Macmillan Cancer Support’s Post

Facing a cancer diagnosis is frightening. We need further research to prevent, treat, and minimise its impact on all lives. Cancer now affects many more people and also younger and younger people than before. Early diagnosis and personalised treatments are crucial to help stop the impact it is has - particularly for those at later stages of cancer. I strongly believe that more research will help many people live longer and better lives. Please add your name to this if you agree that the next UK Government should commit to backing research, ending cancers caused by smoking, driving earlier diagnoses, ending the waits, and leading on cancer, so that we can transform UK cancer survival to be amongst the best in the world. Cancer research's aim is is simple: longer, better lives.  

This is truly devastating, and is why we need to see urgent and decisive action from the Government in its upcoming cancer strategy. ‼️ Currently, nearly 60,000 people in the UK are living with leukaemia, and 10,000 people are newly diagnosed every year. Depending on their type of leukaemia, patients face unique challenges in treatment and care, and outcomes differ. A one-size-fits-all approach is not possible. That’s why we’re calling for access to a holistic needs assessment (HNA) for all leukaemia patients, from the point of diagnosis, throughout treatment and into recovery. Shockingly, data from Leukaemia UK has found that only 9% of people with leukaemia had been offered a HNA to identify their supportive care needs and inform the development of a care and support plan.  A HNA ensures that: 🔶 Patients have access to financial support that meets their needs 🔶 Their physical and psychological needs are identified, addressed, and monitored 🔶 The right expert workforce and resources are in place so that healthcare teams can meet the immediate and long-term needs of the patients We’re ready to work with the Government and everyone with the power to drive change to make this happen. Only then can we save and improve the lives of those affected by leukaemia.

29 Days.   On December 10, just 29 days after receiving her diagnosis, I lost my mother to lung cancer. It’s hard to fathom how quickly it all happened—just two days before her diagnosis, she was dancing joyfully at a wedding, the very picture of health for a vibrant 63-year-old. She had never smoked a day in her life, yet she was diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer that had already spread to her bones, her brain, and other organs—just as it had done to her mother four years earlier.   This holiday season, I reflect on the gift of health and the urgent need for change. The more I learn about lung cancer, its devastating prevalence among women and the glaring underrepresentation of women in research, the more I feel called to act. -Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer for women globally, claiming approximately 1.2 million lives each year. -Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer disproportionately affects women more than men. -Most cases are discovered late, when the disease has already metastasized -About 50% of women diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked, challenging the stereotypes surrounding this disease -Women remain critically underrepresented in lung cancer research, making up only 38–40% of clinical trial participants. This gap leaves vital questions unanswered—like how biological factors such as hormones influence the disease’s progression and treatment   My mother's, and grandmother's, story isn’t unique, and that’s what makes it so heartbreaking. Too many people—mothers, daughters and friends—are taken far too soon by a disease we still don’t fully understand.   Please consider donating to EGFR Resisters so we can work toward better treatments, earlier diagnoses, and, most importantly, hope for those still fighting. - https://lnkd.in/gC5M5-sJ

More than 100 000 South Africans are diagnosed with cancer every year. 1 in 4 South Africans are affected by cancer through diagnosis of family, friends or self. 4.4 million women in South Africa are living with breast cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with South African men having a 1 in 15 risk. (Sources: CANSA & National Cancer Registry 2019) In South Africa, approximately 8 400 coronary bypass operations are performed per year. There is an alarming incidence of heart disease in South Africa: one in three men and one in four women will suffer a heart attack before their 60th birthday. Every year, more than 50 000 South Africans suffer heart attacks. (Source: http://www. health24.com/Medical/ Heart/Treatment-forheart-disease) With modern medical advances and early detection, more people are surviving illnesses that would have been fatal in the past. Sanlam’s new Comprehensive benefits provide cover for a comprehensive list of body systems, ensuring that you are covered for a wide range of claim events. The comprehensive nature of the cover provides peace of mind for both you and your family. Contact me for more information 079 276 2639 (WhatsApp friendly) If you wish to set up an appointment (virtual/face-to-face) please click on the link below: https://lnkd.in/da5j2uKA

The recent news about a man who was recently diagnosed with 3 Primary Cancers despite feeling well and asymptomatic hit close to home. It was only discovered during screening, and he was fortunate to have been diagnosed early. Cancer runs in my family, with almost everyone on both sides of the family -grand aunts, grand uncles, grandparents-suffering from or have passed away from one cancer or another. As a healthcare professional, I am all too aware that screening is important for early detection of cancers that will help prevent further complications and aggressive treatments down the line, yet, does it compel me to go for regular screening? Hmm....Not really... The main reasons (from my perspective, FYI I'm in the 20-30s 🤭): 1. Do not wish to pay for screening before the minimum recommended age 2. I maintain my health and exercise regularly and have no symptoms 3. Satisfied with my life stage, just got married and about to start a family. Why jeopardise all my plans with bad news? I'm sure there are many others who share the same sentiments. However, I am prudent that cancer may strike at anytime to anyone. Hence, a gentle piece of advice - everyone has a responsibility to look after their health, even if you do not wish to go for screening at this point in time. There are common signs to look out for (refer to infographic) for you to monitor your own health. Came across this interesting article that mentioned how most people remain jn the SYMPTOMATIC, DETECTABLE stage for a long time (could be years) before going to the advanced stage-that's good news, but still no excuse not to screen if one feels something is wrong 🔗https://lnkd.in/g9h9v_Bt Sharing some convenient references and links I came across which may hopefully help Free Cancer Screening for Singaporeans 🔗Singapore Cancer Society https://lnkd.in/gD9pTBaB 🔗365 Cancer Prevention Society https://lnkd.in/gmCHJqfz Guidelines for recommended ages to undergo screening 🔗MSD https://lnkd.in/g9xWseiR 🔗National Cancer Centre Singapore https://lnkd.in/guwDFkuB Cheers!

This general election needs to be a turning point for people affected by cancer. CRUK has made huge progress on cancer in the last 50 years. But, today, waiting time targets aren’t being met. Many face unequal access to diagnosis and treatment. Over the next decade, there is a £1bn funding gap for life-saving research into cancer. But this can change. You can drive that change. Cancer Research UK’s manifesto details the policies that, if enacted by the UK Government, can help prevent 20,000 cancer deaths every year by 2040. Nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetimes in the UK. Behind each statistic is a real person affected by cancer. Partners holding hands, waiting for news. Friends missing at birthdays. Parents up late worrying.  We need the next government to act on cancer. If the next UK Government commits to backing research, ending cancers caused by smoking, driving earlier diagnoses, ending the waits, and leading on cancer, we can transform UK cancer survival to be amongst the best in the world. Ahead of the general election, will you back that ambition and make cancer a priority? The aim is simple: longer, better lives.  Will you sign and share?

We know that countries with long-term cancer strategies see improvements in early diagnosis and better survival rates. We welcome the news that Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, is considering publishing a comprehensive new plan for cancer. A fully-funded cancer strategy as part of the reforms of the 10-year health plan is key to saving and improving more lives of those affected by leukaemia. We call on the government to commit to a cancer strategy in the coming months, so that we can all work together to stop leukaemia devastating lives. 🧡

Cervical cancer remains a critical health issue, but advancements in screening and diagnostics are changing lives. Katherine Tran’s courageous story is a powerful reminder of the importance of regular cervical screenings and early intervention. Innovations like HPV extended genotyping, developed by leaders such as Becton Dickinson BD, are transforming cervical cancer prevention. Extended genotyping goes beyond traditional screening, enabling individualised identification of 8 of the 14 high-risk HPV strains, grouping the remaining 6—allowing clinicians to assess risks and guide personalised treatment with greater accuracy. Edward Murphy Natalie Giffin Hilary Walsh Rebecca Dawson Annette Stenhouse #CervicalCancerAwareness #HPVGenotyping #EarlyDetection #ScreeningSavesLives

Cancer’s new look: younger and female Deaths from cancer have dropped by around a third over the past three decades in the United States, but cancer diagnoses are on the rise, particularly in younger women. “Of all the cancers that are increasing, some are increasing in men, but it’s lopsided — more of this increase is happening in women,” says Rebecca Siegel, an epidemiologist and co-author of a report by the American Cancer Society. The incidence of cancer in women under the age of 50 was 51% higher than men in 2002 and 82% higher than men in 2021, the most recent year for which we have data. This difference was mainly driven by increases in breast and thyroid cancer among women. Cancer rates in women aged between 50 and 64 also trended upwards and matched those of men in 2021

Let’s spread the word about these advancements and encourage more women to prioritise their cervical health. Together, we can make a significant impact on early detection, prevention and elimination. #CervicalCancerAwareness #HealthEquityMatters #SpreadTheWord #BD #BDOnclarity #HPVScreening #ExtendedGenotyping #ScreeningSavesLives #EarlyDetection