Cancer in Canada

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

what age group are you in? I had a Urologist tell me awhile ago that getting nut cancer after the age of I think 25 was very rare.

He probably told you 35. It is most common in men aged 15 to 35. I'm 35 so I sort of blew it just before the finish line (Flames style).

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Makarov

He probably told you 35. It is most common in men aged 15 to 35. I'm 35 so I sort of blew it just before the finish line (Flames style).

Yes, could be, I thought it was younger.

I know this probably won't make you feel any better, but the time lapse of your diagnosis to treatment sounded good, opposed to all of the horror stories you hear about Canadian HC.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by username

There's the obvious ones like smoking etc.

The not so obvious choices that are specifically related to diet. Most people don't know this but vegtables have anodicants in them. One in particuliar is broccoli

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/trea...ition/broccoli

Obviously eating a wide variety of veggies is best but I personally try to add broccoli to my diet in at least 4 meals a week.

something to consider regarding anti-oxidants

http://rsob.royalsocietypublishing.o.../1/120144.full

[REDVAN]

Guess I'll be feeling my balls later tonight.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

Guess I'll be feeling my balls later tonight.

Yep I know what I'm doing after class.

[FireFly]

My family has HNPPC Syndrome which is a genetic disorder that leads to cancer. Nearly everyone on my father's side of the family has had cancer. Because of this, they have mapped our DNA and found the gene causing it.

Last September I had my DNA tested and it was confirmed that I have the gene.

So I get to go for a colonoscopy every two years, a gastroscopy every 3 years and an ultrasound once a year until I hit 40, then I get all of it every year and then some! I will also start having my skin mapped out as I am a ginger and covered in freckles, they want to make sure that I don't develop skin cancer as well. And my doctor told me I need to have babies by the time I'm 40 or they'll rip out my ovaries and stuff.

I hate cancer but at least they're on the ball with getting me in for testing. For the record, I've been having a colonoscopy every two years since I was 18 after my sister died at 22.

[DuffMan]

My father had prostrate cancer, so I fully expect to be diagnosed with it at some point in the future.
The good news is though that he was treated for it probably 10 years ago and is still OK as far as I know.

I also joined a long term study, a long time ago, called the Tomorrow Project.

If anyone else is interested in getting involved with it you can find out more here.

http://in4tomorrow.ca/

[CalgaryFan1988]

Not that I share much personal information on here, but here goes.

Almost a year ago my wife had a headache and left work early. After this happened a few days in a row, I advised her to go into emergency and get checked out. They said it sounded like migraines, but told her to follow up with her family doctor. Her family doctor then sent her for a ct scan.

They found that a tumor was growing in behind her right eye a little bigger than a golf ball. It was getting so bad that she could barely see out of her eye, was nautious all day. She had dizzy spells and I actually caught her once when she fainted.

Needless to say, they operated on the tumor as soon as possible, when they removed it they found that it was cancerous. It turned out to be metastatic melanoma and I was told that she had approximately 2 months to live.

Long story short, 3 surgeries later, 1 more to go in the next week or so and she will be officially cancer free. Fingers are crossed she stays that way.

It's been a tough year to say the least. She's the strongest person I've ever met.

Her family has no history of melanoma, and she is one of the healthiest people I know.

[JiriHrdina]

A silver lining in this is the thousands of guys that will read makarovs post will be more diligent in checking and probably a couple will catch their own problem sooner. Talking about this stuff openly saves lives. Good luck mak!

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Not that I share much personal information on here, but here goes.

Almost a year ago my wife had a headache and left work early. After this happened a few days in a row, I advised her to go into emergency and get checked out. They said it sounded like migraines, but told her to follow up with her family doctor. Her family doctor then sent her for a ct scan.

They found that a tumor was growing in behind her right eye a little bigger than a golf ball. It was getting so bad that she could barely see out of her eye, was nautious all day. She had dizzy spells and I actually caught her once when she fainted.

Needless to say, they operated on the tumor as soon as possible, when they removed it they found that it was cancerous. It turned out to be metastatic melanoma and I was told that she had approximately 2 months to live.

Long story short, 3 surgeries later, 1 more to go in the next week or so and she will be officially cancer free. Fingers are crossed she stays that way.

It's been a tough year to say the least. She's the strongest person I've ever met.

Her family has no history of melanoma, and she is one of the healthiest people I know.

I can just imagine it's been tough. I'm so glad to hear that the prognosis is much better. Got all my crossables crossed for her (although the cop told me I should probably uncross the eyeballs).

[Inferno099]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

My father had prostrate cancer, so I fully expect to be diagnosed with it at some point in the future.
The good news is though that he was treated for it probably 10 years ago and is still OK as far as I know.

I also joined a long term study, a long time ago, called the Tomorrow Project.

If anyone else is interested in getting involved with it you can find out more here.

http://in4tomorrow.ca/

For myself - mother diagnosed with cancer 8 years ago had hysterectomy to remove & fine since.

In 2012 I had just turned 40 so did the PSA test per the suggestions we all see.,, ended up a little higher than someone at 40 should have.
Jump ahead to mid 2012 my father had biopsy due to a spike in his PSA - ended he had Prostate cancer stage 2 with a couple cores gleason 8 (4+4).... had Cryosurgery & heart attack week later - has recovered, but had a number of setbacks.

Back to self - I ended up getting further PSA which remained elevated therefore due to father's diagnosis was recommend to have biopsy...

Before walking in to Urologist I joked with my wife (as at 40 who thinks seriously of prostate cancer)....
any way walked out of the appointment in complete shock of being diagnosed with cancer with a Gleason 7 (3+4); however prostate is not inflamed at all.

Have seen a few doctors & for discussing an example when to Oncologist to ask about brachetherapy... he wouldn't even suggest it because of how small prostate is.

I'm still in thinking mode of treatment option, but I expect probably will schedule removal surgery in early 2014 to try to get rid of it even though most doctors have said to keep quality of life i could probably wait a couple years before deciding....

Myself - just not sure i'd want to wait knowing i have cancer.

Note - had I ever thought i'd get cancer i definitely would have increased my critical illness insurance past my employer's minimum set-up.

However I know i still have a hell of a lot to learn & educate myself on.

[Dion]

Next month is the 13th anniversary of my fathers passing from Colon Cancer. Since that time I have had regular colonoscopies as i'm now a high risk. It's cruel that when symptons do arise it's often too late. Too many die because they don't get thier colons checked on a regular basis. Don't be like my late father and avoid medical checkups - his death was preventable.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Inferno099

Have seen a few doctors & for discussing an example when to Oncologist to ask about brachetherapy... he wouldn't even suggest it because of how small prostate is.

I'm still in thinking mode of treatment option, but I expect probably will schedule removal surgery in early 2014 to try to get rid of it even though most doctors have said to keep quality of life i could probably wait a couple years before deciding....

brachetherapy is what my father had done, and it seemed to work well.

What about the newer treatment of high intensity ultrasound? have you discussed that with anyone?

[Inferno099]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

brachetherapy is what my father had done, and it seemed to work well.

What about the newer treatment of high intensity ultrasound? have you discussed that with anyone?

I've read online about it (seemed to me it is offred in Eastern Cda and in the US) after my appointments with doctors I've seen to date but it had not been mentioned to me.
I've found so far the doctors involved with PC focus on their specialty which is understandable. The folks & volunteers at the PC centre at the RockyView Hosp have been excellent to chat with so far.

Over the summer I plan to go to several more sessions to discuss options with those who have been treated.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Inferno099

I've read online about it (seemed to me it is offred in Eastern Cda and in the US) after my appointments with doctors I've seen to date but it had not been mentioned to me.
I've found so far the doctors involved with PC focus on their specialty which is understandable. The folks & volunteers at the PC centre at the RockyView Hosp have been excellent to chat with so far.

Over the summer I plan to go to several more sessions to discuss options with those who have been treated.

Well, good luck.
I'd be interested to hear the options you go with if any in the future.