hi my name is kathleen, i have just buried my gran aunt the 3rd family member in 2 years with ipf all siblings.  reading up on the situation i see alot of websites say its most common in men than women but iv lost 2 gran aunts and a grandfather.  do ye know if this hereditary? what could possibly cause this? there has to be some answers but afraid to be said? cancer is such an evil disease but yet there is answers how can this disease be so rare yet 3 in 2 years have died.  all 3 have been in there 50,s and only lived 2 years after being dignosed. there are 9 other siblings and my dad would be the eldest son of my late grandfather. i need help or more of an explanation for this horrid disease.
Hi, Welcome to Chat Doctor, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.  There are several factors (environmental- excessive smoking, alcohol intake, excessive sun exposure, fatty diet, dye exposure, industrial wastage). Hereditary-runs in families. Survival rate depends on the stage (stage 1- live longer, stage 4- less survival due to metastasis (other organs' involvement).  Early detection, early stage, early treatment - survival is good. Hope, I have answered your query. Wishing you good health.