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

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Week

I didn’t realise, until I heard Lorraine Kelly mention it on GMTV this morning, that this is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness week. You’d think I would have known – not only because we are a cancer support organisation, but also because I’ve lost two family members to this cruellest of diseases.
Maybe my ignorance is symptomatic of the general lack of information about pancreatic cancer. Yet this is one of the UK’s most common cancers and has the worst survival rate, as only 3% of those diagnosed are alive after five years.
Ross Carter of the Pancreatic Society said: “We need to increase awareness of pancreatic cancer to raise the profile of this disease as many of the general public, patients and doctors are unaware that it is the 5th commonest cause of cancer death in the UK, killing nearly 7000 people annually”.
Part of the reason for this is there are very few, if any, symptoms in the early stages of disease. And the later symptoms of pancreatic cancer are usually vague and non-specific. Because the symptoms generally don't appear until the disease is in its advanced stages, the average survival time after diagnosis is a mere six months.
Maggie Blanks from the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund added: “Many people have never heard of pancreatic cancer. When they learn more about it, they are shocked at the 3% survival rate and lack of improvement in it.
"Increased awareness and investment in research has made significant progress possible in fighting other types of cancer – saving many lives. That’s what we want for pancreatic cancer patients. This Awareness Week provides a focus for people to help make that happen.”
For further information go to http://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/

Mouth Cancer Awareness Week

This week is mouth cancer awareness week. Most people who choose to smoke or drink too much alcohol don’t worry too much about mouth cancer as being a risk – yet there are 5000 cases diagnosed in the UK each year and nearly 2000 deaths. Scotland has by far the highest number of oral cancers with around 530 cases per year and this seems to be increasing. Between 1990 and 1999 the number of new cases in Scotland increased by a massive 43%!
Smoking, high alcohol intake and a poor diet are thought to significantly increase the risk of oral cancer with as many as 80% of cases are linked to smoking.
However, early detection could save many lives – it can improve survival rates to more than 90% - so if you notice any changes in your mouth that last longer that three weeks, speak to your doctor or dentist.
For further information on signs or symptoms, go to http://www.openuptomouthcancer.org