My father died of esophageal cancer at 54 and I've just been diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus(a precancerous condition)at 44. Being a non-smoker, I was shocked. It took a year of unexplained weight loss, doctors visits and every test known to man but I now have a plan of action. I truly believe it took as long as it did because I'm a woman (Barrett's is more common in overweight men in their 50's) and in good health otherwise. We have to be our own advocates!

God bless you, gansett.

As for me: mother, lung, fatal, age 59. Lifetime chain-smoker who joked about getting cancer. I always hated being around the smoke. Still do.

But she was from the generation that smoked while pregnant...on doctors' advice.

Well I am not the one to guess at what the leading killing disease, but I know that cancer is well know for it. Cancer is a very scary disease, but it is scary when you think about it.

My mom was diagnosed last summer with colon cancer at age 64. It was a shock to all of us because noone in our family has had cancer and my mom was always healthy and never got sick. HOwever she did smoke for almost 20 years. It may have had something to do with it. Also colon cancer is the top #3 cancer out there. We have all been urged to get colonoscopy testing by age 50 but sooner if there is a family history of it. If my mom had gotten this test years ago, her chances might have been better. She seems ok today, but we do not know her future with this. I am scared to have this test done myself, but know that I must get tested for it soon just to be safe. To all, please be aware of this cancer, its as bad as breast if not worse. And men do get this cancer as well.

I have seen too many people pass from cancer. It is one awful disease that fills everyone around it with anxiety and fear from the start. My heart goes out to anyone who has lost their parents or children to it.

My grandfather just passed away in October from eusophagus (is where it started), stomach, liver and EVERYTHING cancer. He smoked before my mother was born and quit 55 years ago. Scary how the damage can stick around...

There's no avoiding cancer, no matter how healthy you are. They've GOT to find a cure.

i lost my grandfather to colon cancer, which was really unexpected cuz there's no cancer history in my family except for him. And i just found out yesterday that my dad's wife, whom i just recently got close to, has been diagnosed with breast cancer... scary indeed

it's really scary to think about how cancer really is becoming more prevalent in society today and how there are so many more cases that we hear about even among younger people. it's hard to think about how no one seems to be 'safe' from it, seeing as how there was a false sense of security in the past.

my grandmother had breast cancer and now that makes me a bit nervous as i get older since we all know how that is hereditary.

People are also living much longer than they used to. If you don't die from heart disease...something else will kill you. Colon cancer is also on the rise. People are holding onto their poo longer and not eating enough fiber.

My grandfather had colon cancer, my aunt had uterine cancer, I just lost a great uncle to colon cancer, my husband's uncle has stage 4 lymphoma, a friend of mine's brother is currently battling leukemia, another friend's brother also battled leukemia last year, my brother lost his best friend to lung cancer (that they attributed to the terrible air in lower Manhattan post-9/11), my mother was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in Feb '07 (in remission now, thankfully) and my best friend's mom is in her second battle against breast cancer. So yes, you could say that I've been touched by cancer.

Man, I really hate cancer. I really, really do.

No one in my immediate family died of cancer, but a very good family friend of ours died from leukemia a few years ago. He smoked two packs a day for 50 years of his life and the doctors think the benzene exposure in the cigarettes had a big effect on the cancer. My aunt's mother in law also died from cancer...she had breast cancer that metastasized into her lungs and bones. She survived about 5 years after they gave her a terminal diagnosis and her quality of life really suffered. It was really sad to see her deteriorate and become frailer and sicker and just waste away. I'm scared to death of cancer and I really hope they find a cure soon.

one of our professors at university thought he had diabetes, he started taking pills but after a month or so he found out that he has pancreatic cancer! scary! i've heard that it isn't very curable but his tumor is non-invasive and he's doing chemotherapy, i pray that he gets well soon, i'm so sad for him...