Hi,
I was reading an article today in which a doctor said that because a brother had oral cancer, his sister was at increased risk and needed to be monitored closely.

I've never seen any other reference to oral cancer possibly having this hereditary connection. Any one know more about this? Thanks, Sheldon

I've not read anything about that, but I can say that I think about it often....several times a week, in fact. Given my parent's hx of cancer, I can't help but feel that the cards are stacked against me. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but admittedly I don't eat as many fruits and veggies as recommended. Genetics being what they are, it's kind of scary.

I also have not read anything specific to oral cancer that would indicate a hereditary predisposition for it. I believe that with cancers

Sheldon,
When Heather was first diagnosed, the doc said there was no genetic factor involved. Later, however, he said that all family members should be diligent in being aware of any oral changes, that we were at a higher risk now. I remember thinking that maybe because Heather had no known risk factors and her cancer didn't react the way they expected, that they just really weren't sure why she got it and figured they should consider all angles, whether proven or not.

My dad also died of oral cancer, but he was a heavy smoker and drinker and also waited until his was an advanced stage 4 before seeking treatment. Since his had an obvious cause and hers had no known cause, they didn't think there was a genetic connection, but they couldn't really rule it out either.

I've never read anything about a genetic connection either. But I too wonder.

Rosie

UNC Cancer Center is participating in a study on this. Dan is part of that study. Because of the "suspicion", we have urged Dan's grown children to be diligent about keeping check. I'm sure that there will be more information available on this thru the National Institue within the next year.

Though I feel I am predisposed to cancer as well as my children nobody in my family had throat cancer to my knowledge. A short history of the people in my life that passed from cancer:
Father-rectal
Grandmother-stomach
Grandfather-lung (non smoker and ns household)
Niece-kidney
Cousin-breast (now in treatment)
Niece#2-lung (smoker)
Mother-skin (did not result in death)
Brother-skin (did not result in death)
My husband died of colon with mets to the bones and brain. I really feel my children are at risk. What do you think Brian? Is there any reason I should not be concerned?

Bless you all,
Barb~

That is a sad list to read. I know two doctors whose specialty is genetics. When we talk, they have to water down their knowlege for me to even begin to wrap my mind around the whole thing. But in cancer, family clusters, and geographic clusters are a reality. Given your family's history, I would be diligent about the lifestyle things I could control, regular exams for those cancers that are avialable, and the exploration of any physical development that was out of the ordinary. This has to be balanced with a reasonable mental attitude towards things. It would be very easy to have something like this take a disproportionate slice out of the quality of your life, if it became an overly wieghted focus of your attention.

I mainly feel that my son, who is 26, should have a colon tests when he is older because of the rectal from his Grandfather and the colon from his Father. Non of my children smoke or drink and they are all pretty healthy so that makes me happy. Thank you for the info Brian. I had been hearing about this genetic thing and just wondered.

Bless you,
Barbara~