Tag Archives: cancer

The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club By Josie Lloyd

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The Cancer Ladies running club, Josie Lloyd, cancer, running,

I was tremendously excited about reviewing this book because it is written by Josie Lloyd. I have read a number of books from Josie and I love them all and – although we have never met- I love her. After feeling sad that she has had such a tough time I dived into the book.

The first thing I saw when I opened my advanced copy were some reviews and I loved the one from Joanne Rose, divisional marketing directing: ‘This isn’t a (whisper it) “cancer book”. This is a book for book lovers, everywhere.’ Oh how right she was indeed. The book is uplifting, happy, sad and raw. The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club lets us know that even when bad things happen and times are tough, we can rebuild ourselves and triumph over adversity.

The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club is a great book to read right now. Yes, it has its sadness, but now more than ever we need to know that beauty can come from sadness, and that we will win in the end.

Sometimes we need our friends to help us find our feet…

When Keira first receives her breast cancer diagnosis, she never expects to end up joining a running group with three women she’s only just met. Totally blind-sided, all she can think about is how she doesn’t want to tell her family or step back from work. Nor does she want to be part of a group of fellow cancer patients. Cancer is not her club.

And yet it’s running – hot, sweaty, lycra-clad running in the company of brilliant, funny women all going through treatment – that unexpectedly gives Keira the hope she so urgently needs.

For Keira will not be defined by the C-word. And now, with the Cancer Ladies’ Running Club cheering her on, she is going to reclaim everything: her family, her identity, her life.

One step at a time.

The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club is available here.

 

Living with the long term effects of cancer

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Cordelia GalgutI couldn’t possibly have imagined, when writing my latest book, Living with the long term effects of cancer, last year, from my dual perspective as psychologist and woman who has had breast cancer, that we would all be facing a pandemic such as this appalling Covid19 one we are now enduring. This situation is a huge challenge for so many of us; not least, it’s such a shock and everything else in our lives has taken something of a back seat, for very understandable reasons. This has included, in my case, trying to make light of my own health problems and related psychological challenges. And yet I am in the “vulnerable” category due to the long term effects of cancer that I experience. I am therefore at greater risk of experiencing a bad version of this virus. And I am realising increasingly, day by day, that these infernal long term effects are actually being heightened and worsened by the difficulties of the current situation, as are many other people’s problems. This situation is a veritable Pandora’s box of potential problems and very scary unknowns.

Why I wrote the book

I wrote my book on cancer’s long term effects because, since being diagnosed with breast cancer twice, in 2004, I had realised, over time, that side effects from the treatments I had, both physical and psychological, weren’t subsiding in the way I had been told they should. In fact, some were actually getting worse, eg. muscular skeletal problems, immune function and dread of the local recurrence and spread of cancer. However, despite the fact that other “survivors” were telling me they were in a similar state, what numbers of us have found is that there is little, if any, recognition of our suffering. It’s invisible to many, who look but do not see, who listen but do not hear. And the net result of this is that our problems are often enough belittled and we are judged for not ‘getting over’ cancer and not ‘moving on’. I know that this judgement is often unintentional, but it’s impact is still hard to bear.

Getting over cancer and moving beyond it is a tall order

The reality is that it is nigh on impossible to, for example, get over a cancer that could return or indeed, has returned. And cancer’s  treatments often enough cause long term effects, as well. So, I wanted my book to validate the suffering of those living with and beyond cancer and I also wanted it to inform those in healthcare and in the world at large about the plight of those living with cancer’s long term effects, across a range of cancers.

Long term effects are an increasing problem as more of us survive

Very scary though cancer still is, not least because it can still kill its hosts, it is increasingly becoming a chronic condition for many who live beyond their diagnosis, whether they are free of cancer or not. 1 in 2 of us will get this disease and many many of us will even survive for years, so my book effectively speaks to everyone. It’s a stark fact that we will all be affected by cancer in our lifetimes one way or another, if we haven’t already been.

My book is relevant for those with other long term conditions, too.

In this new Covid19 world, I hope my book can offer emotional support to those of us with other chronic conditions too and even to those of us struggling emotionally with this horrible new reality in one way or another. The support and strategies I offer are transferable to many situations and many other conditions, too.

An interesting podcast featuring me: https://twitter.com/JKPBooks/status/1247951884272443392

The Psychological Impact of Breast Cancer: A Psychologist’s Insight as a Patient is available here.

Cancer-causing gas is present in EVERY household

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More than half of UK homes haven’t been tested for a cancer-causing gas – which is found in EVERY household.

Radon is a natural radioactive gas which comes from rocks and soils and is the top cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Reassuringly, levels of radon tend to be low indoors – but higher levels pose a serious health risk and there’s no way of knowing how severe levels are without testing.

Despite the possible health impact, two thirds of adults don’t know what radon is and that it can cause cancer.

Commissioned by Airthings, makers of smart radon and indoor air quality monitors, the research of 2,000 adults found six in 10 haven’t given any thought to the health impact of the air in their homes.

A spokesman for Airthings said: “Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

“In fact, radon-induced lung cancer kills more people than house fires and carbon monoxide combined.

“It’s an invisible radioactive gas with no smell or taste and comes from rocks and soil.

“Low levels can be found in the air outside however levels of radon can be higher inside buildings – homes included.”

UK homes also contain gasses called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, although not lethal like radon, can cause headaches, sore throats and fatigue.

But the study found eight in 10 have no idea what VOCs are and 80 per cent are unaware they can cause eye, nose and throat irritation.

The compounds can be released when doing a number of apparently harmless everyday activities such as burning scented candles, using non-organic cleaning products and even when cooking.

Further to this, nine in 10 regularly do things in their home which could increase levels of radon and VOCs.

Almost half don’t often open the windows when cooking, 42 per cent frequently burn candles and a third use diffusers in their homes.

Perhaps as a result, the Airthings study, carried out through OnePoll, found six in 10 ‘regularly’ suffer from symptoms associated with poor air quality.

These include headaches (25 per cent), constant dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin (22 per cent) and ongoing fatigue (21 per cent).

A fifth also have a tendency, or noticed a tendency among their cohabitees, to cough and sneeze.

A spokesman for Airthings added: “In addition to testing your home for radon and VOCs there are simple steps you can take to reduce levels of these gasses.

“But the first step is to have your home tested to get an indication of the severity of the problem.

“There are also things you can do to minimise VOCs in particular – such as ditching toxic chemicals and using natural cleaning products, opening windows, vacuuming regularly and having lots of house plants in the house.”

SYMPTOMS/EFFECTS OF VOCS BRITS HAVE NOTICED IN THEIR HOMES:

1. Their home has mould

2. Their children developed a cough

3. They developed a persistent cough

4. It affected their energy levels

5. Their children don’t play outside as much/very often

6. The plants in their garden have struggled/died

7. Their lung condition or their child’s lung condition (e.g asthma) has worsened

8. They have to keep their windows closed all year round

9. They don’t cycle to work anymore as a result

10. They have developed breathing difficulties

TIPS FOR REDUCING VOCS IN YOUR HOME:

• Open the windows

• Do not smoke indoors

• Keep air humidity levels between 30 per cent to 50 per cent

• Avoid synthetic fragrances such as plug ins and candles

• Use house plants

• Ditch the toxic chemicals – use natural cleaning products

• Improve ventilation

• Vacuum regularly

• Remove your shoes when you come in

• Test your home with an air quality monitor and use an air purifier if required

Is This the Best Treatment for me Doctor? Statistics on a Postage Stamp by Dr Kathleen Thompson

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When we read about impressive new drugs, do we really understand what the percentages quoted mean?

You may need to make medicines-related choices—particularly for cancer, but other illnesses too. To make rational decisions you MUST understand the numbers your doctor quotes. He won’t deliberately mislead, but it is easy to misunderstand  statistical data.

So let me give you an inkling—not a maths lesson, just a few tips to help you ask the right questions.

Last week the BBC headlined: ‘Breast cancer: Taking hormone drugs for up to 15 years can reduce risk … cancer recurrence was cut by 34%’

Wow. Impressive. But let’s look closer: In that particular study, 95% of those who took the treatment for 15 years were cancer-free, compared to 91% who stopped at 10 years.

Hang on – 95% isn’t that different from 91%. How is that cutting risk by 34%?

Well (and this is important) improvement percentages quoted in newspapers, and by doctors and scientists, are often described in relation to the original risk.

In these patients, the original risk of cancer recurring was only 9%, so any improvement would appear large relative to 9%. If the original risk had been higher, the same benefit would have appeared less.

OK that’s the bottom line. But for the curious, another example:

Relative Risk Reduction (RRR) is a statistic often used to describe drug benefit. It is what it says—the reduction in risk (eg risk of death, or disease recurrence) relative to the original risk, ie the actual risk improvement divided by the original risk.

cancerriskreduction2

The Table shows an example. Patient A has a low risk of cancer returning (9%); Patient B’s cancer is more likely to recur (50%).

You can see from the Table that Patient A’s risk will only decrease by 4% with Treatment X, whereas Patient B’s will decrease by 15%.

Knowing this, Patient B should be more inclined to take treatment X than Patient A.

However, if Patient A’s doctor describes the benefit as RRR (see Table), then Patient A’s risk appears to decrease by a massive 44%. Consequently Patient A may have wildly inaccurate expectations for the treatment. The doctor isn’t tricking him, RRR is scientifically valid, but you need to know what it means.

This example highlights another point. Sometimes we only know that a treatment works in most people. However sometimes there is more information about how much it works in different patients eg Patient B would respond to Treatment X more than Patient A.

If available, you need specific information on the benefit for YOU. This could influence your decision, particularly for a treatment which has significant side-effects.

So, in summary: 

If your doctor uses percentages to explain a treatment benefit, ask:

1. Exactly what do the numbers mean?

2. By how many percentage points should you improve on treatment?

3. Is there more specific information for your particular situation? 

Don’t be frightened to ask your doctor for more information—he wants you to understand and may not realise when you don’t.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

Further information:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36455719

http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa1604700

http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2013/03/15/absolute-versus-relative-risk-making-sense-of-media-stories/

http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/understand/abs_v_rel

http://www.nps.org.au/glossary/absolute-risk-reduction-arr

 

 

 

Dr Kathleen Thompson shares some excerpts from her enormously helpful book, From Both Ends of the Stethoscope

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Frost asked Dr Kathleen Thompson if she felt like sharing some excerpts from her enormously helpful book, From Both Ends of the Stethoscope.

Here is the first in a series of excerpts, and an invaluable read for everyone. Who knows, after all, when we will need to support someone with cancer, or even face a diagnosis ourselves. I can remember standing outside Ascot races one day last year with Kathleen, rattling collecting tins for three cancer charities. Many people stopped, and gave, because they had relatives with the disease or indeed, were, or had been sufferers themselves.

Since her brush with the disease Kathleen has lived life to the full, and perhaps with even greater gusto before. She has climbed Kilimanjaro, cycled for charity in southern India, and taken up ballroom dancing with a vengeance, (she has recently qualified for Blackpool – be still my beating heart. I intend to try and go to cheer her on). All this as well as continuing in her profession in medical research, writing a regular medical column for Frost, and best of all, writing about her own journey with cancer – From Both Ends of the Stethoscope which is full of sensible advice. The woman is a powerhouse, an inspiration, and the most amazing fun.

However did this happen to me?   by Dr Kathleen Thompson

From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope by Dr. Kathleen Thompson book review, health, breast cancer,

The nurse asked me to lie on the couch by the ultrasound machine.

‘The doctor will be here soon.’

A tall man with white hair walked through the door and smiled. He sat down next to the machine.

Looking straight into my eyes, he spoke. ‘The problem is, we’ve seen a lump on your mammogram. So I need to look at it with this ultrasound.’

Very gently, he pulled down my blue gown and exposed my breasts. I flinched as he squirted a blob of cold gel onto my skin. He pressed the ultrasound probe onto the blob, and moved it slowly over my right breast for a few minutes. He pointed to the fuzzy image on the small screen.

‘This is the lump — it’s about 2cm wide.’ His voice was quiet but firm. ‘Do you see the irregular shape, and these little bright flecks? These are worrying.’

He looked at me as he said this. His blue eyes offered sympathy and strength.

The screen looked like an ancient TV with a lousy reception. I couldn’t make out any lump—but I understood ‘irregular shape’ and ‘worrying’ well enough.

‘I see you’re a doctor. Where do you practice?’ he continued.

‘I was a paediatrician, but now I work in drug research.’

‘Oh? Interesting.’ His smile morphed into a serious expression, ‘I need to take a biopsy of this lump. We have these neat little things now.’ He held a small black box between his finger and thumb.

‘I’m going to press this box over the lump, then push this button, and a needle will shoot out and take the sample. It’ll make a loud click, but it won’t hurt, because I’m going to numb you first.’

I lay on the couch in the semi-darkness, watching him fill a small syringe with local anaesthetic. The cold wall, pressing against my left arm, forced me to concentrate. Everything was unreal — surreal. What was I doing here? I’d only come in for a check. My left hand gripped the coarse material of the hospital gown as if it was a survival rope. My right hand was visible to him and the nurse, so I forced it to relax.

Lifting the small syringe towards me, he injected the anaesthetic into my breast. It stung, but I hid the pain with a smile. ‘No, it doesn’t hurt. It’s fine. It’s a lovely day outside. I don’t expect you’ll have much chance to enjoy it, stuck in here.’

Somehow I controlled my voice — but tears were streaming down my face. I hoped the darkened room would hide them.

Then, a loud click shattered the quiet. He’d taken the biopsy, and he was right, it hadn’t hurt.

‘Well done. All finished. Nurse will pop a dressing on for you. Then she’ll take you to see the breast surgeon. Good luck with your research work.’ And he was gone.

On an otherwise unremarkable spring day, my life had just changed forever.

 

Excerpt from:

From Both Ends of the Stethoscope by Dr Kathleen Thompson

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9935083-0-1

E book ISBN: 978-0-9935083-1-8

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q

 

 

An interview with Dr Kathleen Thompson: Author of From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope and Frost’s medical correspondent

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From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope by Dr. Kathleen Thompson book review, health, breast cancer,

Why did you write the book?

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was surprised how hard I found it, even as a doctor, to navigate my way through the tests and treatments. It made me realise how much more difficult it must be for someone without any medical knowledge. This book is to help those people. I also wanted to give an insight of what it was like to have cancer, for the benefit of the friends and relatives of people with breast cancer.

 

What is your book about?

It uses my personal breast cancer experiences to guide people through their breast cancer treatment, explaining the various tests and procedures. It points them to further information sources too. Although full of information, it is simply written, in order to be easily absorbed by someone in a state of shock.

Later in the book I explain medical research. The internet is a fabulous source of information. The trouble is, it doesn’t have a truth-filter. Anybody can post anything, and there are numerous ‘cancer cures’ which are unsubstantiated and sometimes dangerous. When you have a serious illness, it is tempting to try anything. So, for these reasons, I explain how to assess whether a claim is valid, or whether it is misleading.

Finally I talk about the causes of cancer and what we can do to reduce our chances of contracting it – and it is surprising how much we can do.

 

What is the most important message of your book?

Take control. We lose control of our lives the moment we are told we have cancer—take it back. Don’t relinquish that control to anyone, even to your medical carers. They may do a fantastic job, but in the end, you are the one with the most at stake. You need to understand all your treatment options, discuss with your doctor, and then decide which are best for you, and make sure you get them.

 

Who will your book help and in what way?

Firstly it will help people going through breast cancer, or other cancers, as much of the information extends to all cancers.

Equally it will help the relatives and friends of people diagnosed with cancer.

It will also be of interest to anyone who enjoys reading about personal experiences and who is interested in improving their health, reducing their cancer risk and understanding medical research

 

Did being a doctor help you get through breast cancer?

In many ways, yes it did, and that is why I want to share my ‘inside knowledge’ with others. In some ways, though, it didn’t, and I felt as vulnerable, bewildered and uncertain about what to do as anyone else.

 

Can we do anything to help lower our cancer risk?

Absolutely yes—it is surprising how much we can do. Of course some people have a higher risk of cancerthan others, and sometimes, however hard you try, you can’t prevent it. But for many of us, we can shift along the seesaw of cancer risk—and so make ourselves go up, and not down.

 

Frost found From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope impressive, and important. If you know anyone who could use help after a diagnosis, don’t hesitate to point them towards the book.

From Both Ends Of the Stethoscope is available from all good bookshops and Amazon.co.uk

 

 

New Self Help Book on Breast Cancer Released

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From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope by Dr. Kathleen Thompson book review, health, breast cancer,From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows   by Dr Kathleen Thompson

ISBN: paperback: 978-0-9935083-0-1  ebook: 978-0-9935083-1-8

Published by Faito Books

Cancer cells appear in everyone’s body much of the time, and more than one in three of us will experience some form of cancer during our lives. 

One of the commonest of these is breast cancer.

So what is breast cancer? What is cancer come to that?

What is it like to have breast cancer?

Cancer cells are usually destroyed by our immune system – but sometimes they breach these defences, and we get cancer – why?

What can we do to prevent this?

 Actually there are lots of simple things we can do to avoid cancer in the first place, and to give ourselves the best chance of recovering completely.

This is a non-fiction autobiographical, self-help book written by a doctor who has had breast cancer. Sharing her own experiences, the author takes the reader through the raw emotions associated with having cancer and needing to face one’s own mortality.

Always referring to her own cancer journey, with all its highs and dips, she helps the reader understand what they will experience during the treatment.

She explains the various medical consultations, tests and procedures, and the different treatment options, and how to make the best treatment choices.

She uses her personal experiences of things going wrong to illustrate how to deal with such circumstances, including coping with problems as an in-patient, and challenging incorrect medical decisions.

She deals with the post-treatment period, and what to do if the cancer comes back.

Alternative therapies are discussed, and, importantly, advice is given on how to distinguish credible research, and genuine therapies, from quackery.

Finally that all important question is answered – what can we do to protect ourselves against cancer?

Biography: Dr Kathleen Thompson

Kathleen is a doctor, specialising in pharmaceutical drug research.

A few years ago her life changed completely, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This became the inspiration for her first book.

She writes medical contributions for Frost e-Magazine and has authored various scientific research publications through her career.

She has two long-suffering children, who patiently tolerate their mother’s crazy projects, and rescue her from frequent IT catastrophes.

She has a passion for ballroom dancing and enjoys adventures. She has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, walked the Camino de Santiago (500 miles) and cycled the mountains of Kerala, and also through Rajasthan.  During two of these activities she raised funds for Women v Cancer –which provides funding for three cancer charities, including Breast Cancer Care.

 

 

From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope by Dr. Kathleen Thompson

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Review by Margaret Graham

From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope by Dr. Kathleen Thompson book review, health, breast cancer,

Many of you will be familiar with Frost Magazine’s Dr Kathleen Thompson’s regular health features, which are topical, succinct accessible and helpful.

 

It is no surprise, therefore, that Dr Kathleen Thompson brings just the same skills to From Both Ends Of The Stethoscope – Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows.

 

This guide should be read by anyone with cancer, or given to anyone we know with the disease. Not only that, it should be read by relatives who are suddenly thrust into a unexpected supportive role, which leaves them as confused and upset as the patient.

 

In the guide, Dr Kathleen Thompson has the courage to use her personal experiences of breast cancer to explore the situation. She acknowledges not only her reluctance to face up to the symptoms, but her initial fear and confusion as she adjusted to this change in her fortunes.

As a medical insider, she reflects and applies her understanding of the medical procedures brought to bear to counteract the progress of the disease. She suggests the questions patients could, or perhaps should ask. She explains the possible treatments, (remember, that knowledge is power).

 

This is the key to the guide, it seemed to me: it is important for the patient to take control of the situation, and for the relatives to support this stance. To control a situation you need education because education leads to knowledge, which leads to power. Here I must acknowledge the fantastic Andy McNabb, who made this suggestion in a talk he gave. I thought it profound, and use it often.

 

Indeed, everyone should keep it as a mantra.

 

I loved, particularly,  the chapter on how patients manipulate the staff to achieve, or not, the results they require – read it, learn, and laugh.

 

Sensibly laid out, each chapter is easy to navigate. In other words, it won’t be too much or too difficult for those under stress.

 

Importantly, the author explains medical research, and how to assess the credibility of the numerous cancer treatment claims, and what we can all do to protect ourselves from cancer.

 

This is an important book, in either e-book or paperback.

 

Published by Faito Books it is available on Amazon.co.uk at £12.99

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993508308