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I would like to have views on a very pointed question, without value judgement please. I am male and have just had unprotected sex for the first time with a woman who has not been my normal sexual partner. It was protected sex, but the condom broke, unnoticed, but Im guessing about five minutes before we finished. This woman then advised me that she had had cervical cancer some years ago and described a procedure whereby it was burnt off. She also advised that she had done a screening last year which showed that she does not still have the HPV virus. My concern is for my normal girlfriend who expects to have unprotected sex with me. Am I putting her at risk if I have unprotected sex with her. I am circumcised. What I have read seems unclear. I read that the PAP smear does not detect different HPV types. I read that curing cervical cancer does not cure HPV. I read that HPV causes almost all cervical cancers. I read that as a male I cant get tested for HPV. I read that even condoms don't fully protect against HPV. It kinda reads as if once you know you have cervical cancer causing HPV, you shouldn't have sex any more ? Informed thoughts please.

Hi All, I'm a four+ year Prostate Cancer Survivor and I'm running the Dublin City Marathon on Monday next. My main aim in running this, my third Dublin since surgery, is to provide inspiration to those facing Cancer in their lives. I'll be running with a "Cancer Survivor" strip on my singlet and hope to run around 3:20-3:30. There will be lots of other Cancer Survivors out on Monday, along with thousands running to raise funds for Cancer or running in memory of a loved one. Come on out and give us your support on Monday morning! [url:2tluw33l]http://www.mycharity.ie/event/john_quigley_ics_dublin_marathon_2012/[/url:2tluw33l]

Hello, My experiences in the world as a cancer patient are all listed below. It was a tough year but so far I, with the help a surgeon, an oncologist and an army of wonderful nurses I have come out the other side. I feel altered but normal enough. After the chemo ended (Jan of 2012) I was very toxic with a body in complete turmoil. I had an itch all over my torso and this was harder to live with then all the chemo and ops put together. I was also unable to sit still for more then a minute. I remember being very upset when I couldn't get through a little book with my 3 yr old on my lap. I had to walk up and down the room whilst talking to people. I also looked like a chipmunk as a result of putting on weight after the steroids. I then did a detox diet which someone close to me (in the medical Field) designed and as a result, my itch vanished, my excess weight went and I felt non-toxic again. Joy of Joys, I could once again sit and read a book with my child on my lap. That diet and that man are pure brilliant. I truly believe that if you want to cleanse yourself post treatment, a full on detox is so necessary. It is now 6 months later and my diet has slid back to somewhere between super healthy detox and not great. The reason i write is because I am now having a warm tingly feeling all over my body which has intensified in the last fort-night. It is not unpleasant but it is quite intense when I sit still and am not moving. I intend to phone my oncologist tomorrow for advice but I want to know has anyone else experienced such a sensation. Thanks in advance for some advice Breast Cancer, Practically triple Neg Non-ductal invasive 6 x tc Masectomy to left Breast 7cm + tumour 5 x CMF Ovaries and Tubes removed in July 2012

Sadly a friend of mine is having serious dental problems post chemo so I thought I would let any of you having chemo at the moment know that the dental advice we get during chemo is for a very good reason. Apparently when the white blood cell count is low the body cannot react to some infections and we can be totally unaware that there is a problem. Here is what I was told. Please add more tips if you know more! - Brush after every meal with a soft toothbrush - Use gentle mouthwashes to avoid ulcers - Drink often to avoid a dry mouth (less saliva means less natural cleaning action) - Avoid chewing gum for extended periods of time as this encourages continued chewing action during the night which stresses the teeth - Avoid sugary drinks, crisps and any food that sticks to the teeth if you cannot brush your teeth right after a meal for some reason. Take care! Hugs Kathleen

Hi, I am receiving treatment for Metestatic breast cancer in my bones and was wondering if anyone else is going through this at the moment, I would like to compare notes etc as I feel on my own at the present even though my family are great. What questions should I ask my oncologist? I am on Zometa every 4 weeks and have just finished my 8th session

Hi everyone! I'm new here and what a wonderful service this is. I'm not sure where to post this as it doesn't fit with any of the topic headings listed. I'd love to hear if anyone has experienced a delayed shock and grief of their cancer journey? I had a cancer diagnosis and several bouts of surgery in 1999 for cervical cancer and only very recently have felt very low and shocked and sad when I look back and wonder how I got through it without any help or much support..... my family barely mentioned the 'c' word; or even still hardly mention it. My husband never mentions it (we hadn't met back then) and sometimes I feel that he doesn't understand my pain and loss and what I went through, and I don't know how to tell him. I'm always conscious of my health and I really take care of myself, but the fear sits with me always of cancer returning. And in that, I feel that my husband doesn't appreciate me and my now good health and that perhaps our time together is precious. I know I'm going away from the topic but I am so so surprised at my sudden reaction to all this. Thanks for any guidance

Hi everyone, I'm Aidan, I'm 51, single male, live in West Cork and have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer (dont ask me which one, I cant pronounce it let alone spell it, haha). I've just joined the site today and have been having a quick look around and whilst there are very good sections devoted to specifics, I'm somewhat surprised there is no "New member introduction" or "General Lounge/ General Chat" section,,,, unless I haven't found it yet. I'm specificly interested in finding out if there are any support groups in my area, particularly along the lines of something where there are regular get togethers with people who have cancer, or have lost someone from cancer etc, something where people can meet in person and get to know each other. If you know of any such groups I would be very interested in hearing about them, thanks and best wishes to you all, Aidan.

Hi all, I am new to this, and to be honest I'm not quite sure what I am hoping to gain from posting...maybe a little understanding and support from people going through something similar! My wonderful hubby was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in November 2011 after being very ill since June 2011 with breathlessness, coughing, night sweats, weight loss. He underwent an unsuccessful biopsy in June 2011 (he was coughing too much to remove a biopsy) and at this time he was misdiagnosed & told he had Sarcoidosis. He began steroid treatment for Sarcoid, but steadily went down hill. When he collapsed and was hospitalised in October, it was discovered that there was a lot more going on! After A LOT of testing, biopsies and scopes, it turned out my hubby had stage 3 Non Hodgkin’s mediastinal lymphoma with a tracheoesophageal fistula thrown into the mix for fun! He was sent home from hosp to await chemo but was re-admitted as a critical patient after his lungs flooded at home due to the fistula. He underwent 6 rounds of R-CHOP and was hospitalised for 2 months. Due to the fistula he needed a PEG and JEG tube fitted to decompress his stomach and was on liquid feed almost 2 months. It wasn't believed he would make it through 3 nights during his hospital stay as he developed severe infections and went into resp. failure. I slept on the floor beside him in the hosp for 2 weeks! But, Thank God, he pulled through and we began to see improvements slowly. He was discharged from hospital on the 18th of December, was told his fistula had sealed on the 21st of December (and he was allowed to eat again) and he finished his last chemo on the 29th of Feb. We just received his PET scan results...and they are clear! It has been a rollercoaster of a journey! We will be married two years in July...this has definitely been a test of our vows! He is doing wonderfully, his energy is almost back to pre-sickness, and his hair is growing back.. I have my husband and best friend back. I guess I'm just finding it hard to get my head around all that has happened. It has been very fast moving and we have had a lot to deal with! We have been told that his PET scan was clear and 100% normal...can I ask..does this put him into the remission category? I was in such shock when we received the results via the phone that I forgot to ask! We are seeing the oncologist on Monday, but just wanted to test the waters here first! Has anyone experienced anything similar to this? I believe the type of lymphoma my hub has in a rarer type? I'd love some feed back! God Bless. xx

diagnosed nov 11. Finish chemo on 8 may, goin week Holiday. I wanted to go away before my surgery. Anyone gone away so soon after chemo. Any tips. I heard you are more sensitive during chemo.

On Monday next a team from 'C Team - Cancer Survivors' will be running in the relay in the Cork City Marathon. You can find out more about us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/C-Team-C ... 8393882344 . We'd be delighted if you'd consider sponsoring us. If not, please click 'Like' or 'Share', or pass it on in some format. ....of course, if you're on, or around, the Marathon course on Monday, please give us a cheer!! C Team - Cancer Survivors relay team who are taking part in the 2012 Cork City Marathon Relay are: Mossie Shanahan (Skin Cancer - Cork), Ned O'Brien (Melanoma - Clonmel, Co. Tipperary), John Quigley (Prostate Cancer - Cork). Liam Ryan (Neck & Head Cancer - Ballina, Co. Tipperary) Noel O'Connor (Prostate Cancer - Carrigaline, Co. Cork), Each C Team member has their own fundraising. John Quigley's pages are: Irish Cancer Society - http://www.mycharity.ie/event/c_team_20 ... r_society/ and Cork ARC - http://www.mycharity.ie/event/c_team_2012_cork_arc/ Liam Ryan Cancer Appeal - http://liamryancancerappeal.weebly.com/donate.html Please like, share or donate! Our primary aims of the group are: 1) To raise the profile and awareness of cancer survivors. We're still here and getting on with life. (It may not be easy, but, bugger it, we're dealing with it) 2) To show those facing cancer, whether diagnosed or supporting someone who is dealing with cancer, that we’re getting on with life… and they can too 3) To make contact with other cancer survivors who might join with us in future events and finally 4) (Maybe) raise a bit of money, though this is not a core aim.