Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

She has had cancer *within the family*.

If she has had caner, why would that involve her familY/
Because that's genetic?

Thnks

[bud]

It may or may not mean that she herself has had cancer. The meaning is that in her family history (parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, etc.), there have been incidences of cancer. It affects her own risk for cancer.

Another possibility, depending on the context, is that her huband or child has had cancer. It may be meant to point out that she has been a caretaker for a very ill family member.