.

How many of you have experienced cancer scares? How common are they? How often do they turn out to be mere scares, and nothing else?

Would anyone mind sharing their experiences, for better or for worse? I need some reassurance.

Natsume said:

Well, i've been thinking about it a lot lately. I've had two great uncles die of cancer, my aunt died two years ago of cancer, my mother died this year of cancer, my cousin just was diagnosed with stomach cancer and my aunt has some rare skin cancer.


I'm a tad nervous about this myself.

Rhondab said:

Me too. My grandmother died of multiple myeloma and my grandfather died of lung cancer. My other grandfather managed to beat prostate cancer. My mom is convinced that she's going to die of cancer herself, and somehow I can't reassure her that she's not just being paranoid. They found a lump in my breast this summer - and I'm only 21! - so I'm really afraid I'm going to beat her to the grave. I'm sorry for your losses & heartbreak, rhondab.

Has cancer always been so prominent among humans? Does it seem that everyone has some form of cancer these days just because our new technology has made it easier to detect? Do our current lifestyles contribute more heavily to creating these cancers than it did, say, 50 years ago?

In any case, I second your .

This December marks the one year anniversary of when my husband found a lump in his neck, and the doc told us it was cancer. It turned out not to be, but we went through the biopsy and all with the belief that it was--the doc was convinced, but the biopsy came back clean. He finally got a clean bill of health in June.

I don't know what is going on, but I know orgers helped keep me sane, so if you need anything...lemme know.

Important thing is to get yourself checked out regularly. Sometimes it could be nothing at all, and other times it could be 'additions' or something less serious, albeit which could develop into cancer. If u check regularly u can catch it early.

My wife had a cancer scare for her ovary. Repeated visits to the hospital resulted in a diagnosis of either a liver or stomach infection before eventually someone found what the problem was - some additions on her ovaries. She had one ovary removed and was fine, but we have to get her checked out from time to time. That's the most important thing if u have any inkling u could be at risk.

Natsume said:

I, thank God, haven't had anything like that (yet) but, I know many who have. One of my best friends just had to do in for a D&C because her doctor found growths in her uterus. It turned out to be non-cancerous polyps. I really think that a lot of times these things turn out to be non-cancerous (at least that's been my experience.)

Pam...stay strong

thanks blues, green, apple for your kind words. It's very reassuring to hear these stories, so I know it's not an uncommon occurrence. I guess we humans have a tendency to assume the worst.

Natsume said:

Just look after yourself and get yourself checked out. Truth is, we should all do this a lot more often than we do.

Natsume said:

About four years ago, I went to the doctor to seek treatment for an illness, and she expressed concern about some moles that she noticed. She urged me to visit a dermatologist ASAP and gave me a referral.

The dermatologist (who was also an Indiana University professor of dermatology) identified two moles as possibly being cancerous. While he thought they were probably okay, he felt that removal and biopsies were warranted. At my request, they removed a third mole for cosmetic reasons while I was in the surgery room.

All three moles were biopsied and determined to be non-cancerous. However, one of the suspicious moles turned out to be "atypical." An atypical mole is not cancerous, but having an atypical mole indicates that one is at increased risk for skin cancer.

I've been advised to get a yearly skin exam. While I haven't done it since my surgery (bad Matt, I know), I intend to get one as soon as my new health insurance kicks in next month. Also, I try to be good about using sunscreen, although I confess that I'm usually more motivated by keeping my tattoo looking nice than preventing cancer.

So, to make a long story short, I had a cancer scare, and it turned out okay.

Natsume said:

Pam

Be strong, take care and let us know how you are

Natsume said:

Oh god! Pam!!!! What's happening?

Natsume said:

You're welcome, hon. If you ever need to talk, I have an ear Stay positive.

Natsume said:

Pam me dear, not sure if you got the OrgNote I sent you the other day coz of all the Org maintenance work that's been going on, but reply when you can.

Be brave, be strong and get the correct and necessary analysis done. That's top priority babe. Wishing you the best, take care buddy

Natsume said:

the doctors glove will be soft in your bum.


j/k

paris will

Few pointers to consider to clarify confusion.

1. Cancer scares are much, much more common than cancer itself
2. If you find a lump etc, it is more than likely benign (non cancerous)
3. if it is cancerous then the earlier the better to get it treated - always!
3. Cancer is not one disease it is many diseases so unless the EXACT SAME cancer runs in your family you are not at an increased risk.

I have had my own cancer scare too, testicular cancer is common in young men and that’s why I took it so seriously. Luckily I had it seen very quickly and turned out to be an extremely rare benign tumour. Cool I say - always good to be different But I shit myself, that is natural, even when you know a lot about the subject.

Orgnotes are always open if anybody wants more info or chats.

What can one say... It is the one disease that scares me the most..

I have seen the effects.

Pam, you are so wonderful, and if you need me in anyway I will be right here.

I have a friend who at the age of 19 had cancer. fought it, and won the fight. He's perfectly heslthy today.

My family is very healthy, so I'm hoping it'll stay that way for me too.

I wish you health and long life

~Endless hugs... Pamela. You know of a couple of my exeriences, one being a couple of years ago when my aunt from Glen Ellen lost the battle to cancer.

...

my husband (whom I am no longer with) was diagnosed with testicular cancer as well, although he is doing well today and has passed the five year mark, cancer free.

my job... endless moments exist each and everyday I wake and connect with beautiful souls...

Heartbreaking moments...

my friends... many moments here as well. It is a very active disease... my personal views and beliefs are quite extensive.

Thinking of you...

~Hugs.

cancer is definitely a disease that is on the increase. it doesn;t just affect humans either. plenty of animals have walked through the dorrs where i work having some kind of cancer. it's the most heart breaking thing to see.

however, being as young as you are, the lump in yur breast is most likely not cancer but it's good that you get yourself checked. take care of yourself, natsume. you'll be in my thoughts.

Hey, thanks guys. I was a bit surprised to log on today and see that this thread is still on the first page, nothing else must be going on in org-land lately huh?



I have an appointment for a breast ultrasound on December 6th. Let's hope that I don't receive the shittiest Christmas present ever - cancer! Thanks for your orgnotes, everyone, and your kind words. And your reassurance.

Natsume said:

You'll be fine Pam.

We're all thinking of you.

althom said:

according to your signature, you, kind sir, are a LIAR!

Natsume said:

Oops!

He...he! Just forget about that little thing. I need it for legal resons.

althom said:

Are you being sued for sexual harrassment again??

Natsume said:

Errrr.....what did you hear?

Good luck with the scan Pam, I'm sure it will be fine.