Blog 182 Friday 31st January 2014

It was a year ago that the horse meat scandal hit the UK and Europe. Criminals were  adding horse meat to the food chain and passing it off as beef or other meat products. Today I was speaking to  Andrew Jazaerli, the  Senior Policy Officer of Bowel Cancer UK and the conversation reminded me of my blog post at that time.

I was amazed how fast the news of the scandal spread....It was "Top of the mind awareness" Millions of people thought of how it may have affected them..............

HOW CAN WE MAKE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE SIT UP AND THINK ABOUT BOWEL CANCER as easily as the horse meat scandal ?

The truth of the matter is that generally we do not consider bowel cancer or any other cancer for that matter,until it actually effects us, a family member or friend. Over 40,000 men and women are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK every year, making it the third most common cancer; that's someone every 15 minutes.

Causes & Risks

Although the exact cause of bowel cancer is unknown, there are certain factors that may increase your risk. In the UK, around 95% of cases occur in people over the age of 50. (I was 45) People with a mother, father, brother, sister, or child with bowel cancer may be considered for further testing. An inactive lifestyle and a poor diet may increase the risk of bowel cancer. A high intake of red and processed meat, smoking and excess alcohol may also  increase the risk

For further information and support please call the Bowel Cancer UK Information and Support Service on 0800 8 40 35 40 or email support@bowelcanceruk.org.uk



 

Blog 181 Wednesday 8th January 2014

A HAPPY,  HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS 2014 TO ALL !!

Not long into the new year and the first round of cancer surveillance appointment letters have arrived !!

I will be seeing the urology consultant at the end of January. I have a chest/abdomen CT Scan during February and an Oncology appointment at the end of February.  I have often referred to this particular time as the waiting game. It really doesn't get any easier, waiting for the appointments..........and then waiting for the results, but it sure focuses your mind on what is actually important in life.  An interesting article I read in "The Lancet" you can make up your own mind, .........................

The Rhetoric of Cancer

“For 40 years the language of warfare has dominated cancer discourse”, explains Andrew Graystone in an essay complementing his radio documentary The Rhetoric of Cancer . “Today it's commonplace to speak about battling cancer, fighting cancer, even kicking cancer.

Oncologists are painted as heroic warriors, the SAS of the medical world—sometimes fighting hand to hand with scalpels, sometimes using lasers, ray guns, and chemical weapons.”

When Andrew Graystone was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, he soon realised that the language commonly employed to approach this disease revolves around military metaphors. He writes: "The language of war dominates cancer discourse, so whether we want to fight or not, people with cancer are conscripted into a battle against the self. Our bodies made into war zones, with cancer as the enemy, medical professionals as infallible heroes, and treatments of search-and-destroy by any means possible."

In an attempt to find language which feels more appropriate for him, Andrew visits the Christie Hospital in Manchester to meet Macmillan consultant in palliative care and oncology Dr Wendy Makin. They discuss the language that clinicians choose and the words that patients bring to the consulting room themselves. Also to Natasha Hill, director of brand and strategic marketing at Cancer Research UK about the rhetoric employed in advertising campaigns. He discusses the language employed at research level with Michael Overduin, professor at the school of Cancer Sciences at Birmingham University. Andrew also meets with Jim Cotter, a priest and writer who has leukaemia. And he shares his findings with theologian Dr Paula Gooder who has a special interest in contemporary beliefs about our relationships with our bodies, illness and death.

Andrew says: "If I battle my cancer I’m putting myself in conflict against myself . Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to have cancer, but I warn you that when I die, if any one says that I have lost my battle against cancer, I will personally come back and haunt them.

Andrew Graystone. A graduate in theology, has extensive experience as a media professional, having worked for BBC Religion for over a decade as a producer and Development Executive. He has produced numerous TV and radio programmes. He has also worked as a radio and TV producer in the independent sector. He is a regular presenter of Radio 4's Daily Service and Sunday Worship. He lectures at universities and theological colleges, and trains and advises christian groups on how best to engage with the fast-changing media environment. Andrew is a licensed minister of the Church of the Nazarene.

When Andrew Graystone was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, he soon realised that the language commonly employed to approach this disease revolves around military metaphors. He writes: "The language of war dominates cancer discourse, so whether we want to fight or not, people with cancer are conscripted into a battle against the self. Our bodies made into war zones, with cancer as the enemy, medical professionals as infallible heroes, and treatments of search-and-destroy... 6 Show more