I got married recently. My mother in law and her sister suffered from breast cancer. My husband's brother has got blood cancer and he has died when he was younger.Am getting scared whether my husband and I will also get cancer. Please let me know cancer is an hereditary disease? Am eagerly waiting for the answer.

If researchers knew what causes the various kinds of cancer, those cancers would be eradicated by now. It doesn't run in my family (we're into heart attacks and strokes), but I got it a year ago. I lay the blame on extreme stress.

Smokers can die of lung cancer; their family members can die of cancer caused by second-hard smoke. George Burns, the comedian, was a lifelong smoker, but lived to be 100. Go figure.

Your lifestyle, your eating habits, your ability to handle stress, and your genetic makeup all make a difference.

Worry, anger, upsets of all kinds, and fear cause stress which may create the environment for cancer. Instead, live life to the fullest, and be happy. Happiness and contentment are both good antidotes for cancer.

Become familiar with your body and you will know when something 'different' is taking place. Your body does talk to you. You just have to know the language. An ache or pain, rash, headache, pimple, or even spotty vision (and many others) are all a language spoken by the body. If you don't have an answer get one. A medical opinion can save your life, or extend it, or just make it more enjoyable. However, one should not dwell on the unknown and become miserable over it. Get your annual checkups (or as often as your physician recommends) and don 't worry about the results being negative. Should that happen your physician will inform you. Live every day to it's fullest with close friends and relatives. And, tell them how much they mean to you.

Mother died of 'blood cancer' and just 3 months later father died of cancer back in the 70's. In the 90's it was my turn but I beat the odds. Have been cancer free for 15 years. It could come back any time. But, I'm not going to get depressed over it. I've got too much livin' to do.

Also you ask about "you" you are not related to husband, his mother or his brother. So this has nothing to do with you.

In that, it means he could have a trend but will need to be checked more regular than others may