Hi Doc

Come out of your shell the pest is here

Why are figure for oral cancer climbing is it due in some part to oral sex and lack of basic hygiene more smoking and drinking is so the govt should be more agressive inits advertising and show people mouth who have had otral cancer that might frighten a few. but I an intrigued am I being a cynic again or what but are they diagnosing oral cancer when its niot oral cancer until it starts to invade and thus removing lumps that may be pre cancerous why not a wait and see policy like prostrate cancer you see a lot of cases so you might have an idea. I have read in a popular paper that hundresed of people are wlalking around with sores in their mouth for years and 40 of them will become full blown oral cancer that leaves 60 so are they removing the 60% whenthere is no need to

Hello Eileen

The figures are higher because of: (1) better detection and data collection (true), (2) actual increase (perhaps), and (3) recognised factors (HPV/oral sex, tobacco and alcohol use and living longer). There is an annual Mouth Cancer Awareness Week to make people more aware of the risk factors and what to look out for. I think people need to be given all the information about their cancer and treatment options, and be given the opportunity to speak or communicate with other patients (with the Experiences ) before they decide on what to do . Hopefully the RDOC website and this Forum will help towards that objective .

I haven't been hiding :boxedin: ! I have just been busy - too much work! The �Yorkshire Cancer Network's Guidelines for Head & Neck Cancer have just been published. I think the prevention of oral complications of cancer treatment is important but these guidelines don't talk about the role of the dentist in caring for the mouth or the role of the speech therapist in helping with swallowing problems :banghead: .

Referral for oral care and advice prior to, during, and after cancer treatments should be part of the guidelines and be a required routine. Referral for swallowing assessments and help by the speech therapist should be also be part of the guidelines. If not currently practicable, it should at least be an aspiration. So I am

I am going away now to consider a response to it.

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee: :coffee: :coffee:

Vinod you refer to recognised factors, but what if we cannot recognise those factors in our own lifestyles.
Can you tell me if genetic disposition is a factor? I recently heard of relatives who had throat cancer and so did her grandson.
Does this mean some of us have faulty cells from the word go? I'd also like to know if Chernobyl been a factor in increases too?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PaulineT,

Hi

Here Here Give people a chance to think about what they are going to go through is VITAL as you so rightly say it will prevent people like myself being full of regrets and abl to make a reasoned decision

Well, I'm sure that in my case my lifestyle was largely, if not entirely, to blame.

However, I do think that a family history of cancer indicates a higher risk. I also think that virtually everbody carries a cancer within themselves. What triggers it is a different matter. But then, what do I know?

As """blitzbob""" knows from previous exchanges I was extremely fortunate in that the wonderful team who dealt with me were very, very clear in their advices of what the results of my treatment would entail.

In the event I think they'd overstated matters, surely better than putting an artifical gloss on things.

Strangely, after the second team meeting nobody mentioned death.

For me, every morning I awake is a wonderful experience.

I think that the major problem with cancer is that once it's diagnosed it becomes very personal to the patient. Each one of us responds differently. How we deal with our fears and hopes depends so much on the initial advice and guidance we are given. But the professionals dealing with us can give us limited help (just think how many people they have to deal with).

Self help, with the assistance of family and friends is, I think, very important.

So now I expect to be shot down in flames by people telling why I'm a total yo-yo.

Years ago I read something about which I'm, still puzzling. It went """REMEMBER, LIFE IS BUT A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM""".

I think Vinod is far more spiritual than I, perhaps he knows the meaning. All suggestions welcome

HI Pikeman, I agree with your statement. I was told what was going to happen but it went in one ear and out the other at the time. I thinkm the most helful to me is sites such as this people haver been ther done that ect.The staff I think do an excellent job but they canot show their emotions and I think if they did they could not do the job but Iam sure they have days they go home heartbroken over a case newly diagnosed and we have to remember this.I think yo keep looking and posting on the boards help more people than you know who come onto the site for whatever reason maybe they are a carer or a friend but they do get the information I believe of what it is like for us TO LIVE wiyh Cancer and a thing I do notice NOT many people I have read talk about death which many people believe is going to happen sooner than later. I belive in God but cannot understand the Dr's jargon it is way above my head I think I am just too down to earth for all that stuff, no offence.

Paul

Hi

Doc I always called it lateral thinking

Hi Pauline
You asked:

quote:

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Can you tell me if genetic disposition is a factor?

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Cancers that apparently run in families may develop hereditarily or from similar family exposures. This article on GeneralCauses of Cancer answers your question on Genetics and Cancer rather well.

quote:

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I'd also like to know if Chernobyl been a factor in increases too?

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Chenobyl has been associated with an increase in thyroid cancer See:
Chernobyl's Young Have High Rate Of Thyroid Cancer
Chernobyl Radiation Hits Very Young the Hardest
Chernobyl's cancer world record


Best wishes
Vinod :coffee: izza:

Thanks Vinod.
I'll take a look.

Pauline