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Can anyone tell me if they test ur tumor for leas before begining treatment??? I'm due, to start chemo radiation after x mas I'm female 47 single parent of 3 boys 6/8/12 in cork,,,, low tumor, 2.5/3 cm T3 N2 M0 inside the anal verge so as u can imagine I'm anxious that this treatment works, so I can b reconnected afterwards

Hi all just wondering is there free screening for sons of father who has colon cancer?

Hi my dad has recently been diagnosed with bowel cancer which has spread to his liver they told us he has 3 to 6 months is this true or can he live longer it's killing me to know this and watch him every day knowing he has this I have been told that people can live up to 5 years with a diagnosis like this

was under the impression that bowel cancer was one of the more common serious diseases/causes of death in ireland...if not worldwide; strange no replies from any quarter....do I assume that there are very few suffering with this condition on this site...if so I could 'turn' elsewhere. Thanks.

recently been told that much, if not all colon should be removed...but have heart condition...any one know of similar situation? thanks...newbe at all this!

Hi all, I'm taking the plunge and bringing up the topic of stoma care. I had an operation for bowel cancer which invaded the pelvic area requiring the removal of my womb ovaries part of a kidney, part of the large and small intestine as well. I am on a course of chemo therapy at present and will have radium as well. While the surgeon and oncologist have not given any prognosis regarding life expectancy they both said that even advance cancers now respond very well to treatment and I know they are looking at my case in a positive way, as I also am. I have a stoma and received help from specialist stoma nurses while in hospital - I adjusted very quickly to to idea of it and became proficient in looking after my personal hygene etc. So what's my point? Well since coming home I realise that its quite a job getting supplies of bags, and all the sprays and things to go with it. At first the hospital put me in touch with a company who supplied this stuff - I then had to get a prescription from my doctor and send it to them along with a cheque for prescription charges. I ended up with too much of one thing and not enough of another. So I changed to getting supplies from my local chemist this required that I go in and let them know reference codes for each item so they could order in. On one particular day I spent an hour waiting in the doctors in order to get a prescription for supplies. Another time I ordered a repeat prescription on a friday and was told on monday I didn't give them enough time and to come back. In my opinionall this beaurocracy around these prescriptions is a waste of time and energy on my part and on the part of the G.P's as well (who by the way has been very supportive of me during my illness - no complaints there). Why are they not availabel free to bowel cancer patients at a point of distribution (like the chemist)? Its the only way we have to go to the toilet - no one else has to jump through these hoops to answer the call of nature. After all I only use what I need to use - I dont think there is a call for them on the black market so I wouldn't see why I should require any more than is necessary - what would you be doing with them anyway? What does anyone else think? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Jo

Most people who develop bowel cancer don't have a strong history of it in the family. The greatest single risk for developing bowel cancer is age. Our risk increases as we get older. Other risk factors for bowel cancer include lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise There are some families with a strong history of bowel cancer. This means : 1. One first degree relative who developed bowel cancer below the age of 45. (A first degree relative is a parent, brother, sister, son or daughter.) 2. Two or more first degree relatives on the same side of the family with bowel cancer at any age. Some types of bowel cancer that run in families can cause an increase in other types of cancers such as cancer of the womb, stomach, pancreas, ovary and kidney. So, if you have a relative with a bowel cancer and relatives on the same side of the family with these cancers, this may mean there is an inherited risk of cancer in your family. If you think you might have a strong family history of bowel cancer, the first step is to talk to your G.P. If your risk is higher than average you may be referred to a bowel specialist to discuss whether you should have bowel screening. Screening may be used to help to discover cancer early when the chance of treating it successfully is high

Hi just wondering if anyone suffered chronic radiation enteritis of the bowel after radiation treatment. I was hoping to share information and discuss this problem with someone experiencing similar side effects - nausea, loss of appetite, pain etc. I am currently on a lactose free diet and am trying various foods to see what suits my current constitution. Thanks, John