Living with the UK's top 4 cancers

UK cancer numbers...

Over 392,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed every year!

Every 90 seconds, someone is told is they have a cancer! 

Sadly, 167,000 plus people die from cancer every year!

Over 3.5  million people are living with cancer!

 

Latest UK Cancer prevalence estimates: Macmillan  

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) state that 30–50% of all cancer cases are preventable.

Frequently Asked Questions

1: What are "my" chances of getting cancer?

The odds are not good! According to research by Macmillan,  1 in 2 UK people born after 1960 will be told they have cancer. That's a frightening statistic! Potentially, half of your family and friends are going to be diagnosed with cancer. Take a few seconds to think about that 1 in 2 number! When you next sit and look at your loved one, here's a really, really hard question: Would you rather it was you or them? The risk of developing cancer increases with age. Having a family history of cancer can also increase your risk due to inherited genetic mutations. If you need help, or want to help someone, then awareness is a valuable first step to get through a traumatic and life changing experience. Awareness save lives, learn more and maybe, just maybe, the next life to be saved is your own, or a loved one's! Visit Cancer Research UK for more detailed statistics. 

2: What increases "my" risk of dying from cancer?

Doing NOTHING when faced with worrying symptoms, such as blood in your wee, poo, phlegm, etc. is just asking for downstream problems. Apathy, embarrassment and fear of being seeing as a burdon (to others) is a good way of getting to stage 3 or 4 cancer (see below). 

3: How can I reduce "my" risk of getting cancer?

Not all cancers can be prevented. Top tips to help reduce risk include:

  1. Increase your awareness. Learn how to spot early symptoms and act sooner rather than later. For most cancers, the earlier you catch them the better your chances of a positive outcome.
  2. Stop finding excuses to delay / avoid action. A delayed diagnosis can reduce you chances of survival. 
  3. Ask more questions. Don't be sorry, afraid or embarrassed to talk to experts about any concerns. Make an urgent GP appointment if you find blood where it shouldn't be (in your wee, poo, spit, etc.)  
  4. Get tested often. Your doctor would prefer to tell you to take 2 pain-killers, rather than tell you that you should have contacted them earlier.
  5. Do the obvious. Stop smoking, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and don't drink too much booze. 

When the topic is cancer, attitudes like being private, sorry and embarrassed can result in delayed diagnosis, which can mean the difference between catching the cancer at stage 1 or 2, rather than at stage 3 or 4. You really don't want to discover you have cancer when its at stage 4. 

4: Is "my" cancer hereditary?

Yes, some types of cancer can be hereditary. This means that genetic mutations linked to cancer risk can be passed down from parents to children. However, most cancers are caused by genetic changes that happen over a person's lifetime. Common examples include certain types of breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancers. If you have a family history of cancer, it might be helpful to discuss genetic testing and cancer screening options with a your doctor. It is important to stay aware and if you have a family history of cancer, get tested often.  

5: Can "my" cancer be cured?

Curing cancer is a complex challenge. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Treatment options depend on the type, stage, and location of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. Here are the 3 most common treatments:

  1. Surgery: The most obvious treatment is to cut out and remove the tumour and surrounding tissue. This is often used with other treatments. 
  2. Radiation Therapy: This uses high-energy rays that target cancer cells. The purpose is to destroy / shrink tumours. 
  3. Chemotherapy: Uses powerful drugs to kill or stop cancer cell growth. It is also used to attack cancers that have spread or are at risk of spreading. 

Being declared cancer-free typically means that there is no detectable evidence of cancer in your body. It is often referred to as complete remission. However, the exact criteria and timelines can vary depending on the type of cancer, the treatment received, and individual circumstances. Many doctors consider a patient cancer-free if they remain in complete remission for a certain number of years, often 5 years, without any signs of cancer returning. 

The UK's top 4 cancers

The UK's top 4 UK cancers account for over 53% of all new diagnosed cancer cases!

Every year 58,000  plus women and 400 plus men are diagnosed with breast cancer.

About 11,400 women and 85 men die from breast cancer each year (some 32 deaths / day). 

Breast cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in women and accounts for about 15% of all female cancer deaths.

Every year over 52,000 men get this diagnosis.

About 12,000 men die from prostate cancer each year (some 33 deaths / day.)

Prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in men in the UK, accounting for about 14% of all cancer deaths in males.

For the 1st time this century, more people were diagnosed with bowel cancer (42,000) than lung cancer (40,000). 

About 16,800 people die from bowel cancer each year (some 46 deaths / day).  

Bowel cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in the UK, accounting for about 10% of all cancer deaths.

Every year about 40,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer. 72% of lung cancer cases in the UK are caused by smoking.

About 34,800 people die from lung cancer each year (some 95 deaths / day). 

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK, accounting for about 21% of all cancer deaths.

Cancer's 4 stages...

Raise your awareness

Ignore symptoms, such as blood in your phlegm, wee, poo, etc., at your peril. Finding unexplained lumps where they don't belong should also raise alarm bells. The longer you do nothings and ignore the symptoms, the higher the risk of getting to stage 3, or 4. Get beyond apathy, embarrassment, etc. and go get tested. Early detection and treatment is crucial for improving your survival rates. Regular screenings and awareness of symptoms can help catch cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. 

Stage 1

A cell becomes cancerous when it ignores the DNA rules. It grows, becomes abnormal, and  invades nearby areas.

Stage 2

The abnormal cell replicates over and over, and becomes a tumour. The tumour crowds (bullies) out normal cells.

Stage 3

The tumour continues to grow and expand. It reaches your lymph nodes (kind of a superhighway to other organs)!

Stage 4

The cancer spreads to, and infects, other parts of your body. This primary cancer has now become a secondary cancer.

How cancer spreads...

Cancer is not a virus. Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body. It starts when the body's normal control mechanisms stop working. Old cells do not die and instead form a mass of tissue called a tumor. 

Think of cancer as a bully. It invades nearby spaces, grows uncontrollably because it is rarely opposed and extends its territory in 3 ways: 

  1. Cancer cells kill nearby cells. They eventually spread to other close by organs. 
  2. Cancer cells get into the into the lymph system that spreads through lymph vessels to other parts of the body to form a “metastatic tumour” within another body organ such as the lungs, liver, the brain and even the bones. 
  3. Cancer cells break away from the location of the primary tumour and form  tumours in other parts or organs of the body by travelling through blood vessels.

Primary and secondary cancer...

Primary cancer refers to the location of original cancer. Breast cancer is cancer that starts in the breast, bowel cancer starts in the bowel, and so on. When a cancer spreads to other parts of the body it does not become a new cancer. So, if your bowel cancer spreads to your liver, it does not become liver cancer. It is still bowel cancer.

Secondary cancer is the same type of cancer as the original (primary) cancer - it has migrated to other parts of the body. The medical term used for this is metastatic (pronounced meta-static).

Metastatic cancer, in most cases, is NOT curable. Treatment can slow tumour growth and ease many of the symptoms. It's possible to live for several years with some types of cancer, even after metastasis.

Metastatic cancer has the same name as the primary cancer. For example, breast cancer that spreads to the lung is called metastatic breast cancer, not lung cancer. It is treated as stage 4 breast cancer, not as lung cancer.

Living with cancer...

When its me...

Receiving a cancer diagnosis triggers a flood of emotions, often starting with shock and disbelief, followed by sadness, anger, fear, and even shame. Many people struggle with sharing the news with their family, leading some to withdraw and experience deep loneliness. It's important to remember that all emotional responses are valid.

When its not...

Small gestures can have a big impact when supporting someone with cancer. Offer practical help like driving them to appointments or running errands, or simply provide emotional comfort by chatting, sharing a drink, or giving a heartfelt hug. Most importantly, show them you’re there for them, no matter what.

How will you deal with your cancer? 

I'm a pessimist...

I am going to die!

I've been good - why me?

My life will be very difficult.

I'm going to lose all my hair.

These drugs will make me sick.

My family won't cope.

We won't win the world cup. 

Shove your counselling.

I'm an optimist...

I am going to live!

I'm glad its me, not my kids.

My life will be very different.

I don't need to pay for hair stylists.

These drugs will make me better.

My family will learn to cope.

We will win the world cup.

I'll try counselling.

Brits are big on being
private, embarrassed and sorry...

Brits are often seen as reserved, avoiding open discussions on private or sensitive matters like finances, relationships, and health, which are considered taboo. Conversations on such topics often begin with an apologetic phrase. They are also known for frequent apologies, covering everything from the weather to minor inconveniences. Despite complaints among themselves, they tend to avoid direct criticism, like when dining out, where they'll downplay issues when asked by staff.

For individuals with cancer, learning to have difficult, uncomfortable conversations is essential. Though excellent counselling services are available, many Brits may find it embarrassing to acknowledge the need for help or admit to seeking counselling, viewing it as a sign of weakness. This tendency toward privacy and discomfort can result in delayed cancer diagnoses, increasing the risk of detecting the disease at more advanced, life-threatening stages (3 or 4) instead of earlier, treatable stages (1 or 2). Early detection is critical.