None of those things help someone become more aware of the symptoms of cancer, they don't inform someone how they should check their breasts, skin, testicles or vulva. It doesn't tell them that they should be aware of pains amd swellings elsewhere in their body, or a change in the colour of the whites of their eyes or disturbances in the vision. No one likes to talk about toilet habits, but you should be so aware of what is normal for you, you need to know your body.
Obviously, not everyone wth symptoms will have cancer, but it is far better to go speak to your GP sooner rather than later, where you can be referred on and treated sooner if it is cancer. It is well known that cancers dagnosed in the early stages have better survival rates.
Raising awareness and support come from actions and words. The recent pancreatic cancer "I wish I had breast cancer" advert was shocking, but it highlighted the horrific 5 year survival statistics, and went on to inform people of the symptoms.
Direct those with cancer to charities, services and groups that can provide support, charities like Shine Cancer Support, that has local and virtual networks for those in their 20s,30s and 40s with cancer. Cancer is isolating, and can throw life plans into disarray, it can be hard to talk to those around you, but talking to someone of a similar age is invaluable.
Direct those with cancer to charities, services and groups that can provide support, charities like Shine Cancer Support, that has local and virtual networks for those in their 20s,30s and 40s with cancer. Cancer is isolating, and can throw life plans into disarray, it can be hard to talk to those around you, but talking to someone of a similar age is invaluable.
I was 27 when I was diagnosed, I had had symptoms for over two years bit ignored them as I thought my GP would tell me my pains were all down to sitting on chairs far too small at work and that I should be more aware of my posture. Even when I was having my tests for the malignancy I thought "it's ok, I'm young, it won't be cancer" the truth is, cancer does not discriminate by age, sex or race, nor is it only skin deep. It can effect anywhere in the body, literally. Mine was in the nerves.
Around 0.35% of cancer research funding budget is spent on Sarcoma research, and when you think there are over 50 types of cancer it really is horrific to think about that so little is known about those cancers. We need to raise more funds so that adults and children with these cancers stand a chance. Just because they are rare does not make them any less worthy of research.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the biggest killers yet has a spend of around 1% of the research budget.
I'm all for raising awareness and supporting of cancers obviously, but please do it in a manner that is informative, or is helpful in the fight against cancer. A photo won't help save a life, but giving information to inform someone how to check and be aware or helping to fundraise for a specific type of cancer might just be the difference that is needed.
You could save a friends life by arming them with information to help them save their own life, that in my view is more important that posting a photo with no make up on.
Use the links below for more information on different cancers. Please let me know in the comments if I've missed something, I know I will have done.
Shine Cancer Support
Sarcoma UK
Beating Bowel Cancer
Blood Cancers
Coppa Feel
Orchid Cancer (male cancers)
