A Timeline of How Your Body Repairs Itself When You Quit Smoking

Hello everyone,

I always get nervous when the subject of smoking comes up. I don't want people to feel judged or lectured. I appreciate that it is a highly addictive habit. I promise that when the subject is raised on this blog I will try to let you know of the facts whilst not making anyone feel like they have to quit. I know many people who are currently in the process of trying to quit smoking and wean their body off cigarettes. I have found a very interesting timeline which describes how your body begins to repair itself once you've stopped smoking and I thought it would be a good idea to highlight these milestones to encourage anyone going through the process to keep going! You can do it!

Timeline:

20 Minutes After Your Last Cigarette – the temperate of your hands and feet has returned to normal and so has your blood pressure and your pulse rate.

8 Hours After Your Last Cigarette – The nicotine levels in your bloodstream has reduced by 93.25% which is just 6.25% of your normal daily level at the peak of smoking.

12 Hours After Your Last Cigarette – Your carbon monoxide levels have dropped to normal whilst your blood oxygen levels have increased to normal.

24 Hours After Your Last Cigarette – Your anxiety level will have peaked in its intensity, making you crave a cigarette – this will return to a normal level within two weeks.

48 Hours After Your Last Cigarette – Your nerve endings which have been damaged by smoking will be starting to regrow. Your sense of smell and taste will begin to return to a normal level. Your anger and irritability levels will have peaked, making you very agitated.

72 Hours After Your Last Cigarette – You will be entirely 100% nicotine free!!!! On top of that you will have passed over 90% of all the chemicals nicotine breaks down into (nicotine metabolites) via your urine. Breathing is becoming easier for you and your lungs are being to increase in function. Your lung bronchial tubes which lead to your alveoli (air sacs) are beginning to relax as your body recovers. On the downside, your chemical withdrawal symptoms have peaked in their intensity and you will feel restless amongst other things.

5 to 8 Days After Your Last Cigarette – You will encounter an average of three cue induced craving episodes per day at this time. These shouldn't last longer then a few minutes.

10 Days After Your Last Cigarette – You will encounter less then two cue induced craving episodes lasting no longer then three minutes.

10 Days to Two Weeks After Your Last Cigarette – You should be at the point where your addiction isn’t controlling you anymore. The blood circulation in your teeth and gums will become similar to that of a non smoker.

2 to 4 Weeks After Your Last Cigarette – You should no longer be feeling any anger, anxiety, impatience, insomnia, depression, restlessness or finding it difficult to concentrate due to your withdrawal from cigarettes. If you do then you should make an appointment to have these symptoms assessed by a doctor.

2 Weeks to 3 Months After Your Last Cigarette – Your risk of a heart attack is starting to drop and your lung function is beginning to improve.

3 Weeks to 3 Months After Your Last Cigarette – Your circulation should be improving significantly. Walking will become easier. If you had a chronic cough as a smoker then it should be almost all gone (see a doctor if it hasn’t by this point).

8 Weeks After Your Last Cigarette – Your Insulin resistance will have normalised and you may have gained a little weight (the average weight gain at this point is 2.7kg).

1 to 9 Months After Your Last Cigarette – Cilia will have regrown in your lungs which means your lungs should have an increased ability to handle mucus, keep themselves clean and reduce infections. Your body’s overall energy level will have increased. Any shortness of breath, fatigue and sinus congestion related to smoking will have decreased significantly.

1 Year After Your Last Cigarette – Your heightened risk of coronary heart disease, heart attacks and stokes will have decreased to less then half of what it was when you smoked.

5 Years After Your Last Cigarette – Your risk of a subarachnoid hemorrhage has declined to 59% of what it was when you smoked. Female ex smokers will now find their risk of developing diabetes has decreased to that of a non smoker.

5 to 15 Years After Your Last Cigarette – Your risk of having a stroke has decreased to that of a non smoker.

10 Years After Your Last Cigarette – Your risk of developing lung cancer has decreased to 30-50% of a smoker. Risk of dying from lung cancer has decreased by about half. Your risk of developing cancer of the mouth, pancreas, throat and oesophagus has declined significantly. Risk of developing diabetes has decreased to a similar level for a non smoker for both male and female former smokers.

13 Years After Your Last Cigarette – The risk of losing teeth related to your smoking will have declined to the same level as someone who has never smoked.

15 Years After Your Last Cigarette – Your risk of developing coronary heart disease is now the same as a person who have never smoked as is your risk of developing cancer of the pancreas.

20 Years After Your Last Cigarette – The risk of a female former smoker dying from a smoking related illness will have reduced to the same level as someone who has never smoked.

So those are the facts. The whole “damage is done so I may as well continue” thing is a myth. Your body can recover and repair the damage smoking has created. I’m not claiming you won’t get ill but you will give yourself a chance to repair the damage and potentially avoid major illnesses. Your hair, skin, nails, teeth etc…. will all improve. Your ability to exercise will improve. Your overall health and wellbeing will improve.

If you are attempting to quit smoking or have managed to do so then I salute you. I would highly recommend keeping an eye on how much money you are saving by not smoking as that is also a great incentive to keep going when the craving are driving you crazy. Let me know how you get on and I wish you luck!

xxx

Cancer Treatments - Chemotherapy

Hello everyone,

Before I start, I just want to say that I find it incredibly frustrating when I see people commenting on Facebook and Twitter about how chemotherapy is a fake treatment that is used to keep people ill and people should be focusing on natural remedies to cure them. I think people should remember that every cancer case is different and what works for one person may not work for another. So please try to have a little respect for everyone’s treatment choices and understand that there are thousands of people working to make cancer a thing of the past – there are no secret cures being hidden to keep people ill. Chemotherapy, although harsh and unpleasant,  does do a brilliant job with some cancer types and can help some patients beat the disease.

What is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy basically means drug treatment. In cancer terms it means using cell killing drugs to treat the tumour. There are more then ninety different types of chemotherapy drugs and new ones are currently being developed as we speak. A cancer patient may be given just one of the drugs or they be given a combination of them.

Chemotherapy isn’t suitable for every cancer patient. Whether this treatment option will benefit you, as well as the type of drug you require, will depend on several factors:

*Your cancer type

*The original body part the cancer originated in

*The grading of the tumour

*The stage of the cancer and whether it has spread

*Your general health and wellbeing

Chemotherapy is sometimes used alongside other treatment types such as radiotherapy, hormone therapy or biological therapy. It can also be used before and/or after surgery. High dose chemotherapy, using an infusion of stem cells or bone marrow may also be used. This is known as a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, but I will focus on those in another post.

How Chemotherapy Works

Our bodies are made up of billions of individual cells. When we are fully grown, these cells stopped dividing as much and spend most of their time in a resting state. From this point they usually only divide if they need to repair damage. Cell division usually means one cell divides into two identical cells. Two divide into four, then eight etc….. but with cancer the cells keep on dividing until a mass forms. This then becomes a lump, which then becomes known as a tumour. Cancerous cells will divide much more then a normal cell would.

Chemotherapy will damage the dividing cells as it enters into the patients bloodstream. The cells currently trying to divide are at risk of being damaged by the chemotherapy and the chemotherapy will then kill the cell by damaging the nucleus which is telling it to divide. It can also interrupt the chemical processes which cause cell division. The chemotherapy damages the genes inside the nucleus. Some of the drugs will damage the cells on the verge of splitting whilst others will damage the cells whilst they are making copies of the genes before splitting. Resting cells are less likely to be damaged by chemotherapy.

If you are having a combination of chemotherapy drugs then they will be doing different things and attacking the cancerous cells at different points, creating more of a chance to kill off more cancerous cells.

Chemotherapy drugs circulate around the body  through the bloodstream in what is known as a systemic treatment. It should be able to reach cancerous cells in almost any part of the body and can be done in many forms:

*Injections into the bloodstream

*Tablets or capsules

*Intravenous infusions/Drips into the bloodstream

Chemotherapy can be in tablet or capsule form for you to swallow. You can take these at home but will need regular visits to the outpatient department to have regular blood tests and check ups. You will usually have your first dose in hospital to make sure you don’t have any reactions to it.

Continous low dose chemotherapy is usually administered through a pump that you wear twenty four hours a day so chemotherapy is constantly released into your bloodstream. The pump will need to be changed regularly.

Chemotherapy can also be administered through your veins and this will take place at the chemothertapy day unit. This can take a few minutes or a few hours and can be done in different ways:

*A cannula is a small tube which will be put into a vein in your hand or arm.

*Central lines are sometimes used and can be put into your neck for short term chemotherapy or your chest for long term chemotherapy

*PICC line’s is a type of central line which is put into a vein in your arm

*Portacath or port’s are a small chamber which sits under your skin at the end of the central line in your chest.

The amount of chemotherapy used is individually based on the patient and is worked out according to your weight, height and general health.

Chemotherapy kills dividing cells which, in some way, explains why side effects happen. For example, many chemotherapy patients lose their hair because hair follicles are always growing and dividing so your hair will grow. These dividing cells can attract and be attacked by chemotherapy. The good news is, healthy cells can normally replace and repair themselves, which is why most patients hair will grow back once they stop having chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy Curing Cancer

The chances of chemotherapy being a success and curing your cancer will depend on a number of factors including the type of cancer your have. For example people testicular cancer can usually see good results with chemotherapy. Other types of cancer will be treated with chemotherapy alongside another treatment option as chemotherapy won’t be enough to cure it on its own.

For those patients that are unlikely to be cured, chemotherapy can be used to shrink the cancer, relieve the symptoms and to control the cancer to give you a longer life.

Chemotherapy can also be used to put the cancer into remission, which means there is no sign of cancer after the treatment. Complete remission means the cancer is not seen on scans, x rays, blood tests etc…. whilst partial remission means some of the cancer has been killed but not all of it and whilst the tumour has shrunk, it can still be seen on scans.

The Uses of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can be used for lots of reasons:

*To shrink the tumour before surgery

*To try and prevent the cancer returning after surgery

*To treat cancers that are very sensitive to this particular treatment

*To treat a cancer that has spread from it’s original origin

If you have chemotherapy before surgery then it’s aim is to reduce the tumour to make it easier to be completely removed. This is known as primary treatment or neoadjuvant treatment. If you have chemotherapy after surgery then it’s aim is to lessen the risk of the cacner returning in the future and to kill of any microscopic cells that may have been left behind when the tumour was removed. This is known as adjuvant treatment.

It is important to note that chemotherapy isn’t always used, especially if your particular cancer type isn’t very sensitive towards it.

Having Chemotherapy

With high dose chemotherapy you may need to stay in hospital. This is because it is an intensive type of treatment and it can have more side effects. You will also be at risk of picking up infections so staying in hospital will ensure these can be picked up on quickly and treated promptly.

Your reaction to chemotherapy may be different to others and it is important to do what is best for you. Some people find they can live a relatively normal life during their treatment and others struggle emotionally and physically. There is nothing wrong with either of these reactions and it is important to only do as much as you can.

It is vital that chemotherapy patients eat and drink as healthily as they can and get as much rest as possible. It is perfectly normal to feel tired, not be able to sleep and not be able to eat properly.

If you have a job then your workplace should be as understanding as they can be as should a school if the patient is of school age. If you are unemployed then you will need to contact the correct government office to see what you are entitled to. Regular notes from your doctor may be required.

Most chemotherapy patients will need to adapt their normal routines during treatment and for a little while afterwards. Your food  and drink preferences may also change for a while. You may need to prepare yourself for hair loss but support can be provided for you so please take advantage of that. Lean on your loved ones for support and also explore the emotional support options available at the place you are having treatment.

I think this blog post is the best one I have done yet. I have learnt so much about chemotherapy and don’t find it as scary as I did before I researched it. I watched several relatives have chemotherapy and it is a very scary thing to watch. I can only imagine how horrible it must make you feel and my heart goes out to anyone having chemotherapy and anyone that has had it in the past. I hope this post has helped you to understand the treatment.

xxx

Cancer Types - Breast

Hello everyone,

I wanted to do this post because it is such a common cancer that affects so many people. I recently met a very brave lady who is currently suffering from breast cancer and several of my fellow Cancer Research UK Ambassadors have also had to deal with this horrific cancer type. This post is dedicated to all the women and men that have had to face breast cancer at some point in their lives.

The Breast:

Breasts are made up of fat, gland tissue and connective tissue which is divided into lobes. A network of ducts spread from these lobes towards the nipple. Breasts are not usually the exact same size as each other and they can also vary in size and shape throughout your monthly cycle. They also change with age – younger women have a lot more glandular tissue so their breasts are usually more dense. After the menopause this tissue is gradually replaced by fat, which is less dense.

Breast Cancer Symptoms:

As with all cancers; the earlier breast cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. This means ladies need to be aware of what is normal for their breasts. You need to regularly have a good old feel of your breasts so you become used to how they look and feel. That way it will be easy for you to spot any changes that may actually be cancer symptoms. Do not panic as about 90% of breast lumps are not cancerous but if you do think something is not right, it is vital that you visit your GP ASAP.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer is a lump or some thickened tissue in their breast. There are also other symptoms to watch out for:

A change to the size or shape of one or both breasts

Nipple discharge

A lump in your armpit

Dimpling on the skin of your breasts

A rash on or around your nipples

A change in how your nipple looks (for example it can become sunken or invert into your breast)

A pain in your breast or armpit that is not period related

It is hugely important to know what is normal for your breasts so I fully encourage all ladies to regularly feel their breasts. Just after a shower is probably the best time. Maybe you can get your partner to feel to so you can have a second opinion if you feel something has changed.

KNOW YOUR BOOBS LADIES!!!

Types of Breast Cancer:

Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS)

This is not cancer. LCIS means cells changes have occurred inside your breast lobes and you have an increased risk of developing breast cancer in the future as a result. However most women with LCIS do not get breast cancer. LCIS is also found in men but this is very rare.

If you are diagnosed with LCIS then you will need to be monitored closely. Your doctor may suggest  breast examinations every six months and mammograms every year. You may also be offered hormone therapy to lower your risk of breast cancer. This monitoring is vital as cancer is easier to treat, the earlier it is diagnosed.

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)

DCIS is cancer that has developed inside some of your ducts but has not started to spread into the surrounding breast tissue. There is very little chance that this type of cancer will have spread to your lymph nodes or other parts of your body

In most cases, the main treatment for DCIS is surgery. Usually the area of DCIS and some healthy surrounding tissue will be removed. This is known as local excision. Radiotherapy may also be required after surgery to ensure any stray cells are caught and destroyed.

Tamoxifen may be prescribed for you after treatment. This is a type of hormone therapy which will help protect you from developing breast cancer again in the future.

Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer

This is the most common type of breast cancer. Around 70-80 out of every 100 breast cancer cases are invasive ductal breast cancer (80%)

This cancer will have started in the cells lining the breast ducts and it will have spread into the surrounding breast tissue.

Treatment varies depending on the staging and grading of the cancer. You may be offered surgery to remove the cancer and some surrounding healthy tissue. This will be followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy to destroy any remaining stray cells. Radiotherapy or Chemotherapy may be used to shrink the cancer before surgery. You may also be offered hormone therapy. Your specialist will discuss the options with you as they vary for every patient.

Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer

About 10% of breast cancer cases are invasive lobular carcinoma. It is mostly found in women aged between 45 and 55. This type of cancer will have started in the cells that line the lobules of your breast. This type of cancer is also found in men but it is very rare. This type of cancer can be hard to diagnose as it does not always create a firm lump in your breast nor does it show up on mammograms.

Treatment for this type of breast cancer will usually involve surgery to remove the cancer and some surrounding healthy tissue.  This will normally be followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy to destroy any stray cells left behind. Hormone therapy may also be recommended.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

This is a very rare type of breast cancer, only about 4% of breast cancer cases are inflammatory breast cancer.  The breast tissue will have become inflamed and the cancer cells will be blocking the smallest lymph node channels in your breast. This will cause your breast to become swollen, hard, read and hot to touch. It can also be painful. It may also cause nipple discharge and your nipple may become inverted.

Chemotherapy is usually the first form of treatment and that is normally followed by surgery. Radiotherapy may also be an option.

If you are worried about breast cancer then please do visit www.cancerresearchuk.org or make an appointment to speak with your GP ASAP.

Cancer Types - Lung

Hello everyone,

Lung cancer does not just affect smokers. It is also one of the most common cancer types. This means it’s not just smokers that need to be aware of the symptoms and other details to do with this horrific type of cancer. Hopefully I’ll be able to outline this cancer type clearly in this post.

The Lungs:

The lungs are part of the respiratory system and their main job is to bring oxygen into the body and pass it into the bloodstream.

The respiratory system:

-          The trachea (windpipe) divides up into two airways with one going into each lung. These are called the left main bronchus and the right main bronchus,

-          These pipes are divided into smaller tubes inside the lung – two on the left and three on the right. These smaller tubes are known as the secondary bronchi

-          The secondary bronchi are then divided again into even smaller tubes called bronchioles

-          At the end of the bronchioles there are tiny air sacs called alveoli in which oxygen is passed into the bloodstream and passed around the body. At the same time carbon dioxide comes into the alveoli from the bloodstream ready to be breathed out.

Causes of Lung Cancer and Risk Factors:

Cancer of the lung is the second most common type in the UK. It is one of the few cancers that has very clear causes.

SMOKING causes 9/10 cases of lung cancer. I’ve done posts about smoking before so I won’t go into detail but the majority of lung cancer patients are smokers or former smokers. AS SOON AS YOU STOP SMOKING YOUR RISK OF LUNG CANCER STARTS TO GO DOWN SO IT IS ALWAYS WORTH GIVING UP

Being exposed to radon gas is can also increase your risk of lung cancer as well as exposure to certain other chemicals. Air pollution, past cancer treatment and a family history of lung cancer can also increase your risk.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer:

The most common symptoms are:

Having a persistant cough

Being short of breath

A change in a  cough you have had for a long while

Coughing up phlegm with traces of blood

Pain when breathing in

Pain when coughing

Loss of appetite

Losing weight

Less common symptoms are:

A hoarse voice

Difficulty swallowing

A swollen face or neck

Treating Lung Cancer:

There are a number of factors to be considered before your specialist will decide on the right treatment plan for you. These include the type of lung cancer you have, the grade and stage of it, your general health and the position of the cancer in your lung.

Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy are common treatments for lung cancer. Surgery may also be an option depending on where your cancer is in your lung.

It saddens to me to know that so many cases of lung cancer can be prevented if people didn’t smoke. The fact that lung cancer is the second most common cancer type in the UK and that 9/10 of lung cancer patients are smokers is the reason behind all the tobacco control campaigns Cancer Research UK do. We can lower the numbers significantly if people take advice offered to them and quit smoking. Going cold turkey will not be anywhere near as painful as lung cancer

If you are concerned by anything you have read today, please contact your doctor ASAP.

xxx

Cancer Types - Prostate

Hello everyone, 

This post is dedicated to my maternal Buppou, George, who survived a battle with prostate cancer.  

The Prostate:

The prostate is a gland found only in males. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis. It also carries semen. The prostate is responsible for creating the fluid part of semen. The prostate needs testosterone (the male sex hormone) to grow and function.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer:

Having to rush to the toilet to pass urine

Difficulty in passing urine

Passing more urine than normal, especially at night

Pain when passing urine

Blood in urine or semen (very rare)

These symptoms are the same for prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate so it is important to go to the GP as soon as they appear. The symptoms are usually caused because the growth is pressing on the urethra and is blocking the flow of urine. It is important to remember that early prostate cancer does not usually cause any symptoms because the growth is too small to affect the flow of urine.  Prostate cancer usually grows quite slowly, especially in older gentleman. They may only suffer mild symptoms and they may occur over a number of years.

Causes and Risks:

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for UK men (not counting non melanoma). There are some risk factors:

* Age is the most significant of these risk factors. Prostate cancer is quite rare in men younger than fifty – in fact more than half of all prostate cancer cases are found in men aged seventy plus.

* Having a family history of breast cancer or prostate cancer will also heighten your risk of developing this type of cancer

* If you are of African ancestry then your risk is also higher as this type of cancer is more common in men of black or mixed race descent then white or Asian men

Screening:

The aim of screening for prostate cancer is to diagnose the disease in the early stages when it is usually easier to treat and most likely to be curable. At the moment a national screening test is not available but research is being carried out and trials are taking place all the time.

Diagnosing Prostate Cancer

If your GP suspects prostate cancer then they will:

* Examine your prostate by placing a gloved finger into your back passage

* Get you to have a blood test to check your PSA levels (PSA = Prostate Specific Antigen)

This is not as painful or as embarrassing as it sounds. GP’s do this all the time and although having a finger inserted into your bottom may sound horrific, I am told by reliable sources that is really isn’t as bad as it sounds. Please don’t let the fear or embarrassment stop you getting this test if you feel you have a problem with your prostate – it could save your life.

With PSA levels, it is usually the higher the level, the more likely you are to have cancer. However, don’t be too alarmed by this fact – there could be another reason, for example an enlarged prostate or an infection. In fact, two out of three men with a raised PSA level do not have prostate cancer. It is possible for a man to have prostate cancer but not a high PSA level – this is where the gloved finger comes in handy.

Treating Prostate Cancer:

This is where my post will get complicated so I will try and keep it as clear and concise as possible!

Prostate cancer is divided up into stages. These stages will inform the doctor of how developed the cancer is and this information will help them decide on the best treatment plan for the patient in question. The stages are numbered 1-4 and your doctor will talk to you about your “TNM” which stands for Tumour, Nodes and Metastases. Basically this means they will discuss the size of the tumour, whether is has spread to any nearby lymph nodes and whether it has spread (metastasised) to anywhere else in your body.

Prostate cancer tends to spread to your bones rather than other organs. It is possible for it to metastasise even when the original prostate tumour is very small. This means early diagnosis is key to treating it and controlling it.

There are several factors doctors consider before deciding a treatment plan. These factors are:

* The stage of the cancer

* The grade of the cells (how they look under a microscope)

* Your Gleason score

* Your PSA levels

* Your age

* Your general health

Once these factors have been considered, your treatment options will become clearer and your doctor will discuss them with you. Please ask questions and make sure you feel comfortable with the treatment plan you are offered. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion.

If the cancer is low risk and is localised to the prostate area only, then active monitoring is likely to be your treatment option. This means the cancer will be monitored and the doctors will wait to see if it develops. If it does start to develop then surgery may be an option and the prostate gland could be removed. Radiotherapy is also an option at this stage.

If the cancer is classed as an intermediate risk but is localised to the prostate area then surgery to remove the prostate gland may be an option. Radiotherapy may also be considered.

A high risk, localised tumour will usually be treated with surgery and external radiotherapy.

If the cancer has broken through the capsule that surround the prostate gland then this is known as locally advanced prostate cancer. This will usually involve surgery or radiotherapy which will be combined with hormone treatments.

If you are concerned by anything you have read today please contact your GP as soon as possible

xxx

Cancer Types: Ovarian

Hello everyone,

This week's post will focus on a specific cancer type. Ovarian cancer is known as a “silent killer” because its symptoms are usually hard to spot. It’s highly likely that my Auntie/Godmother had ovarian cancer but didn’t know until it had spread. She died five days before her 30th birthday, having collapsed and fallen into a coma a few days previously. She left two very young children. This post is dedicated to her, my godmother, Georgia.

The Ovaries:

The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system along with the vagina, uterus (womb) and fallopian tubes. You have two ovaries, one of the left and one on the right. Each month, a fertile woman will produce an egg in each ovary. The ovaries are also responsible for producing the female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, throughout a woman’s childbearing years. These hormones control your menstrual cycle and as you approach menopause, the amount of hormone produced lessens and your periods eventually stop completely.

Ovarian Cysts:

A cyst is a sack filled with fluid. Fertile woman develop cysts each month as their eggs are developed. They are not usually cancerous or anything to worry about. However, sometimes they appear larger than normal or are there for longer than normal and at this point they should be investigated. Any post menopausal woman developing cysts should also be investigated. If your cysts are painful or cause you to develop symptoms then you should see your doctor ASAP.

Ovarian Cancer:

At the moment, ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in females. Epithelial ovarian cancer makes up over 90% of ovarian cancer cases. Epithelial simply means surface layer. So the cancer is in the surface layer of the ovary.

Currently, not much is known about the causes of this type of cancer. As you all will know, your risk of developing any cancer rising with age and the same applies for ovarian. Family history is an important factor as statistics show about 1 in every 10 cases of ovarian cancer are caused by an inherited faulty gene. It is thought that my cousin Georgie's Li Fraumeni Syndrome was inherited from his mother. We don’t know this for certain but if it is correct then it is safe to assume her cancer was caused by the same syndrome. Other possible risks for ovarian cancer include infertility, the use of HRT treatments, being tall or overweight, endometriosis and the use of talcum powder. Please don’t be panicked by this list; it doesn’t mean everybody gets ovarian cancer.

Screening for Ovarian Cancer:

Unfortunately there is not a screening test available to screen for ovarian cancer safely, accurately and reliably. There are clinical trials taking place to discover one but at the moment there is not a general screening test available for all members of public.

Some women are at higher risk of developing ovarian cancer then others. If you are unfortunate enough to have two of more family members of the same side (so either maternal or paternal) that have been diagnosed with ovarian or breast cancer at a young age then you are at a higher risk of developing the disease, especially if those relatives were diagnosed at a young age (before 50)

If this applies to you then please speak to your GP about going to your local genetics service. They will be able to look into your family history with you and offer you some counselling and advice about screening.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:

As previously mentioned, ovarian cancer symptoms are very hard to find, especially at the early stages. Many women in the early stages of ovarian cancer don’t report any symptoms at all. Symptoms can become apparent when the cancer has spread from the ovary. Sufferers of advanced ovarian cancer will display more symptoms. I will list some symptoms to look out for:

Early Symptoms– pain in lower abdomen or side and a bloated feeling in the abdomen.

Symptoms when The Cancer has Spread– abdominal pain, back pain, passing more urine than normal, constipation, pain during sex, swollen abdomen, irregular periods and bleeding after the menopause

Advanced Symptoms- loss of appetite, feeling sick, being sick, constipation, tiredness, shortness of breath, a noticeable swelling in abdomen

As I mention all the time, the key to surviving cancer is diagnosing it as early as possible so if you suspect anything at all, or are worried about symptoms, please make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you possibly can. Particular symptoms require urgent attention from your doctor:

• Swelling or bloating of the abdomen
• Constipation
• Back pain
• Urinary symptoms
• Tummy pain

If your doctor is concerned, they will do a full pelvic ultrasound including an internal examination, which can be uncomfortable. If there is a lump or cause for concern then they will arrange for you to have an ultrasound scan and it will go from there. If you are worried about ovarian cancer, please make an appointment with your GP to discuss your concerns.

xxx

Cancer - Key Signs and Symptoms

Hello everyone,

Today's blog post is an important one. It is so important to know your body and how it works. We are all different: we look different, are function in different ways. It is so important to know what is normal and regular for your own body so that you can notice if things change. This could make all the difference as should the worst happen, you have a high chance of catching it early and bettering your survival chances.
I am going to list the most important symptoms for both men and women but please don't panic if you look through the list and think a few apply to you. This doesn't mean you definitely have cancer, in fact it usually isn't anything as serious as cancer but it may be worth going to your GP to have a chat and a check up :).

Signs of cancer for both men and women:
*Usual lump or swelling anywhere on your body- Men should pay particular attention to any lumps in their testicles and women should pay particular attention to any breast lumps. Everyone should watch out for lumps on your neck, armpit, abdomen, groin or chest area. The best time to have a check is probably when having a bath or shower. Have a good feel and know how your body feels so if any lumps do appear you can detect them easily.

*A mole that has changed shape, size or colour- most moles are harmless. However be aware of them because if a new mole appears or one changes colour, shape or size then it will need to be checked. If any mole begins or ooze, bleed or become crusty then please make an appointment with your GP ASAP.

*A sore that hasn't healed after several weeks- our skin is usually able to repair itself easily (within a week or so) If a spot, wart or sore isn't able to heal itself after three weeks then please go to your doctor.

*An ulcer in your mouth or on your tongue that has been there more then three weeks- most people get mouth ulcers when they are feeling run down. Usually they are nothing to worry about. Usually the lining of your mouth will renew itself every two weeks so an ulcer won't last much longer then that. However is an ulcer does last long then three weeks please visit your doctor or dentist.

*A cough or croaky voice that lasts longer then three weeks- these are symptoms of a cold. Usually they disappear after a week or so and are not signs of anything serious. But if they do last for longer then three weeks or if they get persistently worse then please do go to your doctor. ESPECIALLY if you are a smoker or have been a smoker.

*Persistent difficulty swallowing- Lots of medical conditions can affect your ability to swallow. If you are having difficulty and it lasts longer then a week or so then you should go to your doctor.

*Indigestion- There are lots of foods, especially fatty or spicy ones that can make you feel uncomfortable after eating them. If this is happening to you a lot or is really painful then it should be checked out.

*Blood in your urine- This should ALWAYS be reported to your doctor. It might not mean cancer but it should always be looked at.

*Problems passing urine- It is common for men to have difficulty passing urine as they get older. You may need to pee more often then you used to and it can sometimes be painful. Usually it is caused by a common condition causing your prostate to enlarge. It it not often cancer but if you are having trouble please visit a doctor. Most women experiencing problems with urine are suffering from an infection but if you need to pass urine more urgently then normal or are in pain whilst doing so, please get yourself checked out.

*Blood in your bowel movements- This is usually caused by piles which is caused by straining when you are going to the toilet. It can also be a sign of cancer so please stay vigilant.

*A change in your bowel movements that lasts longer then six weeks (diarrhoea)- this is usually caused by stomach bugs or food poisoning. If it lasts longer then a few weeks please get yourself to the doctors.

*Unexpected weight loss- It is normal for your weight to fluctuate slightly. However if you are not on a diet but are losing lots of weight please get a check up.

*Heavy night sweats- these are usually brought on by infections and some types of medications. They are also common in women going through the menopause. They can also be caused by some cancers so please take care if you are experiencing them regularly.

*Unexplained pain or ache that lasts longer then four weeks- Pain is our bodies telling us something is not right. Take notice of any pain and if it is persistent or getting worse then go see your doctor as soon as you can.

*Coughing up blood- ALWAYS go to see your doctor as soon as this happens.

Signs of cancer in women specifically:
*An usual change in your breast- lumps are not the only sign of breast cancer. Changes to your breast's appearance, shape or feel are also signs as are changes to the texture of the skin, any redness or changes to your nipples. Pain in your breast is also a sign. If you experience any of these, don't panic but visit your GP ASAP.

*Bleeding from the vagina after the menopause or in between periods- Spotting (bleeding between periods) is common for females taking the contraceptive pill. However if you are bleeding during or after sex, between periods or after going through the menopause then it should be check out straight away.

*Persistent bloating- Bloating is the blight of lots of women's lives. If it happens persistently please have a check up.

Some of these symptoms may seem embarrassing or silly. Don't ever feel embarrassed to see your doctor - they have seen it all and do not judge. Don't ever feel like you're bothering your doctor or wasting a time slot - if you have a concern or symptom, they are there to listen, to check and to reassure. If you are worried or think you may need to see a doctor then please don't deliberate, make the appointment as soon as you can. Early diagnosis saves lives. It also puts your mind at rest if nothing is actually wrong with you.

xxx