Cancer Types: Ovarian

Hey everyone,

Another factual post here, this time describing a certain type of cancer. Ovarian cancer is known as a “silent killer” because its symptoms are usually hard to spot. It’s highly likely that Despina and Georgie’s mum had ovarian cancer but didn’t know until it had spread. She died at an incredibly young age and left two very young children. This post is dedicated to her, my godmother Gina.

So I’m going to try and give you all some information about ovaries and cancer of the ovaries. I’m now working in a fertility clinic so I’ve learnt an awful lot about ovaries; let’s see how much of it has stuck in my brain!

The Ovaries:

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

Ovarian Cysts:

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

Ovarian Cancer:

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

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

Screening for Ovarian Cancer:

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

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

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

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:

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

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

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

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

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

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

If your doctor is concerned, they will do a full pelvic ultrasound including an internal examination, which can be uncomfortable. If there is a lump or cause for concern then they will arrange for you to have an ultrasound scan and it will go from there.

Ovarian cancer can be scary because not a lot is known about it. However, you can read more about it at www.cancerresearchuk.org and if you are worried about ovarian cancer, please make an appointment with your GP to discuss your concerns.

xxx

Macmillan Cancer Support - Debunking Common Myths

Macmillan has a fantastic section on their website debunking commonly believed cancer myths.  They answer the following questions and statements very clearly and precisely:

·        *  It is better not to know that you have cancer

·        * There is no effective treatment for cancer

·         * I am too old for cancer treatment

·         * People with cancer die a painful death

·         * You can become addicted to morphine and other strong painkillers

·         * Morphine treatment speeds up death

·        *  Palliative care nurse only come to see you when you are about to die

·         * People only go to hospices to die

It is really informative and I really do recommend you all have a read of their answers!

Well done Macmillan, it’s about time these myths were addressed. Part of the problem with diagnosing people is that cancer is such a terrifying subject and so many people think it means certain death. These days it doesn’t and early diagnosis is key to survival.

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Livingwithandaftercancer/Practicalissues/Cancerolderpeople/Commonmyths.aspx

xxx

Brain Tumour Awareness Month Part 6: Things to Remember

So March is almost over, which means so is Brain Tumour Awareness Month. I’ve done so many lengthy posts about brain tumours that I thought it would be good to round off the month with a summary of things to remember.

• ·         The brain controls the body.
• ·         The brain has several parts and ANY part can be affected by a brain tumour
• ·         Symptoms will depend on the part of the brain the tumour is growing in. This is because each part of the brain has a different purpose and affects different parts of us.
• ·         Not much is known about what causes a brain tumour – age is a factor as your risk rises as you get older. Genetics is also an issue; your risk is doubled if a parent or sibling has had a brain tumour. Radiation is a definite risk as brain tumours are common in people that have had radiation treatment on their head. A weak immune system can also lead to brain tumours.
• ·         Brain tumours are slightly more common in men, although Menigionma is more common in women.
• ·         Currently less than 15% of brain tumour sufferers survive their battle
• ·         48,000 people in the UK are diagnosed every year: 16,000 suffering from a primary brain tumour and 32,000 suffering from a secondary brain tumour.
• ·         20 – 25% of all cancers spread to the brain
• ·         Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children in the UK and brain tumours also kill more people under 40 than any other cancer
• ·         Research into brain tumours is significantly behind research into other cancers
• ·         Current treatments can frequently lead to significant, life limiting deficits
• ·         There are more than 120 different types of brain tumour, each requiring different treatments
• 
  

There are several charities specialising in support for brain tumour sufferers and their families. These charities have been created by parents that have lost their precious children to the disease. I am a very fierce and proud supporter of these charities and I urge you to read about them, support them and help them in any way that you can.

Harry Moseley – Help Harry Help Others

Harry is one of the most inspirational people I have ever come across. He raised over £650,000 for Cancer Research UK whilst fighting his own horrific battle with a brain tumour. He lovingly made and sold beautiful beaded bracelets, whilst also doing public speaking and generally raising awareness of brain tumours. Harry sadly died in October 2011 and his amazingly strong mum Georgie is fighting through her immense grief to carry on Harry’s work in his memory. You can read more about Harry, Georgie and the fabulous work they do at www.helpharryhelpothers.com

Ellie Othick – Ellie’s Fund

Ellie was eleven when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in March 2007. She was given six months to live but she found the strength to fight the tumour for three years and one day before passing away on Valentine’s Day 2010 aged just fourteen. Ellie managed to raise £25,000 for various charities whilst battling her tumour. Her parents have decided to carry on her fabulous work and have created Ellie’s Fund Brain Tumour Trust. The trust raises money to fund a brain tumour research laboratory in Leeds. They also campaign for improved awareness and funding for brain tumours and research into causes and cures for them. They have a petition which they are going to hand in to the government when they reach their target number of signatures. You can read more about the trust at www.elliesfund.com and you can sign the petition http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/17419

Joss Parkes – Joss Searchlight

Joss was diagnosed with a Brain Stem Glioma in 2005. His doctor declared it to be “Disneyland Time” and told his devastated parents that nothing more could be done for him. Dianne and Nigel Parkes refused to give up on their son and spent hours looking things up on the internet and creating a treatment plan for their son. The doctors had given Joss just weeks to live but his parents helped him survive five more years. Sadly Joss died in January 2011 aged eleven. Dianne and Nigel have also pushed through their grief and used it to help others. They have set up Joss Searchlight, a charity helping families struggling to look after a child with a brain tumour. They aim to make those children happy by granting them wishes and creating happy memories for the child and their family to cherish. You can read more about this fairly new charity at www.jossparkessearchlight.org.uk

The Joseph Foote Charitable Trust

Joseph Foote was just two and a half when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour back in 2000. This incredible young boy fought the tumour for seven years before passing away at the age of nine in September 2007. His family have decided to raise money in his memory and fund research into brain tumours. They are hoping this research will lead to survival rates rising from 15% to 80%. You can read more about the trust and their work at www.josephfoote.co.uk

I hope you have found my posts this month useful and I really do hope you check out the charities I have mentioned. I've lost people I love but I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. These charities are incredible because they are created by people wanting to prevent other people going through the pain that has been forced on them. They are amazing and I am proud to support them.

Lets hope they achieve their goals and one day soon we have a world in which brain tumours are less common and easier to cure.

RIP Harry, Ellie, Joss and Joseph - may your memories live on in your incredible work

xxxxx

Shine 2012

Hi everyone,


Not content with my campaigning and ambassador work, I have decided to take on my biggest challenge yet for Cancer Research UK - Shine 2012.


Shine is a night time marathon taking place in London on September 29th 2012. I will be walking 26.2 miles across London from 9pm at night until I manage to cross the finish line! I'm hoping to raise money for Cancer Research UK to help fund research into cancer and to find cures for the disease.


My Inspirations are:
Georgie and Gina Pantziarka
Eleni, Sotiris, Peter and Alexandra Christophe
Stuart Pilcher


You can read about them: 
http://pennysophia.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/georgie-pantziarka-xx.html
http://pennysophia.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/stuart-pilcher-survivor-story.html
http://pennysophia.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/alexandra-and-peter-christophe.html
http://pennysophia.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/sotiris-and-eleni-christophe-and-gina.html


I will be training hard and will keep you all updated! I know times are tough but if you can please donate what you can, I would really appreciate it!


As you all will know, I'm passionate about finding cures for cancer and saving people from this horrific disease; this event is just one way I help CRUK do just that, any support and donations will be very gratefully received :)


http://www.justgiving.com/PennyChristofi


xxx

Indi Mills - A Superstar

My lovely friend Rachel has just told me about one of her amazing colleagues and I wanted to share her story here.

Indi Mills is suffering from Lymphoma cancer, which is affecting her blood cells. She is currently receiving chemo. This young lady is absolutely incredible – she has decided to take as much control as she can and is raising money for CLIC Sargent by shaving her head.

I think this is absolutely amazing and I really do wish Indi all the best.  If you can donate anything to Indi’s cause then please click on the link below and give what you can. Please also leave her a message of support.

Thank you

Good Luck Indi – I’m really rooting for you

http://www.justgiving.com/Indi-Mills

xxx

Brain Tumour Awareness Month Part Four: The Joseph Foote Charitable Trust

As you all know, The Bugg sisters are busy looking after their mum Shirley, who is sadly battling a brain tumour. Rochelle Bugg is a very good friend of mine and she has mentioned the Joseph Foote Charitable Trust several times. I decided to learn more about them and highlight the fabulous work they do for families like the Buggs.

Joseph Foote was 2 ½ years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2000. Somehow this incredible young boy managed to battle the tumour for 7 years before it took him from his family in September 2007.  He was nine years old.

His family decided to raise money in Joseph’s memory to support those battling brain tumours and to fund more research into this terrible disease. Joseph’s courage and bravery continues to live on in his loved one’s tireless battle to save others from a similar fate.

The trust’s main aim is to fund vital research into brain tumours so that survival rates can ride from 15% to 80%. They hope to achieve this by doing three things:

·     * Funding and promoting research into the nature, causes, diagnosis and treatment of brain tumours.

·     * Providing financial and other support to brain tumour sufferers and their families

·     * Promoting greater public awareness and more education regarding brain tumours

The trust has some alarming statistics which I would like to share with you:

• ·         Currently less than 15% of brain tumour sufferers survive their battle
•           48,000 people in the UK are diagnosed every year. 
•           16,000 of those are suffering from a primary brain tumour and 32,000 with a    secondary brain tumour 
• ·         20-25% of all cancers spread to the brain
• ·         Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children in the UK
• ·         Brain tumours kill more people under 40 than any other cancer
• ·         65% more women die from a brain tumour then from cervical cancer
• ·         Every year the number of brain tumour sufferers rises by about 4%
• ·         Research into brain tumours is significantly behind research into other cancers
• ·         Current treatment methods can frequently lead to significant, life limiting deficits
• ·         There are more than 120 different types of brain tumour each requiring different treatments
• 
  

      The trust does a lot of research into brain tumours. Their main aim is to improve the survival rate for children with brain tumours and to reduce the damage treatment can create by understanding the biology of tumours. They do this by:

• ·     Conducting extensive genomic analyses of children’s brain tumours to identify cancer causing genetic abnormalities
• ·     Developing model systems in order to better understand:  WHERE brain tumours come from, HOW they develop resistance to treatment, and the study WHAT effect the abnormal genes driving cancer have in normal cells
• ·     Identifying novel markers for predicting treatment response and determining prognosis
• ·     Translating knowledge of tumour biology into effective new cures for brain tumours through pre-clinical trials of molecular targeted therapies

The trust uses cutting edge genetic techniques in their labs to provide detailed assessments of tumour biology. The research the trust conducts is done by a highly professional and well trained group of staff with varied background and skills.

The trust takes on the responsibility of educating the public about brain tumours and improving awareness amongst the public, the government and medical professionals. They hope this increased awareness will put pressure on the powers that be to create positive changes in the field of brain tumours and generate more research and funding.  The trust regularly uses TV and radio as well as press coverage to create awareness.

The trust is also now a member of the Brain Tumour Consortium which is a coalition of brain tumour organisations striving for the same three core values:

1. To ensure early diagnosis and treatment by ensuring that clear guidelines on identifying the signs and symptoms of brain tumours, and on referring patients for rapid and appropriate assessment, are integrated into General Practice and Emergency Medicine Practice. 

- To implement NICE's best practice guidance by setting a clear timetable to fully implement and audit the Improving Outcomes Guidance, or its country equivalent, in particular by ensuring that the Health and Social Care Bill maintains the progress made to date. 

- To increase Government investment in brain tumour research and more accurately measure numbers of both primary and secondary brain tumours by publishing a detailed breakdown of site-specific brain tumour research funding from the Government and ensure that by 2014 at least 7.5% of adults with primary brain tumours are enrolled in randomised controlled clinical trials as part of their therapy. 

Anybody working this hard for people in need deserves support. I think this trust is absolutely amazing and I fully support all the work they do. If you would like to find out more, please visit their website or find them on Facebook/Twitter. You can also find out about how to get involved and support the trust. They have a £1,000 challenge which is well worth looking at.

www.josephfoote.co.uk

xxx

Brain Tumour Awareness Month Part 3: Treatment

As I have previously explained; there are several types of brain tumours and treatment can depend on the type of brain tumour, the size, the grade, its position and the patient’s general health. I thought I would try and outline how treatment would be done and what kind of treatment options there are for brain tumours.

A Multidisciplinary team (MDT) plans a brain tumour sufferer’s care. This team could include:

·         A Neurosurgeon ( a doctor specialising in operating on the brain and nervous system

·         A Neurologist (a doctor specialising in treated brain and nervous system related illness)

·         A Clinical Oncologist (a doctor who specialises in treating cancer)

·         A Specialist Nurse (trained to give information and support to brain tumour patients)

Before any treatment takes place, your doctor should sit you down and explain a treatment plan as clearly and as thoroughly as possible. You will usually have to sign a consent form to say you agree with the treatment plan and want it to go ahead. Before signing any forms you should make sure you are clear about:

·         The type of treatment you are being advised to have

·         The advantages and disadvantages of that particular treatment plan

·         Any other types of treatment that may be of some benefit to you

·         Any significant risks or side effects

Don’t feel embarrassed if you do not fully understand what is being said: it is a confusing and worrying time for you and it is fully understandable for you to be confused and scared. If you have questions then please do ask them and make sure you understand the answers. The MDT team are there to support you and give you the best shot at survival; they will be happy to answer your questions and try to put your mind at ease.

All of this information can be terrifying, please try not to face it alone. Take a loved one with you to these appointments. They can hold your hand, ask questions on your behalf and just be there to support you.

Please don’t feel you have to take your MDT’s word as gospel, you are entitled to get second opinions. You won’t be insulting anyone by asking them to refer you to another specialist. You do what is best for you and your survival.

Unfortunately, cancer treatments can cause side effects. It is really important to know what side effects to expect with your treatment plan. Ways of reducing and avoiding side effects are becoming more common over time but it is still important to prepare yourself and your loved ones for any possible effects.

Treatments:

ur   Surgery is usually the first treatment involved with a primary brain tumour. If the tumour, or part of it, can be removed safely and without causing harm to brain tissue then it will normally be your first option.

·     Radiotherapy is often used after surgery to help remove any cells that may have been left behind. With high grading tumours, radiotherapy is often advised even if all of it has been removed by surgery. Some low grade tumours such as gliomas may be treated with radiotherapy by itself. When surgery is not an option, radiotherapy is usually used as the main treatment.

·     Chemotherapy can be used alongside radiotherapy to treat rare types of brain tumours such as lymphomas or germinomas

  

This blog post is fairly brief because I am very conscious of the fact that I am not medically trained. I do not want to give out any advice or treatment ideas that may not be doctor approved. I just want to outline the treatment process and give you a little understanding of how brain tumours can be treated. For more information, please visit the Cancer Research UK website or contact your doctor.

xxx

· 

The Catalyst Club

As you all know, I absolutely love working with Cancer Research UK. I’m very proud to be their ambassador and I absolutely adore all the people I've met through the work I do with them. I fully believe in the charity and I can 100% guarantee that they work tirelessly to reduce the number of cancer related deaths in the UK, to find cures for the disease and to make people more aware of their health to try and prevent people becoming ill in the first place.

CRUK is a strong advocate for personalised medicine, which will hopefully become a brand new way of treating cancer effectively. By understanding more about the genetics behind cancer and how it affects a person’s response to treatment we can help save lives and improve cancer treatment. Personalised medicine is set to be a revolution and will make it possible for doctors to choose the best treatments for each individual patient based on their genetic makeup and the characteristics of the cancer they are suffering from.

T

his is why CRUK have set up the Catalyst Club. The Catalyst Club are working hard to raise £10 million to make personalised medicine a reality.The Catalyst Club is unique and allows its members to take an active role in funding research. They have opportunities to meet leading scientists and clinicians, meaning you are right at the heart of the personalised medicine movement.

The Catalyst Club Projects

The Catalyst Club funds three CRUK projects. These projects are incredibly innovative and will help make personalised medicine a reality for cancer sufferers in the UK. These projects are:

Exploration: Genetic Mapping of Oesophageal Cancer – the club will contribute £4.5 million to fund the complete genetic mapping of oesophageal cancer. This will identify faults that drive the growth and development of this cancer, which is incredibly difficult to treat.

Translation: Genomics Initiative – the club will contribute £4 million to fund access to cutting-edge genetic technology for their scientists. This will allow them to answer clinically important questions about cancer genetics.

Application: Stratified Medicine Programme – The club will also contribute £1.5 million to fund this programme which will investigate how to roll out high quality, routine genetic testing to all cancer patients, through the NHS. By linking the genetic information to patient’s treatment history and outcomes it will also provide a wealth of information to feed back into cancer research.

As someone who has lost six family members to cancers caused by genetic mutations, I welcome the Catalyst Club and their work with open arms. I think personalised medicine is absolutely fantastic and I really want to see it happening in the near future. My family is working hard for people suffering from gene mutation with our trust, The George Pantziarka TP53 Trust and it is really great to see other people dedicated to understanding the genetics behind cancer. I think the Catalyst Club will lead to amazing things in the world of cancer treatments and I urge everyone to read into their work and understand how amazing it is.

Please visit their website for more information

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/thecatalystclub/

xxx

Another Petition!

My school friend Pepe is a Tamil and is encouraging people to sign a petition asking the government for an independent inquiry into war crimes in Sri Lanka. I've signed the petition and would ask that you read about it and do the same :)


http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/14586 


xxx

Macmillan Cancer Support - Campaign for Free Hospital Parking

When Georgie was little and suffering from his first cancer, he was treated at Great Ormond Street. GOSH are a fabulous hospital and a lot of my childhood memories were created there. For example, they got Despina, Nikki and I to help them organise a surprise birthday party for Georgie one year in their playroom. 

However GOSH is in a bit of a tricky location and parking is a problem. In fact, my uncle was given a parking ticket once. He explained to the warden that he was taking his baby son to hospital for cancer treatment but he received no understanding or sympathy. It wasn’t until he went to court and explained that he was a widower looking after a cancer stricken son that the fine was wavered.

So it wasn’t a surprise for me to hear that Macmillan Cancer Support have discovered that around 60% of cancer patients are paying full price for parking when they travel to hospital for treatment. Hospital parking is really expensive and the last thing you want to worry about when receiving cancer treatment or supporting a loved one through cancer treatment is clock watching and worrying about your parking ticket running out.

I support Macmillan’s campaign to make hospital parking free to cancer patients. In fact I think it should be free full stop. Their campaign has been successful across the UK so far, Wales has had free hospital parking since April 2008. Northern Ireland offers free parking to all chemo and radiotherapy patients. Scottish hospitals also offer free parking.

Macmillan is now calling on hospitals in England to join the other nations of the UK and provide free parking facilities for cancer patients. Sign the pledge and join Macmillan in their quest, it really will make a difference to people already going through huge turmoil.

http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=70&ea.campaign.id=2608&ea.param.extras=carparking:website

xxx

Brain Tumour Awareness Month Part 2: Seve Ballesteros

For a decade, Seve Ballesteros was known as the greatest golfer on the planet. He was a former No.1 and he won more than eighty tournamounts, five of which were major championships. He was just nineteen when he first came to international prominence back in 1976 and throughout his career, his natural charisma and enthusiastic personality won him an army of fans across the world. He was confident and unbeatable in his prime, which led to him being an inspiration for golfers across the globe – anything was possible with Seve.

Unfortunately Seve collapsed at Madrid airport in October 2008 and doctors found a huge brain tumour. It was the size of two golf balls. Seve underwent life saving brain surgery in Madrid soon after.

In 2009 Seve decided to form a partnership with Cancer Research UK by creating the Seve Ballesteros Foundation. He wanted to raise money for research into brain cancer and he really wanted to make a difference.

Seve Ballestero Foundation Ambition

Around nine thousand, three hundred people are diagnosed with brain tumours in the UK every year. Only around 15% of those people survive for more than five years after diagnosis. The foundation aims to raise money to fund research into brain tumours to help more people survive brain tumours.

There are about a hundred types of brain tumours and treatment depends on its location, size and type. 

Working with Cancer research UK allows the foundation to work with top scientists and will enable them to discover new ways of dealing with brain tumours, their symptoms and how to help sufferers beat them and go on to live long lives.

As part of Brain Tumour Awareness Month, I urge you to visit the foundation’s website and learn more about the work they are doing in the fight against brain tumours. Plenty more research is needed into this type of cancer and the foundation is doing wonderful things to help those suffering. Please donate what you can and join the war against brain tumours. Too many people are being taken too soon from this horrible disease.

http://www.fundacionseveballesteros.com/

http://myprojects.cancerresearchuk.org/projects/brain-cancer

xxx

Penny Christofi - Young Citizen Award Winner

Hi all,

Here is a photo of me collecting my Young Citizen award from the Mayor of Redbridge. Very exciting for me and humbling too. I don't do my work to win awards of recognition, I do it as a tribute to the six relatives I have lost. I really do want to prevent others suffering in the ways they had to.


I'm off to another awards thing on March 24th so I'll post some more photos then!


Many thanks to the Ilford Recorder, Ilford Exchange and the Redbridge Rotary Club for giving me the award.

Brain Tumour Awareness Month - Part One

March is upon us and it is officially Brain Tumour Awareness Month. Regular readers will know that some of my favourite Twitter friends are parents of children that have sadly battled a brain tumour and passed away at very young ages. Harry Moseley's Help Harry Help Others campaign, Ellie's Fund and Joss Searchlight are just three of the campaigns that are close to my heart and I have decided to use this month to help them raise awareness and funds. All three of them have been featured on this blog before and are really inspiring: I really do encourage you to read their stories. I also suggest you read about the incredible Bugg sisters; they lost their dad to a brain tumour and are now nursing their mum through the same thing.


This post will contain lots of information about the brain and brain tumours. I will be coming up with ideas on how I will be helping the three families and I will reveal them in due course.


The Brain
*The brain controls the body. EVERYTHING involves the brain.
* It sends out electrical messages through nerve fibres, which run out of the brain and join together in the spinal cord. 
* The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. 
* Billions of nerve cells called neurones make up the brain as well as supporting cells known as glial cells.
* The brain is surrounded by three thin sheets called the meninges.
* The brain and spinal cord are in a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid.
* The Largest part of the brain is the fore brain which is divided into left and right sides known as hemispheres. these hemispheres are then divided into lobes and each of these lobes controls a different part of the body.
* The brain has two smaller parts: the hindbind controls balance and coordination whilst the brain stem controls automatic body functions.
* The middle of the brain is the pituitary gland which produces hormones that control many of our body functions.


Brain Tumours
* Any part of the brain can be affected by a brain tumour.
* They develop from:
- Cells that make up brain tissue
- Nerves entering or leaving the brain
- The brain coverings (meninges)
* The symptoms suffered will differ depending on which part of the brain the tumour is growing in. This is because each part of the brain has a different purpose and affects different parts of us.
*  Most adult brain tumours are in the forebrain, the meninges or the nerves entering and leaving the brain. Most adult brain cancers do not begin there but are generally other types of cancers that have spread to the brain. This is known as a secondary cancer.
* 60% of childhood brain tumours are in the hindbrain or brain stem. Secondary brain cancer is rare in children.


Causes of Brain Tumours
Not much is known about what causes a brain tumour but several risk factors have been identified:
* Age - Brain tumours do not discriminate: you can get them at any age. However, the older you get, the more common they get. however, some specific types are much more common in children and it is the second most common cancer in children.
* 5% of brain tumours are caused by genetics. If a parent or sibling has had a tumour of the nervous system then your risk is double that of other people.
* A weak immune system means you have an increased risk of developing a brain tumour.
* Radiation is a definite risk. Brain tumours are common in people who have had radiation treatment on their head before.
* Brain tumours are slightly more common in men then women. However Menigioma (a type of brain tumour) is more common in women.


Symptoms
* The most common brain tumour symptoms are headaches and fits. However please don't panic because not all fits and headaches mean you have a brain tumour. A fit doesn't just have to affect your whole body: it can be a jerking or twitching in your arm, hand or leg. About one in three people with a brain tumour will visit a doctor because of headaches because they generally tend to be quite bad if caused by a tumour. 
* Growing tumours create pressure inside your skill. This is known as intracranial pressure. This can cause headaches, sickness and drowiness as well as fits and eye problems.
* Brain tumours press on the surrounding brain tissue. This means it will affect whichever part of the body that is controlled by that part of the brain. This means they can cause a wide variety of symptoms:
- Physcial sumptoms include weakness or numbness in particular body parts and problems with your senses.
- Mental symptoms include changes in personality, speech, memory and concentration.


Here is a list of symptoms for each part of the brain:
Frontal Lobe
* Changes in personality
* Losing your inhibitions and behaving in a way that is not normal behaviour for you
* Apathy and lack of interest in life
* Difficulty with organisation
* Irritability or aggressive behaviour
* Weakness on part of the face or one side of the body
* Difficulty walking
* Losing sense of smell
* Speech and sight problems


Temporal lobe
* Forgetting words
* Short term memory loss
* Fits which are associated with odd feelings, smells or deja vu.


Parietal Lobe
* Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
* Problems with reading or writing
* Loss of feeling in part of the body


Occipital Lobe
* Problems with sight
* Loss of vision on one side


Hindbrain (Cerebellum) 
* Poor coordination
* Uncontrollable eye movement
* Sickness
* Stiff neck
* Dizziness


Brain Stem
* Poor coordination
* Drooping eyelid or mouth on one side
* Difficulty swallowing
* Difficulty speaking
* Double vision


Spinal Cord
* Pain
* Numbness
* Weak arms and legs
* Losing control of bladder and/or bowels


Pituitary Gland
* Irregular or infrequent periods
* Infertility
* Lack of energy
* Weight gain
* Mood swings
* High blood pressure
* Diabetes
* Enlarged feet or hands


Meninges
* Headaches
* Sickness
* Sight  problems
* Movement problems


If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please don't panic. If they are persistent and you are worried, please visit your GP ASAP. Tumours can grow very quickly without many symptoms so it is very important to be aware of your body and personality to know what is normal and what is not. This could save your life.


I hope this introduction to the brain and brain tumours has been informative for you. I will be writing many more blog posts on the subject throughout March so please keep reading!


For more information about Brain Tumours please visit the Cancer Research UK website (www.cancerresearchuk.org)


Or any of the following websites:
www.helpharryhelpothers.com
www.jossparkessearchlight.org
www.elliesfund.com


xxx