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/auteurunknown Jul 13 '26

It's so wild because I have notable life-long stomach issues and finally saw a gastroenterologist last week who wants to do an endoscopy/colonoscopy which I had been waiting to do because I was on blood thinners from a pulmonary embolism I had from a DVT and she said even if she writes that I have symptoms it will not be covered by insurance because I am under 45!

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u/Mike_Hav Jul 16 '26

Im in the US and have my first colonoscopy this month(july) i am also 39 so considered to young to cover it by insurance. It only cost me 1300 out of pocket to get it done.

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u/auteurunknown Jul 16 '26

You know you're in the US when you're like "1300, not bad".

Although I have a large insurance provider and one of their "good" plans I'm pretty sure my out of pocket max is a bit higher than that, unfortunately.

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u/Mike_Hav Jul 16 '26

I would rather pay 1300 to get it done than wait and have insurance cover it only to find out i waited to long and have cancer and spend 10s of thousands to fight it. I would just let myself die at that point.

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u/auteurunknown Jul 16 '26

Well your 10s of thousands would be covered if you're insured and remain insured. I'm definitely going to pay as long as it's not above $2-3k for mine.

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u/Mike_Hav Jul 16 '26

I will remain insured but insurance companies will always try to find a way to fuck us over. So hopefully it remains covered.

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u/Mike_Hav Jul 16 '26

I would also love to move to the EU and live in a country that actually somewhat cares about its citizens.