Friends of the Cancer Centre

[rumncoke]

Gleason score for those who haven't a clue is the medical method of defining the aggressiveness of a cancer possibility of spread

Gleason (3-3) also referred to as Gleason Grade 1 -- seldom spreads and may remain untreated but monitored every18 months or so
Gleason ( 3-4) Gleason Grade 2 -- may spread the seriousness depending on the % of 4 and size of tumour
Gleason ( 4-3) Gleason Grade 3 -- most likely to spread thus should be treated
Gleason (4-4 ) (3-5) (5-3) Gleason Grade 4 -- referred to as HIGH Risk always treated
Gleason (4-5) (5-4 ) (5-5) Gleason Grade 5 -- Very High risk

The Stage is based on tumour size and spread, outside the prostate - spread to pelvic lymph nodes or spread to organs such as bones -lung- liver or even brain

Treatment will depend on aggressiveness , stage , age and general health of the the patient

Stage 4 Prostate cancer is where the cancer has spread into the organs thus making it extremely hard to cure.

one 1/5 of all prostate cancers diagnosed late are Stage 4 whereas most diagnosed early are either Gleason Grade 1 or 2

I was Gleason Grade 4 (4-4) I was not informed of the stage but the tumour was confined to the prostate and my PET Scan revelled no spread to pelvic lymph nodes or organs -- treatment EBRT( Radiation )and Hormone Therapy

[rumncoke]

Two years since my first visit to my oncologist and 18 months since radiation therapy and over six months since the last Hormone injection
and I am still here to bore you to death . -- beacon of light to those who get diagnosed early --and that my friends is the key -- if over 50 seek peace of mind about every 3 years.

[solidarity]

Just you keep on boring us, Rum.

[Bobbievee]

Keep'er lit Rumn

[tigerburnie]

Good lad Rum

[rumncoke]

Movember îs coming when men should consider their health.

And it gives me the opportunity to remind you of the local Cancer Charity

"Friends of the Cancer Centre" one of my Nurses is subsidised by this Charity .

Your Consultant Diagnosis you and plans the treatment etc But it will you Nurses who walk beside on the journey with Cancer.

You are given a phone and E-mail address for your allotted nurses. I never phoned them but when I e-mailed them they always answered and query as soon as possible remember seldom is any query a matter of life or death .

Christmas is coming the season of Charitable Giving

Thank you kindly( if you respond to the hint )

[fermain]

Good shout Rum'n, glad you're doing well.

Check yer clackers lads, and go for yer regular checkup.

[tigerburnie]

Well done Rum'n, hope you are getting stronger, I had another CT scan which came back clear.

[BR]

Well done Rum'n, hope you are getting stronger, I had another CT scan which came back clear.

[rumncoke]

In response to a recent donation I made I received the following information .

“
Friends of the Cancer Centre has been dedicated to making a real and meaningful difference to cancer patients and their families across Northern Ireland for over 38 years .

The Charity does this by funding 51 additional members of staff , including 22 specialist nurses , supporting local research and providing practical support to help patients and their families through a really difficult time .

…we have only been able to continue this vital work for families in Northern Ireland thanks to the generosity of poeple like you “

Thank you for being a friend
With kind regards

Christine Bell
Donor Engagement Officer

I consider asking for your support for this Charity if I didn’t do it myself

But I wanted to share the response I have received .

[rumncoke]

While I have been going on about Prostate Cancer the fact is in the last 10 years I have lost 3 friends to colon cancer and non to prostate cancer .

They say it takes about 10 years for a colon polyp to turn cancerous I had two serious polyps removed in two visits ( 3-4 years apart)

So guys if you get asked to do the poo test do it colon cancer is slow serious killer and spreads quicker than prostate
It’s 3 nil to colon cancer against prostate cancer

[Cap'n Grumpy]

While I have been going on about Prostate Cancer the fact is in the last 10 years I have lost 3 friends to colon cancer and non to prostate cancer .

They say it takes about 10 years for a colon polyp to turn cancerous I had two serious polyps removed in two visits ( 3-4 years apart)

So guys if you get asked to do the poo test do it colon cancer is slow serious killer and spreads quicker than prostate
It’s 3 nil to colon cancer against prostate cancer

5 years is closer to the mark, but it depends on the type of polyp. Some polyps never turn cancerous, but some can be very aggressive and turn cancerous much quicker than 5 years.

I've had several polyps removed over the years including some that usually have a very poor outcome, others that can be nasty but take a bit of time, and most recently one that wouldn't have caused any problems if it was left alone - but you don't know that until it's removed. Anyway, formalin kills all these.

I was incredibly lucky with my first in that it was discovered almost by accident and hadn't caused any symptoms, despite being very large. It did put me on the follow-up programme however, and saved me from a few potentially aggressive ones later.

If one has been found to have a potentially nasty polyp, follow-up colonoscopy is usually 3 years - well within the 5 year risk period. If nothing is found at any follow-up colonoscopy, the follow-up goes out to 5 years. In either case, problems with waiting times may mean those times are exceeded,

Whether you have had previous symptoms or not, if you have any of the well advertised symptoms, especially bleeding per rectum, do see your GP as soon as possible - even if you've had a clear colonoscopy within the previous few years.

I lost a friend to colon cancer which developed within 6 months of a clear colonoscopy. - It was a particularly aggressive tumour that spread quickly, and unfortunatley such things do happen from time to time and are almost impossible to diagnose and treat in time. They are the exception though, so not something to worry most of us . . . .

For those over 65, you should be receiving invites (including a kit) to send a sample of your crap back to the screening programme - do make use of it.

[Dave]

Great info, Cap'n. Get those checks done folks.

[big mervyn]

For those over 65, you should be receiving invites (including a kit) to send a sample of your crap back to the screening programme - do make use of it.

I think it must be over 60 now.

I got my kit this month just after my bus pass.

[BR]

Don't get them mixed up FFS!

Leaving a turd on the back seat of the glider will do nothing for your health and quite frankly is considered seriously antisocial.