Justis - to a certain extent there is always the luck of the draw, unknowable circumstances, environmental stuff, the way stress is processed, one's genes. I know an 86-year old who smoked like a chimney most of his life, has really reduced it now, but still his body smells (as he walks in a door you can smell him arriving), he is pickled in the stuff, still sprightly. Haven't seen him for a while, so don't really know, but same as your Dad (84) - 86 isn't all that bad? Same with one of my good friends (woman) who has a smoke as soon as she arrives - outside thankfully - skinny as a stick insect, doesn't get colds, full of energy - really it's the genes. In their cases I believe the smoking 'pickled' them - not a scientific assessment, I know.
So sorry about your cousin - we are often very close to our cousins - mine were/are my brothers and sisters, because I was an only child. In regard to cancer; this is the scourge of the 20th and 21st century, but we'll find a cure, I am certain.
Have a great day - hopefully in the stockmarket too - I am just 'sitting' on the odd stock these days and w a i t i n g .
Taurisk
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