Mother died from BAC at 49 - what are my chances? - 1256494

doubletime
Posts:18

I never lived with mother but maintained long distance relationship, she died awhile back at 49 - she was a cigarette smoker for 20 years. She has 5 sisters and 2 brothers who are in their late 50's and are doing well.

I am a 30 year old male with strong pot smoking history for 10 years straight. I quit 2 years ago and I never once smoked a cigarette.

What are my chances of development LC? Also what genes should I test? And what to do if these test turn out positive for these genes...i understand there is no preventative measures besides reducing risk factors like avoiding tobacco, 2nd hand smoke, radon and asbestos.

Forums
Full Archive

Reply # - May 17, 2013, 04:21 PM

JimC
Posts: 2753

Hi doubletime,

Although a family history of cancer can raise concerns, the fact that your mother was a 20-year smoker makes it much more likely that smoking, rather than genetics, was the major cause of her lung cancer. As certified genetic counselor Robert Resta stated in his post "What is the Genetic Component of Lung Cancer?":

"Despite the strong influence of cigarette smoking on lung cancer risk, genetics no doubt plays some – likely small – role. Studies of lung cancer in families have shown a slightly greater risk of developing lung cancer among relatives of lung cancer patients. Overall, though, if you have lung cancer, the vast majority of your non-smoking siblings, children, cousins and other relatives will never develop lung cancer." - http://cancergrace.org/lung/2008/08/29/resta-genetic-risk-lung-ca/

He goes on to state:

"Some studies have found that certain genetic markers may be associated with a slightly higher or lower risk of developing lung cancer. However, no genetic test can reliably predict who will or will not develop lung cancer, either among smokers or non-smokers."

And he concludes: "If you have a relative with lung cancer, and you are not a smoker, the odds are very low that you will develop lung cancer."

Live long and prosper! ;)

JimC
Forum moderator

Reply # - May 17, 2013, 06:36 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

If you are concerned enough, you can seek a consultation with a genetics counselor. The risk conferred from pot smoking isn't especially well defined, and while someone with a first degree relative does have an increased risk, the contribution from genetics is relatively small, as Jim rightly noted.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

Reply # - June 30, 2013, 02:20 PM

doubletime
Posts: 18

Thanks for replies so much.

Also if you lose parent to lung cancer, does the son/daughter need to begin lung cancer screening at 10-15 years earlier from parents diagnosis?

My concerns that I my past marijuana smoking, daily for 10-12 years will come back to haunt me later in life, since my mother quit too for over 4 years before she was Dx.. I've been looking into vaporizing marijuana to help with anxiety issues, vaporizers reduce harmful carcinogens significantly. Is this bad idea? I understand both tobacco and marijuana have same toxins but for some reasons tobacco is more deadlier.

I read media reports of 70% chance of developing lung cancer if lung cancer sibling is a smoker.

I just had a baby boy, so I now worry of passing off young to such a unpredictable diseases.

Reply # - June 30, 2013, 07:00 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

I think there's very little actual evidence about the different ways of ingesting marijuana and the risk of lung cancer. I can't say what the risk of vaporized marijuana might be.

At the present time, the only role that has been established for screening is in patients who smoked at least 30 pack-years, quit within the last 10 years (I think) or continue to smoke, and are between 55 and 75. There is no current recommendation for lung cancer screening outside of these guidelines, including in family members of people who have developed lung cancer.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

Reply # - July 3, 2013, 01:33 PM

doubletime
Posts: 18

One more thing Dr. West. Will seeing a genetic counselor help finding certain genes that will give Doctors a reason to screen me early for lung cancer?

I have kaiser insurance and made an appointment. However when I talked to staff member they seemed clueless when I brought up testing for lung cancer genes. Any specific type of gene to look for like EGFR, KRAS OR ALK?

Thanks again

Previous PostNext Post