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Cancer Support Shop
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A little about cancer? One out of three people will get cancer during their life time People often think of the word 'cancer' as describing a single disease with a single cause, like 'flu' or 'HIV'. This is misleading. Cancer is the name given to any illness resulting from one of our body's own cells growing out of control. Cancer can be at least 200 different illnesses. There are many stages that control a cell’s growth and division. As a general rule-of-thumb, several of these control mechanisms need to be damaged before a cell becomes cancerous. Researchers are trying to find out exactly how cells grow, divide and survive. Eventually, we will understand how all cancers form and how they grow out of control, leading to improved cancer treatments and better patient care. A brief history of cancer Ever since life started cancer has been detected, Plants can get cancer. Dinosaurs probably suffered from it. It has been around for thousands and thousands of years. The Egyptian papyrus written between 3000-1500 BC. It referred to tumours of the breast. In Greece in about 400 BC Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine", is credited with being the first to recognise the difference between non cancerous and cancerous tumours. It was not until the 18th century in France, that the first cancer hospital was founded, although this was in the mistaken belief that cancer was a contagious disease. The French gynaecologist Recamier described the invasion of the bloodstream by cancer cells in 1839, coining the word metastasis (cancer spread). In 1895, German William Rontgen discovered the x-ray and this radiation is still used for both cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment radiotherapy The understanding of cell biology came in 1953; Francis Crick and James Watson unravelled the structure of DNA. We find new treatments based on this knowledge. The last fifty years have seen an explosion in our understanding of this most fundamental of diseases, and new discoveries are occurring on an almost weekly basis. How many different types of cancer-tumours are there? There are as many types of cancer as there are different people, because everyone's genes are different and so no two cancers are exactly alike. However, there are as many different types of cancer as there are different types of human cells… just over 200. However, cancers can be broadly grouped into different types, depending on which tissues they come from. * Carcinomas, the most common types of cancer, arise from the cells that cover external and internal body surfaces. Lung, breast, and colon are the most frequent cancers of this type. * Sarcomas are cancers arising from cells found in the supporting tissues of the body such as bone, cartilage, fat, connective tissue and muscle. * Lymphomas are cancers that arise in the lymph nodes and tissues of the body's immune system. * Leukaemia’s are cancers of the immature blood cells that grow in the bone marrow and tend to accumulate in large numbers in the bloodstream. * Adenomas are tumours that come from glandular tissue like the thyroid, the pituitary gland the adrenal gland. They are often benign. These terms often have prefixes that describe exactly what type of cell the cancer originated from. For example, an osteosarcoma is a cancer of the bone Breast cancer 1 out of 9 women get breast cancer in the western world today The age group is slightly lower now than many years ago, and it is not so uncommon for a younger woman being diagnosed breast cancer and also having the responsibility for her young children at home. This is where Cancer support shop thru The Pink Table comes in. It is so important No-one at all feels they are alone at such a time. 'The children Be honest! The children may want to play a part during the treatment, allow them to be if they wish! Maybe they prefer facts, good as bad from an independent source? Children react so differently. Some become very quiet as they don't want to worry. Others ask 101 questions, you may not be able to answer them all. Maybe no-one can. We don't have all the answers just yet. Don't hesitate to ask the schools or your own welfare officer for support with the children if you feel you need it. The welfare officer can put you in touch with the social welfare that can often provide you with a relief family if needed Treatments Some types of cancer tumours don't need any treatment at all. Cancer treatments have improved a lot the last 50 years and more and more women survive this traumatic disease. Anna said: "The most traumatic time of the whole breast cancer journey was waiting for the results from the Pathologist after the operation" The results show if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or to vital organs in the body. The results also provide possibility for The Breast Cancer Team to tailor a treatment suitable for just you. Below you will find some questions you might like to ask the surgeon or oncologist before your operation or prior to any possible treatment you may need. Operation is usually the main treatment for breast cancer Mastectomy is when the whole breast is removed. If possible, the surgeon might remove the cancerous tumours and the tissue around them, leaving the breast a little smaller but intact. Since around year 2000 surgeons have in some cases been able to offer a reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy Radiotherapy can be used prior to the operation to reduce the size of larger tumours Radiotherapy can also be used after the operation. This treatment usually takes place after Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy. If the cancer tumour is found to be hormonal, a cure of anti-hormones might be recommended for five to ten years There are additional treatments too, for instance HER2 receptive cancer tumours If you wish to study these various treatments on the internet, be careful to read good sources of information There is a lot of subjective information out there, which has often no scientific documentation. Some questions you might wish to ask your doctor regardless of where in the body the cancer lies. How long will it take before I get the results of the tests? How do you decide on the best tests for diagnosis? Can I see the results of my scans during the appointment? Will I be told straight away, during the liver ultrasound or bone scan, if there are signs the cancer has spread? How will I be told the results - do I have a choice? If the results show the breast cancer has spread, what needs to happen next? Will you test for hormone receptors? Will you test for HER2 receptors? Will I be able to see a breast care nurse at the clinic? Is emotional support available at the hospital if I am anxious? Men can get breast cancer too, but it highly unusual. When first diagnosed it is natural some people start thinking about clearing out their attic and arranging a funeral...but... ...Many women today are cured from their cancer where-ever in the body it may be, including breast cancer.
If a cure for a certain cancer tumour is not possible, numerous people can keep their cancer under control and experience many years of positive moments. Research has moved forward and the medication has improved over the latest 50 years. Many feel we must stand up for your rights as a patient at all times. Never be afraid to ask for answers If we haven't the strength to insist on a possible second opinion or to change our Surgeon or Oncologist, we should ask a close relative or the Dept- counsellor for help. A lot of people are cured these days Life is always NOW regardless if we are healthy or ill. We ARE allowed to feel sorry for ourselves. We ARE allowed to throw out emotions around us Having a good cry can clear our mind No one says we need put on the stiff upper lip Being angry, upset, anxious and scared is human and no-one asks us to keep them all tucked inside us BUT....The journey is like a roller coaster. We would never be able to feel the good moments in life if the bad weren't there to compare with. We would not know what "good" meant. Being diagnosed cancer is not all bad. Many people have found they have better values and insight after a cancer diagnosis. Priorities become reality and the small moments of happiness become the BIG ones To take time out for the people and things we love in life is important. For some of us it takes a wake - up call to help us look after life, our loved ones and ourselves! Through all the ups and downs ....on your cancer journey, Faith, and a “never give up" attitude are brilliant company!
Positive energy!
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