awful as you'd think, because ordinary life goes on, which is a blessing. You don't forget what is happeneing, but in a really wierd way you push it to the corners of your mind. It pops out to get you from time to time, this thread was a 'mini time' . But it just becomes 'normal'

Whatever that is

I want to contribute to this post constructively but my mum was diagnosed with liver cancer on Friday so I might have a slightly jaded perception, but here goes.

Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 (lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, anastrazole for 5 years) and diagnosed again in 2006 (bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, job done). We find out if her liver cancer is secondary breast cancer of the liver (secondary liver cancer) or primary liver cancer tomorrow. In either case it would seem she's just one of life's unfortunates, that god decided to pick on her. She did everything that the health promotion campaigns tell you are factors that decrease your chances of breast cancer (breastfeed children for at least 6 months, maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet, etc, etc) but the disease still struck her, not once, but twice. She's had her fair share of crap in her life but haven't we all. I won't go into the trials and tribulations of my mum but she's tried to put a brave face on everything life has thrown at her, including divorce, miscarriage and being widowed at 46. She hasn't wallowed in grief or bitterness, instead she's taken pleasure in the positive things she has in her life, like her grandsons, friends and family and her relative good health.

I don't think that bitterness is a 'cause' of cancer but I certainly think it's a factor in prognosis. Just look at Jane Tomlinson. My sister spoke to a woman last week who'd had bowel cancer with most of her bowel removed along with most of her liver and appendix and her bladder resected, and still she made jokes that'if anyone needs any storage space I've got some going spare'. When mum first had breast cancer she unintentionally frightened two trick or treaters by poking her bald head out of the door. We laughed. You have to laugh, otherwise you'd cry and never stop.

Genetics undoubtedly play a part in developing cancer too. All of mum's close female relatives are aware of the hereditory risk factor for breast cancer in the family but that just means that we are aware of our breasts more than we would have been, not a cast-iron definite that we're going to develop the disease.

We might be aware of factors that increase our chances of developing cancer, and I personally believe that a person's outlook plays a part in prognosis, but top and bottom of it is, sometimes cancer just happens.

I think my mum would say the same MB. I told her tonight that just occasionally, she needs to give herself a huge pat on the back for being so incredible and brilliant and strong. She says if she were to stop and do that, she'd fall to pieces.....the routine of daily life is what keeps her going, but now Dad's near the end, it's tough.

i have to say i found the OP upsetting.
if positive thinking and being happy not smoking not eating meat and not drinking meant that you didn't get cancer then my husband would not be dying of cancer, it is frankly insulting to suggest that people bring it on themselves

Mrs Archie - am so sorry about your mum. The constant tests, the waiting for results - it's an emotional rollercoaster that is so hard to ride. I don't think anyone is denying that have a PMA is helpful for anything life can through at you, but we must accept that for an awful lot of people, all the "can do" attitude in the world will not be enough to save them from this terrible disease, as so many posters on this thread have testified.

That's THROW at you.

Sycamoretree - having read several other posts, especially from yourself, martianbishop and onlyjoking, I agree with you that all the 'can do' attitude in the world won't save them from the inevitable. Thank you for your kind words though, and for what it's worth I'm so sorry about your father.

It is a very raw day indeed.

Back at you, MrsArchie Fingers crossed for you for tomorrow.

Dignified and wise posts on this thread from lots of people, mb included.

Posting here tonight has made me feel better momentarily, so thank you to everyone who has contributed, and I suppose also to the OP as I wouldn't have had the emotional strength to post anything relating to my dad's illness myself, so at least she got us all talking/sharing.

I don't know what does and what doesn't cause cancer, I don't think anyone really does or we'd have cures for them all.

I have to try not to worry about my chances of getting it tho...

My father was one of 5 siblings. They all grew up in Africa. The youngest went first. Then another male and then my father at 63, I believe they were all lung cancers which spread to other organs. My remaining Uncle and my Aunt, I think the eldest of the 5, are still here but neither of them smoke, whereas the other three did, but they have both been treated for skin cancers.

So I believe that there's a good chance a Cancer gene runs in my father's family.

My father was estranged from me so once he was dx'd he sent email via my aunt but he was sent home from the first chemo he was booked for as there was no point, apparently, and he died a couple of days later, We exchanged an email each but I never saw him alive. I didn't get the much wanted explanation from him as to why he abandoned us, time and again.

So I'm becoming more holistic in my old age as I desperately want to be there for my children and to enjoy life. My life to date has not been easy, with much anguish and stress. I am thankful that I do not smoke, don't drink heavily, have bf my children and don't live in a heavily polluted area. I am thankful that we moved from Africa when I was 9. I have had a large funny shaped mole removed from my shoulder blade, just in case.

Apart from chocolate, I try not to eat too much processed food and dp has helped me to learn to cook from fresh (am not a keen cook, it's a chore).

There's not much more I can do is there?

My heart goes out to those who have loved lost ones or are facing the end in the not too distant. From reading some of the threads on MN I can see just how hard it is.

My mother's cousin was diagnosed and dead within the week. No time to suffer but not much time to say goodbye either...

I just pray that by the time our children are our age we have even more science to throw at these bas...d cancers that cause such grief.

thankyou to all of you for sharing your experiences and offering explanations.
Obviously I am far better informed now when thinking of those that I have known to die from cancer, at the expense of having offended a whole host of people on here.
Apologies for having started a thread that was worded so badly.