Cancer
On Monday, 6 April, 2009 Newsnight will broadcast a special programme on cancer.
We will be examining how effective cancer care is in the UK compared with the rest of Europe, and look at the latest scientific breakthroughs that offer new hope to sufferers.
We will also be assessing how attitudes have changed to the disease with the help of Woman's Hour's Jenni Murray.
To help us we would like you to tell us, in no more than one sentence, your reaction to the word cancer.
Please leave your sentence below.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~41~RS~)
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Nature's affliction. Mankind's challenge.
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The work of Dr Janine Erler and Dr Kattesh Katti, among others.
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My mother and father. My love for them. My fear for my children long after I have gone should cancer genetics play a cruel role in their lives.
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I look forward to this special on Cancer.I've lost two of my aunts to ovarian cancer (they were both sisters), as well as a friend a few years ago. Faster detection means fighting cancer earlier, and therefore increasing life expectancy - so is there going to be a regular check up for cancer in both men and women? The recent proposals for an annual health check are a good idea - at least that is a start. Celebrities who have fought cancer successfully have raised hope for others (eg. Kylie) and increase awareness. Perhaps Newsnight could bring Kylie on?
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My reaction is this:
Is this what passes for journalism at the BBC these days?
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Wife has it, it's tiresome, but we're still fighting!
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28 year old wife gets it whilst pregnant - still there - refused nhs treatment - go private - treatment works - fight nhs - win - still alive - still fighting - phew! Thanks NHS!!!
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Part of life. By the age of 21 I had had two forms of cancer and had endured chemo, radiotherapy and surgery. I have survived and have a normal life but cancer is always going to be part of that life - there's no escape. All I can do is embrace it and take the positive influences it has had on my life.
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I fear that its my future due to my genetic heritage
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Remember "Cancer" is a word, not a Sentence
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Scared. Two of my closest friends died of cancer by the age of 32 - uterine and cervical. Scared and sad.
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I'm not ill, I've got a condition which is being treated.
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So far, cancer and I have been passing acquaintances; we haven't kept in touch, but who knows?
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Painful cruel killer that takes loved ones before their time.
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The word renders me physically cold with fear. Family and friends have been, and are, affected by the disease. It has caused heartache and pain both emotionally and physically...I wish a cure could be found and soon.
I have Moonwalked in the past, make monthly donations and am racing for life this June..... if it could be guaranteed a fund raising tax would speed up research I'd willingly pay a percentage of my salary too.
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1 in 3 people develop cancer during their lives.
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It's a negative and unhelpful word - we should try to find something more precise, more neutral, without the unnecessarily scary connotations.
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I have prostate cancer and having a prostatectomy on 20th April 2009. March 2009 was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/what/awareness09/
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Cancer is not necessarily a death sentence.
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When I was 20 I insisted on a smear which I had trouble getting, it turned out I had CIN3 if I had waited until I should have 25 years old for your first smear I would have had Cancer, I am so blessed, this needs to be addressed.
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Proof of the Gaia hypothesis - MAN damages, GAIA punishes.
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Having had stomach cancer at the same time as my best friend did, and I lived whilst he died, I get quite queasy.
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Study success rates overseas, and learn from the best of them - cancer care in this country needs improving, and with no postcode lotteries.
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No longer an automatic death sentence, but better targeted screening, fair informed treatment and public education still needed.
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Join a distributed computing project such as www.worldcommunitygrid.org and FIGHT BACK against this disease (and others) - do it now.
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Cancer is not fair -but it's there.
Lets all fight it .
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First of all fear of the speed that decline might take but also wonder for the resilience of those affected and who then recover
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Being told that your daughter, aged 12, has a malignant melanoma: the worst feeling in the world.
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A sister without breasts
A friend without a womb
A neighbour who lacks colon
And a puppy too
A granny’s early death
A father’s lungs that bled
A loss of ones own bladder
This is what cancer can mean to you
Alison OReilly
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Early diagnosis and prevention through healthy lifestyles could do more to reduce cancer deaths than curative medicine alone.
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Fear. Cancer cruelly robbed me of my beloved life partner, part of me died with him.
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My dad, brave and scared
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Like the "bomb" the power of the "C" word has receded since the 60's because of the scientific advances have been amazing and promise much. Nevertheless give any thought to your question and it is still very frightening to think that our own body may be attacking itself and cutting short a life still to be lived. Knowledge from effective and efficient screening is critical to beating this disease.
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I am concerned with cancer's proliferation. It appears to be increasing in both frequency and number.
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Cancer is like being Gay was until recently - we all know it exists but are reluctant to discuss it...
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Cancer is a natural part of life and death, an inevitable random occurance due to the fragile and complex nature of our genetic foundations.
It's painful, distressing, and sadly enhanced by our artificial chemical-laden lifestyles, but everything that lives must die, and hopefully there's something good waiting for us on the other side...
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Scary but often curable.
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Shock and prayer when my friend told me the results from tests
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Being dianosed with lymphatic cancer while in South America was chilling, especially as I didn't fully understand what I was being told and was ignorant on the subject - the treatment was grim, but 10 years on I'm in healthy remission, hopefully.
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Survivor, life changing, a battle with other people's fear of the word.
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I fear the word as I lost my mother and aunt to it, I fear for my children and grand children, I pray it has stopped the genes therefor my family,s sake.
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Sorry about the "one sentence" request.
Forty years ago at the age of nine when at primary school we had a debate on journeying to the moon - I was on the For side - I ventured that we may find a cure for cancer. Seeing the word now reminds me of my naivity and young carefree hope. I still have the hope but much of it has been overtaken with the acceptance that cancer plays a part in all our lives. Whether through direct experience or hearing of others pain, death, fight or victory.
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My reaction is "What age are you?" right then you need to claim DLA or AA."
I work in welfare rights alongside a project that helps people with cancer claim the benefits they are due. After that I can deal with the grief as 2 of my workmates have died of cancer another is living with it and friends and family have also died of cancer. I meet at least 20 new cancer affected families every week so its a daily thing for me
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re cancer
curable in many cases, manageable in most. still fatal in some
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Please EVERYONE take a look at Canceractive: www.canceractive.com ....introducing integrated cancer therapies and much good sense - using the best of the best - which some experts, including many doctors, believe can increase your personal odds of cancer survival by up to 60 per cent...NEWSNIGHT included!
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Since diagnosis in 1995, my constant companion and recurrent, albeit unwelcome, visitor.
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I have survived
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A quite common serious condition, with a better prognosis than often feared - especially if caught early and treated before it spreads - and not necessarily the worst illness you can get.
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Death sentence, life changing, physical pain and emotional anguish.
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I've had breast cancer-once I knew what I was up against I knew I could manage-the fear was the waiting for the results. I also had excellent care, a first class consultant at the top of his field-different to other friends not living in the southeast.
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Took my best friend, my sister and is threatening other friends. Bravery alone is not enough. Very early diagnosis helps.
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When I hear the word Cancer, Fear grips me. My aunt died from it .
I had a cervical smear and they found abnormal cells. I have just done a colcoscopy and awaiting results. I am praying that its not cancer cells.
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a deadly illness with little chances of survival
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Terrifying and life threatening, yet seems to be a word which covers a wide range of illnesses from curable to terminal.
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I am having to wait over a month for an X-Ray for an internal injury at Charring Cross hospital. No wonder so many cancer cases slip through the net until it is too late.
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Prof. Agamemnon Epenetos's wish to come with solutions for the mankind
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A critical recurrent illness, not necessarily fatal.
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In UK it seems to be the plan to wait until someone has definitely got cancer and is sufferring before reacting to it. In France, cancer is routinely checked for and the slightest chance of occurrence is dealt with immediately with maximum effort. Costs less to be proactive, than to treat for rest of life
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Killed my wife.
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Destroyer of families
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Don't mention it.
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There but for the grace of God go I.
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Disorganized cell growth ... but why? - poisoning and use of radiation will come to seem no more scientific than bloodletting once we can understand the body's auto-destructive tendencies.
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I have had prostate cancer and was treated with BrackyTherapy 15months ago, and am now pronounced healthy again. However, I have two friends who have been recently dianosed with terminal cancer, lung, asophogus, heart, etc. My initial thoughts on this dreadful disease are of premature death, pain, loss of friends, bereaved children wives, and grandchildren, and no time to enjoy well-earned retirement in both cases. The sooner a cure is found for this, the better.
Look forward to seeing the programme.
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A nasty way out of life, allegedly created by a loving God, from which human wit, also God inspired, has removed good deal of the threat away. Discuss!
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There are so many types, and so much funding for research, it's all very confusing for those not directly affected and frightening for those that are.
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Pessimism and shame about lack of testing and insufficient early detection, the seeming postcode lottery, widespread ignorance and waste of productive lives that goes hand in hand with fear.
Optimism and pride in the knowledge of great work being done by workers in healthcare, research (if too little) and in the friends and relatives who have successfully fought breast and colon cancer.
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Cancer diagnosed, thought death, great treatment and care, still here, after 11 years.
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As many above, it is fear and anger over those who oppose stem cell and genetic work which, in my opinion, has the solution to this killer.
The cure for most illnesses is out there if only the "busy-bodies" would let people researching the cure get on with the job.
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Cancer is a serious, life-threatening disease
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Can be defeated, one day it will be just history like other past life threatening illnesses..
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In a sentence - Cancer is something I have to brace myself to think about.
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post code lottery
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Will I or won’t I get it, because no one is checking me (Both my parents died from cancer).
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everyone reading this will be affected in some way and will need strength and support to face the challenge
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Cancer is not a word to be scared of, it is to be respected and fought.
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Cancer is a foreign invader which has in fact been waiting all your life to pounce. It is essential that it is destroyed at the earliest opportunity. I admire but do not envy those who have been told that they have cancer. They are wonderful people who sometimes know that their lives will end in advance. The rest of us, at least for the moment, may never know when our light is going to be extinguished.
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We are fighting against it and sure to succeed.
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Challenge to certainty, challenge to belief, death of faith, the awakening of a real understanding of life and death.
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Our body's way to get back to a healthy balance.
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I think of friends who have suffered from but survived cancer - and others who have died.
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The word 'cancer' continually reminds me of loved ones who passed on after suffering great pain and before their time despite the fact that decades ago the causes and natural remedies were known but are ignored by the huge industry built around the notion that effective cures are almost here.
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Cancer is on the increase due to the fact people are living longer, as a new drug helps eradicate death from, lets say high blood pressure, so the likelyhood that there is an increased chance of developing cancer. This elemeny of the story is always forgotten!
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An invader trying to destroy my body.
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Apparently hard to avoid these days, so just a question of which one and when.
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Cancer is a state of mind, and by that I do not mean it's caused by the mind, rather that it's more effective to approach it as a natural progression of illness, rather than something that has to be cut out, burnt out, injected or radiated out of existence.
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The word cancer immediately brings death into the picture as its been in many cases, however a cure is at hand .
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THE WORD CANCER BRINGS A PICTURE OF PAIN&SUFFERING AS I HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF FAMILY MEMBERS&FRIENDS GOING THROUGH THE ORDEAL
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Despite both my parents dying, in their 50's, from cancer, one siter having it plus another overcoming it, cancer is BEATABLE.
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absolutely terrified.
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I expect it will be my turn sooner or later.
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A word not a sentence and with the advances being made (with the help of Tenovus and other charities) many reasons for hope, rather than fear.
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Somewhere between the initial shock, the chemo, and the radiation, I have discovered this is not the worst thing that has ever happened to me.
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Cancer Drug Scam
Contrary to popular belief, Cancer patients denied expensive drugs on our NHS are not missing anything except an even chance of a few extra months in pain. Experts claim the said mega expensive wonder drugs show no real benefit, the cancer charities who make the miraculous claims for these drugs are funded by the drug companies themselves. The cancer charities wont campaign for a cut in the said prices and if you are rich enough to afford them you are probably wasting your money on false hope. Despite the claims, Stutent didn't save Tony Wilson even though his wealthy mates funded it for him.
source Tonight with TM
I could add that the rich who buy these drugs are volunteering to pay virtual Private Inheritance Tax. The stock market parasites are already offering insurance policies to pay for the said mega expensive alleged wonder drugs, I wonder how many people will be foolish enough to take their insurance offer up.
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Used to be hopeless, now it's hopeful.
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My wife died of pancretic cancer within 8 weeks, why didn't the GP take seriously her complaints of abdominal pain over 5 years?
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Destruction if allowed to win
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much research, new drugs available, clinically effective, not cost effective. Thats why our survival rates are very low. Our treatments in this country are shocking. Its all about money.
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Unfortunately, the familiarity of the word scares me; I have had scares and relapses.
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Cancer took my mother and my brother, so in a word, terrified........
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Is it true that cancer has more victims than HIV AIDS?
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In some form an almost certain consequence of ageing, however some people are likely to suffer from it earlier due to genetics or contamination.
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Being diagnosed, and living with, cancer is like being a helpless fawn dangling in the open jaws of a hungry lion.
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Met the BIG C personally but still here nine years later thanks to the NHS
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What does the word 'cancer' mean in one sentence?
Fourteen neurosurgical operations in sixteen years starting at the age of ten.
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Cancer can be cured but not by radiation and chemotherapy.
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Bugger!
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I feel a deep sence of revulsion and a strong desire to to deny it.
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Cancer springs forth HOPE in the name of John Kanzius of Erie, PA, USA with his promising radio wave technology so successful in animal trials and awaiting funding for human trials.
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My father and my sister; and too too many friends and neighbours. Some died; some in reprieve; all suffered ... and let's not forget the impact on their carers. And meanwhile we keep on fund-raising ... what else can we do?
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Fight for everyone to have pure water and safe food and oppose GM crops as if our lives depended on it;they do.
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Fear of what lies ahead!!!!!
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When told you have Cancer, Fear is a factor as you are unsure of what lies ahead for you and your family,as every case has different treatments/ results, for the individual and their family.
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Survivable, beatable. Doesn't define the rest of your life. Don't be a victim!
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ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
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PLEASE NOTE: Cancer, despite all the global chatter to the contrary, is NOT a disease, it is a symptom of dietary deficiency, and toxicity, at a cellular level; similar to scurvy and other 'insoluble' illnesses of the past. But sadly the medical profession doesn't yet understand enough about nutrition; and even if it did, could not make any money out of it by merely suggesting a radical change of diet. I touched on this in a Comment letter to NEWSNIGHT - which you ran on Wed 31 October, 2007. I am happy to email you the two-page synopsis describing how a friend of mine - who had had breast cancer for 10 years, and who had 42 operations, and who was told she would die - SOLVED the problem by changing her diet.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Cancer is a death sentence yet to be executed, but unlike real death sentence, it is preceeded by not only emotional but physical pain.
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It surrounds me on all sides, suddenly, now that I am 64
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Death sentence - invasive treatment - nano-technology - cause for hope?
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I do know what it is to have cancer i have prostate and on a trial drug forth treatement next week out of six.
And getting the local paper to do awerness to prostate
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Screening - do you know that bowel cancer screening takes place in Scotland and Wales at age 50 and has done so for the past two years, yet it has only just been introduced here from age 60 onwards.
I want to protest, lost my husband aged 59 to bowel cancer, which had spread to his liver and lungs, despite only having a change in bowel habits for 6 weeks! He looked after his health, never smoked, ate heathily, keeping fit! If I lived elsewhere he may still be here.
At present after 36 years of wonderful marriage I just want to be with him. Does anyone else feel the same as me re the lack of earlier screening here?
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I have it or had it, only time will tell. Life is little changed, I just get on with living.
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I had cancer and discovered that friends found it harder to handle than I did. Life goes on.
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Cancer is nowhere:somewhere:everywhere
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Unfortunately most of us know someone touched by cancer.
Cancer has been a death sentence in the past but that can be changed and should be changed.
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I need some opinion;
My mother died of lymphoma DURING THE 1980S. A doctor agreed (off the record) that her lymph glands may have been irradiated by the NHS. During the 1960 OR 70s she had some gynecological problems and was persuaded to go and have her overies 'sizzled' or irradiated to end her periods. She went like a lamb for her "radiation treatment" with out question.... she developed lymphoma around 20 years later and died. Does NEWSNIGHT or anyone remember this 'treatment' to end women's periods? Does it still happen? Any thoughts from oncologists out there? I wondered for years about this and found some reference to kids in Africa who were given radiation treatment to end ring worm and who developed lymphoma later. also I read that this cancer appeared in Japan for the first time after the two nuclear bombs were dropped on them in World war 2.
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32 years ago told I had 6 months to live with invasive cancer.but still here alive and kicking at 81 \
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Scary but no longer a death sentence
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Death and suffering despite all treatments!
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Complete desolation when I was told combined with images of wife, children, death, abyss and a little hope.
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Fear, hope, and loss of friends - a challenge to faith.
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Thank goodness we can talk about this now.
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Lost a beloved brother after suffering with liver cancer.This completely change my life for worse.
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Being a Cancer patient in the UK is like being a ship at sea without a sail.
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My Grandfather died of prostate cancer; my father now has it; it'll come my way one day - I can only hope that they find a cure in the next 30 years...
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cancer is popular in the west,but in nigeria and most part of Africa people are yet to understand how serious it is .To a man on the street cancer is like maleria that come and go.
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I have terminal advanced kidney cancer, and if that wasn't bad enough, we have been left to fight for drugs that are available in Romania and yet the NHS is in surplus £2.1 BILLION from our taxes!
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Unfortunately' in this country' the more money you have the better the outcome which is not the way it is supposed to be.
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Cancer...the word makes me afraid...makes me feel sick inside...makes me think quietly of my Mum,my sister,my friend,my bosses friend and makes me hope that i or any one else dear to me will not have to go through what they did....and still are.
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I had kidney cancer 8 years ago but thanks to the excellent treatment I received at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, part of the NHS, I am still here, enjoying life and ever grateful for the first class care of dedicated doctors, surgeons and nurses.
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Merely another way to die, and they are legion - life is not a permanent state; as Van Morrison says, 'let's enjoy it while we can.'
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It means, pain and death for the person I loved most in life. It means we can put a man on the moon, but still cannot cure an evil disease that is silent for so long. It means grief and heartache; and children without a father.
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The death of my father from kidney cancer, following years of other operations - three hip replacements, triple heart-bypass and valve replacement.
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it takes away part your life ;;;you cannott ever be the same person again ;; and think of the loved ones people lose even at young ages its terrible is cancer ;;;
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The mention of the word cancer fills me with e feeling of fear and desperation.
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Last year I discovered almost by by accident that, at 56, I have locally advanced prostate cancer. I'm still amazed at the calm manner with which I took the news. Maybe years of wondering what it might be like prepared me for that moment?
It has been a learning experience.
I now know the importance of my family members' acceptance of my condition so that we can use the 'C' word (CANCER) openly and freely among ourselves. We all seem to gain strength from this.
I now know the importance of friends who are not afraid to continue meet with me socially or to discuss my condition openly. Others, bless them, treat it as a they would a bereavement - something worthy only of hushed speech, platitudes and false reassurances - and contact with them seems less frequent than before.
I'm growing to appreciate the power of positive thought (it's not easy but is well worth practising), and with that the merits of 'inner calm'.
I now fully appreciate the marvel that is the NHS, despite doomsayers who destructively preach its weaknesses. My treatment is and always has been first class despite the obvious resourcing constraints under which the various departments labour.
I appreciate the work of a plethora of cancer charities whose understanding, support and practical help has been a godsend.
Ironically, my cancer has helped me to see a better side of life.
I'll fight it, that's for sure, but will also savour the journey too.
I hope that this doesn't sound too cranky!
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I intend to live with Cancer not die of it and I wish to thank all my friends and family who intend to continue giving me the best treatment of all - LOVE
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I would advise any person worried about cancer to seek advice, because ordinary people (like me) in this country are lucky enough (in my opinion) to be able (if necessary) to get good (and often,as in my case, excellent) NHS treatment (as I did for Prostate Cancer).
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Being diagnosed, being treated, being alive.
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FEAR !!
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I think the biggest leap in the past twenty years to combat this blot on the health of society is the fact that we now say "CANCER" rather than mouth the word.
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Last Sunday it was just another word in the Dictionary, by Monday afternoon it was like a bomb going off in our lives
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It's dreadful. Deadly. Being sentenced.
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At diagnosis I feared for my infant son and preschool daughter that they were going to lose their mom way too soon but now I believe that if you're genetically very lucky and live in the right postcode, you could be cured.
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My mother has had cancer and my brother in law has terminal cancer. My grandfather died from cancer. Cancer is a very personal and devasting illness. The treatment you receive depends on the doctor you are lucky to be assigned and your own ability to keep on top of what is being said and done. Never expect to have the various doctors and departments to treat you holistically or even bother to get your whole case history. at all times this is down to you or a family member.
My mum was recently told her cancer was back again and that it was everywhere. 24 hours later another doctor said it was not. no surprise we asked for a third opinion and was told that thank god it was not. we all went through 24 hours of hell. how wrong can somebody get the diagnosis!
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Having survived three primary tumours, a bi-lateral mastectomy and ovarian cancer I feel myself very lucky, although my GP feels I have been very unlucky, optimism or pessimism.
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Friightened it will be my most likely life shortener.
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Breast cancer diagnosis 3 years ago shattered my beloved 5 children and their families - my treatment has been successful so far, but I so wish they didn't know so they wouldn't hurt so much
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My grandmother died of it at 40, my mother at 50, my father-in-law at 52, my mother-in-law at 70, my best friend at 50, but my daughter had breast cancer 7 years ago, and has survived. My husband had an 8 hour operation for colorectal cancer on Wednesday, and is making a remarkably good recovery. He will be home on Monday, and I am confident he will survive, because of the excellent service we have had from everyone concerned in his treatment, and all the information I have gained from the internet. I have nothing but praise for modern cancer treatment in the NHS when compared with 30 years ago, and it is so good to be able to talk about it openly, rather than the whispered "C" word of years ago. I remember a consultant telling me years ago that they often did not even tell the patient what the diagnosis was!
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Cancer is like keeping a venomous snake in a glass tank in your bedroom. You watch it, dream about it,care for it and treat it with caution while all the time praying it won't escape and strike you again.
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Cancer has led me a real dance: I hope I've gained more than I've lost.
www.bahtocancer.blogspot.com
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April 10th last year i was diagnosed with an Intraocular melanoma. Thankfully it was spotted in time and i have received the best care possible from the eye clinic at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow.
The big downside though is due to the radiation i am going blind in the eye with the cancer. But until i have virtually no sight in both eyes i cannot be classed as partially sighted.
I would however urge eveyone to go to the opticians and get thier eyes teted.
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Great fear - it never completely leaves you - and I can't bear it when people talk about "fighting" cancer - "don't let it beat you". What nonsense. So people who die of cancer have failed in some way? I don't think so!
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NHS! my sister was diagnosed with cancer,bowel and liver ,after 9mths of NHS screening! if only she had private health insurance....its frightening the treatment shes received.So far her operation has been cancelled for the third time.!!!..In a hurry? I don't think so...we can only hope:)
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Oh No, not again.
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It means something that doesn't hurt, doesn't make you feel ill, but the treatment destroys you. Chemotherapy is given as a precaution, not knowing whether you need it or not or whether it will work if you do. It's a horrible barbaric treatment and you feel like you are part of a factory production line when you go for the sessions. Afterwards you wait forever to get your hair (and your life) back.
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Being a big C sufferer over a period of many years, it has been painful and there have been dark days, but I survive with hope..... and grateful thanks to all involved in my treatment !!!
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I was scared at first diagnosis but not
any more
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Cancer - as a Briton it means having to go to France to get better cancer treatment - as doctors at Royal Marsden said they couldn't help; I am still around - thanks to French!
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When my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I spoke to my brother-in-law, who is a urologist. He told me that most men die WITH prostate cancer, but few die OF it. In my father's case he was correct.
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acceptance and focused. Good NHS care, bad patient!!!
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the loss of my mum and dad , a heartbreaking disease
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I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 73. The diagnosis was made early. I decided to have a mastectomy as I trust the medical powers that be! No problem - I am fine. I eat sensibly, don't smoke and drink fairly seldom. Nursing was appalling, but I survived through my own efforts! My children congratulated me on my sensible attitude! Very touching
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Life is a terminal illness - and as with cancer there is no cure. Immortality is a chimera - we just need to continue increasing the quality of the care we give and recieve.
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Becoming a mature human, does that imply being able to let go without regret and anger of all gifts and privileges of life and in the end approach death as naked and helpless as when we were born - filled with gratitude for the journey through the land of life? oldjester.
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Nos 176
You might find this interesting :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iYpxRXlboQ
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Nobody wants to join the Cancer club, but when you do, you meet the nicest people you will ever meet. since my involvement I have met hundreds of inspirational people
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Consultants tend to complain that if they have ten patients in their clinic who've been referred by GPs, eight will have been referred needlessly and the other two will have been referred too late.
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A silent invisible killer which killed my Mum 10 days after diagnosis. 6 months ago at 3.15am tomorrow morning. Cruel indeed.
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There is some seriously melodramatic nonsense being spouted here. I had cancer at 24 and didn't even bat an eyelid while people came out with the usual hysterical nonsense. It amazes me that some people are still so shocked and suprised when they or someone they know gets it. Check the stats. It is absolutely inevitable someone in fact probably several people in your circle of family and friends will be hit with the big C at some stage. I never expect to live forever or be above being struck down by any of the many many diseases and things that can and will go wrong in life. Relatively speaking having any sort of a decent run in a first world country gives you very little to complain about. We are all dying every day just at slightly different speeds. It's as natural as being born. Cancer is not evil. It's just another type of predator on a planet absolutely teeming with them.
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Poor diets,living in poor area's,crime rate,modern day living,
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The cruellest frailty of the human body.
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Initial feelings were dread, sadness, followed by hope (my husband and daughter were both diagnosed with cancer over a dozen years ago, were treated and now are well).
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My brother has had cancer 4 times and he is only 41, the first being when he was 18. He has never married or had children and you know what I thanked God for that when he had it the last time because it was bad enough trying to cope without having to look after others. My aunt has just recently died from it too so when I hear the word it does fill me with dread but at least there is hope as my brother is a fighter and a survivor!
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when I heard my diagnosis of Cancer I felt physically tiny and wanted to creep inside my husband's pocket so that I was never alone.
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Kenneth Clarke - Lady Thatcher - conniving governance. .
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Cancer can be a positive thing. It helped me to put life in perspective, quit a job that was causing me major stress, and I became even more outspoken than I was before! Query - has anyone researched which jobs have the highest cancer rates because I met a whole load of teachers in the radiotherapy waiting room! It was just like a staff meeting........Also has anyone written a sit com about the radiotherapy waiting room because it was a real laugh when I was there..... Really..... healthy people need to learn to see the funny side of things more often....life is too short you know!!
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I pray I will, never ever, get it DaveS596-XE1
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A battle that can be won by using multiple weapons, the mind, heart and soul
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i am terminally ill and wish to live well as possible as well as eo die well i chair a hospice user group and have the opportunity to meet others who have great strength and medicalp and care is good noy enough doneto occupytime
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Well-meaning but ineffective care and treatment
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The Big C
Clarify to me
Reality
Tell me the truth
As I need to get on with my life
Yes, she said
Has no one told you?
You are Cured.
Written September 2003
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Cancer is a curable disease and not through radiation or chemotherapy. Is it any wonder people die from chemotherapy after all the chemo drugs are derivatives of mustard gas.
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scared, killer disease, fighting against it, takes people before there time, painful and makes me very worried about my child in the future because it seems to be just so common with no one finding a cure.
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Cancer is about control: once contracted, the disease takes control, but the good news is that treatment is getting better and preventive lifestyle choices are now clinically proven.
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Hi I amfrom Sweden and women get mamography at the age of 40.Why do they have to wait until they are 50 in the UK.
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Nicely balanced program - I'm a carer and very interested... BUT on a technical note I couldn't hear Jenni Murray talking at the beginning of her piece as there was not only traffic noise BUT background music!! Come on you sound men, listen to your output, please.
And while I'm here DO NOT play the usual 'horror' music in the background the subject is frightening enough without spooky weird stuff designed to heighten senses and bring on fear.
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A cancer diagnosis in the family turns life upside down in seconds and changes life forever.
My magnificent strong mother who has taught me to stand tall and stare life in the eye. All this and she couldn't tell me she had breast cancer.
Three years since diagnoses and in current remission... it's a cliche but it's true. Cancer has brought us closer together, made us realise exactly how much we love each other.
I cannot speak highly enough about Bristol Cancer Care. If you or a loved one has had a cancer diagnosis they can offer care, guidance, help and optimism at a time when you need it most.
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A journey, not a battle.
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Cancer is about control: once contracted, the disease assumes control, although the good news is that treatments are ever more effective and the best news, that clinical evidence proves, that as individuals we can control our likelihood of preventing cancer with basic lifestyle choices.
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My mother had surgery for bowel cancer ten years ago and has since remained in good health.
My son was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease at the same time, has twice needed major surgery and will continue to suffer until a cure is found.
Cancer is not the only disease that needs more research funding.
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'IT'S THE TOBACCO THAT COUNTS.' * OR IS IT THE BARONS?'
Hmmmmmm. Your arty montage of cancer-related words seems to have no reference to 'LUNG'.
Yet lung cancer has an almost direct correlation with smoking and (if I heard correctly) is the PRIMARY cause across ALL cancers.
19 Nov 2008: 'Almost 10,000 tobacco and farm workers descended on Brussels to protest against plans to cut back their SUBSIDIES from the European Union.'
British 'soaps' routinely show smoking and the cigarette is usually attractively pristine (not a dog-end).
Tobacco products are legally sold, and revenue accrued, in the UK.
Some House of Commons bars are exempt from workplace smoking law, because 'royal palaces' do not HAVE TO obey the H & S law.
Between the Hippocratic calling and the 'hypocritic' oafs, there is no contest. Tobacco is not being reined-in rationally and pragmatically but - like alcohol - judiciously and profitably, as a rearguard action.
And we worry about DEBT as a legacy to our children! Isn't corrupt governance far worse?
Can we shame them? Yes we can?? You are joking! They probably charge ahstrays (free from tobacco companies) to expenses.
* For any youngsters here: that was an advertising slogan from the days before the truth about cancer got out.
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The word CANCER makes me cold with fear. I lost my precious, only son to this vile disease 18 months ago. He was 35.
So many, so young are taken. My son had brain cancer. I just wait for the day when we meet again.
My only question is....why him?
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I just read post no: 171.
My son was diagnosed and operated on in Nice. We have been told that, had he been in England when he had that first seizure, he would NOT have been scanned for at least 4 months. My son had, at the time, 2 months to live, Fortunately, the French scanned him immediately and he was operated on 6 days later. I lost him 5.5 years on, but France gave us those extra years.
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NUMB
Ive been diagnosed with non=hodgkins follicular lymphoma since 2005
it became active in 2007, i have had NO REMISSION since it has become active.
3 chemos, 1 bone marrow transplant and still no cure - a future lymphocytes transfusion is next, this is still a shot in the dark and it is dark and very wareing.
I am still numb and it has been 2 years of fighting and walking into the docs office and hoping there is still a treatment for ME!
My mother had breast cancer in 2005 and died in 2007 (not knowing i had cancer also this is the best thing i did for my mum so she could fight her demon) she was scared everyday and all she wanted was just the same as me is a treatment for her cancer everytime she went to see the doc but she was not that lucky.
I asked - why this cancer the doc reply was "Just bad luck"
still waiting for my luck to change !!!!!!!!!!
noreen
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Hearing that my husband, who has never smoked, nor drank & was not overweight or unfit, had been diagnosed with terminal tongue cancer was devastating to me.
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The problem is that many types of cancer are hard to detect at an early stage. Symptoms may only show up much much later, by then it may have become impossible to operate. I think it is important for health authorities to advice the general public to undergo regular health checks at least once a year, so that any potential health issues can be addressed early.
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Thank you Jenni Murray, I too hate the idea that we 'bravely battle against cancer', we do as our doctors tell us and hope it doesn't come back.
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In China cancer is referred to as chi blocking disease. In Uk the incidence of cancer is about 1 in 3. Until recently in China it was 1 in 100,000. I think we need to look east. We have a lot to learn. For more information visit http://taichi-horwood.com
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when i offer people a simple technique that can reduce the fear around cancer all i get is it cant help its to easy the doctors say nothing can be done i would love a wider audience to show there is something that can be done alan
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