tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77568355400945179282024-02-19T05:51:48.707-08:00Penny's PiecesPennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-7422834623712812452018-01-21T01:45:00.000-08:002018-01-21T01:45:01.609-08:00Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2018<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week in the UK. Cervical cancer is a subject I frequently visit on this blog. This horrific cancer type is preventable through screening. Today's post will go over some things I have mentioned before but I really do think it is a hugely important issue and I hope this blog post persuades at least one woman to book her smear once she's finished reading.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">More then 1/5 women ignore their invitation for screening - possibly because they feel shy, embarrassed or scared. Hopefully this post will persuade you that there is NOTHING to be worried, scared or embarrassed about when it comes to a smear test!</span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Cervix:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cervix is basically the neck of the womb (uterus). It is the opening to the womb from the vagina. The cervix is a very strong muscle which is usually tightly shut but it does open during labour so the baby can come out. The outer surface of the cervix has a layer of cells which are almost skin-like. When these cells become cancerous it is known as squamous cell cervical cancer. There are glandular cells lining the inside of the cervix producing mucus. Cancer of these cells is called adenocarcinoma of the cervix. There is an area of the cervix known as the transformation zone. This is around the opening of the cervix leading onto a narrow passageway that runs into the womb. This zone is where cells are most likely to become cancerous.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Risks and Causes of Cervical Cancer:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Human Pampilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common and biggest cause of cervical cancer. HPV is passed on from person to person via sexual contact. There are many different types of HPV and not all of them cause cervical cancer. One type causes genital warts but not cervical cancer. However other types are considered high risk. These types can lead to cells in the cervix changing and becoming cancerous. Most women who have HPV and develop cervical cancer will have had other infections caused by HPV in the past. However, not every woman with HPV will develop cervical cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Smoking can lead to cervical cancer; women who smoke are more likely to develop this type of cancer then women that do not smoke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Taking the pill can also increase your risk but the reason for this is not yet known</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Women that have bore a large number of children also have a slightly higher risk as are women with a weakened immune system.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smear Tests:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.48px;"><u>Points to Consider:</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">You can have a smear test at several different places:</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* Your GP’s surgery should offer them</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* A family planning clinic</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* A genito-urinary clinic</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* An antenatal clinic</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* A private health clinic</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* Marie Stopes</span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">You are well within your rights to request a female doctor or nurse performs your test but any male doctors will be chaperoned by a female staff member anyway. It is important to state if you require a female at the time of booking your appointment. </span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">A smear test should be scheduled whilst you are in the middle of your menstrual cycle (between periods) as it will be very difficult to see your cervix and get a cell sample whilst you are bleeding.</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.48px;"><u>Age Limits:</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">There are varying age limits for women in the four nations of the UK.</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* Women between the ages of twenty five and sixty four are screened every three to five years in England and Northern Ireland.</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* In Scotland, cervical screening is offered to women aged between twenty and sixty.</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* Wales offers cervical screening to women aged between twenty and sixty four.</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">Research has shown that screening every three years prevents 84/100 cases of cervical cancer that would develop if they weren’t caught by the smears. So getting a smear test every three years is recommended by the NHS up until you are fifty years old. Abnormal cells develop at a much slower rate in women over fifty so screening is recommended after five years for women in that age group. Your local primary care trust will contact you whenever it is time for a screening for you. I cannot stress the importance of attending these appointments enough – it could save you from a battle with cancer.</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.48px;"><u>The Screening Process:</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">Cervical cancer is preventable. This is because pre cancerous cell changes can be picked up before they have a chance to develop. A cervical cancer screening test is known as a smear test. This involves a doctor or a nurse using a speculum to take a small sample of cells from the surface of your cervix. It sounds horrific and it can be very uncomfortable but I am going to try and explain it as clearly as I can!</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">You will need to take off your underwear and lie back on the couch/bed. Being as relaxed as you possibly can be will make the procedure less uncomfortable. </span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">Occasionally, the person doing the test will perform a vaginal examination first. This means they will place two gloved fingers inside your vagina to make sure your womb is in the correct position and that it feels like it’s a normal size. They will use their other hand to press down on your abdomen and gently feel your womb.</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">Then comes the actual smear test: The speculum is placed inside your vagina and has two arms which are used to spread the sides of your vagina apart so the cervix can be clearly seen. A small brush is then inserted and used scraped along the surface of your cervix to collect a sample of your cells. The brush and the cells are then sent to a lab in a pot of liquid and examined under a microscope. Any abnormal cells are reported and further investigation on these cells will be needed. </span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.48px;"><u>The Results:</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">The important thing to remember with smear tests results is: DON’T PANIC!!! Cancer is not the only cause of abnormal cells or an abnormal result. Sometimes you may be asked to go back for a repeat test, again don’t panic, it could be because:</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* You were on your period and the blood meant your cells weren’t visible enough</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* Your cervix was inflamed and the cells weren’t visible enough</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* An infection was blocking the view of the cells</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">* There were not enough cells collected in the first test</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">You may also be told that your test was borderline. This means cell changes have been noted but they were so very close to normal that they are probably nothing to worry yourself about and they will probably return to normal by themselves. You may be asked to go back and have another test in a few months to monitor the situation. You may also be offered a HPV test as HPV is a cause of cervical cancer. If you do test positive for HPV then you will probably been sent for more tests, including a colposcopy to monitor your cervix and the cell changes.</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">Cervical erosion can be picked up by smear tests. This is not cervical cancer. This means the glandular cells which are normally found inside your cervical canal are now visible on the surface of your cervix and it can be inflamed. This is a common condition for teenage girls, pregnant women and women on the pill. It can make you bleed slightly but it usually goes away by itself with no need for treatment.</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.48px;"><u>Abnormal Tests Results:</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">Abnormal results are usually reported like this:</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.48px;">Mild Dyskaryosis or CIN 1(mild or slight cell changes)</b><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">If you are told that you have mild cell changes then you will probably be told to get a colposcopy straight away or to wait and have another smear in six months. Sometimes mild cell changes will go back to normal by themselves but it is important to monitor them and go back for any tests advised by your medical team. If a second test shows abnormal cells then a colposcopy is definitely needed to assess the situation. </span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.48px;">Moderate Dyskaryosis or CIN 2 (moderate cell changes)</b><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">Treatment will be needed if you have moderate cell changes but you only usually need it once. Then you will have follow up tests to monitor the cells in your cervix. If you have successful treatment after an abnormal smear and carry on having regular smears then you are unlikely to get cervical cancer. If you do not have treatment then you are at real risk of developing cervical cancer</span><span style="line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.48px;"><u>Severe Dyskaryosis or CIN 3 (severe cell changes)</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">This is also sometimes known as carcinoma in situ (CIS) which sounds like cancer but it isn’t. This means some cells in your cervix look cancerous but are all found in the skin layer which covers your cervix. It won’t be “true” cancer until it breaks through the layer and starts to spread into the surrounding tissue. Urgent treatment is needed for this kind of smear result but if it is moved ASAP then cancer can be prevented.</span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">All these results mean the cells found are pre cancerous meaning if they are left to go untreated, they could develop into cancer of the cervix. <b>YOU DO NOT HAVE CERVICAL CANCER IF YOU ARE TOLD YOU HAVE ABNORMAL CELLS.</b></span><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.48px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.48px;">9/10 smears come back normal. 1/20 shows a borderline or mild cell change. Most of the time these cells will return to normal by themselves. 1/100 shows moderate cell changes whilst 1/200 show severe changes. Less than 1/1000 shows cancer. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You don’t have to be over the age of twenty five to develop cervical cancer; some younger women do develop it as well. However, in the UK, smear tests are not encouraged until twenty five because your cervix is still developing in your teens and early twenties. This means the likelihood of you getting an abnormal result is more common but usually nothing to worry about. After Jade Goody’s horrifically young death, a campaign was launched to lower the smear test age limit but medical professionals do not agree with this. If you are under twenty five and are concerned about your cervical cancer risk – please do speak to your GP and get some advice. A private gynaecologist may allow you to have a smear test but it would depend on your individual circumstances.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PLEASE DO NOT BE SCARED TO HAVE A SMEAR TEST – THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNLADYLIKE BUT THEY DO SAVE LIVES! A FEW MINUTES OF DISCOMFORT IS BETTER THEN A BATTLE WITH CERVICAL CANCER!!!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is also important to note that an abnormal smear result does not mean you have cervical cancer. If you are contacted and told your test was abnormal then please do not ignore it, go and see what your doctors have to say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Symptoms</u></b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I start listing the symptoms, please note that pre cancerous cells do not produce symptoms. This means having a smear test is hugely important – you can catch the cancer before it even develops. It is also important to know that the following symptoms do not instantly mean you have cervical cancer but it is important to go to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Bleeding between periods</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Bleeding during or after sex</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Bleeding at any time after the menopause</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Discomfort or pain during sex</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Treating Abnormal Cells</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should you receive your smear test reveal abnormal cells then it is hugely important that you have treatment. Don't ignore the letter, although I'm sure you'll be terrified. Ask questions, speak to your doctor, seek support from your loved ones but please please please get yourself treated as soon as possible. These cells need to be sorted before they develop into cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are quite a few different ways to treat abnormal cervical cells. I’ll try to explain the various types of treatment here today. It’s important to remember that treatment is decided based on the type of cells, your own body and the stage the cells are at. If you do have abnormal cells then it is vital to get them treated as soon as you possibly can. Treatment will destroy the abnormal cells before they can become cancerous.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>First Steps:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have mild cell changes then you may be told to wait six months and have a repeat test. This is because mild cell changes usually sort themselves out. If you have moderate to severe cell changes then you will probably be referred to your local hospital for a colposcopy. This is an outpatient procedure and it is basically a close examination of your cervix which doesn’t actually go inside your vagina. The doctor or nurse specialist uses something like a magnifying glass to look at the cells on your cervix in more detail and takes a biopsy to send to the lab for further examination.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Types of Treatment:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Laser Therapy (Laser Ablation): </b>some cells can be burned away by a laser in an outpatient procedure. For this kind of treatment you will lie on a bed with your legs in stirrups whilst a doctor places a speculum into your vagina to hold it open whilst they point a laser beam at the abnormal areas. You will be given local anaesthetic to numb the area and prevent pain. The laser is a very strong and hot beam of light and it burns away the abnormal cells. This can cause a slight burning smell whist you are having the treatment but that just means the laser is working so try not to worry. You should be able to go home as soon as the treatment is finished. You may experience period type pains but they should go away with the normal paracetamol or ibuprofen and some bed rest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cold Coagulation:</b> This name is a little misleading as the treatment isn’t cold at all! You lie on a bed with your legs in stirrups whilst a doctor inserts a speculum to hold your vagina open. A hot probe is then used to burn away the abnormal cells. You shouldn’t be able to feel the probe but it can cause some period type pains which should go away a few hours after the treatment has finished.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cryotherapy:</b> This is basically cold coagulation but with a cold probe instead of a hot one. The cold probe freezes the abnormal cells. The procedure is exactly the same as the cold coagulation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Diathermy:</b> This is done under local anaesthetic. An electronic current is used to cut away the tissue that contains the abnormal cells. It is a fairly quick procedure and it usually done as an outpatient case which means you should be able to go home afterwards. It can cause bleeding or discharge for about four weeks after the treatment but sanitary towels will have to be used as tampons have to be avoided for four weeks. Sex must also be avoided for four weeks following a diathermy procedure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cone Biopsy:</b> This is a minor operation that can be used to diagnose cervical cancer or to treat abnormal cells. The entire area containing possible abnormal cells is removed. It is called a cone biopsy because a cone shaped area of tissue is removed from the cervix. This is called the transformation zone. This can be done under general or local anaesthetic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hysterectomy</b>: If you are past menopause, or have had all your children, then your doctor may suggest removing your uterus. This is usually suggested if you have had abnormal cells more then once or if the cells are severely abnormal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These treatments do sound rather uncomfortable and scary but it is massively important to have abnormal cells treated to prevent them developing into cervical cancer. Please do remember to book yourself in for a smear if you are due one. As I’ve said before, a little discomfort is nothing compared to a battle with cervical cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are worried about HPV or cervical cancer then please contact your GP or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org for more information. If you are reading this and you are above twenty five but haven’t had a smear test for a few years, please book one ASAP. Too many women die from cervical cancer and knowing it is preventable makes their deaths even more tragic. Please don’t put your health at risk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is also known as Jo’s Trust and it is the only UK based charity to focus solely on women that have been affected by cervical cancer and their families. They also help women dealing with cervical abnormalities. They aim to offer information, advice, friendship and support to these women, regardless of their age and status. They also try to educate women on the importance of cervical screening and to provide support for the women that have abnormal screening results or ladies that have a cervical cancer diagnosis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jo’s Trust has a mission: “Our mission is to see cervical cancer prevented, reduce the impact for everyone affected by cervical abnormalities."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trust provides support groups, allowing women to come together, bond and share experiences. They also have a helpline to provide support, they have an online forum for people to come together in the comfort of their own home and a yearly meeting for women to get together and enjoy themselves. They also provide many helpful information leaflets which can be found on their website.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jo’s Trust is a fabulous charity which does amazing things for women in the UK. I wholeheartedly agree with their mission and their core values and I would love to see them succeed and help make cervical cancer a thing of the past. Please do check out their website and find out ways to help them achieve their goals. You can also find them on twitter @JosTrust</span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-39244226427820656052017-10-12T08:58:00.001-07:002018-01-12T11:33:22.301-08:00Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so I wanted to use this blog post to raise awareness. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and I know many women (and men) that have suffered from this cancer type. This post is dedicated to all my friends that have been affected by breast cancer in some way. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Whilst I may reference women in this post, it is hugely important that men be aware that they can also develop breast cancer. It appears to be a taboo subject but I personally know a man that was diagnosed with breast cancer and it is very important for men to also be aware to check for lumps.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>The Breast:</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breast Cancer Symptoms:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A change to the size or shape of one or both breasts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nipple discharge</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lump in your armpit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dimpling on the skin of your breasts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A rash on or around your nipples</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A change in how your nipple looks (for example it can become sunken or invert into your breast)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A pain in your breast or armpit that is not period related</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is hugely important to know what is normal for your breasts so I fully encourage everyone to regularly feel their breasts. Just after a shower is probably the best time. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>KNOW YOUR BOOBS LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!</u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Types of Breast Cancer:</u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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%)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This cancer will have started in the cells lining the breast ducts and it will have spread into the surrounding breast tissue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inflammatory Breast Cancer</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chemotherapy is usually the first form of treatment and that is normally followed by surgery. Radiotherapy may also be an option.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mammograms - Screening for Breast Cancer</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The NHS Breast Screening Programme means women aged between fifty and seventy are invited for breast screening every three years in the UK. Each country within the UK has their own guidelines and screening programme but the age limits in the UK have been extended to cover women between forty seven and seventy seven whilst Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have stuck with the original age guidelines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The aim of the programme is to discover breast cancer at an early stage to give sufferers a much better chance of survival. As I mention a lot – <b><span style="color: red;">CANCER IS EASIER TO TREAT THE EARLIER IT IS DIAGNOSED.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Women at high risk of developing breast cancer or women that have discovered lumps or breast changes may also be invited to take part in the screening programme.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is a Mammogram?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A mammogram is an x-ray of breast tissue and is used to identify early breast cancer. You have to remove all clothing on your upper body, including your bra to have a mammogram and are positioned so that both breasts are x-rayed individually. This means your breasts are gently squashed with a clear, flat plastic plate. This means you can get a clear picture whilst having a minimal amount of radiation. It can be uncomfortable but it doesn’t take very long. Most radiographers aim for two mammograms, at different angles, for both breasts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new technique is currently being introduced. This is known as digital mammogram and this uses computer imaging. This new technique has been shown to be better at picking up breast cancer in younger women and those with denser breast tissue.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some Important Facts about Mammograms:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Mammograms do not prevent cancer but they can discover a cancer that has already developed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Mammograms can be uncomfortable but this does not usually last long. Some women may be a little sore afterwards</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Mammograms involve x-rays which mean you will be exposed to a small amount of radiation, although it is not likely to be a harmful amount and as you only need a mammogram every three years it is unlikely to have a large effect in the long run.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Can sometimes produce false positives which can cause a huge amount of unnecessary worry. Sometimes mammograms pick up on an abnormal area in the breast which later proves to be non cancerous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Occasionally mammograms need to be repeated due to blurry images, equipment failure or parts of the breast being missed by the original images.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Mammograms are the most effective way of detecting early breast cancer but it is not 100% accurate at all times. Sometimes cancers are too small to be detected on a mammogram or the person reading it may miss a cancer, although this risk is reduced by having at least two people check the mammogram</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Women taking part of the programme may still develop breast cancer between mammograms. This is called interval cancer and the patient will have a mammogram done at the time of diagnosis so it can be compared to previous ones to notice any patterns. It is important to note that cure rates for women with interval cancer are a lot better then those for women that have never had screening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breast screening is hugely important, especially for women in the age group mentioned above as well as those at high risk of developing breast cancer. If you receive an invitation for a mammogram then please do have one! If you are worried about it then you should talk to your GP or nurse as soon as you can. A mammogram can save your life!</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is a Mastectomy?</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A mastectomy is the removal of a whole breast. There are five different types of mastectomy:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Simple or Total Mastectomy </b>- This concentrates on the breast tissue itself. The surgeon removes the entire breast but does not usually remove the lymph nodes located in the armpit (although this can happen occasionally if the lymph nodes are found in the breast tissue during the surgery). No muscles are removed from underneath the breast during this type of mastectomy.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A SIMPLE OR TOTAL MASTECTOMY IS USUALLY APPROPRIATE FOR WOMEN WITH LARGE AREAS OF DCIS OR MULTIPLE DCIS. IT IS USUALLY APPROPRIATE FOR WOMEN SEEKING PREVENTATIVE MASTECTOMIES.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Modified Radical Mastectomy </b>– This involves removal of both the breast tissue and lymph nodes. The entire breast is removed by the surgeon and an axillary lymph node dissection is performed to remove level I and II of the lymph nodes in your armpit. No muscles from underneath the breast are removed.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PEOPLE WITH INVASIVE BREAST CANCER MAY HAVE A MODIFIED RADICAL MASTECTOMY SO THAT THEIR LYMPH NODES CAN BE EXAMINED AS THIS WILL ALLOW THE SPECIALIST TO DETERMINE IF THE CANCER HAS SPREAD BEYOND THE BREAST.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Radical Mastectomy </b>– This is the most extensive type of mastectomy and involves removing the entire breast, level I, I</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I and III of the armpit lymph nodes and the chest wall muscles found under the breast.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">RADICAL MASTECTOMIES ARE ONLY RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE WHOSE BREAST CANCER HAS SPREAD TO THE MUSCLES UNDER THE BREAST. THIS USED TO BE A VERY COMMON TYPE OF MASTECTOMY BUT THE MODIFIED VERSION HAS PROVED TO BE JUST AS EFFECTIVE BUT FAR LESS DISFIGURING.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Partial Mastectomy</b> – This involves removing the cancerous part of the breast tissue and normal margins of healthy tissue around it. This is kind of like a lumpectomy, although more tissue is removed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Subcutaneous Mastectomy (Nipple Sparing) </b>– This is seen as a controversial option by some specialists as all of the breast tissue is removed but the nipple is not touched and as some tissue could be left behind and develop into cancer. It can cause distortion or numbness in the nipple.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reasons to Have a Mastectomy:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A mastectomy is a huge surgical procedure with lifelong repercussions so it isn’t for everyone. It could be the best way forward for you if you fit any of the following criteria:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*If your tumour is over 5cm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*If your breast is small and a lumpectomy would leave very little scar tissue</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*If you have already undergone multiple lumpectomies to try and remove a tumour and have been unable to obtain clear margins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*If a lumpectomy and radiation is not an option for you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*If you believe total removal of breast tissue would give you better peace of mind then a lumpectomy</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Breast Reconstruction Surgery:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It may be possible for you to have your breasts reconstructed during the same surgical procedure as the mastectomy. This is known as immediate reconstruction. An advantage of this may be sparing yourself the trauma of having an empty space where your breast used to be. However, the decision to reconstruct your breast on top of having a mastectomy may be too much emotionally and physically so you may also wait months or years to have your reconstructive surgery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are many different techniques available for breast reconstruction, including inserting an implant or tissue from another body part.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You Are Not Alone:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lots of people have been through this procedure, some for preventative reasons and others because they have had breast cancer. In recent years celebrities such as Sharon Osbourne, Michelle Heaton, Giuliana Rancic and Christina Applegate have all had mastectomies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are a breast cancer survivor, are currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer, are supporting a loved one or have lost someone you love then I'm sending you lots of love and dedicating this rather long post to you all xxxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are worried about breast cancer then please do visit www.cancerresearchuk.org or make an appointment to speak with your GP ASAP.</span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-75920217339125600952017-09-02T23:55:00.001-07:002017-09-02T23:55:17.519-07:00Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the UK. I don’t think I need to mention why this cause is so close to my heart but I do feel it is important to get the facts and figures out there for people to see. So here are some facts about childhood cancer for you:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cancers seen in children are usually very different to those seen in adults and “childhood” refers to any child aged between birth and fourteen years old.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are twelve main types of childhood cancer:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Leukaemia<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Soft Tissue Sarcomas<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Kidney Tumours<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Bone Tumours (Like the one Georgie had)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Carcinomas and Melanomas<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Retinoblastomas<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Gonadal and Germ Cell Tumours<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Liver Tumours<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Sympathetic Nervous System Tumours<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Other and Unspecified Tumours<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Childhood cancer is quite rare and makes up 5% of all cancers. Around 1,600 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every year, which roughly works out at thirty one children per week. Around one in every five hundred children in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The UK’s childhood cancer rates are amongst the lowest in Europe, with Northen Europe having the highest incidence rate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leukeamia is the most common childhood cancer. Two thirds of all childhood cancers are leukeamia, brain and CNS tumours and lymphomas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Surviving Childhood Cancer:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More children then ever are surviving cancer. The survival rate has doubled since the 1960’s and at least 5,600 MORE children now survive for more then five years after diagnosis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around 33,000 people in the UK have survived a type of childhood cancer and almost three quarters of children with cancer can now be cured of the disease.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For every ten childhood cancer sufferers – eight will now survive for more then five years after their diagnosis:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Nearly all children diagnosed with retinoblastoma are cured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Survival rates for Hepatoblastoma have doubled since the 1960’s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Around six out of ten children diagnosed with neuroblastoma are cured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Eight out of ten children with kidney cancer survive the disease.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Rhabdomyosarcoma survival rates have doubled since the 1970’s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Childhood cancer deaths:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cancer is the UK’s leading cause of death (from disease) in children aged up to fourteen. A fifth of all childhood deaths are down to cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brain and CNS tumours are the most common fatal type of childhood cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around two hundred and fifty children die from cancer every year in the UK.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Childhood cancer death rates have halved since the 1960’s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Causes of Childhood Cancer:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We don’t know much about what causes childhood cancers but there are several things we do know:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Rare genetic syndromes such as Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (what Georgie had) can greatly increase a child’s risk of developing cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Children with Down ’s syndrome have a greater risk of developing leukaemia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*2/5 retinoblastomas are linked to a faulty gene that has been inherited.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Children that have had radiotherapy or chemotherapy in the past are at greater risk of developing a second cancer (As Georgie did)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having watched a loved one fight childhood cancer, my heart breaks for every family going through the same thing. Sending lots of love to all the incredible children out there fighting cancer. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will be doing more posts throughout the month to highlight childhood cancer. I will also be doing some blogs for Children with Cancer UK so look out for those too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">My aunt has written a book about Georgie and his story as a childhood cancer sufferer. I will warn you it is a difficult read, but it does give insight into life as a family affected by this horrific disease. If you would like to read it, the book is available on Amazon: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-George-Irene-Kappes/dp/1502741482/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1504421560&sr=1-1&keywords=For+the+love+of+George">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-George-Irene-Kappes/dp/1502741482/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1504421560&sr=1-1&keywords=For+the+love+of+George</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A percentage of all sales goes to the George Pantizarka TP53 Trust, the charity founded by my family in Georgie's memory.</span></span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-91119765309336652052017-08-08T05:28:00.006-07:002017-08-08T05:28:49.192-07:00Cancer Research UK Annual Review 2016/2017 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
is one of my favourite blogs to do every year!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">A frequent question myself and other CRUK
volunteers are asked is "where does my donation go?" People are aware
that millions are donated every year but many aren't aware of what these funds
are spent on. CRUK have released their annual review and, as usual, I'm going
to break it down so that people can see where the money is going.</span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><span style="color: red;"><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Let me first explain
that 80p of every £1 donated is spent on research. That is a huge amount and
probably one of the best in the third sector. The other 20p is used to
raise funds for the future</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let
me first point out that CRUK does not receive any government funding for their
research. Government funds for medical research are spent via the Medical
Research Council and National Institue for Health Research. CRUK is an
independent medical research charity so the money spent on our research is all
generated by our supporters. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">£647 Million was raised by CRUK
Supporters between April 2016 and March 2017:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*£187 Million was raised by legacies (People leaving money in their
wills)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*£190 Million was raised by regular donations (there are over 1 million
people making regular donations)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*£102 Million was raised by trading (the CRUK shops)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*£65 Million was raised by over 600,000 people taking part in events
(for example Race for Life, Shine, Dryathlon etc…..)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*92 Million was raised by Royalties and Grants (Royalties = generated
from treatments developed by CRUK, Grants = received by CRUK institutes)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*11Million was raised in other forms – i.e. investments and rental
income from the lease of a lab.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">9/10 donations are less
than £10 which goes to show that every penny really does count and giving what
you can afford, even if it isn’t a lot, really can make a huge difference.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">£432 Million was spent on Research
between April 2016 and March 2017:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*112
Million was spent on researching the biology of cancer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*43
Million was spent on lung cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*35
Million was spent on bowel cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*33
Million was spent on breast cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*22
Million was spent on prostate cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*18
Million was spent on leukaemia cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*17
Million was spent on pancreatic cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*13
Million was spent on brain cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*13
Million was spent on ovarian cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*13
Million was spent on over 100 cancers including stomach and testicular<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*12
Million was spent on oesophageal cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*12
Million was spent on melanoma research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*9
Million was spent on non Hodgkin lymphoma research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*5
Million was spent on sarcoma research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*4
Million was spent on liver cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*4
Million was spent on myeloma research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*4
Million was spent on bladder cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*4
Million was spent on kidney cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*4
Million was spent on neuroblastoma research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*3
Million was spent on cervical cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*3
Million was spent on skin cancer (excluding melanoma) research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*3
Million was spent on pharyngeal cancer research<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If
you are upset or concerned that not enough is being spent on a particular
cancer type, please be reassured that the National Cancer Research Institute
(NCRI) is there to spread research throughout it’s partners and make sure
research is not being duplicated by charities – so a cancer type particularly
close to your heart may be receiving more research from another charity partner
within the NCRI.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rest of the CRUK funds for this
financial year were spent like this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*41 Million
was spent on information and policy work such as early diagnosis, prevention,
campaigning, communicating health messages and engaging patients, the public
and health professionals<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*108
Million was spent on fundraising such as marketing to engage new supporters and
developing new ways to fundraise<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*85
Million was spent on trading costs such as stock, rent, electricity and
salaries for CRUK shops and their managers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Improving Fundraising:<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It
is important to note that since July 2017 CRUK has become an opt in charity,
which means supporters are asked if they wish to give the charity permission to
contact them before asking for more support – if you choose to not give
permission then you will not receive any marketing or fundraising requests from
the charity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Key Stats:<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*over
40,000 volunteers (like me!) gave millions of hours to the charity during the
last year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*12,000
queries were answered by the Helpline nurses<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*220
clinical trials were supported by CRUK across the UK<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*12,000
face to face engagements with healthcare organisations took place during the
year.4<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*2.6
Million read the CRUK science blog<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*15.7
Million pounds were raised during the third Stand Up To Cancer TV show.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*770
People (like me!) joined the Patient Involvement Network to help improve CRUK’s
work<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*116
PHD students started working for CRUK this year<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to know more specific information,
including the successes the charity had during this financial year, please
check the annual review, which is available to download on the CRUK website.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A huge thank you to everyone that supports CRUK every year –
we are making progress!!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-15682739007623135492017-07-15T00:20:00.002-07:002017-07-15T00:20:41.639-07:00Cancer Types – Neuroblastoma<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think most people have heard of Bradley Lowery by now, but
just in case you haven’t, he was a young boy who touched the nation’s hearts as
a young football fan stricken by a rare childhood cancer. He united the football
world with “cancer has no colours” as many tried to create lovely experiences
and memories for him during the last few months of his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly Bradley passed away on Friday 7<sup>th</sup> July 2017
at the age of six. Like so many other people across the UK, I have been touched
by Bradley’s cheeky smile and he has inspired me to restart this blog. Today’s
post is dedicated to this wonderful boy and his family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is Neuroblastoma?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Neuroblastoma
is a rare childhood cancer, mostly affecting children under the age of five. In
the UK there are around one hundred cases diagnosed per year. It is rarely seen
in older children, teenagers or adults. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Neuroblastoma
gets its name from the nerve cells it develops in – neuroblasts:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> *neuro = nerves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> *blast = early developed cells<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> *oma = tumour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Neuroblastoma
usually starts in the abdomen – in the adrenal glands or the nerve tissue found
at the back of the abdomen. As with many cancers, it spreads to other parts of
the body such as bones, liver and skin via the blood and lymphatic system. This
is usually found in half of neuroblastoma sufferers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Causes of Neuroblastoma:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately
not much is known about the causes of this cancer type at present, although
research is being carried out. Around 1/100 cases will find a family history of
this cancer type but this is very rare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Symptoms
of Neuroblastoma:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Symptoms for
this cancer type, like most of them, will depend on which part of the body the
cancer has started in. If the cancer has already spread then symptoms may
appear in more than one place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As
neuroblastoma usually develops in the abdomen the most common symptom is a lump
in the tummy, which can cause the child’s stomach to swell and cause discomfort
and pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the
occasion that it affects the spinal cord it can cause numbness and loss of
movement in the lower body, as well as weakness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On rare
occasions it can appear as a lump in the neck and can cause breathlessness or
difficulty swallowing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Neuroblastoma
tumours usually spread to the bones which can cause pain and swelling as well
as difficulty walking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any of these
symptoms should be urgently investigated by a doctor. It is hugely important
that any lumps found in children, especially those in the abdomen, are referred
to a specialist within 2 days of being presented at A&E or to your GP. If
you are concerned by symptoms found in your child, please push your medical
professional for an urgent referral.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Diagnosing Neuroblastoma:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As with most
cancers, there are a variety of tests which can be used to diagnose the cancer
as well as determine its stage. These tests are not normally painful but some
may require sedation, especially for young children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tests could
include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Blood tests<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Chest X Ray<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*CT, MRI or
Bone Scans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*A biopsy or
bone marrow biopsy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Urine tests<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*MIBG –this is
a particular scan to diagnose neuroblastoma as they absorb a substance called
MIBG. The doctor will attached a small amount of radioactive iodine to MIBG and
inject it into the bloodstream. The neuroblastoma cells pick up the MIBG and
the iodine shows up on the scan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Treating Neuroblastoma:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As with all
cancers, treatment for neuroblastoma is dependent on the stage of the tumour,
and the risk group of the patient – i.e. how likely is the cancer to return at
a later date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most
common treatment for this cancer type are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<b>Surgery</b> – the surgeon will try to remove
the whole tumour, or as much as possible. If the tumour hasn’t spread then
surgery may be the only treatment required, providing the surgeon is able to
get the whole tumour and clear margins around it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<b>Chemotherapy </b>– This can be used to kill
the cancer cells. Doctors may use two or three different types of chemo. The
main side effects will include tiredness, hair loss, nausea and an increased
infection risk. A central line will be inserted for the child to receive the
chemo and will be kept in place for the duration of their treatment. We used to
call Georgie’s his wiggly when he was little. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<b>Radiotherapy</b> – Children with advanced
neuroblastoma may require targeted radiotherapy, which is similar to the MIBG
process I explained above. However, children needing this may require a stem
cell transplant as the dose of radioactive iodine may damage the bone
marrow. A stem cell transplant is done
by doctors who collect some blood stem cells from the patient before treatment
and store them until the child is ready to have them injected back into their
body after treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<b>Immunotherapy - </b>This is a type of drug
treatment used to help the immune system kill cancer cells. It’s a biological
therapy which is often used if there is a high risk of the child developing
neuroblastoma again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recurrent
neuroblastoma (where the disease had been treated previously but has returned)
depends on a number of factors. This can be treated the same way it was treated
previously but usually the treatment is much more intense and will include a
number of the treatments mentioned above. Clinical trial treatments may also be
offered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long Term Effects of Neuroblastoma:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your
specialist should talk to you about the possible long term effects of cancer on
your child. As treatments improve these effects are lessening but they are
still there. The risks include fertility issues, hearing problems, changes in
the heart and kidneys, growth problems and the risk of developing a second
cancer. Childhood cancer sufferers should be closely monitored as they grow up
and should have access to doctors and information regarding these effects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Research is being conducted into various issues surrounding
this cancer type, including causes, diagnosis and improving treatments for it.
It is a particularly cruel cancer as it affects young children and a lot of
work is being put into trying to find out more about it to improve survival
rates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obviously, your child being diagnosed with cancer is
unimaginable and truly horrific. Should you be concerned then there are people
that can help:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Neuroblastoma
Society </b>is run by parents and grandparents of neuroblastoma sufferers and
they have a befriending scheme for affected families. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Children’s Cancer
and Leukaemia Group (CCLG)</b> produces booklets for parents and siblings of
childhood cancer sufferers which can be incredibly helpful. I have very dear
friends that are part of this group and can personally vouch for their dedication
and knowledge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can also contact the <b>Cancer Research UK information nurses </b>on 0808 800 4040 between 9am
and 5pm Monday to Friday. They can offer advice on what support is available.
This is a Freephone number.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regular readers of this blog will know that childhood cancer
is something my family has been affected by, and a subject very close to my
heart. I send lots of love and good wishes to all sufferers and their families.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-33093177908479818632017-06-01T22:37:00.001-07:002017-06-01T22:37:41.531-07:00Volunteers Week 2017 - Why You Should Consider Volunteering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The greatest gift you can give is your time because when you give your time you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In October 2017 I will be marking seven years as a volunteer for Cancer Research UK. In that time I have been part of some incredible things and have had some of my proudest moments. But the defining part of my life as a volunteer is the amazing people I have been able to meet and get to know. The people I now call my friends. The people I call my volunteer family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's no secret to those that know me that volunteering for Cancer Research UK is one of my favourite aspects of my life. I meet incredible people and do incredible things on a weekly basis. I am challenged, I am inspired and I am frequently left in awe of the people I get to meet. I openly admit that if I ever won a significant amount of money I would leave full time employment and volunteer for the charity on a full time basis.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The charity have tens of thousands of volunteers. Most of them are like me; willing to donate large portions of their spare time to the cause we believe in. My spare time is precious, I don't have a lot of it. I genuinely have to believe in something and really want to do it if I'm going to drag myself away from the sofa to do it. Whenever I meet a new volunteer and they ask for tips I always say the same thing "once you've volunteered for one thing, you'll become slightly obsessed and find yourself volunteering more and more" that is true. I started out as just an ambassador. Now I volunteer to help at events like Race for Life, I've spoken at volunteers conferences and various other things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first started volunteering my mum was really worried. I have been surrounded by cancer for almost my whole life. I’ve lost many people. I’ve experienced much sadness and loss at the hands of cancer. She couldn’t understand why I would want to be associated with the subject in such a full on sort of way. At first I couldn’t understand why but gradually I came to realise that my mum was worried that I would develop attachments to people who would eventually pass away and make the hole in my heart caused by all the loss even bigger. The truth is my mum was right about this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had known Dawn Green for many many years. There are not enough words to describe how wonderful this lady was. In 2008 Dawn was diagnosed with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pseudomyxoma Peritonei is a very rare type of cancer that usually begins in your appendix as a small growth, called a polyp. Or, more rarely, it can start in other parts of the bowel, the ovary or bladder. This polyp eventually spreads through the wall of your appendix and spreads cancerous cells to the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). These cancerous cells produce mucus, which collects in the abdomen as a jelly like fluid called mucin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dawn was given just three months to live and the cancer was so rare that her doctors didn’t know much about it at all. Whilst fighting the disease Dawn noticed a distinct lack of emotional support for people fighting this form of cancer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dawn decided to set up a charity to help others in her situation. Pseudomyxoma Survivor aims to provide emotional support for anyone dealing with this type of cancer and to prevent anyone feeling alone or isolated during their fight against the disease.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dawn put PMP on the map. She worked tirelessly for those suffering. She raised money, she raised awareness, she helped everyone she could across the world. How she did it I will never know as most of the time she was struggling to survive the illness herself. She had major major operations and each time I held my breath waiting for the news that she hadn’t made it. But she defied the odds time and time again. I got used to this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dawn was a funny, kind, crazy, caring, interesting woman. She was a mum with so much fierce love for her two girls and her dog. She was an amazing friend. She was simply one of the best, and most inspirational, people I ever had the honour of meeting. The world is emptier without her. A sadder place. There is definitely a hole without Dawn for many people, myself included. I really hope she is at peace and reunited with her beloved Dad now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yes, my mum was right; my heart is at risk of more sadness by being involved with Cancer Research UK. But I really wouldn’t have it any other way. The people I have met are my friends, they provide me with inspiration. They look out for me. They make me laugh. They make me want to do more to help others. They hold a very special place in my heart. For Dawn we will keep on at Cancer and we will carry on helping others just like she did, hopefully with the same humour, passion and kindness she displayed to those that knew and loved her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've ever considered donating some time to a cause then I can hand on heart recommend Cancer Research UK. The charity hugely appreciates their volunteers and go out of their way to make you feel informed, inspired and important. You'll meet people who will hopefully become good friends and you'll come away feeling like you've really made a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many ways to volunteer:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Cancer Campaigns Ambassador</u></b> - We ambassadors are a group of passionate supporters working hard to help CRUK effectively influence politicians, engage the local media in their campaigns and try to help them save lives. Our stories, experiences and passion have become one of CRUK’s most powerful campaigning tools and are vital part of their work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an ambassador the activities are varied and interesting:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Communication with local politicians and parliamentary representatives; flagging up our campaign issues and persuading them to back us and take positive action on our behalf.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Engaging with our local and regional press; securing coverage for our campaigns and raising awareness in our local area.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Lobbying for specific cancer related campaigns.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cannot find words big enough to describe how amazing I find my fellow ambassadors. We have formed a close group and we support, encourage and work together to make a real difference. It is a true honour to count myself as part of this inspiring group of people. If this sounds like something you might be interested in then I can promise you would be welcomed with open arms :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Volunteering at an event</u>- </b>I have volunteered at Race for Life a few times and it was brilliant. The atmosphere is always buzzing and the people I meet are infectious in their enthusiasm. There is also Shine, as well as Relay for Life and various other events such as marathons etc... These volunteer roles are perfect if you don't fancy partaking in a sports event but would like to be part of the atmosphere and support those taking part.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Volunteering in a shop</u></b>- I'm really keen to get my grandad volunteering in one of the CRUK shops as I worry about him getting bored at home now he's retired. I've never met a CRUK shop volunteer who wasn't friendly, helpful and chatty. They are lovely people. This type of role would be perfect if you have a few hours to kill during the working day and would like to get yourself out of the house for a few hours! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the types of volunteering positions available with the charity. For more information you should take a look here: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/volunteer/help-at-an-event</span><br />
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-43131827834450137462016-12-18T08:31:00.003-08:002016-12-18T08:31:53.472-08:00Cancer Treatments - Tamoxifen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello everyone,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post is dedicated to Anna, a very lovely and brave lady currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Her Instragram posts are among my favourites because they are always so positive, even when she isn't feeling it. I hope you have a lovely Christmas with your famiy, Anna, and I hope 2017 brings you better health and lots of happiness.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>What is Tamoxifen?</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tamoxifen is a hormone therapy used to treat breast cancer both before and after the menopause. It can also be used to treat other cancer types but the research I looked into focused on breast cancer, as with this post.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>How It Works:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many types of breast cancer are hormone sensitive and are stimulated by oestrogen and progesterone and Tamoxifen is usually prescribed for women with these types of breast cancer as their cancer cells have oestrogen recepters. The receptor is part of the breast cancer cell and the oestrogen attaches itself to this and stimulates the cell, causing it to divide and grow. Tamoxifen blocks this receptor. It also lowers the risk of the cancer returning after surgery as well as lowers the risk of the cancer developing in the other breast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Male breast cancer is rare but it can also be treated with Tamoxifen if the same receptors are found</span>.</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Treatment with Tamoxifen:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tamoxifen can either be prescribed as a liquid or tablet and is taken daily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Common Side Effects:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Hot Flushes and Sweats – these affect around 45% of women taking Tamoxifen<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Period Changes – If you take Tamoxifen before entering the menopause then you may find your periods become irregular or stop altogether. They suaully restart around six to twelve months after you finish your course of Tamoxifen, unless you are nearing the menopause.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Fatigue – around 25% of women taking Tamoxifen suffer from tiredness and fatigue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Pain in Joints- Around 25% of women taking Tamoxifen suffer from painful joints<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Sickness – Around 20% of women taking Tamoxifen suffer from sickness but this can usually be treated with anti sickness tablets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TAMOXIFEN IS NOT A CONTRACEPTIVE AND IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO BECOME PREGNANT WHILST TAKING IT SO PLEASE SEEK ADVICE ON CONTRACEPTION FROM YOUR DOCTOR. TAMOXIFEN MAY HAVE A HARMFUL EFFECT ON A DEVELOPING FOETUS.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Occasional Side Effects:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Vaginal Discharge or Vaginal Dryness<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Fluid Retention or Weight Gain<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Headaches<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Depression<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Hair Thinning<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Rare Side Effects:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Tumour Flare – If you have cancer that has spread to your bones then you may suffer from increased pain whilst taking Tamoxifen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Thrombosis – Your risk of blood clots can be slightly increased whilst taking Tamoxifen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Liver Changes – This are usually very mild and your liver will normally go back to nromla after treatment. Liver function tests may be needed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Eye Problems – Your eyesight may change but this should be checked out<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*A Skin Rash may occur<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Womb Cancer – Your risk of developing womb cancer increases very slightly whilst taking Tamoxifen<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 18px;"><b><u>Additional</u></b></span><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><b><u> Benefits:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A recent study has indicated that breast cancer is less likely to reoccur in women that have taken Tamoxifen for ten years rather then the previously recommended five years. It is estimated that taking the drug for ten years reduces breast cancer deaths by a third for the first ten years and by half after that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you found this blog post informative. Please visit <a href="http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">www.cancerresearchuk.org</a> for more information. I would be very interested to hear from any women that have taken Tamoxifen in the past or are currently taking it so please do get in touch if you have/are!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
</div>
Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-61429390357805409942016-12-08T22:33:00.004-08:002016-12-08T22:33:56.708-08:00Cheer All Through The Year 2017!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following on from
the amazing success of Christmas Cheer 2016, I have decided to create
a whole year of cheer for 2017. This is partly inspired by my
friends, Luke and Faye, who do amazing fundraising events all year
around for The Veronica Claxton Memorial Fund.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, every month we
will fundraise for one or two causes. Sometimes these causes will be
linked to a specific campaign or awareness month, and sometimes they
will just be because someone has suggested them or they are in the
news. We will have fundraising pages open during that month and will
aim to raise as much money as possible for those causes. The aim is
to raise 5,000GBP by the end of the year for these causes combined
and really make a difference to some deserving people in 2017.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As previously
mentioned, <span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">2016
has been a crazy year for the World. I know many people are feeling
disheartened and worried about what lies ahead for us all. I was
inspired to do some fundraising as a way to show people there is
still good in the world and that the power does not lie with the
people in charge, but it lies with us, the general public. Citizens.
If we show kindness and understanding to each other then we can make
the world a nicer, safer place for people around us. Little by
little.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
firmly believe in volunteering. I was twenty one when I started and
it changed my life. It gave me an outlet for my creativity. It
developed my compassion and made me realise how fortunate I am. It
gave me a circle of friends who share my interests and inspire me on
a daily basis. It helps me make a real difference to the world around
me.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
I realise
people have very busy lives and do not always have time to donate, so
the idea of this is there is not much time required, I will do the
work required! We will have raffles, events etc…. Or sometimes I
will simply ask for donations.</div>
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have a cause
you would like to include in this then please let me know, via email
(<a href="mailto:pennyschristofi@gmail.com">pennyschristofi@gmail.com</a>)
or by the contact form on this site. If you have an event planned, or
are taking part in an event next year and would like to be part of
the team, please also let me know!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More Information to Follow Soon!! </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">:) xx</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
</div>
Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-67563275839290881452016-11-24T11:26:00.001-08:002016-11-25T03:38:02.554-08:00Christmas Cheer 2016 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2016 has been a
crazy year for the World. I know many people are feeling disheartened
and worried about what lies ahead for us all. I was inspired to do
some fundraising as a way to show people there is still good in the
world and that the power does not lie with the people in charge, but
it lies with us, the general public. Citizens. If we show kindness
and understanding to each other then we can make the world a nicer,
safer place for people around us. Little by little.
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I firmly believe in
volunteering. I was twenty one when I started and it changed my life.
It gave me an outlet for my creativity. It developed my compassion
and made me realise how fortunate I am. It gave me a circle of
friends who share my interests and inspire me on a daily basis. It
helps me make a real difference to the world around me.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am currently in
the middle of my latest voluntary project – Christmas Cheer 2016.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I became an auntie
for the first time in February this year and I immeadiately became
obsessed with my niece, Mia Ariana. Since she came into my life I
have become more aware of the fact that she is blessed to be able to
grow up in a safe, loving environment. As a family we are able to
provide her with material things as well as love. Many children do
not have the same upbringing and I wanted to do something to change
this in a small way. In honour of my niece, and to start teaching her
from a young age to give back and do something to help others.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I decided to split
the money between Cyprus and the UK as these are my home countries.
My Stepdad works for the Metropolitan Police and takes part in their
annual present appeal so I decided to support this cause. I was given
a list of fifteen children, their gender and their age, to buy
presents for. I also decided to help Crisis with their annual appeal
to help the homeless. We will use some of the money to buy food and
supplies to help them this winter. In Cyprus I decided to help the
Pancyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council with their “Adopt a
Family” drive. So we will use some of the money to buy food and
presents for the underprivileged families in Cyprus.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My friends and
family were very supportive and in total we raised an amazing
GBP618.34/EUR723.85. This weekend we will be going out to start
getting our supplies ready for delivery. I couldn't be more excited.
Somehow it makes Christmas more special knowing we have helped lots
of other families have a nicer one. I will post photos of our
supplies when we have bought them!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me know if you
will be doing something similar this Christmas!
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/christmascheer2016">www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/christmascheer2016</a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh3juYyvOzij0_vE-51YJCqBGQAqbh1tke-SNviZC1VMMZCymmbeSbikgKofj2KXeVoylK9Tdh5GpsNUIR9CghPa5QUM03HwS4Vk8riJcFX8eOOARaSq3xkgWrskI4Y5rN18HbGfSYwU/s1600/IMG_9709.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh3juYyvOzij0_vE-51YJCqBGQAqbh1tke-SNviZC1VMMZCymmbeSbikgKofj2KXeVoylK9Tdh5GpsNUIR9CghPa5QUM03HwS4Vk8riJcFX8eOOARaSq3xkgWrskI4Y5rN18HbGfSYwU/s200/IMG_9709.PNG" width="190" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2va502pIt77hCdlfooteZqm6HTBhUENdrypZHSKcyWZijLIhfq8FQB7VbLuJ48nKnqUiXGNA67WL2-LnbhPuCTkhpbfjYelpbWTR7MXy7w4Buzdy_GfIoAB_wXu9KJGXuxWA1NjUIERA/s1600/IMG_9877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2va502pIt77hCdlfooteZqm6HTBhUENdrypZHSKcyWZijLIhfq8FQB7VbLuJ48nKnqUiXGNA67WL2-LnbhPuCTkhpbfjYelpbWTR7MXy7w4Buzdy_GfIoAB_wXu9KJGXuxWA1NjUIERA/s200/IMG_9877.JPG" width="160" /></a></div>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-54603519063537577282016-11-24T09:39:00.003-08:002016-11-24T09:39:47.756-08:00Neuroendocrine Tumours<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello
:)</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
post is dedicated to a fellow Cancer Campaigns Ambassador, Andy
Norris. Andy has suffered from this cancer type for eleven years. He
is a very passionate campaigner and I hope this post helps him raise
awareness of a cancer type not many people are aware of. This type of
cancer comes under the category of “rare cancers” and not much
information is available on them. However, I will share everything I
have learnt about them with you today.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>The
Neuroendocrine System:</b></u></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Neuroendocrine system is a combination of nerve and gland cells and
it makes hormones before releasing them into the blood stream.
Basically neuro means nerve and endocrine means the cells of the
endocrine system. It is also known as the hormone system as the
neuroendocrine system is a network of glands and organs producing
hormones within our bodies. Hormones are hugely important as they
control how our bodies function, including growth, development,
reaction to stress and a wide range of other things.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You
will find neuroendocrine cells in many organs including the lungs,
pancreas, liver, stomach, both bowels and the oesrophagus as well as
the appendix. These cells have different functions depending on where
they are with the body. For example, neuroendocrine cells found
within the lungs release hormones that control the flow of air and
blood in the lungs.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Neuroendocrine
Tumours:</b></u></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NETs
are very rare tumours and they develop within the cells of the
neuroendocrine system. There are different types of these tumours and
these depend on what body part is affected. These tumours usually
take years to develop and do not cause any obvious symptoms at first.
It is not uncommon for sufferers of this cancer type to discover the
cancer has already spread to another part of the body by the time
they are diagnosed.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">There
are some types of benign (non cancerous) neuroendocrine tumours, as
well as malignant (cancerous) ones. Usually the benign tumours are
more slow growing then the malignant ones. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There
are other names for this cancer type:</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Gastroenteropancreatic
neuroendocrine tumours (GEP NETs</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">)
– found in the gut or pancreas</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">*Pancreatic
neuroendocrine tumours (pNETs) – found in the pancreas</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">*Gastrointestinal
neuroendocrine tumours (GI NETs) – found in the bowel, stomach or
oesophagus</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">*</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Functioning
neuroendocrine tumours (F-NETs)</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">*Non
functioning neuroendocrine tumours (NF-NETs)</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">*Carcinoid
tumour</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Treatment
for this cancer type, as with most cancer types, will be dependent on
the type of tumour, the stage and grading and whether it has spread
to another body part. Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy or
drug therapy.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Some
of these tumours can also develop outside the pancreas. For example,
gastrinomas have been reported in the medical literature to develop
in the ovaries, kidneys, stomach and liver, and not just in the
pancreas and small bowel area. NETs that develop in the lung are
usually </span><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/rare-cancers/rare-cancers-name/ssNODELINK/Carcinoid">carcinoid
tumours</a></span></u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="border: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; padding: 0in; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="left" style="border: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; padding: 0in; widows: 2;">
<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; padding: 0in;"><u><b><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Causes
of neuroendocrine tumours:</span></span></b></u></span></div>
<div align="left" style="border: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; padding: 0in; widows: 2;">
<span style="border: none; display: inline-block; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Not
much is known about the causes of this cancer type at present.
However, sufferers of rare family syndromes or gene mutations have a
higher risk. These include <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">Multiple
endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1)</a> </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">Von
Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL)</a>. Research also shows that if one of
your parents has suffered from this cancer time then your risk of
developing it is slightly increased. However, this cancer is very
rare so your risk is still very slight even if you have a higher
risk.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration: none; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
hope this blog is informative, and helps Andy raise awareness. Please
contact CRUK if you wish to have further information</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">xxx</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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</span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-51788729969442966732016-11-06T09:44:00.001-08:002016-11-06T09:44:13.199-08:00Christmas Fundraising 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div data-reactid="86" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid="87" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2016 has been a year of bad news. The media is filled with it and many of my friends and family have had some real hard times this year. I think many people will be happy to see the year go. I want to inject some positivity into 2016 as it comes to an end.</span></span></div>
<div data-reactid="90" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid="91" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Usually my voluntary work is in memory of the relatives I have lost but this time it is inspired by a very special person.</span></span></div>
<div data-reactid="94" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid="95" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My niece, Mia Ariana, was born in February this year and has become the apple of my eye. Mia is able to grow up in a safe and loving environment, filled with people who will protect and encourage her. Many children do not get to grow up in the same way. </span></span></div>
<div data-reactid="98" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid="99" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Christmas we will be collecting funds to buy presents and supplies to help children and young people who otherwise won't enjoy the festive period like my niece will.</span></span></div>
<div data-reactid="102" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid="103" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Half the money raised will be used to buy food and presents for families in Cyprus that will not be able to afford them otherwise. They will be taken to food banks to be distributed to those that need it.</span></span></div>
<div data-reactid="106" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid="107" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other half of the money will be used to buy supplies to donate to Crisis and The Metropolitan Police Christmas Present Appeal. Crisis will distribute their supplies to homeless people and The police will distribute presents to children who may not otherwise get them. The supplies for Crisis will include warm gloves, hats and scarves as well as snack bars, toiletries and other things to help the homeless. My stepdad, David, works for the Met and will be one of the officers delivering the presents.</span></span></div>
<div data-reactid="110" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid="111" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will be spending time with Mia in the UK between 2-5th December and we will go and buy our supplies and donate them that weekend. </span></span></div>
<div data-reactid="114" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid="115" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My good friends, Luke and Faye, will also be collecting to donate presents to children in the UK spending Christmas in hospital - https://www.justgiving.com/teams/target250k</span></span></div>
<div data-reactid="118" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span data-reactid="119" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please donate anything you can spare, it's very much appreciate! We will keep you updated with our progress!</span></span></div>
<div data-reactid="86" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/christmascheer2016 </span></div>
<div data-reactid="86" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of love xxx</span></div>
<div data-reactid="86" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-reactid="86" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #262626; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.42857143; margin-bottom: 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://24419f2e-6491-4b78-b6b8-06f88448ed8d/imagejpeg" /></span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-12140971555285993422015-07-21T12:09:00.001-07:002015-07-21T12:09:13.073-07:00Cancer Research UK Annual Review 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A frequent question myself and other CRUK volunteers are asked is "where does my donation go?" People are aware that millions are donated every year but many aren't aware of what these funds are spent on. CRUK have released their annual review and, as usual, I'm going to break it down so that people can see where the money is going.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me first explain that 80p of every £1 donated is spent on research. That is a huge amount and probably one of the best in the third sector. The other 20p is used to raise funds for the future</span></strong></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></strong></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>£621 Million was raised by CRUK supporters last year</u></span></strong></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£169 Million was raised by legacies (People leaving money in their wills)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£122 Million was raised by regular donations (there are over 1 million people making regular donations)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£91 Million was raised by trading (the CRUK shops)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£89 Million was raised by charitable activities (including money from Cancer Research Technology)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£63 Million was raised by events (for example Race for Life)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£41 Million was raised by corporate or volunteer fundraising (Including local fundraising groups)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£36 Million was raised by other donations (Including major giving and appeals)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£10 Million was raised by other income (Income from CRUK investments)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9/10 donations are less than £10 which goes to show that every penny really does count and giving what you can afford, even if it isn’t a lot, really can make a huge difference.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This money funds over 4,000 world class scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK. </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>£341 Million was spent on research in 2014-2015</u></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£116 Million was spent on research that underpins all cancer types</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£31 Million was spent on breast cancer</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£31 Million was spent on lung cancer</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£30 Million was spent on over 100 cancers including cervical, kidney, stomach and testicular</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£30 Million was spent on bowel cancer</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£21 Million was spent on leukaemia</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£15 Million was spent on pancreatic cancer</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£15 Million was spent on prostate cancer</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£15 Million was spent on skin cancer</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£11 Million was spent on ovarian cancer</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£9 Million was spent on brain cancer</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£7 Million was spent on non hodgkin lymphoma</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£6 Million was spent on oesophageal cancer</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*£4 Million was spent on bladder cancer</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am just one of over 40,00 volunteers for CRUK. Together we donate over seven millions hours worth of time to CRUK. The charity has a huge volunteer base because we all genuinely believe in the cause and the charities aims. It's been an amazing year for the charity:</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*More than 600,000 people took part in walks, runs, cycling or swimming events to raise funds</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*The charity is working with over 1,200 GP practices to try and help diagnose cancer sooner</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Over 53,000 took place in the Dryathlon and went without alcohol in January to raise funds#</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*More then 90,000 people supported us CRUK Ambo's as we aimed to "Cross Cancer Out"</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*The CRUK nurses helpline answered over 11,000 queries</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Over 4 million bags of stuff were donated to CRUK shops</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Over 60,000 people visited the Cancer Awareness Roadshow to learn more <span style="color: black;">about reducing their cancer risk and how to spot cancer early</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-21150004041983874492015-04-28T12:56:00.001-07:002015-04-28T12:56:52.538-07:00The UK General Election 2015 and Cancer<div>Hello! It's been a long time since I've blogged. Life is busy - just how I like it - but I do love to write and am passionate about my subject so I hope to create time to do more posts from now on.</div><div><br></div><div>There's just over a week to go until the UK General Election. I hope you've registered to vote if you are eligible - it's going to be a close race in my opinion and every vote will count. We get to decide who will be representing the constituencies we live in and representing our views in Parliament as well as ultimately deciding who will lead our country for the next few years. If you're over the age of eighteen and registered to vote then you have a chance to make your voice heard and exercise your right to vote.</div><div><br></div><div>To read about the manifestos of various parties and their stance on cancer related issues please click these links </div><div>http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2015/04/24/election-2015-what-are-the-parties-from-scotland-wales-and-northern-ireland-saying/</div><div><br></div><div>http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2015/04/17/election-2015-what-are-the-parties-saying-about-cancer/</div><div><br></div><div>Real progress is being made in the fight against cancer and CRUK's political actions is helping to accelerate this progress. Cancer is a political issue as well as a emotional one and it is something that matters to all of us. Survival rates have doubled over the last forty years but there is still lots more work to be done and this campaign is focusing on what the charity would like election candidates to focus on:</div><div><br></div><div>*Continued Support for Campaigns to Raise Public Awareness of the Signs and Symptoms of Cancer</div><div>Campaigns such as Be Clear on Cancer help raise awareness and encourage people to seek help when they feel they can identify some key signs and symptoms of cancer within their bodies. During the BCOC lung cancer campaign, 700 more people were diagnosed with lung cancer and 300 more received potentially life saving treatment compared to the same time period the year before. CRUK want the government to continue to support such campaigns in the UK.</div><div><br></div><div>*A Commitment to Increase Participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme</div><div>Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. As with most cancers, patients diagnosed at an earlier stage are more likely to survive, with four out of five patients with the earliest stage of the disease surviving at least five years after diagnosis. However fewer then one in ten patients are diagnosed at the earliest stage. CRUK would like the government to ask local areas to increase the number of people participating in bowel screening by at least 10% as well as providing quality information on the risks and benefits of the screening process so people can make an informed decision on whether to participate.</div><div><br></div><div>*Strengthen the System and Processes that Support Cancer Diagnosis</div><div>Health is a devolved issue but people living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can still get involved in the campaign as your next MP's will also need to be encouraged to keep cancer high on the political agenda. They will also have the power to advocate for improved health throughout the UK. Successful initiatives in England will have an impact on the other three nations so it is important MP's are aware of what is going on.</div><div><br></div><div>*Equal Access to Innovative Radiotherapy, Surgery and Effective Cancer Drugs, including Drugs Targeted to Patients' Tumours.</div><div>-Radiotherapy is a cost-effective and cutting edge cure for cancer. Treatments are becoming more sophisticated over time and CRUK believe it is important that patients receive the very latest treatments as soon as they have been proven effective and become available. Research suggests radiotherapy contributes to four in ten cases where the cancer is cured. My Ambo family helped secure over £23million from the government to help increase patient access to radiotherapy so that now over 6,000 more patients have access to a targeted radiotherapy with less side effects. CRUK now want to government to commit to a long term strategy to make innovative radiotherapy treatments available to all those who would benefit. This strategy should include details on how out dated radiotherapy machines will be replaced by newer equipment with more advanced techniques as well as how the workforce will be resourced,</div><div>-Surgery is essential when it comes to managing and treating cancer. It contributes to half of all cases were cancer is cured. Evidence suggests that older patients are less likely to have surgery for their cancer and CRUK believes surgery should be offered to ALL cancer patients where appropriate regardless of age. We want the government to commit to increase access to surgery for the older population.</div><div>-Cancer drugs are an important part in many patients treatment. Appropriate access to effective and innovative drugs is vital and we need the government to find a long term solution to make these drugs available to the patients who need them. NICE, the NHS and drug companies will be required to work together to make this happen. Personalised medicine is already revolutionising cancer treatment as it makes sure patients get the best drugs for their condition, and hopefully avoid side effects from the drugs specialists can predict will not work for them, We will hopefully develop many more targeted treatments in the future and we need to make sure the government and NHS develop a commissioning policy so patients can be offered the appropriate diagnostic tests.</div><div><br></div><div>Lizzy Allen, one of the lovely ladies looking after my Ambo family, has written a blog about the campaign which you can read here http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2014/10/24/its-time-to-cross-cancer-out-our-general-election-campaign/ </div><div><br></div><div>You can take part in the campaign by taking two minutes to click the link and allow CRUK to email your election candidates and ask them to support the campaign. http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=149&ea.campaign.id=32425&ea.tracking.id=140b280a</div><div><br></div><div>Campaigns are what we Ambassadors do best and I'm hugely excited about this one. The build up to the general election is really important and I encourage as many people as possible to get involved and help decide who will be in charge of our country next. Thank you very much in advance for clicking the link!!</div><div><br></div><div>My story has been used as a case study which you can read here: http://m.newsshopper.co.uk/news/11885142.Chislehurst_woman_s_plea_to__cross_cancer_out__after_losing_6_family_members_to_the_disease/</div><div><br></div><div>xxx</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDE8M5AeL9PaLv8RulzbOVw5AxYue7xHpTWxGVi-LxbeyWGlrqKlqqBwr7VZV22fR6ob6mTg4iiYtoDosaS0TOjKbQ4VL2F9ikn8-u2FugQ1Ra8fpPSkAGuPsBRxGnWw73JVWQjBMeyA/s640/blogger-image--1723891535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDE8M5AeL9PaLv8RulzbOVw5AxYue7xHpTWxGVi-LxbeyWGlrqKlqqBwr7VZV22fR6ob6mTg4iiYtoDosaS0TOjKbQ4VL2F9ikn8-u2FugQ1Ra8fpPSkAGuPsBRxGnWw73JVWQjBMeyA/s640/blogger-image--1723891535.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-60616542121703031782015-02-09T00:53:00.002-08:002015-02-09T00:53:50.133-08:00For My Hayley xx<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today should be Sid Quorn's birthday. Sadly he passed away, leaving behind his lovely daughter, Hayley. Hayley is one of the funniest, kindest and most truest friends I have. Always ready to help anyone, always with something funny to say, always ready to put others before herself. Your dad would be really proud of you Hayley! I miss you brightening up my daily life!! Today's post is dedicated to the two of you xxx</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sadly poor Sid had cancer in a lot of places but Hayley did tell me that one place he had it was in the colon so today I'm going to explain the progress being made in the fight against colon (bowel) cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cancer of the bowel is the third most common cancer type in the UK, with more then 41,000 people diagnosed every day. It kills around 16,000 people per year in the UK. Thanks to advancements in research, half of those diagnosed with bowel cancer today will survive for at least ten years after the diagnosis. The work of CRUK has played a huge role in this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Making a Difference:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far CRUK has played a huge role in researching ways to prevent, diagnosis and treat bowel cancer:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Faulty genes, including the APC gene, which are responsible for bowel cancers running in families have been discovered and this has also led to researchers finding the subtle genetic variations that increase the bowel cancer risk in the general population.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*There was a campaign for the introduction of a bowel screening programme in the UK which saves thousands of lives every year</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Major clinical trials have been funded to change the way those with advanced bowel cancer are treated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*CRUK helped fund the EPIC, the largest ever study into diet and cancer. This discovered that a diet containing a high amount of red and processed meat, as well as high alcohol consumption, increases your bowel cancer risk. It also discovered that a diet containing lots of high fibre food and lots of physical activity can reduce your bowel cancer risk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*CRUK helped develop and test many of the drugs used to treat bowel cancer including</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*CRUK also helped fund the groundbreaking trial of an alternative bowel screening programme which is called a Bowel Scope. This could prevent a third of all bowel cancer cases.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Current Research into Bowel Cancer</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our donations to CRUK currently help fund a number of research projects into bowel cancer. There are currently around fourteen separate research studies into bowel cancer taking place in CRUK labs including:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Dr Farhat Din is a Clinician Scientist with CRUK and hold a prestigious CRUK Fellowship which allows her to research how aspirin can reduce the risk of bowel cancer. This important work could lead to better prevention strategies in the future and will hopefully discover the best way to use aspirin to prevent bowel cancer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Labs in Oxford, London, Edinburgh and Cambridge are currently tracking down the gene faults linked with bowel cancer. This will hopefully lead to a more personalised screening process and treatment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*The Beatson Institute, Glasgow, is home to Dr Own Sansom who is currently tracking the changes that turn healthy bowel cells into cancerous ones. This important work will hopefully show us how the disease develops and how to treat it in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Prof Dion Morton is running a major clinical trial in Birmingham which is testing whether chemotherapy before surgery can shrink the tumour, making it easier to remove and reducing the risk of it coming back in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Christine Campbell is in Edinburgh researching how we can increase the amount of people having bowel screening, which has the potential to save lives by diagnosing bowel cancer in the early stages when it is more curable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can find out about even more research projects into bowel cancer at <a href="http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/science/research/who-and-what-we-fund/researchbycancertype/bowelresearch_new/">http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/science/research/who-and-what-we-fund/researchbycancertype/bowelresearch_new/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In celebration of Sid and Hayley I'll be making a little donation to one of these research projects. That means that donation will directly affect research into bowel cancer in Sid's memory. Hopefully this means his memory will help save someone else in the future. I'm not sure if I have ever mentioned that you can donate money to a specific research project, or a specific type of cancer, when donating to CRUK. All you have to do is visit the MyProjects page and pick the project you identify most with. <a href="http://myprojects.cancerresearchuk.org/projects/p/category/Bowel%20cancer">http://myprojects.cancerresearchuk.org/projects/p/category/Bowel%20cancer</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To read more of my bowel cancer related posts please visit </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Colonoscopy -<a href="http://pennysophia.blogspot.com/2013/04/bowel-cancer-awareness-month-colonoscopy.html">http://pennysophia.blogspot.com/2013/04/bowel-cancer-awareness-month-colonoscopy.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bowel Cancer- <a href="http://pennysophia.blogspot.com/2012/02/bowel-cancer-uk.html">http://pennysophia.blogspot.com/2012/02/bowel-cancer-uk.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thinking of you today my lovely Hayley, and really looking forward to seeing you next month!!! Lots of love xxxx</span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-54437778241303923632015-02-05T04:42:00.000-08:002015-02-05T04:42:22.973-08:00Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Campaign<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those that don't know I'll explain why this campaign is so important to me. I've lost six relatives to cancer so far in my life. Sadly my cousin Georgie was one of them. He lost his mum when he was a baby and was then diagnosed with a very rare cancer himself on his second birthday. He was very very brave and he survived that first diagnosis. He grew into the most lovable, smiliest, most fun child in the world. He gave us all so much happiness. He was then diagnosed with osteosarcoma as a teenager and he once again showed bravery way beyond his years. Our hearts broke when he succumbed to his illness on April 25th 2011 aged just seventeen. Our hearts are still broken to this day as we still try to navigate life without his beautiful heart, his sense of fun, his love and his amazing nature. I will never ever recover from his death, there is a hole in my heart that will never heal. There is no way to describe watching someone you have loved from the moment they were born suffer in such a horrific way. The fact that he died on my birthday is just horrific - imagine the feeling of growing another year older on the same date someone you treated as a brother stopped living. The voluntary work is to ensure no one else has to lose someone the way we had to lose him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every day around 10 young people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer. Despite being rare compared to cancer in adults, cancer is still the leading cause of death by disease in children, teens and young adults under the age of 24, and it has a devastating impact on youngsters and their families. Cancer Research UK have launched a new campaign to raise more money to research the cancers found in children, teenagers and young adults.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cancers seen in children are usually very different to those seen in adults and “childhood” refers to any child aged between birth and fourteen years old.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are twelve main types of childhood cancer:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Leukaemia</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Soft Tissue Sarcomas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Kidney Tumours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Bone Tumours (Like the one Georgie had)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Carcinomas and Melanomas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Retinoblastomas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Gonadal and Germ Cell Tumours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Liver Tumours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Sympathetic Nervous System Tumours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Other and Unspecified Tumours</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Childhood cancer is quite rare and makes up 5% of all cancers. Around 1,600 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every year, which roughly works out at thirty one children per week. Around one in every five hundred children in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The UK’s childhood cancer rates are amongst the lowest in Europe, with Northen Europe having the highest incidence rate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leukeamia is the most common childhood cancer. Two thirds of all childhood cancers are leukeamia, brain and CNS tumours and lymphomas.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surviving Childhood Cancer:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More children then ever are surviving cancer. The survival rate has doubled since the 1960’s and at least 5,600 MORE children now survive for more then five years after diagnosis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around 33,000 people in the UK have survived a type of childhood cancer and almost three quarters of children with cancer can now be cured of the disease.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For every ten childhood cancer sufferers – eight will now survive for more then five years after their diagnosis:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Nearly all children diagnosed with retinoblastoma are cured.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Survival rates for Hepatoblastoma have doubled since the 1960’s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Around six out of ten children diagnosed with neuroblastoma are cured.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Eight out of ten children with kidney cancer survive the disease.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Rhabdomyosarcoma survival rates have doubled since the 1970’s.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Childhood Cancer Deaths:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cancer is the UK’s leading cause of death (from disease) in children aged up to fourteen. A fifth of all childhood deaths are down to cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brain and CNS tumours are the most common fatal type of childhood cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around two hundred and fifty children die from cancer every year in the UK.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Childhood cancer death rates have halved since the 1960’s.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Causes of Childhood Cancer:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We don’t know much about what causes childhood cancers but there are several things we do know:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Rare genetic syndromes such as Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (what Georgie had) can greatly increase a child’s risk of developing cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Children with Down ’s syndrome have a greater risk of developing leukaemia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*2/5 retinoblastomas are linked to a faulty gene that has been inherited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Children that have had radiotherapy or chemotherapy in the past are at greater risk of developing a second cancer (As Georgie did)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to learn more about this campaign, childhood cancer, or would like to donate to the campaign, please visit <a href="http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/donate/kidsandteens">http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/donate/kidsandteens</a></span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-33819019791549601582015-01-26T05:35:00.004-08:002015-01-26T05:41:50.263-08:00Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's currently Cervical Cancer Prevention Week in the UK. Cervical cancer is a subject I frequently visit on this blog. I really believe there is no reason at all why so many women are diagnosed with this horrific type of cancer when it is actually preventable. Today's post will go over some things I have mentioned before but I really do think it is a hugely important issue and I hope this blog post persuades at least one woman to book her smear once she's finished reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust have released a report which states that cases of cervical cancer have risen but 4.8% in women aged between 25-29 in the UK. My age group. The charity think this is because women are not attending their smear appointments. More then 1/5 women ignore their invitation for screening - possibly because they feel shy, embarrassed or scared. Hopefully this post will persuade you that there is NOTHING to be worried, scared or embassased about when it comes to a smear test!</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Cervix:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cervix is basically the neck of the womb (uterus). It is the opening to the womb from the vagina. The cervix is a very strong muscle which is usually tightly shut but it does open during labour so the baby can come out. The outer surface of the cervix has a layer of cells which are almost skin-like. When these cells become cancerous it is known as squamous cell cervical cancer. There are glandular cells lining the inside of the cervix producing mucus. Cancer of these cells is called adenocarcinoma of the cervix. There is an area of the cervix known as the transformation zone. This is around the opening of the cervix leading onto a narrow passageway that runs into the womb. This zone is where cells are most likely to become cancerous.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Risks and Causes of Cervical Cancer:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Human Pampilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common and biggest cause of cervical cancer. HPV is passed on from person to person via sexual contact. There are many different types of HPV and not all of them cause cervical cancer. One type causes genital warts but not cervical cancer. However other types are considered high risk. These types can lead to cells in the cervix changing and becoming cancerous. Most women who have HPV and develop cervical cancer will have had other infections caused by HPV in the past. However, not every woman with HPV will develop cervical cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Smoking can lead to cervical cancer; women who smoke are more likely to develop this type of cancer then women that do not smoke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Taking the pill can also increase your risk but the reason for this is not yet known</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Women that have bore a large number of children also have a slightly higher risk as are women with a weakened immune system.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smear Tests:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>Points to Consider:</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">You can have a smear test at several different places:</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Your GP’s surgery should offer them</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* A family planning clinic</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* A genito-urinary clinic</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* An antenatal clinic</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* A private health clinic</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Marie Stopes</span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br></span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">You are well within your rights to request a female doctor or nurse performs your test but any male doctors will be chaperoned by a female staff member anyway. It is important to state if you require a female at the time of booking your appointment. </span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br></span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">A smear test should be scheduled whilst you are in the middle of your menstrual cycle (between periods) as it will be very difficult to see your cervix and get a cell sample whilst you are bleeding.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>Age Limits:</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">There are varying age limits for women in the four nations of the UK.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Women between the ages of twenty five and sixty four are screened every three to five years in England and Northern Ireland.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* In Scotland, cervical screening is offered to women aged between twenty and sixty.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Wales offers cervical screening to women aged between twenty and sixty four.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Research has shown that screening every three years prevents 84/100 cases of cervical cancer that would develop if they weren’t caught by the smears. So getting a smear test every three years is recommended by the NHS up until you are fifty years old. Abnormal cells develop at a much slower rate in women over fifty so screening is recommended after five years for women in that age group. Your local primary care trust will contact you whenever it is time for a screening for you. I cannot stress the importance of attending these appointments enough – it could save you from a battle with cancer.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>The Screening Process:</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Cervical cancer is preventable. This is because pre cancerous cell changes can be picked up before they have a chance to develop. A cervical cancer screening test is known as a smear test. This involves a doctor or a nurse using a speculum to take a small sample of cells from the surface of your cervix. It sounds horrific and it can be very uncomfortable but I am going to try and explain it as clearly as I can!</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">You will need to take off your underwear and lie back on the couch/bed. Being as relaxed as you possibly can be will make the procedure less uncomfortable. </span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Occasionally, the person doing the test will perform a vaginal examination first. This means they will place two gloved fingers inside your vagina to make sure your womb is in the correct position and that it feels like it’s a normal size. They will use their other hand to press down on your abdomen and gently feel your womb.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Then comes the actual smear test: The speculum is placed inside your vagina and has two arms which are used to spread the sides of your vagina apart so the cervix can be clearly seen. A small brush is then inserted and used scraped along the surface of your cervix to collect a sample of your cells. The brush and the cells are then sent to a lab in a pot of liquid and examined under a microscope. Any abnormal cells are reported and further investigation on these cells will be needed. </span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>The Results:</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">The important thing to remember with smear tests results is: DON’T PANIC!!! Cancer is not the only cause of abnormal cells or an abnormal result. Sometimes you may be asked to go back for a repeat test, again don’t panic, it could be because:</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* You were on your period and the blood meant your cells weren’t visible enough</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Your cervix was inflamed and the cells weren’t visible enough</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* An infection was blocking the view of the cells</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* There were not enough cells collected in the first test</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">You may also be told that your test was borderline. This means cell changes have been noted but they were so very close to normal that they are probably nothing to worry yourself about and they will probably return to normal by themselves. You may be asked to go back and have another test in a few months to monitor the situation. You may also be offered a HPV test as HPV is a cause of cervical cancer. If you do test positive for HPV then you will probably been sent for more tests, including a colposcopy to monitor your cervix and the cell changes.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Cervical erosion can be picked up by smear tests. This is not cervical cancer. This means the glandular cells which are normally found inside your cervical canal are now visible on the surface of your cervix and it can be inflamed. This is a common condition for teenage girls, pregnant women and women on the pill. It can make you bleed slightly but it usually goes away by itself with no need for treatment.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>Abnormal Tests Results:</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Abnormal results are usually reported like this:</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Mild Dyskaryosis or CIN 1(mild or slight cell changes)</b><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">If you are told that you have mild cell changes then you will probably be told to get a colposcopy straight away or to wait and have another smear in six months. Sometimes mild cell changes will go back to normal by themselves but it is important to monitor them and go back for any tests advised by your medical team. If a second test shows abnormal cells then a colposcopy is definitely needed to assess the situation. </span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Moderate Dyskaryosis or CIN 2 (moderate cell changes)</b><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Treatment will be needed if you have moderate cell changes but you only usually need it once. Then you will have follow up tests to monitor the cells in your cervix. If you have successful treatment after an abnormal smear and carry on having regular smears then you are unlikely to get cervical cancer. If you do not have treatment then you are at real risk of developing cervical cancer</span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br></span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>Severe Dyskaryosis or CIN 3 (severe cell changes)</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">This is also sometimes known as carcinoma in situ (CIS) which sounds like cancer but it isn’t. This means some cells in your cervix look cancerous but are all found in the skin layer which covers your cervix. It won’t be “true” cancer until it breaks through the layer and starts to spread into the surrounding tissue. Urgent treatment is needed for this kind of smear result but if it is moved ASAP then cancer can be prevented.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">All these results mean the cells found are pre cancerous meaning if they are left to go untreated, they could develop into cancer of the cervix. <b>YOU DO NOT HAVE CERVICAL CANCER IF YOU ARE TOLD YOU HAVE ABNORMAL CELLS.</b></span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">9/10 smears come back normal. 1/20 shows a borderline or mild cell change. Most of the time these cells will return to normal by themselves. 1/100 shows moderate cell changes whilst 1/200 show severe changes. Less than 1/1000 shows cancer. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You don’t have to be over the age of twenty five to develop cervical cancer; some younger women do develop it as well. However, in the UK, smear tests are not encouraged until twenty five because your cervix is still developing in your teens and early twenties. This means the likelihood of you getting an abnormal result is more common but usually nothing to worry about. After Jade Goody’s horrifically young death, a campaign was launched to lower the smear test age limit but medical professionals do not agree with this. If you are under twenty five and are concerned about your cervical cancer risk – please do speak to your GP and get some advice. A private gynaecologist may allow you to have a smear test but it would depend on your individual circumstances.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PLEASE DO NOT BE SCARED TO HAVE A SMEAR TEST – THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNLADYLIKE BUT THEY DO SAVE LIVES! A FEW MINUTES OF DISCOMFORT IS BETTER THEN A BATTLE WITH CERVICAL CANCER!!!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is also important to note that an abnormal smear result does not mean you have cervical cancer. If you are contacted and told your test was abnormal then please do not ignore it, go and see what your doctors have to say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Symptoms</u></b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I start listing the symptoms, please note that pre cancerous cells do not produce symptoms. This means having a smear test is hugely important – you can catch the cancer before it even develops. It is also important to know that the following symptoms do not instantly mean you have cervical cancer but it is important to go to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Bleeding between periods</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Bleeding during or after sex</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Bleeding at any time after the menopause</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Discomfort or pain during sex</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Treating Abnormal Cells</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should you receive your smear test reveal abnormal cells then it is hugely important that you have treatment. Don't ignore the letter, although I'm sure you'll be terrified. Ask questions, speak to your doctor, seek support from your loved ones but please please please get yourself treated as soon as possible. These cells need to be sorted before they develop into cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are quite a few different ways to treat abnormal cervical cells. I’ll try to explain the various types of treatment here today. It’s important to remember that treatment is decided based on the type of cells, your own body and the stage the cells are at. If you do have abnormal cells then it is vital to get them treated as soon as you possibly can. Treatment will destroy the abnormal cells before they can become cancerous.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>First Steps:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have mild cell changes then you may be told to wait six months and have a repeat test. This is because mild cell changes usually sort themselves out. If you have moderate to severe cell changes then you will probably be referred to your local hospital for a colposcopy. This is an outpatient procedure and it is basically a close examination of your cervix which doesn’t actually go inside your vagina. The doctor or nurse specialist uses something like a magnifying glass to look at the cells on your cervix in more detail and takes a biopsy to send to the lab for further examination.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Types of Treatment:</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Laser Therapy (Laser Ablation): </b>some cells can be burned away by a laser in an outpatient procedure. For this kind of treatment you will lie on a bed with your legs in stirrups whilst a doctor places a speculum into your vagina to hold it open whilst they point a laser beam at the abnormal areas. You will be given local anaesthetic to numb the area and prevent pain. The laser is a very strong and hot beam of light and it burns away the abnormal cells. This can cause a slight burning smell whist you are having the treatment but that just means the laser is working so try not to worry. You should be able to go home as soon as the treatment is finished. You may experience period type pains but they should go away with the normal paracetamol or ibuprofen and some bed rest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cold Coagulation:</b> This name is a little misleading as the treatment isn’t cold at all! You lie on a bed with your legs in stirrups whilst a doctor inserts a speculum to hold your vagina open. A hot probe is then used to burn away the abnormal cells. You shouldn’t be able to feel the probe but it can cause some period type pains which should go away a few hours after the treatment has finished.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cryotherapy:</b> This is basically cold coagulation but with a cold probe instead of a hot one. The cold probe freezes the abnormal cells. The procedure is exactly the same as the cold coagulation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Diathermy:</b> This is done under local anaesthetic. An electronic current is used to cut away the tissue that contains the abnormal cells. It is a fairly quick procedure and it usually done as an outpatient case which means you should be able to go home afterwards. It can cause bleeding or discharge for about four weeks after the treatment but sanitary towels will have to be used as tampons have to be avoided for four weeks. Sex must also be avoided for four weeks following a diathermy procedure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cone Biopsy:</b> This is a minor operation that can be used to diagnose cervical cancer or to treat abnormal cells. The entire area containing possible abnormal cells is removed. It is called a cone biopsy because a cone shaped area of tissue is removed from the cervix. This is called the transformation zone. This can be done under general or local anaesthetic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hysterectomy</b>: If you are past menopause, or have had all your children, then your doctor may suggest removing your uterus. This is usually suggested if you have had abnormal cells more then once or if the cells are severely abnormal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These treatments do sound rather uncomfortable and scary but it is massively important to have abnormal cells treated to prevent them developing into cervical cancer. Please do remember to book yourself in for a smear if you are due one. As I’ve said before, a little discomfort is nothing compared to a battle with cervical cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are worried about HPV or cervical cancer then please contact your GP or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org for more information. If you are reading this and you are above twenty five but haven’t had a smear test for a few years, please book one ASAP. Too many women die from cervical cancer and knowing it is preventable makes their deaths even more tragic. Please don’t put your health at risk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is also known as Jo’s Trust and it is the only UK based charity to focus solely on women that have been affected by cervical cancer and their families. They also help women dealing with cervical abnormalities. They aim to offer information, advice, friendship and support to these women, regardless of their age and status. They also try to educate women on the importance of cervical screening and to provide support for the women that have abnormal screening results or ladies that have a cervical cancer diagnosis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jo’s Trust has a mission: “Our mission is to see cervical cancer prevented, reduce the impact for everyone affected by cervical abnormalities."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trust provides support groups, allowing women to come together, bond and share experiences. They also have a helpline to provide support, they have an online forum for people to come together in the comfort of their own home and a yearly meeting for women to get together and enjoy themselves. They also provide many helpful information leaflets which can be found on their website.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jo’s Trust is a fabulous charity which does amazing things for women in the UK. I whole heartedly agree with their mission and their core values and I would love to see them succeed and help make cervical cancer a thing of the past. Please do check out their website and find out ways to help them achieve their goals. You can also find them on twitter @JosTrust</span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-56379026180924134932015-01-16T06:56:00.001-08:002015-01-16T06:56:47.284-08:00CRUK Volunteer Showcase - Elizabeth BaileyElizabeth Andrews once said "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart"<div><br></div><div>It's almost like this quote was written with Elizabeth Bailey in mind. Elizabeth is one of the most incredible people I have ever come across. A breast cancer survivor, she is super intelligent, courageous and highly motivated. A busy wife and mum to two beautiful little girls, she left her civil service career behind to pursue postgraduate study and do some incredible work on cancer prevention and awareness on her local area of Luton. She is also a very passionate CRUK Ambassador and works with Relay for Life. Elizabeth is a huge inspiration to me; her own huge life changes helped inspired mine last year and she continues to inspire, and support, me on a daily basis. </div><div><br></div><div>Elizabeth, I'm hugely honoured to count you as a friend and share your showcase today!! </div><div><br></div><div><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><u>What made you decide to volunteer for CRUK?</u></b></span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have written for this blog before, so some readers may have a dim and distant memory of my experience of being diagnosed breast cancer in 2010, and the overtaking fear that I might not see my little daughters grow up.</span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I had extensive surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment and the whole experience was completely life changing. I have since undertaken a major career change, for one thing. I have volunteered before for another charity, but even before my diagnosis I had been a long term supporter of the CRUK, in terms of doing things like Race for Life regularly. At the end of my treatment, the urge to ‘do something’ became almost overwhelming. It was the most positive sort of anger, if that makes sense.</span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><u><b>What sort of things do you do for the charity?</b></u></span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I do two main things. Locally, I am on the committee of the fundraising event Relay for Life, which is an annual 24-hour walking relay which honours cancer survivors and remembers those we have lost. I am Cancer Awareness Chair, so my job is to ensure that educating people about the signs and symptoms of cancer is threaded through all of our fundraising activities.</span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am also a Campaigns Ambassador for CRUK, which is a political campaigning role. This work is hugely varied. I have written blogs, made videos, spoken at events, lobbied the House of Lords and liaise regularly with my two local MPs, for example. It is tremendously interesting.<br><b><br><u>What are your favourite aspects of volunteering for the<br>charity?</u></b></span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have made some extraordinarily good friends, seriously, many of whom I can turn to for support, ideas and just a good laugh. I do like making a political difference, but at heart, this is about having an impact on other people, and the closest relationships you build are often the most life-affirming. I have also been able to see my own experience in perspective, not least as I have met people who have had far bigger challenges on their hands. It’s all relative, but I have met and made friends with some real heroes and heroines.<b><br><br><u>Do you have any future volunteering plans?</u></b></span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I would like to carry on with the Ambassador and Relay roles for now. I am currently taking a semi career break and undertaking postgraduate study, but if or when I go back to working full time I would quite like to try my hand at organising a large-scale fundraising event as I have seen what has been achieved by some fellow Ambassadors and I’m impressed! I’ll probably been waiting until I finish my PhD, though.<br><b><br><u>What advice would you give anyone considering volunteering<br>for CRUK?</u></b></span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">CRUK is a really well managed organisation and as a volunteer for them you will get a really good deal. </span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You might think this is an odd thing to say if what you want to do is honour the memory of your aunt by giving, or whatever. I’d say, don’t be shy about using it to get work experience or just try your hand at something new. It’s a two-way street and you will be valued and nurtured. </span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is such a huge range of things to do, including working in retail, marshalling or helping set up large outdoor events, event organising or political lobbying, like I do. CRUK’s publicity effort also relies strongly on people just willing to tell their own cancer stories. You can give as little or as much time as you like. I promise you, the rewards can be enormous. And of course, volunteering helps us to beat cancer sooner, so I would really recommend taking a look:<a href="http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/volunteer" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none;">http://www.cancerresearchuk.<wbr>org/support-us/volunteer</a></span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Back to my story, I’d like everyone to know that a recent set of tests showed no evidence of cancer recurrence at all, so after five years, it is likely that I will be discharged from the annual appointments round once and for all in a few months’ time. There are more and more happy cancer stories like mine thanks to CRUK, which, don’t forget, is dependent on the kindness and generosity of you all.</span></p><div><span style="background-color: rgb(246, 247, 248); color: rgb(55, 62, 77); line-height: 17px; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(246, 247, 248); color: rgb(55, 62, 77); line-height: 17px; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtnGNgfGvFHs4Sa23dP62oXSzYLQzcHIHMs7PwrNDAKj0sWxwk25jFG7nlaLO_X7TfJcIWvC0JIfb85tGoG0itxVk7-TRjt0XKbkKB-7JfKxLiw5C1aoCsuVV__AbrNjt-p9gL5_B_nM/s640/blogger-image--1014435472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtnGNgfGvFHs4Sa23dP62oXSzYLQzcHIHMs7PwrNDAKj0sWxwk25jFG7nlaLO_X7TfJcIWvC0JIfb85tGoG0itxVk7-TRjt0XKbkKB-7JfKxLiw5C1aoCsuVV__AbrNjt-p9gL5_B_nM/s640/blogger-image--1014435472.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-24507824375265449952015-01-12T08:16:00.000-08:002015-01-12T08:16:16.761-08:00Harpal Kumar - Independent Chair of the Cancer Strategy Taskforce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK has been announced as the independent chair of a Task Force which will be plotting how England can handle the challenges of cancer over the next five years. He has released a statement on the CRUK science blog, which you can find here: <a href="http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2015/01/11/my-role-as-independent-chair-of-the-cancer-strategy-taskforce/">http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2015/01/11/my-role-as-independent-chair-of-the-cancer-strategy-taskforce/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The five year plan will include aims for better prevention, faster diagnosis as well as better treatment, care and aftercare for every cancer sufferer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The task force will include cancer clinicians, charity leaders, people from the royal colleges of GPs and surgeons and Public Health England as well as the NHS. It is a hugely exciting project which will have great implications for cancer patients in England. Having met Harpal Kumar several times, I really think the Task Force is in good hands! Have a read of his statement on the link above and keep an eye out for updates!!!</span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-79801693704137767862015-01-09T23:54:00.001-08:002015-01-09T23:55:21.508-08:00CRUK Volunteers Showcase - David Collins<p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> "I may only be one person but I can be one person who can make a difference"</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am so happy to bring you this weeks volunteer showcase as it features the man I consider my unofficial mentor. </span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">David Collins is one of the most inspiring people I've ever met. He has a very special way about him - he is able to find the magic words to give you encouragement when you need it, he has brilliant ideas and always knows how to react with a clear head and appropriate facts in any situation when dealing with our campaigns. He is also brilliant at dealing with those that are very vocal in opposing our campaigns. David is the epitome of what volunteering is all about and I'm really happy to share his story and advice with you today. On a personal note, David, I think you're brilliant and you definitely show me the way with my own volunteering and encourage me to aim higher always!</span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>What made you decide to volunteer for CRUK?</b></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">I was recovering from a bilateral knee replacement which I hoped was going to end a period of disability. A disability which had caused me to retire early from my main employment as a Police Officer. I had worked in various jobs since leaving the Police but by the time I had my operations I was virtually house bound. The operations were life changing for me. While I realised I could not return to my previous career I was looking for a flexible non physical volunteer role which suited my experience. Like many people, I have friends and family who have been affected by Cancer so I already supported Cancer Research UK with a regular donation. It was in one of their publications that I saw the ambassador program advertised. It appealed to me so I applied and was excepted. It was my second life changing event which eventually led to me once again being employed. I now work as an Expert By Experience on Care Quality Commission inspection teams through the Charity </span></span><span class="s5" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">Choice Support</span></span><span class="s5" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">”</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">. </span></span><a href="http://www.choicesupport.org.uk/index.php/experts-by-experience"><span class="s6" style="direction: rtl;">http://www.choicesupport.org.uk/index.php/experts-by-experience</span></a><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15"></span></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>What sort of things do you do for the charity?</b></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">I promote the work of CRUK on social media by sharing their posts and commenting on Cancer related posts which I see. I</span></span><span class="s5" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">m not a Cancer expert by any stretch of the imagination so I tend to restrict my activities to posting links to the CRUK website. Most recently, most of my time has been taken up with challenging some of the myths and misleading information being posted about tobacco use and tobacco marketing. I find it best not to get into personal arguments with individuals online and just post the research information. It</span></span><span class="s5" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">s important that people have reliable information on which to make decisions. Social media is full of misleading information and conspiracy theories from anonymous individuals. These need to be challenged. Press headlines on Cancer issues can also be misleading. I strongly believe that people need to ask to see the evidence behind these claims. The CRUK science blog is my go to resource for reliable information on many of the claims I read</span></span><a href="http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/"><span class="s6" style="direction: rtl;">http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org</span></a><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15"></span></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">I also engage with local and national politicians at meetings and via correspondence. It may not be a popular view but I believe that the vast majority of politicians I have met are genuinely committed to helping their constituents. They are the ultimate decision makers on how the results of CRUK research is used in the fight against Cancer, It</span></span><span class="s5" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">s vital that they are given accurate trustworthy information. This has been and will continue to be of the upmost importance as the Multinational, very rich, Tobacco Companies continue to throw money into the fight against any tobacco control issues. We can not allow them to hook another generation on their killer products.</span></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b> </b></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>What are your favourite aspects of volunteering for the charity?</b></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Being part of a fantastic team of talented and committed volunteers. And knowing that what we do makes a difference. As I grew up, I hardly heard anyone talk about Cancer. That is changing as people see more and more people surviving Cancer. There is much more to be done and many, like me, will have have lost friends to Cancer last year so we can not relax our efforts. We need more research and we need to ensure that the politicians continue to support the fight against Cancer.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Do you have any future volunteering plans?</b></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">As the Election comes around, I</span></span><span class="s5" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">ll be concentrating more on the CRUK Cross out Cancer Campaign</span></span><a href="http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/campaign-for-us/cross-cancer-out"><span class="s6" style="direction: rtl;">http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/campaign-for-us/cross-cancer-out</span></a></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">I will also be spending time promoting my other main charity the North West Air Ambulance where I volunteer as a Speaker</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">Delivering presentations to local groups and organisations</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">.</span></span><a href="https://nwaa.net/fundraising/volunteer"><span class="s6" style="direction: rtl;">https://nwaa.net/fundraising/volunteer</span></a><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15"></span></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">I also intend to spend more time promoting and encouraging local volunteering for my chosen charities. It</span></span><span class="s5" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">s probably my sports coaching background but I</span></span><span class="s5" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">m a great believer in team building. I</span></span><span class="s5" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">ve met some very talented people who just needed a little support to boost their confidence. Hopefully the work we have done with other Ambassadors to develop a team ethos helped them become the fantastic supporters and advocates for the Charity they are.</span></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">What</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15"> advice would you give to anyone considering volunteering for CRUK?</span></span></b></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">I</span></span><span class="s5" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">ve two pieces of advice</span></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1, There is a volunteer position that will suit everyone and I promise you will not find a more professional and caring charity when it comes to dealing with people who are willing to give up their time. So have a look at the volunteering opportunities and give it a go. It can be a life changing experience.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2, Get a diary and mark in the days you are NOT available and be strict with yourself. You can't do everything so just do what you can when you can.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">There is a tendency for people to feel they need to do more when they see what others do. Don</span></span><span class="s5" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">t be afraid to say no, we can</span></span><span class="s5" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">t all be marathon runners, or bloggers. We can't all spend every Sunday as race volunteer. We all have different responsibilities to our families. The amount of time people can spend in volunteer work will vary and has no relationship to commitment. A burnt out volunteer is no use to anyone and no one will criticise you for saying </span></span><span class="s5" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">“</span></span><span class="s4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">Sorry I</span></span><span class="s5" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">’</span></span><span class="s4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">m not available</span></span><span class="s5" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">”</span></span><span class="s4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15">.</span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15"><br></span></span></p><p class="s3" style="margin: 0px;"><span class="s4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; direction: rtl;"><span class="bumpedFont15"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHSJbIHHVWJM2vLYIIzMDT45DCT-MHPqvDaB25aSfMOXOOLqRm6mZDrZ5s87maEOaA_fXGdURaGIXe1_MDEIkXRbEB9pANh4u9wT6oHxCDNELhroHQ4BwNlsVCrUda4VuPbrxzHJFFPo/s640/blogger-image--133596391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHSJbIHHVWJM2vLYIIzMDT45DCT-MHPqvDaB25aSfMOXOOLqRm6mZDrZ5s87maEOaA_fXGdURaGIXe1_MDEIkXRbEB9pANh4u9wT6oHxCDNELhroHQ4BwNlsVCrUda4VuPbrxzHJFFPo/s640/blogger-image--133596391.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br><p></p>Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-29299149808408925282015-01-05T04:23:00.005-08:002015-01-05T04:23:45.270-08:00Cancer - Bad Luck or Bad Lifestyle?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scientists at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have released information saying most cancers are caused by bad luck rather then bad lifestyle choices. http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30641833</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All cancers have an element of chance - will your DNA have a mutation that leads to cancer. Whilst some are simply bad luck and some are indeed caused by genetics - many cancer cases are caused by the lifestyle choices we make. The main thing to take away from these findings is that early detection is key for ALL cancers and everyone should be vigilant with their health AND ready to seek testing if something is not right - regardless of your lifestyle and genetics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not a scientist and this site should never be treated as a scientific site but the facts and the hours of research I do for my posts speak for itself - the most common and deadly types of cancer are heavily influenced by certain lifestyle factors. More then four in ten cases of cancer in the UK (600,000 PER YEAR) could be prevented if we led healthier lives. So today's blog post will focus on the numerous lifestyle causes of cancer.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Smoking: </u></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">There are thousands of people every year who are diagnosed with cancer because they have a smoking habit. Years of research has proven very clear links between cancer and smoking. In fact smoking kills five times more people then road accidents, murder, suicide, HIV and overdoses in the UK. One in every four cancer deaths in the UK is directly caused by smoking. a fifth of all cancer cases in the UK are also directly caused by smoking. Cancer Research research shows that smoking is the most important PREVENTABLE cause of cancer in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">More then four in five cases of Lung Cancer are caused by smoking. Lung Cancer has one of the lowest survival rates. it is the most common cause of cancer in the UK. Most of these cases are preventable if you give up smoking and allow your lungs to recover.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">As well as Lung Cancer, smoking also increases your risk of over a dozen other cancers:</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Mouth</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Larynx (Voicebox)</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Pharynx (Upper Throat)</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Nose and Sinuses</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Oesophagus (Food Pipe)</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Liver</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Pancreas</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Stomach</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Kidney</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Bladder</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Cervix</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Bowel</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* One type of Ovarian</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Some types of Leukaemia</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* There is also evidence to suggest smoking can increase the risk of you developing Breast Cancer</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Now some people can smoke their entire lives and not develop cancer. This doesn't mean smoking doesn't cause cancer; it means they are lucky. Smokers are, on average, more likely to get cancer then a non-smoker is.</span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Half of all smokers eventually die from cancer or other smoking related illnesses. A quarter of smokers dies in middle age (between 35 and 69 years old)</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>Why Smoking Causes Cancer:</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">There are at least 80 cancer causing substances in tobacco smoke. As you inhale the smoke these chemicals are released into your lungs and spread about your body. According to scientists; these chemicals can actually damage your DNA and mutate important genes, making your cells grow and multiply until they are out of control.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>Give Up Now and Make A Difference!</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Researchers and campaigners have worked hard to educate people on the dangers of smoking and thanks to our hard work the number of people smoking in the UK has halved within the last fifty years. That also means that the number of Lung Cancer deaths has also halved. More work is being done (I will reveal our latest Ambassador campaign very soon!) and people are working very hard to continue making progress in this area. The fact remains that 33,000 are still killed by Lung Cancer every year and it seems that the number of people taking up smoking is catching up with the number of people giving up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Alcohol - </u></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Alcohol can cause seven types of cancer:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Mouth cancer</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Pharyngeal cancer (upper throat)</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Oesophageal cancer (food pipe)</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Laryngeal cancer (voice box)</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Breast cancer</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Bowel cancer</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Liver cancer</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Around 12,500 cases if cancer in the UK every year are caused by alcohol. That is around 4% of cases. Mouth cancer rates have increased dramatically and that may be due to higher levels of drinking and smoking in this country. Drinking alcohol doesn't not mean you are guaranteed to get cancer but scientists have discovered that cancer is more common in people who drink alcohol.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><u>How Much Alcohol Increases Your Chances?</u></b></span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">You don't have to have an addiction to alcohol or be a binge drinker to have an increased risk of cancer. Three units a day is all it takes to increase your risk, so a large glass of wine or a pint of beer! Obviously the more you drink, the higher your chances. Heavy, regular drinking can also lead to liver cancer, heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis and injuries caused by stumbling about. </span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><u>"Safe" Drinking</u></b></span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">If you really do like to have a daily drink then the recommended allowance is:</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Two units for women (one small glass of something)</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Three to four units for men (two small glasses of something)</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">There is only a limited risk but please do remember that some drinks contain more alcohol then you would think! </span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u><b>Binge Drinking or Daily Drinking?</b></u></span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">It really doesn't make much of a difference if you binge drink at the weekend or drink small amounts every day: it's the total amount of alcohol consumed over time that has effect on your cancer risk. You are more likely to develop cancer if you consume lots of alcohol, whether you drink it all in one night or spread it out across the week.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><u>Drinking and Smoking</u></b></span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Smoking and drinking will multiply your cancer risk. Tobacco and alcohol work as a deadly team damaging cells in your body. Alcohol aids tobacco, making it easier for your mouth and throat to absorb the cancer causing chemicals found in tobacco. In fact research has shown that people who smoke and drink are FIFTY TIMES more likely to develop cancer then someone who doesn't.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><u>What Types of Alcohol are Dangerous?</u></b></span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">ALL types of alcohol increase your risk of cancer, even red wine. Some types may benefit your health in small does but it is very important to remember to stick to the recommended allowances and to get help if you find yourself increasingly dependent on alcohol.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><u>Why Do The Allowances Differ for Men and Women?</u></b></span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">There are several biological reasons why women should have less alcohol then men. </span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Female livers produce less of an enzyme that breaks down alcohol so it will stay in women's bodies for longer,</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* There is evidence to suggest alcohol (one unit a day) can increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer significantly. </span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Smaller bodies absorb less alcohol then bigger bodies and women are usually smaller then men.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Women tend to be a curvy shape with more body fat and less body water then men. This means alcohol consumed by a woman becomes more concentrated whilst in her body then it would in a man.</span></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exercise - </span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">We are told that thirty minutes of "moderate" activity every day, five days a week is the basic requirement for exercise to have a positive impact on your health. Obviously, the more you do, the better and the lower your cancer risk will be. It doesn't matter if you have not exercised for a while, taking it up now will still have a good effect on your health. Government research suggests only 37% of men and 25% of women are currently managing the basic amount of activity recommended for a healthy lifestyle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>Moderate Activity - </u></b><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Moderate activity can be cheap and quick. It is a broad term; anything that makes you feel warm and slightly out of breath counts as moderate. Examples are: a brisk walk, gardening, dancing or even housework. </span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Small bursts of exercise throughout the day are just as useful as doing it all in one go. </span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Inactive lifestyles are linked to over 3,000 cases of cancer every year. They can also lead to diabetes, osteoporosis, strokes and heart disease. In fact a study estimates that inactivity kills two million people worldwide every year. Regular exercise will protect your body against some cancers and helps keep your body weight at a manageable, healthy level.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>Exercise and Bowel Cancer - </u></b><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">There have been more them fifty scientific studies across the world that have shown exercise can reduce your risk of bowel cancer. In fact, the largest study proved physically active people reduce their bowl cancer risk by up to a quarter. Keeping to a healthy body weight will also reduce your risk of bowel cancer. This is because:</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Exercise help you to have regular bowel movements. This means any cancer causing substances in your food will pass through your body quicker and easier.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Exercise reduces the amount of insulin, some hormones and some growth factors. All three of these substances can encourage tumour growth when found at high levels.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Exercise can reduce bowel inflammation which could lead to cancer.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>Exercise and Breast Cancer - </u></b><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Studies on exercise and breast cancer have shown that being active reduces your breast cancer risk by 20-40%. In addition to this, a study showed that every extra hour of exercise in a week will reduce your risk by a further 6%. This applies both before and after the menopause but the benefits are greater for women who have not been through the menopause yet.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>Exercise and Womb Cancer - </u></b><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Exercise is clearly associated with reducing the risk of womb cancer and active women have a 30% lower risk then women who do not exercise regularly. For men, it is also worth noting that exercise could reduce your risk of prostate cancer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Diet - </u></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">It is believed that almost one in ten cancer cases in the UK are caused by bad, unhealthy diets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Our diet choices can increase our risk of developing the following cancers:</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Bowel cancer</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Stomach cancer</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Mouth cancer</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Oesophagus (food pipe) cancer</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* Breast Cancer</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><u>A Healthy Diet</u></b><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">The link between cancer and your diet is really complicated. Our diet is made up of lots of different food and they all provide us with different nutrients. Most of these will affect our cancer risk, especially when combined with others. Your genetic make up also affects how your diet affects your cancer risk. Many scientists are busy conducting research studies how food protect or cause cancer and their results are beginning to filter through to cancer charities and doctors.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">We do know that a healthy, balanced diet will help reduce your cancer risk. Here are some tips on what food to enjoy and avoid in order to maintain a balanced diet:</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* <b>Fruit and Vegetables</b> - These are really important and can affect your risk of mouth and throat cancers. Fruit and veg are a really good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and folate. They are also a brilliant source of fibre. Try to aim for at least five pieces a day. Try to enjoy a wide variety of colours when it comes to your fruit and veg as it will mean you receive a broader range of vitamins and minerals. The chemicals that give a fruit it's colour is usually the same ones that are good for you.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* <b>Meat</b> - having lots of red meat or processed meat can increase your bowel cancer risk as well as stomach cancer. Eating white meat, such as chicken, will probably not increase your cancer risk. If like Leo and I, you love your meat, you don't need to abstain completely. You can enjoy small portions and try to make sure you don't over cook it at high temperatures as this can produce cancer causing chemicals.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Red Meat includes beef, pork and lamb. It doesn't matter if it is fresh or frozen.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Processed Meat includes ham, salami, bacon and sausages</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* <b>Salt</b> - salt can increase your risk of stomach cancer and nasopharync (the part where your nose connects with your throat) cancer. Using small amounts of table salt when cooking is unlikely to increase your cancer risk. It is also important to remember too much salt can increase your chances of having high blood pressure, heart disease or a stroke so try not to eat too much of it. Please check the salt intake of the foods you buy, especially if you are partial to a ready meal.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">* <b>Fibre</b> - foods that contain lots of fibre can reduce your bowel cancer risk by a quarter. So eat plenty of fruit and veg, wholegrain cereals, wholegrain bread, brown rices and pulses. Fruits and veg especially high in fibre include peas, avocados, apples, berries, spinach and pairs. Moderate amounts of fibre are found in carrots, oranges, broccoli, green beans, brussel sprouts and corn.</span><br style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">*<b> Fats</b> - fats are necessary to our diets but the key is to enjoy it in moderation as a high fat diet can increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and plenty more conditions. Evidence suggests to much saturated fat can increase your risk of breast cancer. Try to keep track of your fat intake, trying to avoid too much saturated fat (butter, cheese, fatty meat, biscuits and crisps.) Try semi-skimmed milk rather then full fat. Try to avoid frying your food as much as you can.</span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Tanning - </u></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">There are two main types of skin cancer:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* <b>Malignant melanoma</b> - the most serious type. Usually develops in the outer layer of your skin. Visible signs of melanoma incluse moles changing the way they look or feel. Malignant melanoma is one of the fastest rising cancers in the UK and have risen by more then four times since the 1970's. worryingly, we see more melanoma deaths then Australia, although they have more cases of the disease. Melanoma is a cancer that affects young adults. It is the second most common cancer seen in people aged between fifteen and thirty four. However, your risk of developing the disease increasing as you get older. Melanoma is more common in women then in men. Most commonly found on a woman's leg or a man's torso.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* <b>Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)</b> is more common then melanoma and easier to treat. It is commonly found on areas of the body exposed to the sun frequently (head, neck, arms and hands) There are two types of NMSC and they both tend to affect older people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">BASAL CELL CANCER</b><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> is more common. Slow to grow and usually begins as a small flattened lump. It can be red, pale or pearly and sometimes scaly, almost like eczema.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">SQUAMOUS CALL CANCER</b><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> is more serious and can spread if left untreated. It appears as persistent scaly spots, lumps or ulcers which bleed easily and are red in appearance.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><u>Early Diagnosis Saves Lives - </u></b></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Being conscious of your skin and noticing any changes is key to diagnosing skin cancer and saving lives. Make sure you know where your moles are and monitor them regularly. If any changes in size, shape or colour occur then get to your GP as quickly as possible. Skin cancer is much easier to treat in it's early stages.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><u>Risk Factors - </u></b><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Some people have a higher risk of developing skin cancer then others. These people will have one or more of the following factors:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Fair skin that burns easily</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Lots of moles and/or freckles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Frequent sunburn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Red or fair hair</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Light coloured eyes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* A family history of skin cancer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Personal history of skin cancer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How Can I Try To Prevent Skin Cancer? - </b><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">There are things you can do to try and protect your skin. Wearing SP15+ suncream, covering up as best you can and finding shade during peak sun hours (12-4) all help look after your skin and protect it from harmful UV rays. Avoiding sunbeds is obviously a huge factor, you are 75% more likely to develop cancer if you use sunbeds even once before you turn thirty five. If you really do need a tan then I really do encourage you to use a fake tan spray rather then running to the sunbed; your skin and your health will thank you for it.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont20" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you've found this useful,for more information please visit www.cancerresearchuk.org</span></span></span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-5592369388242060762015-01-02T02:34:00.003-08:002015-01-02T02:34:48.497-08:00CRUK Volunteer Showcase - Penny Christofi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy New Year!!! I hope 2015 is a year full of happiness, good health, love and success for anyone reading this post!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This site will have a new system this year. Every Monday a factual post will be uploaded and every Friday a volunteer showcase will be uploaded. Things will kick off properly from Monday but as today is the first Friday of 2015 I thought I would start as I mean to go on and post a showcase. Today I'm using myself as a soft launch for the new system. Next week it will kick off properly with the one and only David Collins; ultimate volunteer and my unofficial mentor!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bits and pieces are known about myself and my volunteer role with CRUK but if you haven't been reading the site from the beginning and don't know me personally here is all about me!</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What Made You Decide to Volunteer for CRUK?</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started volunteering in November 2010 when I was twenty one years old. My cousin, Georgie, had been suffering from osteosarcoma, his third cancer, for several years at that point and I had lost my Buppou (Grandfather) to cancer in January that year. In the past I had also lost my Uncle, two Aunts and my Yiayia (Grandmother). I wanted to actively start doing something to help and the Ambassador programme seemed to be able to combine my knowledge of politics with my desire to do something worthwhile for people like my cousin. Georgie died five months after I started volunteering and the work I was doing definitely helped with my grief and continues to do so even now.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What Sort of Things Do You Do For The Charity?</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I'm honest there isn't a lot I wouldn't do for CRUK! My main role with the charity is "Cancer Campaigns Ambassador for Bromley and Chislehurst"which means I represent my local contituency. I liaise with the local press to seek support and publicity for our campaigns. I meet with, and sometimes lobby, my local MP and other political figures to flag up campaign issues and try to persuade them to take positive action.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My role as a volunteer has expanded hugely in the last four years. On top of my Ambassador role I have also been known to make speeches, volunteer at events such as Race for Life and Shine, take part in events such as Race for Life and Shine, attend political party conferences, appear in CRUK videos, Facebook and Twitter campaigns, mentor other volunteers, share my stories at events and volunteer conferences, collect petition signatures and donate to CRUK shops. Basically if CRUK ask me to do something, I'll do it!</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What Are Your Favourite Aspects of Volunteering for the Charity?</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The people I get to meet are, without a doubt, the best part of being a volunteer. The friends I've made and the bonds that have formed are truly amazing. The people I've met through CRUK are truly compassionate, inspiring and brave people that have genuinely changed my life and my outlook, The first people to offer me support during both the good and bad times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting to see positive results is also incredible. Walking into a supermarket and seeing the blank cigarette display due to our campaign, seeing survival rates increase and knowing I've had a very small part to play, messages from people explaining they have gone for a check up or tried to give up smoking after reading this blog - there is no better feeling then knowing you're making a small but positive difference in the world you live in.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do You Have Any Future Volunteering Plans?</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2015 is an election year in the UK so it's a very busy period for the CRUK Ambassador family. I'm very excited to get stuck in and work within our fantastic team to make this the best year yet for CRUK.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a personal level this is my fifth year of being a volunteer and I'm branching out slightly. I'm going to be more patient focused this year - shopping for those that are unable to do so themselves, visiting patients and getting involved in a different aspect of volunteering.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What Advice Would You Give Anyone Considering Volunteering for CRUK?</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will never regret becoming a volunteer. It will change your life. You'll meet people and experience things that will change your outlook. You'll find yourself offering to do more and more. Being a volunteer is one of the best things I have ever done and it is certainly the thing I am most proud of. GO FOR IT! </span><br />
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-61746948429147639452014-12-02T07:45:00.002-08:002014-12-02T07:45:25.708-08:00Giving Tuesday 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is Giving Tuesday, a day where we put the excess of Christmas to one side and try to give back to our communities, so I thought I would summarise a few ways people could get involved. Please take 5 minutes out of your day to do spare anything you can to ensure someone receives a special gift this Christmas, and ensure you end up on Santa's nice list!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a few ideas of what you can do to take part today:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Cancer Research UK</u></b> - of course I have to mention the charity close to my heart! <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Text GIVE1 to 70200 to donate £3 to help beat cancer sooner.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><u><b>CLIC Sargent</b></u> - My friend Luke Claxton is fundraising for this brilliant charity with his Target 50K project. There are so many ways to take part. You can click the link and donate or you can find out other ways to get involved at </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">https://www.justgiving.com/target50k/</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><u>The George Pantziarka TP53 Trust</u></b> - My beautiful cousin, Georgie, has sadly passed but our family is working tirelessly in his memory. You can find out more at www.tp53.co.uk</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><u>Local Food Banks</u></b> - Many families are living below the poverty line so if you are able to add a few items to your weekly shop and donate them to your local food bank you could provide a family with some much needed food during the festive season.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><u>Crisis</u></b> - €21.62 could provide a homeless person a homeless person with a place at a shelter, including hot food, health checks and some support to enable them to hopefully make a fresh and positive start in the new year. You can find out more at http://community.crisis.org.uk/facebook</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">There are so many ways to do something selfless and amazing today. Christmas is a time for family, love, food etc.... but it should also be a time where we are grateful for what we have and try to help those who are sadly less fortunate then us. Please let me know if you do anything to mark the day!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">As well as donating to CRUK and Luke's Target 50k I shall be using today to donate to Crisis to help some of the homeless and I am planning a trip to deliver Christmas presents at my local Children's Hospital. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">xxx</span></span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-76247756132297272432014-11-28T00:45:00.001-08:002014-11-28T00:46:47.547-08:00Justice for Michael Mina x<div>I love my family very much, I think that's obvious to all that know me. But I also have close friends, whom I treat like family, and they mean the absolute world to me too. Almost 2 weeks ago someone I consider my aunt lost her nephew/godson in a horrific way. </div><div><br></div><div>Michael Mina was 22 years old and was stabbed in the neck by a 17 year old who had more then 50 criminal offences to his name. The attack was savage and has left Michael's family suffering the agony of his loss and knowing it could have been prevented if this criminal had been in a youth detention centre. </div><div><br></div><div>The Mina family are lovely lovely people. I've grown up with them and can honestly say you'd be hard pressed to find more decent and loving people. The fact that the church was absolutely packed during Michael's funeral is proof that he and his family are loved by many. </div><div><br></div><div>Somehow Michael's family have found the strength within themselves to use their loss and their grief to try and ensure this tragedy doesn't happen to anyone else. Amongst other things they have a petition online to ask the Cyprus government to take action and put things in place for young criminals in this country. It's a hugely important campaign that needs your support. </div><div><br></div><div>Please have click the link, read the information and sign the petition to support this amazing family on their quest for justice for Michael. http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/The_Cyprus_Government_President_of_Cyprus_Creation_of_adequate_juvenile_correctional_facilities/?tdPpKib</div><div><br></div><div>The Christofi family are fully behind you guys, so much love for you all xxx</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA9SHP15kDe9yKw7Bs49vfBPAr4yQKsPTykRJ00tnktBayEz8am4Sx4ZmoW_g0Yn0pY6DTTlBUqm8pVveECbDzVC_5ra7kBfmPx1-hekLNsEHWzuMAW4dErNzbaQr113Ez8IINeXOeMk/s640/blogger-image-1098418811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA9SHP15kDe9yKw7Bs49vfBPAr4yQKsPTykRJ00tnktBayEz8am4Sx4ZmoW_g0Yn0pY6DTTlBUqm8pVveECbDzVC_5ra7kBfmPx1-hekLNsEHWzuMAW4dErNzbaQr113Ez8IINeXOeMk/s640/blogger-image-1098418811.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-57240825784869513782014-11-26T03:52:00.001-08:002014-11-26T03:54:18.940-08:00CRUK Campaigns Ambassador Showcase - Phil Wilson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another Ambassador showcase today, and one I have been wanting to do for a while! I first met Phil at a volunteers conference two years ago. He was friendly, interesting and very clearly passionate about CRUK and the subject of what we can do to beat cancer in general. Phil is one of life's "doers", always updating the rest of us on his antics, which include recently meeting the Prime Minister, and he is one of the very few people I know on very good first name terms with his MP. I hope you find Phil as inspiring as I do when reading this.</span></i></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><b>What Made You Decide to Volunteer for CRUK?</b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">I had done other volunteering and events for a variety of charities, this included music events, a quiz or two and the Virgin London Marathon.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">My partner, the lovely Sarah, had been having treatment for breast cancer and that was my call to action.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">Politically, activity started while I was still training for the London Marathon.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">I had flagged up a charity bag fraud in Kent that, following further research, was found to be a national problem costing millions of pounds to genuine charities. After being passed around like a hot potato by Trading Standards, the Police and local licensing departments, I decided to pay a visit to my member of parliament. I am lucky to have a very active MP in the shape of Tracey Crouch. She was far from impressed when she heard about the run-around that I had experienced and she took the baton and ran with it. This culminated with an an adjournment debate in Westminster and a round table debate. I was asked to do radio and TV interviews on the back of these actions(one live on BBC1 lunchtime news!) Scary for most, but having a stammer sort of put the pressure on a tad!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">This gave me the bug to help charities in a way that up until then I did not know existed.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">I first joined Breakthrough Breast Cancer's CAN team. (Campaigns and Advocacy) I had success, again with the very active Tracey Crouch MP encouraging her to sign up to a couple of Breakthrough's campaigns.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">The lovely Sarah started to work for CRUK and when I found out that they also kicked shins in Westminster, I applied to be an Ambassador. They must have been low on the ground because they took me on!!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><b>What sort of things do you do for the charity?</b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">It is surprising the number of people who think putting your hand in your pocket, though much needed, is the only way you can help charities. I have blown balloons up at events, banged in tent pegs, walked a Race for Life course as “The Last Man” making sure everyone has got round. On that particular event in Rochester, the last person was a lady in her late 70s with cancer, still doing her ”bit.” I kept her company until the last 100 metres and let her walk to the finish with her granddaughter to get all of the applause from the crowd..... yes I cried! (I do a lot of that these days!!)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">A couple of years back I was a cycle marshal for Shine. That was an amazing experience (though very tiring) We cycled up and down chosen parts of the route keeping an eye out for any help required or were sent by radio to various parts of the course to assist with extra busy spots keeping walkers safe.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">I am an active Ambassador and the role pays me back in spades as I get to meet all kinds of lovely people.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><b>What are your favourite aspects of volunteering for the charity?</b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">This might sound selfish, but personal development. Although as a professional drummer I am confident behind a drum kit, I was shy in crowds and would never speak in public because of my stammer. A major part of my development has been due to my experience at CRUK. I turned “I can't speak in public!” into “What can I do to speak in public for CRUK?” The overall improvement to my voice is a very long story but I now speak as part of my job (presenting drum circles and rhythm events for education and business team building) I have joined the Professional Speaker Association and I have started writing a book about Presenting. None of this would happen without my involvement with CRUK and Breakthrough.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">My MP invited me to a gathering of medical experts and charities to meet with David Cameron. When the table was opened for questions my hand was the first up. That would never have happened!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">I meet such inspirational people, cleaver people, nice and funny people, plus guess what?? Never once have I met anyone complaining about anything. Not their illness, their job or anything. Perhaps that's a lesson we all need to look at!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">I would strongly recommend anyone with any talent (even a talent they think they don't have) to have a go at volunteering. You will help change lives....maybe even your own!</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">If you're interested in working alongside someone as brilliant as Phil then please click on the link and apply to join our Ambo family!! </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: x-small;">http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/campaign-for-us</span></span><br>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thank you for allowing me to interview you Phil, I feel very privileged to work alongside you!</span><br>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7756835540094517928.post-53835713878753065612014-11-12T11:56:00.003-08:002014-11-12T11:56:50.614-08:00New Campaign - Cross Cancer Out<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it comes to my voluntary work there is nothing I love more then working as a team with my Ambo family. Our latest campaign has started and today I'm going to outline it here in the blog and hopefully get you guys involved in some way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The UK is currently building up to the General Election which will take place in May 2015. We get to decide who will be representing the constituencies we live in and representing our views in Parliament as well as ultimately deciding who will lead our country for the next few years. If you're over the age of eighteen and registered to vote then you have a chance to make your voice heard and exercise your right to vote.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Real progress is being made in the fight against cancer and CRUK's political actions is helping to accelerate this progress. Cancer is a political issue as well as a emotional one and it is something that matters to all of us. Survival rates have doubled over the last forty years but there is still lots more work to be done and this campaign is focusing on what the charity would like election candidates to focus on:</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Continued Support for Campaigns to Raise Public Awareness of the Signs and Symptoms of Cancer</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Campaigns such as Be Clear on Cancer help raise awareness and encourage people to seek help when they feel they can identify some key signs and symptoms of cancer within their bodies. During the BCOC lung cancer campaign, 700 more people were diagnosed with lung cancer and 300 more received potentially life saving treatment compared to the same time period the year before. CRUK want the government to continue to support such campaigns in the UK.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*A Commitment to Increase Participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. As with most cancers, patients diagnosed at an earlier stage are more likely to survive, with four out of five patients with the earliest stage of the disease surviving at least five years after diagnosis. However fewer then one in ten patients are diagnosed at the earliest stage. CRUK would like the government to ask local areas to increase the number of people participating in bowel screening by at least 10% as well as providing quality information on the risks and benefits of the screening process so people can make an informed decision on whether to participate.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Strengthen the System and Processes that Support Cancer Diagnosis</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Health is a devolved issue but people living in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can still get involved in the campaign as your next MP's will also need to be encouraged to keep cancer high on the political agenda. They will also have the power to advocate for improved health throughout the UK. Successful initiatives in England will have an impact on the other three nations so it is important MP's are aware of what is going on.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Equal Access to Innovative Radiotherapy, Surgery and Effective Cancer Drugs, including Drugs Targeted to Patients' Tumours.</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-<b>Radiotherapy</b> is a cost-effective and cutting edge cure for cancer. Treatments are becoming more sophisticated over time and CRUK believe it is important that patients receive the very latest treatments as soon as they have been proven effective and become available. Research suggests radiotherapy contributes to four in ten cases where the cancer is cured. My Ambo family helped secure over £23million from the government to help increase patient access to radiotherapy so that now over 6,000 more patients have access to a targeted radiotherapy with less side effects. CRUK now want to government to commit to a long term strategy to make innovative radiotherapy treatments available to all those who would benefit. This strategy should include details on how out dated radiotherapy machines will be replaced by newer equipment with more advanced techniques as well as how the workforce will be resourced,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-<b>Surgery</b> is essential when it comes to managing and treating cancer. It contributes to half of all cases were cancer is cured. Evidence suggests that older patients are less likely to have surgery for their cancer and CRUK believes surgery should be offered to ALL cancer patients where appropriate regardless of age. We want the government to commit to increase access to surgery for the older population.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-<b>Cancer drugs</b> are an important part in many patients treatment. Appropriate access to effective and innovative drugs is vital and we need the government to find a long term solution to make these drugs available to the patients who need them. NICE, the NHS and drug companies will be required to work together to make this happen. Personalised medicine is already revolutionising cancer treatment as it makes sure patients get the best drugs for their condition, and hopefully avoid side effects from the drugs specialists can predict will not work for them, We will hopefully develop many more targeted treatments in the future and we need to make sure the government and NHS develop a commissioning policy so patients can be offered the appropriate diagnostic tests.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lizzy Allen, one of the lovely ladies looking after my Ambo family, has written a blog about the campaign which you can read here http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2014/10/24/its-time-to-cross-cancer-out-our-general-election-campaign/ </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can take part in the campaign by taking two minutes to click the link and allow CRUK to email your election candidates and ask them to support the campaign. http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=149&ea.campaign.id=32425&ea.tracking.id=140b280a</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Campaigns are what we Ambassadors do best and I'm hugely excited about this one. The build up to the general election is really important and I encourage as many people as possible to get involved and help decide who will be in charge of our country next. Thank you very much in advance for clicking the link!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more information please visit http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/campaign-for-us/cross-cancer-out</span></div>
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Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14319295638420987922noreply@blogger.com0