Cancer

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

• Housecall
• Alzheimer's caregiving
• Living with cancer

• April 27, 2012 4:46 p.m.

  Mike – Your posting really got my attention. I’m a 70 year old sugar junkie who’s just 18 months out from surgery, followed by chemo, for stage 3C ovarian cancer. Lately I’ve started having little internal moments of panic that it’s going to come back. Guess I need to do some research and take a closer look at what I’m putting in my body. Thanks for the wake-up call; most doctors never talk about the specifics of nutrition!

  - Sheila

• September 2, 2011 1:55 p.m.

  Why is it with all the stuff on line on side effects from radiation you don't read anything on shrinkage on parts that get the radiation. In 2006 I was diagonsised with uterine cancer had surgery and that was that. But 3 years later my uterine cancer came back in my vigina with that I had radiation and parts shrunk so I don't even look normal any more. Then a year later I was diagonsised with breast cancer and I had chemo and radiation again. Now the breast that got the radiation is almost a full cup size smaller then the other. Is this noraml and why doesn't anyone tell yoou about it? To be honest I'm to embasest to mentiot it to the Dr. It's hard to tell someone your less then normal. I Know they must see it but why doesn't someone talk to you about it. Does it happen to everyone?

  - Janet

• August 20, 2011 12:17 a.m.

  My younger brother had skin cancer on his face that he continued to fight for over two years. His cancer continued to come back but he continued to keep on trying to beat it. He was worried about passing away from this life but after a few small operations and time he survivored it all. At one point he just didn't really care if he lived or if he died. I told him I wanted him to live for at least ME! It was all about me and he wanted to make me happy so I think that was a portion of why he made it in the end. However, he was ready to go, that's for sure. The inspiration of many of the stories here are great. Thanks for sharing! diagnosing common prostate problems

  - R. Kelly

• June 17, 2011 5:18 p.m.

  This is a very inspiration read! I am celebrating one year since the end of treatment for type 3 breast cancer. I was four months pregnant when diagnosed. We somehow managed the months of chemo with a newborn -I started chemo 14 days after she was born. During the hard days of treatment, I set short term goals. Once my baby could hold her head up, we bought a baby jogger, and I began trying to run. I'd been a recreational runner before, but it became very important to me. I made a goal of being able to run a half marathon with my baby. Three months after treatment, I ran a 10K through the howling wind and rain while pushing a baby jogger. Eight months after treatment ended, I ran the Bath (England) Half Marathon pushing my baby in her baby jogger. And, you know, no one ever made fun of the extremely pudgy bald lady trying to run with a baby jogger. We got nothing but encouragement. It's empowering; every step is proof of life!

  - Carisa

• May 31, 2011 10:59 p.m.

  I lost my husband of 25 years to cancer. In 2007 he was diagnosed with colon cancer which had spread to his liver. He passed away 3 weeks after being diagnosed. We retired in Mexico 10 years ago and he enjoyed his retirement for 6 years. I went through the grieving alone in Mexico, my family being in Canada. But I survived... Now it's my turn to deal with breast cancer. I had a mastectomy in May 2010, 4 months of chemo... then 12 more weeks of chemo, 25 weeks of radiation and now a treatment with herceptin every 21 days. I'm still in Mexico. I consider myself a lucky woman; over and above having very very good oncologists and care, I had to side effects during these treatments. I could reach, and still can reach my oncologist anytime. The surgeon/oncologist who operated is out of this world. With him, you cannot be sick. I rarely met a doctor like him (and he is Mexican),speaks English. So for the person who was afraid for her friend who came to Mexico.... don't worry. She will be fine... I enjoy every day as it is the last... I don't know how long I will live, 2 years, 5 years, 10 years who knows... only one person know and he kept the date for himself.... Do I have my fear... yes but I tried not to think about it too much.. I have my days, but it doesn't last long.

  - Marielle

• January 12, 2011 1:24 p.m.

  The name "Follicular Cancer" didn't mean much to me initially. I have since discovered that it, at the present time, is incurable. Prior to finding that out, I contiued my regular activities. This has continued following my second series of chemos (2 1/2 years after my first set of two chemos-Rituxan). I feel fortunate that neither the cancer or the chemos have allowed me to do the same things that I have been doing right along. Yard work, golf, enjoying my eight grandchildren and even helping my children with their projects. Honestly, I feel blessed that I'm able to continue as I have.

  - Rich

• October 14, 2010 9:22 a.m.

  Exercise if much more important to cancer survivors before, during and after therapy. As a long term myeloma survivor I believe my daily moderate exercise has helped keep me in complete remission since 4/99- http://peoplebeatingcancer.org/pbc/search?pbc_sitename=All&keys=exercise

  - David

• August 3, 2010 9:21 p.m.

  Seven years after surgery for colon cancer, I am firmly entrenched in a fairy rigorous work out program. I have lost a few pounds, and more inches. I don't know what I'd do if I had to stop. I am 79 years old.

  - Carole

• July 5, 2010 11:18 a.m.

  This posting is for Al who is concerned that exercise can make cancer worse. Exercise may aggravate some of your physical symptoms related to the prostate cancer, such as urgency or pain. However, exercise does not make the cancer worse or cause it to spread. If you are interested in doing more physical activity, talk with your doctor about what is the best way to incorporate exercise into your routine.

  - Sheryl

• July 2, 2010 5:44 p.m.

  I'M 83 AND HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER OVER 2 YEARS. IT'S A MILD FORM BUT (I FEEL) MIGHT BE AGRAVATED BY MODERATE EXERCISE AND/OR SEX.(SURPRISED?) AM I WRONG?

  - AL

• July 1, 2010 7:45 p.m.

  Exercise burns off the excess blood sugar that cancer requires for energy. Cancer uses sugar directly to grow. Eating a diabetic or DASH type diet will also help, followed by exercise after eating to lower the blood sugar rush.

  - Mike

• June 29, 2010 2:39 p.m.

  I've now lived a little over 7 years post colon cancer surgery(stage two-something), with no follow up chemo or radiation. I refused radiation due to the serious side effects relative to having radiation in an abdomen full of intestines. My Oncologist (I sought a second opinion)did a lot of studying and said the chemo could be skipped due to the location of the cancer. So far, so good. I just want to say that I usually just "forget" about the whole thing. I "work out" at a gym three or four times a week, take my dog on walks - and play fetch with her (means lots of bending to pick up balls), try to eat healthy things, and have happy thoughts. I live a much more healthy lifestyle than I have ever done before. I'm 79 years old, and plan to live another 20 years at least. My surgeon was a tiny lady from India - I loved her. My second opinion came from a department head at a very well-known university.

  - Carole

• June 25, 2010 10:42 p.m.

  I am not posting this comment in reference to anything I have read today. I am a registered nurse (presently at home mom), who has worked med/surg for 20 years and would just like to comment on dignity and dying. In this era where we seem to be so attentive to customer care, managing and prioritizing our time it seems that we as nurses, managers, administration, or health care has lost something in the process. Empathy. Have we lost the ability to treat those who have, little quality time left, the benefit of having family at the bedside,even if it means placing a cot and calling a chaplin. Are we able to assess their pain or do we wait until the ten minutes have gone by, when it is exactly due? Do we close off the bed next to it even if there is a patient in the ER who can be placed in another bed? Sometimes there is no time to get Hospice involved and we have to handle, support, and exercise the dignity and respect we would wish others to grant us when our time comes. Thank you, (a grieving friend of terminal cancer)

  - Christine

• June 24, 2010 3:47 p.m.

  After treatment for Her2 positive breast cancer, I took up dragon boating. It is fantastic. We're a team of breast cancer survivors and practice 3 times a week for an hour while the weather permits - usually May until October. We take part in races against other teams, most recently at the all survivor World Championships held in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. What a celebration of life after cancer it was !! I don't like deep water but from the first day in the boat I was addicted to paddling. With each stoke you let your worries go. We have a lot of fun together .. imagine a boat lot of 22 women :) However, seriously, it has been shown that Dragon Boating prevents lymphodema, makes you stronger and can help you live a much longer happier life. Thanks to Dr. McKenzie in Vancouver, B.C. for doing the research and improving so many womens lives.

  - Joan