1000 People Project

Macmillan need 1000 cancer survivors to take part in a survey into a fantastic new cancer support service currently available in the US – Livestrong Care Plan from the Oncolink website.

The plan provides personalised and tailored advice based on the treatments and side-effects you have experienced. Please complete the care plan and then fill in Macmillan’s survey. Your responses will help decide whether a UK version of the care plan should be developed and help patients to manage their condition more effectively.

Please use the link below which will take you to the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative web page.
Click on the oncolink care plan to complete your care plan
Return back to the NCSI web page and click – link to the survey to complete and submit.

http://www.ncsi.org.uk/consequences-of-treatment/oncolink-project/1000-people-project/

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

According to Cancer Research UK, Bowel (Colorectal) cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in the UK after breast and lung cancer. There are about 37,500 cases diagnosed in the UK each year. About 14,000 of these are in the back passage (rectum) and the rest in the large bowel (colon).
What exactly is bowel cancer?
Again, this information can be found on Cancer Research UK’s website http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk The bowel is divided into the small bowel (small intestine) and the large bowel (colon and rectum). The small bowel is actually the longest part of the bowel. It is called small because it is narrower than the large bowel - cancer of the small bowel is rare. The large bowel is made up of the colon and rectum. It has walls made of several layers and bowel cancers start in the innermost layer - the lining of the bowel. If left untreated, it can grow into the muscle layers underneath, and then through the bowel wall. Most bowel cancers take 5 to 10 years to develop and usually begin as a small growth on the bowel wall called a polyp or adenoma.
So what causes bowel cancer?
The biggest single risk factor is age. More than 8 out of 10 bowel cancers (83%) are diagnosed in people over the age of 60. So the risk of getting this disease increases as you get older. But it is thought that many bowel cancers could be prevented with changes in diet and lifestyle. Other factors, such a strong family history of bowel cancer or certain medical conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, also increase the risk of bowel cancer.
More information about prevention and early diagnosis can be found at:
http://www.bowelscreening.scot.nhs.uk
http://www.bowelcancer.tv
http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the UK affecting 35,000 men each year. It is estimated that one man dies every hour from the disease.
Despite the huge number of men affected, we just don't talk about this cancer enough. The Prostate Cancer Cancer Charity tell us that this is a ‘hidden’ disease and are campaigning for raised awareness of prostate cancer.

The campaign highlights the fact that with an early diagnosis it is in many cases possible to make a full recovery.
They also want all men to receive adequate information about their treatment options, side effects and what support is available. For further information go to: http://www.hiddencancer.org.uk/

Cervical Cancer Awareness Week - 24-30 January

Every year in the UK, over 2,800 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 1,000 women will die from the disease. After breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women aged 35 and under.

The aim of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is to increase awareness of cervical cancer and how to prevent it. The week is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness at a national and local level.

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease through cervical screening and the HPV vaccination programme. Despite this last year 20% of women did not take up their invitation for cervical screening. In addition, only 50% of older girls offered the HPV vaccine have elected to have this potentially life saving jab.

Raising public awareness of cervical cancer prevention is more necessary than ever. For more information go to: http://www.jotrust.co.uk/

Winter Wonderland

Preparing to leave the office to face a dreaded last minute shopping trip, I just looked out of the window onto a real winter wonderland. It made me stop for a moment to appreciate our location here in the heart of Fife, which is arguably one of this country's most beautiful regions. Now with everywhere covered in snow, it really does look like a Christmas card.

Although I am fretting about getting everything ready in time for the big day tomorrow, there are many people for whom this festive season will be a time of REAL worry and stress. A diagnosis of cancer is difficult enough at any time of year, but it can be particularly tough when the rest of the world seems to be having fun.

If you or someone you care about is suffering from cancer, remember that we are always here to listen and help in whatever way we can. We will always respond as quickly as possible if you call and leave a message, even over the holidays.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers for their hard work throughout 2009 and wish them a very merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Finally, a Christmassy quote from Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
'But I am sure that I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round... as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely.'

Happy Christmas Everyone!
Helen x

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Clic Sargent, the children's cancer charity, are highlighting the needs of children and young people with cancer through this awareness month. For more information go to http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/Getinvolved/ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth

Beter Late than Never...

November has been a busy month here at CNF. However, I do feel rather ashamed that I have not taken the time to mention Lung Cancer Awareness until the very last day of the month.
I wonder if you’ve been aware of the campaign, which is run by Macmillan Cancer Support and The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation (RCLCF) and is aimed at raising public awareness of this killer disease. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world, with a staggering 39000 new cases reported each year in the UK. Lung cancer has one of the lowest survival outcomes of any cancer because over two-thirds of patients are diagnosed at a late stage by which time treatment is not possible. For this reason, awareness can save lives.

RCLCF list the following as being possible early symptoms:
• A cough that doesn’t go away after two to three weeks
• Worsening or change of a long-standing cough
• Repeated chest infections
• Coughing up blood
• Unexplained persistent breathlessness
• Unexplained persistent tiredness
• Unexplained persistent weight loss
• Persistent chest and /or shoulder pain

It must be pointed out that there are lots of reasons why someone may have any of the above symptoms – but if you or someone you care about is experiencing any of them, take action NOW.
For more information go to: http://www.roycastle.org