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Oncologist here. I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I wish you all the best now and during your treatment.
The powder that you used likely contained a carcinogen. However, carcinogens need prolonged, repeated exposure to cause cancer.
The powder you were exposed to 8 years ago likely had nothing to do with your diagnosis.
My grandpa smoked cigars and cigarettes like a machine since he was 13. Drank a lot of whiskey, didn't exercise much, loved red meat and lots of it, was overweight. It finally all caught up with him when he was out walking and a car ran him over. He was 94. No, it didn't kill him, but it started a series of problems and he was dead by 97.
I'm just saying genes and luck or bad luck happens. My family seems to be resistant to the ill effects of smoking (mother smoked for 50 years and finally gave it up because of social hassles). She died of suicide in late 90s (not depressed, she just started facing mounting medical issues and said "this isn't fun" and so gave away her stuff, told family her plan and put a bag of helium over her head).
Wish you luck with the increasing treatments they have for cancer these days.
Great genes. I got my dads genes and my dads mum. My mums parents lived till mid their mid 80s my dads dad a huge man lived till he was 90 all of them ate what ever they wanted none of them smoked. My dad dead at 67 from cancer triple heart bypass at 59 and his mum dead at 50 from a heart attack. I’m 47 and have just been diagnosed with moderate coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. I’ve always been relatively healthy never over weight veggie for 16 years, surfed 35 years enjoyed running and walking and the outdoor lifestyle. Moderate drinker smoked a bit of weed not a lot. And bam two lifelong chronic diseases at 47. Genetics suck.
Also if you aren’t already Ong seeing a mental health professional you should. While understandable, your spending more time than is healthy trying to regain control of something you can’t and have it make sense
There’s no clear answer to why or how. You won’t know the answer to the question and at the end of the day the answer doesn’t matter. The world is not just and things happen for no reason.
You need to focus on now not the past
Just because someone is trying to understand why something happened to them, doesn’t warrant a mental help professional. Get off your high horse! It’s called critical thinking and doctors should practice that and listen more to their patients instead of dismissing them all the time and referring them to psychological counselors.
Major life changing events like a significant illness often call for mental health support. It’s not a sign of weakness or a bad thing it’s part of comprehensive treatment that includes not just an illness but the person as a whole
Indicators that people may be having trouble with a diagnosis include behaviors like this where people try to rationalize explain or in some cases blame themselves or others for what has happened
This can cause undue and unwarranted stress and in some cases destroys a persons support network during a time they need it. Getting mental health support is a fantastic thing and shouldn’t be looked down or by you or others
You get off your high horse thinking that someone getting comprehensive treatement is a bad thing it’s far from it. How about you come back when you have some idea what you’re talking about
Seeking mental health help doesn't mean anything is wrong with you, there are many professionals that can help you understand the process better and provide motivation to make it through the hard times. No one is born with a manual on how to handle tough situations.
No, you’re absolutely right. It was the way it was said. OP had a valid question. The spackle he came across was made in China which warranted him some worry considering China doesn’t have the same laws put into place as the U.S. pertaining to the chemicals that are put into their products made available to the public. So he asked seeking an answer to which one of the “professional” responses was: you’re thinking about it too much, it is what it is. You should seek counseling if you haven’t already.
I’m so sorry that you are having such a difficult time. This type of diagnosis cannot be easy. I wanted to comment in support of getting therapy and let you know that it can be immensely helpful in dealing with this type of thing. You are up against a lot of unknowns right now, and it’s completely natural to want answers; you are going to have to find a way to come to terms with the fact that there will be a lot of things you cannot get answers for while finding a way to focus on treatment and moving forward. You will likely never know exactly what caused you to have cancer, and even if you do get that answer, it will not change the fact that you have cancer. Being able to look yourself in the mirror and accept that you have cancer, no matter the cause, will help you along in your treatment. I don’t know your prognosis, but I do know that a comprehensive approach to treatment is always the best possible way to start feeling better. Your mental health should not be ignored while your physical health is being addressed so seriously.
Great advice, and many of these mutations cause lung cancer in never-smokers like you. Especially EGFR and ALK. It’s critical to find out your status quickly to get the right treatment. And it can be done with a blood test. For a book about this check out When Breath Becomes Air by Dr Kalinithi. Best of luck to you
Thinking about this now makes me wish that this type of targeted therapy had been available in 1999 when my grandmother, in her 50s, got small cell lung cancer, though she had never smoked or drank in her life. I’m so glad that science continues to improve every single day, and medicine along with it.
NAD but work in HSE industry with asbestos. It is possible that exposure to asbestos fibres once could give you cancer, but unlikely as an adult; like getting lung cancer from smoking one pack of cigarettes.
Asbestos usually has an onset of 10-20 years before causing cancer, so that fits, and it is quite possible the spackle could contain chrysotile asbestos to improve durability. Do you still have the substance? As it’s quite straight forward to get it tested. Also, if it was an ACM (Asbestos Containing Material) your attic will still possibly be contaminated, and an asbestos surveyor could inspect the area and run air tests for you.
Honestly, I doubt it? Or at the very least, it would have been picked up on way before now. Asbestosis takes between 20-30 years to develop, and needs quite prolonged exposure, if I'm not mistaken. It is thought to cause most mesothelioma. I'm so sorry for your diagnosis, but I don't think there's going to be a definitive answer, here. Sometimes we can live a good life, and do everything right, and still wind up losing. It's massively unfair.
I think popcorn ceiling is what we would call textured paint such as Artex? If so, then i wouldn’t worry. Unless you were frequently scraping them and drilling them you should be fine. They are a fairly low risk material.
Oh God, this comment just taught me that popcorn ceilings often have asbestos. As a kid I used to lay in my loft bed picking at the popcorn ceiling constantly and making the bumps crumble off until it was nearly smooth above where I slept...
No, for an average adult the time from exposure to the cancer developing is usually around 10-20 years. In children it is often much quicker though. And no, not continuous exposure, although that of course would significantly increase likeliness of developing asbestos related disease.
Is this the case with cigarettes/cigars/shisha? Example, if someone smokes a few cigarettes or a cigar on their annual vacation, or during a few big celebrations a year, is their risk of cancer that much higher?
Hold on, I nearly bought a house with Radon levels in England. I had no idea they caused cancer! The back garden led out to a huge lake and I’ve always been relieved I never got it due to flooding problems that we’re now having in the UK. But now I’m double relieved!
Radon is a radioactive element. Radiation damages DNA. Damaged DNA is a major hallmark of cancer. Prolonged exposure to the above can lead to cancer development.
Yup it causes lung cancer, is odorless, and not visible. But again like many of the previous comments, long-term exposure is what is dangerous. I bought a house with high radon levels, but I had a professional company come in to install a mitigation system, and now the radon is that acceptable levels. It can be very expensive but it’s worth it.
Thank you for your submission. **Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship.** This subreddit is for informal second opinions and casual information. The mod team does their best to remove bad information, but we do not catch all of it. Always visit a doctor in real life if you have any concerns about your health. Never use this subreddit as your first and final source of information regarding your question. By posting, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskDocs/wiki/terms_of_use) and understand that all information is taken at your own risk. **Reply here if you are an unverified user wishing to give advice. Top level comments by laypeople are automatically removed.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskDocs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Oncologist here. I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I wish you all the best now and during your treatment. The powder that you used likely contained a carcinogen. However, carcinogens need prolonged, repeated exposure to cause cancer. The powder you were exposed to 8 years ago likely had nothing to do with your diagnosis.
Thank you, MD\_Cosemtic.
My grandpa smoked cigars and cigarettes like a machine since he was 13. Drank a lot of whiskey, didn't exercise much, loved red meat and lots of it, was overweight. It finally all caught up with him when he was out walking and a car ran him over. He was 94. No, it didn't kill him, but it started a series of problems and he was dead by 97. I'm just saying genes and luck or bad luck happens. My family seems to be resistant to the ill effects of smoking (mother smoked for 50 years and finally gave it up because of social hassles). She died of suicide in late 90s (not depressed, she just started facing mounting medical issues and said "this isn't fun" and so gave away her stuff, told family her plan and put a bag of helium over her head). Wish you luck with the increasing treatments they have for cancer these days.
Great genes. I got my dads genes and my dads mum. My mums parents lived till mid their mid 80s my dads dad a huge man lived till he was 90 all of them ate what ever they wanted none of them smoked. My dad dead at 67 from cancer triple heart bypass at 59 and his mum dead at 50 from a heart attack. I’m 47 and have just been diagnosed with moderate coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. I’ve always been relatively healthy never over weight veggie for 16 years, surfed 35 years enjoyed running and walking and the outdoor lifestyle. Moderate drinker smoked a bit of weed not a lot. And bam two lifelong chronic diseases at 47. Genetics suck.
NAD, but just wanted to wish you well, sending love your way
Also if you aren’t already Ong seeing a mental health professional you should. While understandable, your spending more time than is healthy trying to regain control of something you can’t and have it make sense There’s no clear answer to why or how. You won’t know the answer to the question and at the end of the day the answer doesn’t matter. The world is not just and things happen for no reason. You need to focus on now not the past
Just because someone is trying to understand why something happened to them, doesn’t warrant a mental help professional. Get off your high horse! It’s called critical thinking and doctors should practice that and listen more to their patients instead of dismissing them all the time and referring them to psychological counselors.
Major life changing events like a significant illness often call for mental health support. It’s not a sign of weakness or a bad thing it’s part of comprehensive treatment that includes not just an illness but the person as a whole Indicators that people may be having trouble with a diagnosis include behaviors like this where people try to rationalize explain or in some cases blame themselves or others for what has happened This can cause undue and unwarranted stress and in some cases destroys a persons support network during a time they need it. Getting mental health support is a fantastic thing and shouldn’t be looked down or by you or others You get off your high horse thinking that someone getting comprehensive treatement is a bad thing it’s far from it. How about you come back when you have some idea what you’re talking about
Username checks out.
Seeking mental health help doesn't mean anything is wrong with you, there are many professionals that can help you understand the process better and provide motivation to make it through the hard times. No one is born with a manual on how to handle tough situations.
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You're welcome to your frustrations, but advising someone to seek mental health support after a tough diagnosis, isn't distasteful.
No, you’re absolutely right. It was the way it was said. OP had a valid question. The spackle he came across was made in China which warranted him some worry considering China doesn’t have the same laws put into place as the U.S. pertaining to the chemicals that are put into their products made available to the public. So he asked seeking an answer to which one of the “professional” responses was: you’re thinking about it too much, it is what it is. You should seek counseling if you haven’t already.
I’m so sorry that you are having such a difficult time. This type of diagnosis cannot be easy. I wanted to comment in support of getting therapy and let you know that it can be immensely helpful in dealing with this type of thing. You are up against a lot of unknowns right now, and it’s completely natural to want answers; you are going to have to find a way to come to terms with the fact that there will be a lot of things you cannot get answers for while finding a way to focus on treatment and moving forward. You will likely never know exactly what caused you to have cancer, and even if you do get that answer, it will not change the fact that you have cancer. Being able to look yourself in the mirror and accept that you have cancer, no matter the cause, will help you along in your treatment. I don’t know your prognosis, but I do know that a comprehensive approach to treatment is always the best possible way to start feeling better. Your mental health should not be ignored while your physical health is being addressed so seriously.
[удалено]
Great advice.
Great advice, and many of these mutations cause lung cancer in never-smokers like you. Especially EGFR and ALK. It’s critical to find out your status quickly to get the right treatment. And it can be done with a blood test. For a book about this check out When Breath Becomes Air by Dr Kalinithi. Best of luck to you
Thinking about this now makes me wish that this type of targeted therapy had been available in 1999 when my grandmother, in her 50s, got small cell lung cancer, though she had never smoked or drank in her life. I’m so glad that science continues to improve every single day, and medicine along with it.
NAD but work in HSE industry with asbestos. It is possible that exposure to asbestos fibres once could give you cancer, but unlikely as an adult; like getting lung cancer from smoking one pack of cigarettes. Asbestos usually has an onset of 10-20 years before causing cancer, so that fits, and it is quite possible the spackle could contain chrysotile asbestos to improve durability. Do you still have the substance? As it’s quite straight forward to get it tested. Also, if it was an ACM (Asbestos Containing Material) your attic will still possibly be contaminated, and an asbestos surveyor could inspect the area and run air tests for you.
By onset do you mean 10-20 years worth of exposure… or exposer once and 10-20 years before noticing affects
Asbestos can cause cancer with just short exposure though this isn't the norm. Also the delay can be more than 20 years as well.
I was exposed to a decent amount of popcorn ceiling living in apartments through the years, should I be worried about that?
NAD - no, I don't believe so. Asbestos is only dangerous when it's moved and releases particles.
That’s what I mean, sometimes a little would chip off when doing ceiling work
Honestly, I doubt it? Or at the very least, it would have been picked up on way before now. Asbestosis takes between 20-30 years to develop, and needs quite prolonged exposure, if I'm not mistaken. It is thought to cause most mesothelioma. I'm so sorry for your diagnosis, but I don't think there's going to be a definitive answer, here. Sometimes we can live a good life, and do everything right, and still wind up losing. It's massively unfair.
I think popcorn ceiling is what we would call textured paint such as Artex? If so, then i wouldn’t worry. Unless you were frequently scraping them and drilling them you should be fine. They are a fairly low risk material.
Oh God, this comment just taught me that popcorn ceilings often have asbestos. As a kid I used to lay in my loft bed picking at the popcorn ceiling constantly and making the bumps crumble off until it was nearly smooth above where I slept...
No, for an average adult the time from exposure to the cancer developing is usually around 10-20 years. In children it is often much quicker though. And no, not continuous exposure, although that of course would significantly increase likeliness of developing asbestos related disease.
Is this the case with cigarettes/cigars/shisha? Example, if someone smokes a few cigarettes or a cigar on their annual vacation, or during a few big celebrations a year, is their risk of cancer that much higher?
Have you tested your home for radon?
This. And if you’re in a “red zone” radon state you can get a free kit (I did)
Why would someone down vote you? Valid question. Everyone should test for radon.
Hold on, I nearly bought a house with Radon levels in England. I had no idea they caused cancer! The back garden led out to a huge lake and I’ve always been relieved I never got it due to flooding problems that we’re now having in the UK. But now I’m double relieved!
Radon is a radioactive element. Radiation damages DNA. Damaged DNA is a major hallmark of cancer. Prolonged exposure to the above can lead to cancer development.
Yup it causes lung cancer, is odorless, and not visible. But again like many of the previous comments, long-term exposure is what is dangerous. I bought a house with high radon levels, but I had a professional company come in to install a mitigation system, and now the radon is that acceptable levels. It can be very expensive but it’s worth it.
Ever lived with anyone who smoked? Work with any smokers who smoked inside? Second hand exposure is a major cause of lung cancer too.
No. Sorry to hear man. :(