Stay positive and keep your sense of humour, Arthur !


Nobody knows their exact life expectancy, probably just as well . All we know is the AVERAGE life expectancies for different countries, and areas within those countries.


There are various “ risk calculators “ based on factors such as those in the “ Death Clock “ site (http://www.deathclock.com/ ). For cardiovascular risk ( heart attacks, stroke ) try “ QRISK “ ( http://qrisk.org/ ). An individual may also have their genetic profile, which might show genes which could predispose to various illnesses (http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Genetic...unselling.aspx ).



We know AVERAGE life expectancy at birth in the UK is 79 years for males and 83 years for females. If you reach 65, further life expectancy is 18 for men and 21 for women. It varies according to location – at birth in Scotland it’s 77 and 81 ; for Glasgow 73 and 79.


In the Philippines, life expectancy at birth is 65 and 72 ; for those reaching 60 ( both sexes ), a further 18 - with a range, according to location.


We know much about ageing of cells – which depends on cell type ; telomeres at the ends of chromosomes ; and genetic control, which is lost in cancer cells.


We also know about ageing of whole individuals – but not everything ! Individuals age at different rates - depending on genetic makeup ( how long their parents live ), and environment ( lifestyle / work factors ). Calorie restriction ( and perhaps blood transfusion ) increases lifespans of rodents - obesity has risks for humans. Giant tortoises live many years, with a sedentary lifestyle - risky for humans !


Most people know the increased risks of illnesses brought about by smoking, drinking alcohol to excess, obesity, lack of exercise, and stress - which apply wherever they live. Conversely they may have a relatively healthy lifestyle in Glasgow or Manila ! Regular health check ups and screening – such as cervical smears, blood pressure and diabetes checks – may prevent illnesses, or at least detect them early, improving chances of a healthy old age.



Provided you are aware of the risks, then good luck with your chosen lifestyle, and try not to worry about factors you can’t control or change !