Cancer(?)

Andail · Mon 29/05/2006 11:55:25

What is it with the world today and cancer?
Last year, both my cousin's mother (my cousin was aged 12) and my best friend's mother died in cancer. Now my girlfriend's mother is dying from a brain tumor, deteriorating rapidly out of medical reach.
This is partly why I'm leaving Brighton sooner than I first planned - I'll be out on Thursday this week. Hopefully my thesis won't need any further adjustments. Unfortunately, my girlfriend had loads of stuff, papers and exams, which she just had to skip.

Is it the radiation? The mobil networks? All the chemical shit we cram into our food these days? Is it just here?
Three young mothers, needed and beloved.

Helm · Mon 29/05/2006 12:16:23

Nobody knows. It's horrible. My condolances.

ManicMatt · Mon 29/05/2006 12:34:17

:'(

That is sad to hear. I pray for a miracle.

Mr Flibble · Mon 29/05/2006 13:24:47

Is it possible that the frequency of cancer hasn't really increased, but our awareness of it has?

In Northern Ireland, people think there has been an increase in crimes against the elderly, but the frequency hasn't changed significantly. The only difference is the increased media coverage.

Timosity · Mon 29/05/2006 14:46:41

The problem with Cancer, and a lot of it being hereditary, is the fact people can procreate with defective genes long before being effected by the cancer. Basically meaning it's spread through most gene pools over the world and it would be quite strange if you have never known anyone personally effected by it.

There are many cancers, caused by many things eg. sun, food, gene's etc, there isn't enough research to know yet about mobile phones, but I guess any extra radiation can contribute, hey maybe if used correctly the mobile phones can stop the growth of a tumor with its own radiotherapy

Quote from: Mr Flibble on Mon 29/05/2006 13:24:47
Is it possible that the frequency of cancer hasn't really increased, but our awareness of it has?

this is probably quite true in some respects, as I remember some famous painting (not sure which one) of a nude woman shows that she has well developed breast cancer, but in those days they probably had no idea, when she died, what caused it.

but it would also be exponentially getting worse with genetical one's, and skin cancers especially in Australia with the hole in the ozone layer and lots of european decendents.

It's sad to hear Andail, but you are not alone, and I'm sure pleanty of peole on the forums have lost loved one's to cancer, or possibly had or have a form of cancer themselves. The thing for sure is some of us on the forums will, sorry to put a downer on an already down topic, but it's just part of life

DGMacphee · Mon 29/05/2006 16:03:53

My condolances too. But when I first saw the title of the thread and the name on it... Let me just say I'm glad it's not you.

Nacho · Mon 29/05/2006 16:22:16

All the diseases suck, but cancer sucks specially!

If you see some afternoon-tv-movies, you'll have the idea that cancer is something that can be fought with courage and stamina, like a sportive competition... This is totally uncorrect.

If you have seen the cover of Lance Armstrong's books, you'll probably imagine that these books are more of that, an ego-centric manifesto about how "cool" Lance's fight against cancer was. I recommend people to read this books, specially the first one, because the first lines are directly aimed to fight against this idea. "Cancer is not a competition, you can be the man with most desires to live in the world, if the medicines do not work, you won't be cured. You can be a suicide who has given up, but if the medicine works, you are saved."
This simply idea is important, because my dad's mother died by cancer, (never smoked a cigarret in her life, but, apparently, the exaggerate use of bleach for cleaning afected her lungs, were you looking for modern reasons for the increase of cancer, Petter?) and I was for a time annoyed with her for "not surviving". When my mom's mother was attacked by breast cancer I had read Lance's book, and I was aware of more things and preppaired for the worst (which finally happened).

Don't missundertand me. Lance says attitude is important, but not deffinitive. Medicines are. So, anytime you can, give money, maybe the scientists are closer than we know. Knowleadge is important too, so, learn about the disease you are fighting against. Make it your hobby...

I dunno what else I can do... send encouragement! And tell people that maybe there is a little thing they can't do to fight against the genes and enviroment to prevent cancer, but do it... Stop smoking, take care when dealing with hard chemical products, make sport... Guys, take care of your body, it can't be replaced.

I desire good luck for your gf's mom, Petter.

Haddas · Mon 29/05/2006 16:38:13

My grandmother died a few years ago of a brain tumor. She lived in Sweden.

Barbarian · Mon 29/05/2006 16:43:25

My condolences and heartfelt prayers go out. Ã,Â
I've lost some loved ones due to cancer, so I can well sympathise about the situation.
It not fair at all.

ManicMatt · Mon 29/05/2006 17:13:08

Oh man, I just went and looked at my friends section of my livejournal and one of them lost their grandma today from cancer.

cheeba · Mon 29/05/2006 18:37:41

Same here, we only just found out two days ago that my grandfather has contracted cancer, and it looks like it's only going to be a matter of time.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Mon 29/05/2006 18:51:49

QuoteThe problem with Cancer, and a lot of it being hereditary, is the fact people can procreate with defective genes long before being effected by the cancer.

Unfortunately this is precisely the problem, and it's amplified as medical science comes up with new ways to keep people alive that otherwise would have died. It may sound horrible, but those people with major illnesses that are kept going through science reproduce and pass along many of their genetic defects and it continues down the line until just about everyone has something wrong with them. It's like the Domino Theory applied to genetic inheritance.

As for your loved ones you have my sympathies. I lost my father several years ago to lung cancer related pneumonia, my grandmother to cancer and one of my uncles has prostate cancer right now (though in his case they think it was caused by his long exposure to chemicals where he worked).

lo_res_man · Mon 29/05/2006 19:03:22

Though I only slightly knew someone with cancer, I am so sorry.
I wish there was more I could say, but there isn't. so I close with this haiku.

Time enough to cry
All we ever want is this
Time to say goodbye

I am so sorry.

Evil · Mon 29/05/2006 20:51:03

Surgeon General's Warning: Everything is known to cause cancer.

LimpingFish · Mon 29/05/2006 23:17:22

My father went into hospital for a triple heart bypass, and they found cancer on his lung.
Even though he had stopped smoking over 5 years previously, when he had his first heart attack.

The said they removed most of the cancer, but they damaged his vocal cords during the operation and his voice was very weak thereafter.

The constant medication and radiotherapy they had him on made him even sicker and didn't help that much in the end. He died anyway.

Now that he's gone, only three are left from a family of nine. Those that died, died from either cancer or heart problems.

Apparently, both run in the family...

Disco · Tue 30/05/2006 03:12:40

I'm quite sorry you are dealing with this now Petter, I've been there, most of us have or will.

I believe that some of what causes cancer to be lifestyle choices like you mentioned: eating unhealthy foods, smoking, being sedentary, etc. Mobile phones were much more of a problem back in the 80's from what I remember, and there were much much fewer mobiles then

haven't they taken measures to disperse radiation away from your head? I don't pretend to know as I don't own a mobile, but I've heard of them causing cancer less and less over the years.

As far as these things being hereditary, all I can say is pay attention to your family history and take measures. I sometimes feel that I am at the cusp of a genetic meltdown, on my father's side of the family there is heart disease and on my mother's side cancer, but for the most part these problems are coming up late in their lives. Both my father's father and mother had bypass surgeries in their 60's, but you should see what they eat! :o. My mother's father died of melanoma in 1961 (21 years before I was even born), but he was a biologist living in Florida and spent most of his time working outside. Her mother died just a few years ago at the age of 72, two weeks after collapsing in our bathroom on Christmas night from unknown brain tumors, but she smoked between 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day for over 50 years. Strangely, I am not too worried about my family history. Being a non-smoking vegetarian, I believe I stand a good chance against such diseases.

evenwolf · Tue 30/05/2006 04:37:04

carcinogens

My biology teacher showedus this chart about smoking and medical awareness of its cause of cancer. Over the years, the male smokers numbers have decreased while more and more women are smoking every year.

That accounts for something, all those carcinogens over thirty years can certainly cause more and more cancer if people are not deterred by the risks.

Other kinds of cancer, well the answer is probably not so obvious.

Timosity · Tue 30/05/2006 06:43:19

Just on Smoking Warnings on packs, Australia has just started new warnings with graphical images rather than just words.

The images are quite disturbing (warning, contains gangrene) http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/2639/warn7kz.jpg

This image is the full back of the packet, there is also a smaller version of the image on the front of the pack. They are not all about cancer as this one shows, but it really makes you think a bit harder about quitting than just "Your Smoking Can Harm Others", or "Smoking Causes Heart Disease" or "Lung Cancer" etc

PsychicHeart · Tue 30/05/2006 06:55:28

Quote from: Timosity on Tue 30/05/2006 06:43:19
Just on Smoking Warnings on packs, Australia has just started new warnings with graphical images rather than just words.
The images are quite disturbing (warning, contains gangrene) http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/2639/warn7kz.jpg

Though from what i hear, people here are just asking for non-graphic images on their packs, or alternatively that the employees of tobaconists put stickers or similar on the pictures, how friggin' pathetic is that?
As for you, Andail, my sorrows are with you,hope it works out okay.

Chicky · Tue 30/05/2006 10:05:13

Lost my dad to cancer when i was seven and my mum's been in residential care for almost two years now after having two brain tumor's and three strokes. There's not much i can say really apart from if any of you guys need someone to talk to just message me or hit me up on msn. I'm always up for a chat.

I have quite a hard hearted approach to these things. I've had numerous doctors trying to break the 'big news' to me that it's more than likely I'll get cancer because both of my parents have but in my look on things, if you get to it before it's had a chance to grow, no matter where it is then it can lead to a 100% recovery.

I remember a poem about cancer cells (i believe it was simple titled 'cancer cells') which helped my mum keep thinking positive, it might be worth finding it on the net and giving your girlfriend a print off Andail.

My condolences to everyone.