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We here at the Irish Cancer Society would encourage everyone to talk to their Doctor, Dentist or Pharmacist about any unexplained concern they may have noticed in their mouth or surrounding area. A symptom may be a sore, ulcer or lump in their mouth. It could be a sore throat or a neck lump. Another symptom to be aware of is red or white patches in your mouth, or if you have an unexplained pain in your mouth. If any of these symptoms are there for longer than 3 weeks, we would advise you to get them checked out. Of course, many of these symptoms can be explained and cancer of the mouth is not common. However, we want to make everyone aware of symptoms and to encourage anyone who has noticed a ‘change’ in their mouth to get it checked out. Picking up a cancer in the mouth or the surrounding area early will make a significant difference to the success of the treatment and the person’s quality of life after treatment. Those who have a medical card or have paid enough PRSI contributions are entitled to a free dental examination each year. Unfortunately, if you have neither there will be a charge to see your dentist. If you would like to speak to a cancer nurse about any changes you have noticed or any other concerns, you may have you can phone us on 1800 200 700. We are here Mon-Fri 9-5pm and would very much like to support you through your worries. I do hope we will hear from you. Kind regards Cancer Nurse    

Hi! I hope you might be able to help :) BACKGROUND My Dad is 67, and has been receiving treatment for Small Cell Lung Cancer for 4.5 years. Most recent was radium for a small spot in his head. Besides that his scans have been coming back clear. He has been deteriorating over the last year (severe muscle loss) and the decline has accelerated in the last 2 months where he has lost complete use of one leg, and second leg is not far behind. We hoped that the spot in his head was the cause but there has only been a decline since treatment. Our Oncologist suspects an auto-immune issue but we don't know for sure. He has spent 7 weeks in hospital and now is being moved to pallative care in the hopes he can rebuild muscle there. QUESTION I have heard about LEMS and I was hoping that this could be explored as a potential cause of my Dad's muscle loss. What would be the best way to broach this with the hospital team? Might you be aware of any teams or patients in Ireland that have had experience with LEMS? Many thanks, Andrea

Blood Cancer Awareness Day Blood cancers represent almost one in ten cancer cases, with more than 2,000 people across Ireland diagnosed every year. Where does blood cancer start? Inside the centre of our bones, we have a spongy material called bone marrow. Bone marrow makes stem cells, and these stem cells make all our different blood cells. If this process goes wrong, it can cause abnormal blood cells to grow. This may then cause a blood cancer. The different Blood cells include: Red blood cells – carry oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our bodies. White blood cells - fight infection. Platelets – help our blood clot when we get injured. Plasma - plasma cells make antibodies, to help fight infection and are a type of white blood cell. When one of these blood cells become abnormal it can cause a blood cancer - Leukaemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma, and/or MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome). Common Blood Cancer Symptoms Blood Cancer symptoms can vary depending on the type of blood cancer and some people may not have any symptoms. Common blood cancer symptoms include: Persistent Tiredness – may be caused due to not enough red blood cells (anaemia). Looking Pale – due to not enough red blood cells (anaemia). Shortness of breath - may be due to not enough red blood cells. Fever or chills/ frequent infections – may be due to not enough white blood cells to fight infections. Unexplained bruising, bleeding, or rash – this may be due to not enough platelets. Swollen, painless lump in the neck, armpits, or groin - possible cause is a build-up of abnormal cells in lymph glands. Coughing or chest pain - possible cause is a buildup of abnormal blood cells in your spleen. Loss of appetite or feeling sick - possible cause is a buildup of abnormal blood cells in your spleen that presses on your stomach. Night sweats - causes remain unknown. Back, Bone and/or Joint Pain/ Fractures - possible cause is pressure on the spine, or nerve problems causing weakness or numbness in your legs - possible cause increased number of abnormal cells in the bone marrow. If you have symptoms that cannot be explained and are persistent, you should make an appointment with your GP - it is unlikely to be anything serious but it is important to get checked out.   For more details, advice and or support call our Support Line on 1800 200 700.   See our booklets Understanding Multiple Myeloma, Understanding Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, Understanding Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Understanding Myelodysplastic syndrome and many more.

Hi, I had a lumpectomy July 2022 followed by chemo and then radiation. I finished my radiation 7th June this year so 8 weeks ago. I’m beginning to have some pain in my breast near my scar and towards my armpit, also my breast feels like there’s a lump near my scar also, could this be something to do with the after effects of radiation?

Screening Exam for mouth head and neck cancer Did you know that a screening physical exam is part of a regular dental exam? The dentist checks your neck, mouth, and oropharynx - the “oropharynx” is the middle section of your throat, including the roof of your mouth, base of your tongue, and tonsils. A careful examination of the mouth and neck only takes a few minutes and can find these cancers at an early and curable, stage. So, if you have any lesions (ulcers) present for more than three weeks you should be referred for further investigation.

Hello I am in the middle of a 12 week treatment of Oxaliplatin. I have been getting Peripheral Neuropathy in my hands. It has been suggested to me by a friend who went through this to try using icepacks on my hands just before and during part of the infusion. My nurses tell me it is not a good idea because of the Oxaliplatin/Cold response. I know it is available in some hospitals but I am drawing complete blanks here.

I wrote a post back in May but now I can't find it. My whole entire body is covered in moles. I have a mole that looks different than all the rest of them on my arm. It's black. There is one thing in its favour in that it's small. However it still looks different than the rest of them. I was at my GP nearly 7 weeks ago. She decided to refer me to the hospital for mole removal. I forget what she said but I think she said she was referring me to the surgeon department. Maybe day surgeon or plastic surgeon. I can't remember what she said. She referred me as urgent. I asked for a rough guideline of a waiting time. She said she can't say for sure but she hinted maybe about 2 months. 7 weeks later, not even a call from the hospital or a letter in the mail giving me a date for the procedure. I rang the waiting list number that was on the soalta website a few weeks ago and I was rushed off the phone and the receptionist did say they received the referral but I am being triaged. How long does a triage take? How many more weeks do they need to give me an appointment. I have another mole on my leg that is questionable and I was going to get the hospital to have a look at that too when I went for my appointment. It's nearly 7 weeks since my GP appointment. What is the point of going to a doctor and getting these things looked at when you are referred and ignored for how long?

Hello, I had chemo and radiotherapy last year, am currently on Tamoxifen. I finished herceptin injections at the end of April. During treated I had a few little red dots on the ankles, but now they are almost up to the knee. And I am not sure if I just not noticed them before or if it has gotten worse. Is that something I should worry about? Should I contact breast nurse?

Hello. My mam is currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer, she is receiving chemo ( carboplatin + paclitaxel ) and immunotherapy ( pembro ) and she will also need one session of radiation in the coming weeks. I was wondering whether it is safe for her to take supplements while on this treatment? I have read that ginger and turmeric are good for fighting cancer so she has been drinking herbal teas with ginger and I was going to get her some turmeric supplements but I am not sure if these will be ok as I have also read that they may interfere with the treatment and its best to get them from diet? Any advice is appreciated as it can be hard to get a hold of her medical team on the phone and she isn't back in for treatment for another two weeks

Hello i am stage 4 cancer patience, i will have to use herception+ perjeta infinitive. I wonder during the treatment can i have facial treatments like botox,dermal fillers and laser resurfacing? Thank you