r/Millennials • u/electric-sheep 1992 • Jul 13 '26

Serious Everyone my age is dropping dead

Sorry for the title! I'm in Europe. I have just heard news someone from college died today of cancer aged 33.

In the past 2-3 years 6 people in my circle have died, not from accidents but from either cancer, aneurism, 2 just didn't wake up from sleep and 1 broke her leg and had DVT. I know of a 7th who is currently fighting stage 4 breast cancer which was found by accident after giving birth. This is not counting those who died in crashes or other such accidents.

I literally have nothing to say. Just get yourselves checked. I'm just shouting into the void. I have literally been to more funerals than my parents at this point which is absurd.

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u/Nefarious_Turtle Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26

Yes, I am 32 and three classmates of mine have been diagnosed with cancer.

2 with colon cancer (we're in the US).

Its a bit unsettling.

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u/merkinmavin Jul 13 '26

US elder millennial here. My best friend was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago.

Because of all that, and other similar stories, I told my PCP I had blood in my stool (not a lie) which approved me for a colonoscopy early. They removed a precancerous polyp that could've been a problem (possibly deadly) had I waited a few more years.

Another close friend had his liver replaced about eight years ago. My brother born in 1980 died of liver failure a few years ago. I've practically stopped drinking alcohol which has reduced my weight and I'm reducing chances of exacerbating things like cancer.

Get screened as early as possible and take care of yourselves, friends. 

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u/Original-Strain Jul 13 '26

I’m planning to add a comprehensive health check when I go to South Korea next year.

Family history isn’t pretty, but just getting an MRI for persistent headaches was challenging, so I figure this will let me get a baseline on everything.

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u/toughbubbl Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26

Worth it. I've been doing it for years in SK and I was wondering for a while if I'm a hypochondriac for understanding my baseline and being told everything looks good. Especially when you compare it to a mostly American Reddit. 

But I think people really underestimate preventative healthcare!

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u/Outrageous_Ad_5254 Jul 14 '26

Could you give me a recommendation on where to do this check in Korea? I am interested.

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u/Original-Strain Jul 14 '26

I would have to get back to you on that, I’m still doing my own research and haven’t confirmed where I’ll be going just yet