Worrying when there may be no worry.....

[briangriffin]

This is going to be a strange one but how do I approach this, I may be being stupid but...

The old man is early 60's and a heavy smoker since his teens, as in 40 a day at least, not a heavy drinker but he likes a few, plays golf but doesn't do a lot of exercise beyond that and he uses a buggy when he plays besides that.

We were really close but had a few years of estrangement, close again now but it's not been the same in a way but worry big time about the above.

Is there a human MOT I can always him to have though? As you only get one dad and in the grand scheme of the things he's been a legend and he's a prime candidate for the big C word. So how do I say dad I want u to speak to a doctor just in case?

[anonymous-user]

Do you think he doesn't know the risks he's taking? I suspect he does and is 'comfortable' with them.

[worsy]

Heart attack would be more likely I would suggest. Definitely worth encouraging him to give up the smokes.

[StevieBee]

Whilst it is worth appealing to his better senses, I rather think that past 60, the lifestyle of the past is not really undoable to a degree that would see him leap bountifully into his 90s.

Added to which is that in my experience and for reasons I can't really determine, those in this age group tend to live long and in reasonable health despite what we consider today to be an unhealthy existence. My uncle checked out at 86 despite a daily diet of 40 plus ciggies and half a bottle of whiskey. My wife's nan had a similar innings with similar indulgences. And then you have Keith Richards....!

I'd suggest the more omnipresent killers are obesity and stress. Both factors that start to appear with greater visibility when a life longer smoker quits.

But do not let that stop you trying!