Can Aspirin stop cancer recurring?

The world’s largest clinical trial to see if taking aspirin every day can stop cancer returning has been launched.

The study will recruit 11,000 patients who have recently had – or are having – treatment for bowel, breast, oesophagus, prostate or stomach cancer. It will run at more than 100 centres across the UK and will last for up to 12 years.

The study will compare a group of people taking 300mg of aspirin daily, a group taking 100mg of aspirin daily and a group taking dummy drugs.

Aspirin is already proven to help prevent heart attacks and strokes in some people. Previous research has suggested it could also prevent some types of cancer.

Its overall aim is to see whether or not taking aspirin every day for five years can stop or delay cancers that have been caught and treated at an early stage from coming back.

“This trial is especially exciting as cancers that recur are often harder to treat so finding a cheap and effective way to prevent this is potentially game-changing for patients”

– Dr Fiona Reddington, Cancer Research UK
Professor Ruth Langley, chief investigator from the Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, said: “There’s been some interesting research suggesting that aspirin could delay or stop early-stage cancers coming back, but there’s been no randomised trial to give clear proof.

“This trial aims to answer this question once and for all. If we find that aspirin does stop these cancers returning, it could change future treatment – providing a cheap and simple way to help stop cancer coming back and helping more people survive.

“But, unless you are on the trial, it’s important not to start taking aspirin until we have the full results as aspirin isn’t suitable for everyone, and it can have serious side-effects. Please speak to your oncologist or research nurse if you would like to join the Add-Aspirin trial.”

Dr Fiona Reddington, Cancer Research UK’s head of population research, said: “Aspirin’s possible effects on cancer are fascinating and we hope this trial will give us a clear answer on whether or not the drug helps stop some cancers coming back.

“This trial is especially exciting as cancers that recur are often harder to treat so finding a cheap and effective way to prevent this is potentially game-changing for patients.”

Earlier this week, a US study showed that taking around a quarter of a regular aspirin tablet – the amount that is safe for a child – can increase the chance of getting pregnant and giving birth, even for women who have previously suffered a miscarriage.

 

Source: The Telegraph

 

Balls to cancer Cream Tea for local pensioners

Friday the 23rd of October saw Balls to cancer giving a little back to our local community with a brilliant afternoon Cream tea and dance at the Coseley Working mens Club, Ivyhouse lane, Coseley.

It was a great afternoon of dancing with tea, cream and jam scones and a touch of Christmas with some mince pies and cream. We also raised £67.17 in very kind donations.

Heres just a few pictures of the night.

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Boobs and Balls Charity Event raises much needed funds

Linda Matthews and the Banbury Club held a Charity night on Friday the 16th October for both us and Breast cancer awareness. The night was a huge success and looked a fantastic evening!!

Linda and the club raised a magnificent £800 for us.

We thank them all very much for their support (see pictures of the night below)

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Did Vaping burn a hole in this mans lung?

Richard Courtney is a 33-year-old man trying to kick the habit of smoking but when he turned to e-cigarettes and newest box mods on the market , he ended up getting a nasty surprise.

The £100 device is meant to turn the nicotine fluid into water vapour but instead it spat hot nicotine into his throat. As a result, he claims it burnt through his left lung.

I started vaping to try to give up after 16 years of smoking. I’d purchased a couple of Pax 3 Vapes  to gift it to some of my friends. Little did I know that I should have gone for the same brand, and not this generic one which caused more harm than benefit. I can’t believe it put me in hospital.He told The Sun

 

 Richard was walking home from a friend’s house when he first tasted the fluid.

Then it felt like I’d got a trapped nerve in my shoulder. In the morning I had a really tight chest and couldn’t breathe properly. I went to hospital. One of the nurses there put my vape on an oxygen tube and showed that it was spitting liquid out.

Richard claims his lung was working at just 25% due to the incident.

He has since returned to work and the makers of the e-cig are yet to comment on the situation.

The rising popularity of vaping has been dramatic, especially among teenagers. According to a recent study, about 37% of high school seniors reported vaping in 2018, up from 28% the year before. An estimated 2.1 million middle school and high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2017; that number jumped to 3.6 million in 2018. Certainly, age restrictions — it’s illegal to sell e-cigarettes to anyone under 21 (18 or 19 in some states) — aren’t preventing use among teens and young adults. And nearly seven million adults 18 or older use e-cigarettes, according to a 2017 survey by the CDC.

E-cigarettes use a battery-powered device that heats a liquid to form vapors — or, more accurately, aerosol — that the user can inhale (thus “vaping”). These devices heat up various flavorings, nicotine, marijuana, or other potentially harmful substances. Nicotine is addictive, of course. And while that fact is prominently displayed in advertising, we know from experience with regular cigarettes that warnings don’t always work!

Recent reports link vaping to lung disease

You may have seen news reports of lung problems, including two deaths — one in Illinoisand another in Oregon— linked to vaping. According to the CDC:

  • Nearly 200 e-cigarette users have developed severe lung disease in 22 states (and the numbers keep rising — a Washington Post story put the number at 354). Most cases were among teens and young adults.
  • Experts aren’t sure if vaping actually caused these lung problems, but believe the most likely culprit is a contaminant, not an infectious agent. Possibilities include chemical irritation, or allergic or immune reactions to various chemicals or other substances in the inhaled vapors.
  • Typically, symptoms have started gradually, with shortness of breath and/or chest pain before more severe breathing difficulty led to hospital admission.
  • The lung disease has not been linked to a specific brand or flavor of e-cigarette.
  • The FDA, CDC, and state health officials are investigating these cases to determine the specific cause(s) and how to prevent and treat them.

What we don’t know about vaping and lung disease

Most of the time vapers and smokers use to confuse a simple back pain with lung cancer, learn more about backpain treatment programs at MarketWatch. It’s not clear how often vaping might lead to lung trouble or who is at highest risk. For example, are lung problems more common among vapers who already have breathing problems (such as asthma) or who use marijuana? Is it more common among younger individuals? Does use of e-cigarettes cause the lung disease? Or is an added substance (such as marijuana) or another contaminant the culprit? Since the FDA’s regulation of e-cigarettes is still evolving, it’s particularly difficult to get answers.

Footballing legend Johan Cruyff diagnosed with Lung Cancer

The Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has lung cancer, his spokeswoman has confirmed.

“He has been in hospital this week for tests and lung cancer has been confirmed,” said Carole Thate.

The 68-year-old, who won three successive European Cups with Ajax before going on to play for and manage Barcelona, was diagnosed on Tuesday, it was reported on the Spanish radio station RAC1 and the Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo on Thursday morning.

Cruyff is said to be currently undergoing tests to try to discover the extent of the disease. Formerly a heavy smoker, he had double heart bypass surgery in 1991 while he was still in charge of Barcelona, a role he eventually left in 1996.

Barça’s vice-president Susana Monje, who was giving a financial presentation on Thursday, sent a message of support from the club.

“We have had contact with his manager Carole Thate and she confirmed to us that Johan indeed has lung cancer,” read a statement from Ajax director and former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

“On behalf of the club I wish Johan and his family a lot of strength and a speedy recovery. “

 

 

Source The Guardian

New smoking rules 1st October 2015

This is the information about the new changes to the smoking laws. Please read it is very important.

1.Changes to the law

On 1 October 2015 it became illegal:

  • for retailers to sell electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or e-liquids to someone under 18
  • for adults to buy (or try to buy) tobacco products or e-cigarettes for someone under 18
  • One can buy Pax 2 Vapes at 180Smoke.ca but cannot smoke it in private vehicle, if said vehicle is carrying someone under 18

2.Rules about smoking in private vehicles

Private vehicles must now be smokefree if they are enclosed, there is more than one person present and one of them is under 18.

So it is an offence:

  • for a person of any age to smoke in a private vehicle that is carrying someone who is under 18
  • for a driver (including a provisional driver) not to stop someone smoking in these circumstances

The rules don’t apply to e-cigarettes (vaping), so you better start looking for the best rated vape pens on the market to fit the law.

2.1Penalties

The fixed penalty notice fine for both offences is £50. Somebody who commits both offences can get 2 fines. Private vehicles must be carrying more than one person to be smokefree, so somebody who is 17 and smoking alone in a private vehicle isn’t committing an offence.

Enforcement officers (usually the police) will use their discretion to decide whether to issue a warning or a fixed penalty notice, or whether to refer an offence to court.

2.2What classes as an enclosed vehicle

The legislation covers any private vehicle that is enclosed wholly or partly by a roof. A convertible car, or coupe, with the roof completely down and stowed is not enclosed and so isn’t covered by the legislation. But a vehicle with a sunroof open is still enclosed and so is covered by the legislation.

Sitting in the open doorway of an enclosed vehicle is covered by the legislation.

The rules apply to motorhomes, campervans and caravans when they are being used as a vehicle but don’t apply when they are being used as living accommodation.

The rules don’t apply to:

  • boats, ships and aircraft, as they have their own rules
  • work vehicles and public transport, as they are already covered by smokefree legislation

2.3Why the law has changed

Every time a child breathes in secondhand smoke, they breathe in thousands of chemicals. This puts them at risk of serious conditions, such as meningitis, cancer and respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. It can also make asthma worse. This is why so much attention is on tobacco flavored cartridges used in e-cigarettes. Many believe this might be the answer to the epidemic.

Secondhand smoke is dangerous for anyone, but children are especially vulnerable, because they breathe more rapidly and have less developed airways, lungs and immune systems. Over 80% of cigarette smoke is invisible and opening windows does not remove its harmful effect.

The law has changed to protect children and young people from such harm.

Terminally ill Dad who raised £500,000 for his daughters cancer treatment dies….

Tom Attwater with Kelli
Devoted: Selfless dad Tom Attwater with little Kelli

A devoted dad who raised £500,000 to ensure his little girl receives life-saving cancer treatment has died after battling a brain tumour for three years.

Tom Attwater, 32, captured the hearts of Mirror readers by fighting his own ill health to ensure his step-daughter Kelli would receive pioneering medical care she might need.

The six-year-old endured childhood cancer neuroblastoma aged just three months and again aged three. Doctors predict that Kelli is likely to relapse and then as usual kept all the information for them and the family using secure document shredding, making the rest confidential to the press.

Tom swore he could not die in peace unless he knew he had done everything he could to ensure Kelli lived a long life.

Sadly, his own life ended yesterday afternoon. He passed away at home in Pattingham, West Midlands, surrounded by the family he adored. He is survived by his much longed-for son Fletcher, who is five months old.

Tom’s heartbroken widow Joely, 28, says: “Tom gave me the happiest moments of my life and I am in indescribable pain now he has gone. I knew one day I would lose him but did not think it would be this soon.

“This is a very tough time for Kelli. We explained that daddy’s ‘naughty lump’ in his head couldn’t be cured and that one day he would go to heaven while she was still a child.

“That’s why it meant so much to Tom to walk Kelli down the aisle at our wedding because he knew he wouldn’t be there when she is a bride, and Kelli knew this. She will cherish that moment forever.

Tom Attwater with Kelli and Joely
Brave: Tom Attwater who has a terminal brain tumour, his stepdaughter Kelli

“When we found out that the time was getting close I gently explained to Kelli that daddy would have to leave us soon.

“It was the most difficult moment of my life. Kelli is a daddy’s girl and she will struggle to adjust without her wonderful, loving father.

“Little Fletcher’s face always lit up and showed a real look of love when he was in Tom’s arms. We have hundreds of pictures of their time together and I am devastated that they will be all Fletcher has of the amazing man who was overjoyed to see him born.

“I will do my utmost to bring Fletcher up as a gentleman just like his dad. Tom has put cards, letters and presents away for every one of Kelli and Fletcher’s birthdays.

“Tom was my hero. His drive to help Kelli astounded all who knew him. Despite his extreme fatigue and daily seizures, he got out of bed every day to help fundraise.

“He wanted me to know that although he wouldn’t live to any age, Kelli would have the very best chance of life.

“Thank you to every single person who donated to Kelli’s appeal. Once the target was reached, Tom was able to relax and enjoy time with his family. We have such precious memories of him and will miss him unbearably.”

Businessman Tom received the bleak news of a cancerous mass in his brain, called an astrocytoma, in September 2012.

Jon Fuller-Rowell/Daily Mirror
Thanks dad: Cancer sufferer Tom Attwater has raised £500,000 for his daughter Kelli’s cancer treatment

He remembered sitting on the kitchen worktop waiting for the kettle to boil for a cup of tea then waking up in a hospital bed.

Scans showed he had a tumour covering 11% of his brain. Tom says: “I remember asking doctors if I had days, weeks, months or years to live and feeling I was trapped in a film.

“When I gradually absorbed the news that I was 29 and facing the inevitable, I felt shock, then anger, then disappointment that I hadn’t yet given Kelli a little brother or sister

“But the overwhelming feeling was an urge to make the most of every day I have left with my family.”

First on Tom’s bucket list was raising the £500,000 of Kelli’s Appeal.

He said: “I can’t just lie in bed feeling sorry for myself when there is so much more to be done to save Kelli.

“My own health is not my main concern because I have no chances left and Kelli does.”

Joint second on Tom’s bucket list was marrying Joely and having a child together.Tom achieved his dream of becoming Joely’s husband in April 2014 and on the same day formally adopted Kelli.

Tom and Joely's wedding day
Happy: Tom and Joely’s wedding day
Daily MirrorTom Attwater, wife Joely and daughter Kelli
Dad: Tom and Joely with the scan of baby Fletcher

Tom feared his cancer treatment had destroyed his chances of having a child. So the morning Joely woke him with news she was pregnant was the happiest moment of his life.

Tom said: “I cried then and pretty much cried for the entire next day, maybe even two days.

“It’s the best news I’ve ever had. Having a child and making Kelli a big sister completes our family.

“When we told Kelli after school that day she ran around the room cheering. I will never forget the most joyful sight of my life.

“There’s a touch of sadness too. I know I won’t live to see my baby grow up and that really hurts.

“But for as long as I can I will fight as hard as I can. I hope that one day Joely, Kelli and our new baby will be proud of me.”

Tom’s health deteriorated just before Fletcher was born on 22 May but he was able to support Joely through her 11-hour labour.

“There were tears of joy from both of us,” says Joely. “It had taken a long time to be blessed with Fletcher so when he finally arrived we were both overwhelmed.

“It breaks me to know Fletcher won’t grow up remembering his dad.”

Sadly Tom was not well enough to achieve one wish on his bucket list, which was to take Kelli to a Manchester United match.

Joely says: “I had arranged tickets but unfortunately Tom’s health had worsened too quickly to be able to go.

“But I will fulfil the wish for Tom and take Kelli and Fletcher in the future as Tom wanted Fletcher to support Manchester United. I’ve never followed football but I will do from now on to honour Tom.”

Source : The Mirror

The Real dangers of Sun Beds. Louise Cook’s Story

 

Sunbed cancer will kill me in 8 weeks but I’m smiling

for kids’ sake

FLICKING through the holiday park brochure, Louise Cook happily plans to whisk her three lively kids away.

She knows Summer, six, Mason, four, and Chloe, 18 months, will have the time of their lives.

But at just 27, Louise faces the heartbreak that the trip will provide some of their last shared memories.

Louise has cancer and has been given just eight weeks to live after using sunbeds three times a week for two years.

The brave mum says: “I was young and naive and will pay for that with my life. But I refuse to let cancer define our lives while I’m still here. I’ll keep happy for my babies, they make me smile every day.”

Now, as Louise prepares for her children to grow up without a mum, she is desperate for Sun readers to be aware of the dangers of sunbeds.

 

Louise poses after using a sunbed
Louise poses after using a sunbed Jeremy Durkin

 

Louise, who is married to Martyn Cook, 25, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma when she was nine weeks pregnant with their daughter, Chloe.

Just 15 weeks later she was told the cancer was terminal, having spread to her ovaries and brain.

Louise, from Thetford, Norfolk, says: “I thought having a tan would help my self-esteem after a break- up. Because of that I will not be here to watch my beautiful kids grow up. I didn’t really believe sunbeds could be so dangerous because they were so easily accessible.

“I fear other young men and women will make the same mistake as me and put their image before their health.

“If you want a tan, get a spray one. Children shouldn’t lose their mummies because of sunbeds.”

 

Her scar after op
Her scar after op Jeremy Durkin

 

Initially there was no age limit on sunbeds in the UK, but in April 2011 the Government introduced a law banning under-18s.

Salons that admit minors now face a £20,000 fine and could be shut down. But with more than 73,000 new cases of skin cancer diagnosed in Britain each year, Louise says these precautions are not enough.

 

She adds: “I would like to see the UK follow Australia and introduce a ban. How can we expect young people to believe sunbeds can give you cancer when they see them in every beauty salon, hairdresser’s and gym?”

 

Louise says it breaks her heart that Chloe will be too young to remember her
Louise says it breaks her heart that Chloe will be too young to remember her Jeremy Durkin

 

Louise, a fashion retail supervisor, was 23 when she split from her first husband. As a single mum with two small kids, she feared she might never find love again.

She explains: “My confidence was low so I started doing things to boost my self-esteem, including the sunbed. Having always been pale, I soon started receiving compliments on my tan and it felt good.”

She was soon using sunbeds three times a week.

In February 2013 she met Martyn, who is in the RAF, and five months later they were overjoyed to discover she was pregnant.

Louise then stopped using sunbeds. But just a month later a mole on her back began to itch and bleed.

Unaware it was a sign of skin cancer, Louise ignored it.

Martyn’s mum urged her to get a skin cancer check in Perth and the GP sent her to hospital to have it removed.

 

Louise was ten weeks pregnant when she was told it was a cancerous melanoma and was referred to a specialist at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital to see if the cancer had spread.

 

Joy ... Mason and Summer with Chloe
Joy … Mason and Summer with Chloe Jeremy Durkin

 

 

She says: “I wasn’t overly worried and was hopeful it had been caught early.”

But six weeks later Louise discovered a lump in her neck — she knew it was cancer and tests confirmed the worst.

Martyn flew back from a tour of Afghanistan to be by her side. It was then the couple learned they were having a baby girl.

But their joy was short-lived as an MRI scan ahead of an operation to remove the tumour revealed further lesions on Louise’s lung.

The devastated couple were told the cancer was now stage four and incurable.

Louise says: “I just cried. I was 24 weeks pregnant, with two small children at home, and being told I was terminally ill with cancer.

 

“I asked my consultant to help me live as long as possible for the children.

 

 

“When I came round from the op and heard my baby’s heartbeat on a monitor I cried tears of joy.”

Louise was induced at 37 weeks and baby Chloe was delivered in perfect health, weighing 6lb 3oz.

 

Wedding day ... Louise with husband Martyn Cook
Wedding day … Louise with husband Martyn Cook Jeremy Durkin

 

 

The couple married on June 4, 2014, when Chloe was four months old. That December, scans showed new lesions on Louise’s brain.

It was devastating news. While radiation therapy had been successful in reducing her brain tumours, recent scans showed more had developed in her ovaries.

Doctors have told Louise she has just two months to live.

She now wants to make the most of the precious time she has left with her children.

Friends are fundraising to help the family make some lasting memories.

She says: “My dream is to take the kids to Center Parcs for one last little family break.

“I hope Summer and Mason will have memories of me but it breaks my heart that Chloe will be too young to remember me.

 

“I gently explained that Mummy will be an angel soon but they could still talk to me all the time.

“I’ll keep smiling and keep fighting for my children as long as I can.”

 

Source : The Sun Newspaper

Light Up The Macron for Zak

LIGHT UP THE MACRON
15 year old Zak Vali recently passed away on 26th September.

Zak was a big Bolton fan who loved going to games watching his favourite players. To remember his bright personality that he had , we’re asking for all Bolton and Birmingham fans to shine their lights on their phones on the 15th minute of the game on Tuesday 20th October 2015 as a mark of remembrance.
Please share to make as many as possible that will attend aware!
Rest in peace Zak

bolton

#Teatober is back!

Thanks to the massive success of the campaign in 2015 we decided to bring it back again this year!

So this October its time to loose that weight, get ready for party season and detox but staying off alcohol for the month of October and replace it with Tea!

We also want to you to raise money for us and donate a little of the money you save from not drinking. Its easy to do right here

So come on and join us in a drink free October for male cancer.

Teatober