This is a very serious thread and I do believe it is for the forums I really do.

What is cancer?

Not many really know what cancer is its just a disease that kills people. Well it creates an incorrect cell. Cells regulary duplicate themselves at a very fast rate and this incorrect cell is copied over and over again untill the body can not cope. There are many forms of this disease and despite all the modern technology we have today cancer is still a killer.

What should I do / can?

There are so many things you should do some smaller things like dont drink to many energy drinks or dont get close to microwaves. The one thing i must stress is to always always put on sun scream when needed. Men can check their testacles and pelvis for any lumps. Both should also check for moles or lumps that come up. You must go to your GP or if you are embarrased you can always go privately.

Why whats the big deal?

I write this for no sympathy and I dont want any please. My uncle passed away on monday morning from mouth cancer this was due to working out in the sun for years as a builder. It started off as a little lump "a coldsore" he said. He left it for a few weeks before checking it out. He was later diognosed and after a year of radiotherapy he had a year to live. His immediate family have been through hell and back constant vomiting, pain, cancelling holidays. He was a large, strong figter and was reduced to skin and bones by this horrible disease.

Where can I donate?

Please do there are races and other events set up accross britain for this cause. Also see

http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/

and

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/

macmillan was a massive help in the earlier stages of the disease they run lots of coffee morning so pop in.

Also your closest hospice they are fantastic i never really knew one untill i went there. They will do anything for their patients and will do everything to keep them comfortable. Also they will support the family all the way.

Conclusion

Like i said this is not a sympathy thread nor is it a place to write your stories of people you know. I dont know what you would post here really you may of known this stuff before and think i am being patronising but i really believe it ought to be out there.

Maybe moderators could make it sticky for a week e

I wasn't aware of what cancer actually was so thank you for highlighting this to us..awareness is definitely the key in the fight against cancer.

Nice thread Alex, we have a collection box at my college, I put change in there when I can.

My dream job would be to work in finding the cure for cancer...

This is a very informative thread.

Alexander, thank you so much for sharing your personal story with us while enlightening us with the facts.

Bless you.

Hope and comfort to those who must cope and/or is helping someone with this terrible killer.


God Bless.

What they said

Thanks for making it sticky glad people do donate aswell.

I didnt really give "hospices" justice while writing about them.

Many people think this is a place where people die which in quite a few cases is very true. But this isnt the only thng they do. In the first stages of cancer they help a lot with the patient and the carer. I know for a fact towards the end my aunt made several trips their for a break. They have relaxation rooms, therapy, lounges and also come round with hot drinks and bites to eat.

One of the things i thought was brilliant was the different things they did for their patients. For example they made a beatiful tiling mosaic around a pond with all the names of the desceased in a mermorial type way. They also go all out to give you a dying wish they actually bought a womens and her 2 young childrens huge race horse in next to her room which was very sad to see.

Differences between a hospital and a hospice are that a hospices are that hospices specialise in cancer. Key priority for them is to make sure that patients are comfortable and if the patient asked for some "whisky" in their feeding tube or to drink they would do it.

People very rarely "die" of cancer because nurses come out and dose patients up with morphene and other drugs untill you are pain free. Obviously the human body can not take to many drugs and it sends you into a deep sleep so you die of a drug overdose really.

Where my charity money is going from now on

Although a good thread this....dont forget that Mens Cancers tend to be over looked...so spare a thought for us blokes

http://www.christies.org/manchestermillion/default.aspx

I totally agree most races are for women only which is very sexist in my opinion.

For example "the race for life".

Its a common thought that its because the race is for "breast cancer" but I still think men should run it. After all men can get breast cancer awell.

testicular/colon is the common one for men

Gross, but true

Its not gross at all thats the mentality i want to stamp out this is why men dont check these things.

They are to embarrased and theres nothing to be embarrassed about its a horrible thing to have.

Thanks for this post this is very true God bless to all

my thoughts entirely, but i dont think he meant any malice....but it was the wrong thing to say, as it was a negative reply...cancer is horendous, checking yourself is not Gross, it should be common practice...

No nor do I but its just annoying to actually hear it from someone

Yes very true....words need to be chosen carefully for consideration of others

Maybe we need to remember that people under 12 don't always say the right things. I know I never use to anyway.

Personally I'm always checking.

It's a shame men can't have a race for life kinda thing........

I was told yesterday my old neighbour is dying from a cancerous brain tumour. Very tragic as he has a 8 year old son and was always a very fit, muscular man.

Theres an annual run in Manchester for various health charities.
http://www.greatrun.org/events/Charities.aspx?id=4

But i mentioned before about Manchester Million thats for mens cancers at the christie is not as popular as the womens, but our local rockradio station highlights the plight for mens cancers through broadcasting and one of the Djs is running on behalf of it
http://www.rockradio.co.uk/manchester/rock-jocks-shows/rock-shows-v6bz/midday-with-moose-kd19/moose-just-giving/v8mgupw7/

I agree also about under 12's not saying the right thing John and for that he is excused......so lets hope he has learnt a valuable lesson in being tactful eh?