What are the odds that I will die of cancer if my mom died of kidney cancer at 47 and my dad of lung cancer at 74?

It's not all genetics.  They type of cancer your mother had would be important to know.  Some cancers are more genetically transmissible than others.  Environmental and lifestyle factors are important too.  Avoiding environmental carcinogens will reduce your risk.  High fiber, low fat, diet may confer some protection.  Exercise may confer some protection.  The studies that support that suggest that this effect is not massive but why not.  Many genes have variable penetrance.  This means that a cancer gene may or may not be expressed (family history is not a death sentence).  Your father's history may not be relevant (I'm sorry to say that it is somewhat normal to die in the 70's).  If he was a smoker, aside from childhood second hand smoke, his history may not mean much to you.  Lastly, early detection is key.  Many cancers are survivable.  I've had cancer, surgery and chemo and am likely cured and living a very good life and running marathons.  See your doctor annually for a preventative health exam (check up) and advise him or her of your concerns.

The US National Institute of Health (NIH) maintains a data base of peer reviewed  journals called http://PubMed.com. This is NOT internet medicine. This is the place the doctors and scientists go to look up reliable information I went to PubMed and used the search term "genetic predisposition to cancer". There are over 26,000 hits. You can refine your search. You will get better results if you use the medical name of your parents  cancers, but the  terms you use in this question should provide a start. The article head notes are free. Sometimes the articles are also free but mostly you have to pay for them. However, when I prepare for a medical deposition or trial testimony, this is where I go. This is where the witnesses go as well to do their  homework. From a layperson's standpoint, cancer ( of some kind) seems to run in your family, so it seems prudent that you have early screenings. As for your kids- well you only contributed half their genes. Your spouse 's family history is equally relevant.

I agree with all the other answers on this page.  In addition, it is critically important to research where your mother lived all her life, where she was when her mother was pregnant with her, and what your father's life involved. For example, if your father worked around asbestos, or smoked heavily, or grew up in a region with a lot of radon in the earth, his lung cancer has little to do with you (unless you also work in asbestos). Similarly, if your mother was gestated near a factory or other chemical waste dump, and you don't live near one and never have, her cancer may not have any risk for you at all. At the same time, they might. It's a difficult path.  I have a friend with a similar history, and she takes extra care now to make sure she gets (most) of the checkups she needs.  While her family does have high exposure to carcinogens, she also believes they are "at risk" genetically.  Good luck.

Genetics are an important factor in this. You should visit your doctor and talk about the possibility to do some genetic tests to see if you carry any defects. You need at least to have 2 genes that are defect to increase the likelihood for malignus cancer. Although there is a risk that you might be a carrier, it does not automatically mean that you will die of cancer. Other factors such as lifestyle can contribute. To ask Quora is not enough. I strongly advise that you should visit your doctor and get second opinions to do some more research in this matter on when you should apply for genetic testing and or when you need behavioral therapy to deal with this appropriately in terms of lifestyle and such.