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There will be a National Neuroendocrine Tumour Patient Day, for patients and their families and open to all to attend, on Saturday, November 9th 2013 in the Springhill Court Hotel in Kilkenny. For further information see http://www.netpatientnetwork.ie or phone the [b:7qmhq4af]Irish Cancer Society's National Cancer Helpline[/b:7qmhq4af] on [b:7qmhq4af]Freefone 1800 200 700[/b:7qmhq4af].

For patients and families with Multiple Myeloma there is a great information day coming up on November 14th in the Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth. All are welcome, please register with Mary Kelly on [b:jugu4v0c]086 7804007[/b:jugu4v0c] or email marybkelly2010@gmail.com. To get a copy of the day’s programme of events please call the [b:jugu4v0c]National Cancer Helpline[/b:jugu4v0c] on [b:jugu4v0c]Freefone 1800 200 700[/b:jugu4v0c] or email helpline@irishcancer.ie.

I've been reading the posts about Tamoxifen - thanks as always for your great insights. I've been on it since June and apart from hot flushes every night, haven't noticed any other major side effects....except in the past week I've suddenly developed this awful vaginal itch which is driving me crazy..... Has anybody had anything similar and if so what do you do to relieve it?? Thanks Liz

diagnosed late 2012.told no need for treatment yet. could be 10 years. on 2 tabs a day for blood pressure fatigue and overweight. went vegen. now on half tab 2 stone lighter and not tired. intend to drop to zero tabs.

A few weeks ago, I visited the local state fair with my husband, son, and extended family. It was a toasty day and we spent most of the time carrying my six-month-old son around in our arms with his head and arms exposed to the sun. At least four times I was approached by a concerned grandparent worried about my baby’s sun exposure. Both my grandfathers have had skin cancer-related lesions removed from their face and neck and their doctors have told them it’s all been due to their years of working out in the sun. I can certainly understand their concern with my son’s well-being and after a little prompting, I covered him up more effectively. I’d like him to have healthy skin no matter how long he lives. This risk of skin cancer is real and dangerous, but a new study has found that most doctors don’t even broach the subject of sunscreen and UV exposure during an average visit. The group was led by Dr. Kristie Akamine of Wake Forest School of Medicine and her study focused on data compiled from doctors’ offices between 1989 and 2010. [b:1ifpgik3]Sunscreen hardly ever mentioned[/b:1ifpgik3] In fact, just 0.07 percent of office visits contained mentions of sunscreen in patient conversations. If the visit was about a skin-related condition, the likelihood of sunscreen being mention raised very slightly—to 0.9 percent. The study was published in the journal JAMA Dermatology on Sept. 4. [b:1ifpgik3]Children least likely to hear about sunscreen[/b:1ifpgik3] Sunscreen was least likely to be mentioned in children’s visits. Akamine’s team explained, “[That finding] is concerning because children and adolescents get the most sun exposure of any age group, as they tend to spend much of their time playing outdoors. Up to 80 percent of sun damage is thought to occur before age 21,” they went on, “and sunburns in childhood greatly increase the risk for future melanoma.” [b:1ifpgik3]UVA and UVB known carcinogens [/b:1ifpgik3] Two experts not involved in the study said sunscreen ought to come up more often in office visits, though they admitted, “With the increasing numbers of topics primary-care physicians may have to cover during an average office visit, it’s not surprising that mentioning sunscreen application may fall to the bottom of the list.” However, that doesn’t mean it should be left out entirely. Despite the trend young people have of tanning to make themselves look more attractive, the sun they are exposing themselves to is actually harming them, as scientists have found that both UVA and UVB are carcinogenic compounds that can cause skin cancer and premature aging.

Hi there. Saw my plastic surgeon again this week. It appears I have not enough fat on my tummy for the DIEP flap recon I was looking for (He says it looks like a tummy because I have lazy muscles!!) So have agreed to have the (double) recon done with flaps from my thighs. Has anyone had this procedure? any helpful hints on what to expect as I prepare for it? Karen

ecancerpatient.org provides information for patients to use while discussing treatment options with their doctor. There are videos of cancer specialists talking about the most recent advances in care which are designed to empower patients to become more involved in vital treatment decisions. You can find ecancer also on Facebook (ecancerpatients) and Twitter (@ecancer_patient). I hope this advice will helpful for you.

Hi Ladies Had mastectomy last September right hand side and am due to have left mastectomy next month. Anyone in this situation not have Reconstruction done? Thanks Dane

Ladies, I desperately need your advice cos no one else understands!! I am 12 months into my cancer treatment, had chemo, surgery, rads and tamoxifen and I have just had enough! I'm done. I have had severe reactions consistently throughout my treatment and because I was so young I was just told I was stressed out. During chemo at varying stages I lost the ability to speak and walk, my head has been melted from all the drugs and I am just not able to make decisions, or be independent essentially, my head is just so badly fogged from everything. Anyway tamoxifen was suppose to be my last treatment, I was on it and due to severe reactions it was stopped for 6 wks and I felt great, then tried it again and only lasted 4 wks on it and my tremor came back (started with chemo but faded slowly after 6months) so it has now been stopped again. I just can't take it anymore, I seem to be really sensitive to drugs and no matter what, I suffer side effects. I just want to be normal and get back to some sort of life but I can't do that on drugs. I am going to tell my oncologist I have had enough and am refusing further treatment cos I can't take it anymore. I have had to give up my life for the last yr and am still waiting for final reconstruction in early oct but then I am off to aus to start again. As far as I am aware the tamoxifen reduces my personal risk of reoccurrence from 15% to 10% which I personally think is useless to me cos if u get cancer in ur 20's there is no way I will get a forty year free pass, if its going to come back it will and I have a tried everything to give myself the best chance but enough is enough! Ye know the pains associated with all the different medications and know that it's not easyi would like to hear your thought before I make radical decisions, any advice really appreciated!!!!

Hello everyone! I recently received a beautiful card from a close friend of mine in Oz and I hope you don't mind my sharing it with you .. it read.. [color=#4000FF:1y70ytv7]Be gentle on yourself today.. Lightly blow your cares away.. Honour all the things you're feeling.. For within you lies the path to healing..[/color:1y70ytv7] Resolute