lose-lose

I wish I'd never read the lung cancer story in this morning's Star.

Titled Lung cancer trigger discovered, it said ...

"After sifting through the DNA of more than 60,000 people, the scientists pinpointed a cluster of genetic variations on the human genome that can boost a person's chance of getting the disease by as much as 80 per cent. And it seems the genetic variants may make smokers – as well as those who have already kicked the habit – more susceptible than others to the cancer."

So, I may have a genetic variation that will deliver me lung cancer even though I already quit? I could be going through all of this deprivation for nothing?

Or, looked at another way, I may not have the variation and be less likely to develop cancer than someone who never smoked but has the variation. Could that be right?

I want a doctor to develop a test to find these gene thingamujigs. I would pay well for such a test. If I test negative, I would probably start smoking again.

Comments

[Marg. P.]

Ok so you would prob. start smoking again if they could tell you that your not gonna get lung cancer. What about the other smoking related illnesses? Cardiovascular system, increased risk of stroke, heart disease, aneurysms of the aorta and peripheral vascular disease, which can lead to amputations of the limbs.
Respiratory system emphysema, which reduce the capacity of the lungs to extract oxygen from the air we breathe. 90% of cases of emphysema seen by physicians are caused by smoking. Damaged lungs are also less able to fight infection, which leaves smokers more likely to get infections of the respiratory tract including bronchitis and pneumonia. Periodontal disease (gum disease leading to tooth loss). Brittle bones. Eye cataracts. Stomach ulcers. Premature lines and wrinkles. If all this doesn't you from smoking then as a male this one is a big one for you Erectile dysfunction. If I seem a bit pushy today just write it off to day six of my quit.

[Shawn]

What Marg said + pancreatic cancer + $$$.