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@kmakm Hi what is the link between Alcohol and breast cancer is it only applicable to breast cancer or other cancers effected? I have found this thread very upsetting and sad, my Aunty died of MBC and my father died of Metastatic liver cancer, at the end it was a peaceful death all the family was there when he passed away.
Stork0 -
Sorry..this has my scratchings all over it...
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@mellyb Sorry that your thread has diversified from what you were talking about initially, but that's what happens when we are all in the soup together. Well done for pulling the bandaid off a difficult topic. This is where our sponsors @bcna can step in and give some more specific advice that the rest of us who are just muddling through can offer.
@stork I'm not going to put up links for you, but it is important to understand what the term Class A carcinogen means. It means that there has been sufficient research done to establish a scientific connection. It in no way means that alcohol, a class A carcinogen, has the same effect as being irradiated in a nuclear attack. Which is also class A. It means that there is well researched evidence of a connection. That can get really confusing when all the well researched indicators get lumped together as being equivalent risks.
Mxx
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It is awfully sad isn't it @Stork.
I'm aware of the link through hearing about it on the ABC and my own, Googled, research. Here's a page from the Cancer Council website:
https://www.cancer.org.au/policy-and-advocacy/position-statements/alcohol-and-cancer/
I'm not a medical person so please don't take anything I say as authoritative. Always best discussed with your doctor.
Please look after yourself. If this thread is upsetting you, please scroll past until you feel stronger. Big hug, K xox0 -
@Stork
Are you okay?
I can understand you feeling upset but that wasn't the intent. The discussion has become quite deep.
Everyone means well and this thread has stirred emotions in some of us. I miss my Ma inlaw and my Mum. I was with Mum when she passed. Mets is a bitch.
Please take care and ring the helpline at BCNA if you're still upset
Sending you a virtual hug1 -
@JJ70, does breastscreen Australia offer mamograms to women 40 and over?. When I found my lump I was 42 and my doctor referred me and I was told they would not do it because I was not 50. I had to travel all the way to the other side of town to a q scan as they only had the mammogram machine in one place.0
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Sorry to divert the thread....just answering questions that have been asked of me specifically..... xx1
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The user and all related content has been deleted.1
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Yep, another thread is the go
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I have no idea how to tag individual people. But I'd just like to say a massive thank you to each and every person who has responded, sent hugs and well wishes. It means a great deal.
Please do not apologise for this thread going off course. I actually read it with great interest as this is the most traction I've ever received with my comment and viewpoint. On social media I'm often silenced, comments deleted and blocked. People just don't want to hear reality.
I have done a lot of research and have kept a file since all this started with some clear ideas of areas I'd like to pursue in terms of advocacy. However as you can appreciate, it's not the time for me to undertake that. But it will be.
I've worked in the corporate sector as a business manager, accountant and health sectors and understand all too well that money drives decisions - the pink parade has become a marketing tool for businesses to sell their products. I think the most absurd thing I've seen is pink drill bits with 5cents going to breast cancer research... Sigh. Funding choices and where research is spent also comes down to money and 'who screams the loudest' . We see this everyday with rare cancers that don't get a look in.
Recurrance is a largely not accurately documented some sources and researchers I've discussed this with believe it is in the vicinity of 20-30% of early stage breast cancer will fatally return. They do need better records as often women are only recorded at the stage they were first diagnosed.
In my person experience I see a lot of breast cancer returning. When my mum was diagnosed, there were four other women we knew directly. Out of the five of them in total, three of them had reoccurances, two have already died and my mum is next. They were all early stage ii breast cancers.
The gripe with early detection strategies is that there seems to be a misconception out there that if you detect the cancer early then it's treatable and you'll be cured and fine. This is simply not true or accurate. Even the smallest cancer can turn nasty done the track. The survival stat's based on 5 years don't reflect reality.
In my mum's case and many others I know she was vigilant with screening and self check. Her mammogram showed nothing and 5 months later her grandson kicked her in the breast during a nappy change. She felt a tiny lump. Went to have a mammogram that showed a 1.8cm cancer. It would have been present on thst mammogram but not picked up. She was told a lumpectomy was all she needed. The sentinel node biopsy was clear . When the surgeon went in margins were not clear there were some 'strands' that looked like spider legs hanging off the tiny cancer. She had the entire breast removed, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Yet here we are today. It's clear that early detection strategies are simply not working and not enough.
I am sorry if this thread has caused sadness or raised some bad feelings. It wasn't my intention. I thought the title I picked would be enough of an indication of what this topic would be about and I urge you to scroll through and not take any notice of this.
It's good to know mammograms are free from age 40 and it's ridiculous people aren't going to get them done!! I had no idea this was the case. I had a scare myself 3 years ago and after my mammogram showed very dense breasts, I needed an ultrasound and two biopsies. I was informed to go for mammograms and ultrasounds from age 40 given history and my own situation.
I'd love to start a movement with like minded who are passionate about creating change and giving a voice to others who have been silenced by 'pink'. It might be too late for my mum, but it's not too late for others.7 -
@Mellyb To tag people you type their user name with the @ in front of it.
As you know I'm with you about changing the way BC is presented to the public. When you're ready, let me know.
@Kirsten_BCNA You might like to read this thread!0 -
@kmakm I did dry July Xmas is looking good and I have a fatty liver, no alcohol will improve my health on three fronts hopefully.
@iserbrown I am feeling OK I have a very good supportive family I find the forum very informative and supportive.
Stork
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