surviving cancer

[Gnisy]

My cousin brought up news about her friend who is helping her with her wedding invitations. He just found out that he is a walking liver cancer patient. Last Sunday, I spent a day with a dear friend who is awaiting results regarding lumps taken out from her body a couple of months ago. It is the second time she has had an operation like that. Both times, the lumps were 6 cm in size.

I am just wondering if these two (who are in their mid-20s) have a chance in surviving cancer?

[boobesque]

sorry to hear that your friends are going through this.

If cancer is caught and treated early enough then survival is good no matter what your age, my mums best mate is in her 50's and has just been given the all clear of breast cancer.

I wish them and you well, it is stressful, and the treatment is not nice, but if your friends are young and keep themselves well then they can beat this.

good luck xx

[Gnisy]

Thanks boobesque.

The thing about youngsters being diagnosed with this is that they have a harder time accepting it. And I worry that it is this weaker show of their will that will affect them on the long run. We can't really understand it well yet insurance salespeople ( my personal experience ) portray it as a one way ticket. "If you get diagnosed with it, that's it."

My cousin is at wit's end trying to figure out what to tell that friend of hers; her mother was also a breast cancer victim. Thus, she is one with a not so encouraging cancer story to tell. He has decided not to tell his mother about it since he is the lone child of the family. His father was also a cancer victim. At this point, I don't know what help to offer.

Anyways, best wishes to you, your mum and her best mate.

[boobesque]

i agree, it is very difficult not to see cancer as a death sentence, i suppose for them this fear is heightened due to pesonal experiences, you just have to re-assure as best you can, and be there during moments of doubt and fear (if you can)

good luck x

[monroe]

I would just like to say that I'm sure a positive attitude helps. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. I underwent sugery and Chemo and Radio therapy. In all that time I tried to keep happy and active and sailed through the bad times. Other patients that I met at the hospital who had negative attitudes did not fare so well. Good luck to you friends. God bless.

[kazza12345]

the exact answer to you rquestion is tricky. the survival rates for cancer are influenced by lots of things - f

[Gnisy]

Thanks monroe for this feedback. I admire your positive outlook on such a life predicament. I agree a positive outlook is important in keeping your body defence system up. I guess staying happy and active is a key to defeating cancer or any other disease for that matter. My gal friend shall know of your case and I hope she will take it as an example of how to tackle her problem. thx

[twopennorth]

I'd recommend the book "Cancer Positive" (ISBN 185479860X) by Dr James Coulthard.

It includes lots of sensible advice that I found very helpful, having been in a similar situation to you. I was spotted reading it by an oncology nurse who commented "ah, very good, we like positive thinking around here."