“If we can manage to have all these cancer diseases and to live with it, then we can handle reading about it.”
“In multiple studies, the majority of patients with experience of open notes report that reading their notes is very important for feeling in control of their care, remembering their care plan, and understanding why medications are prescribed. Patients report trusting their provider more, greater goal alignment, and teamwork. These benefits are reported most often among patients who are older, non-white, those with fewer years of formal education, or do not speak English at home. Older and chronically ill patients, in particular, appreciate the opportunity to share their notes with family and friend caregivers.”
“Being research active, in my opinion, is fundamentally about our willingness and diligence, as patients, to ask questions and seek high quality evidence either as a patient, a health professional, and from an organisational standpoint.
As patients we need to ask for the evidence. We should be able to read about the findings in plain English. We must be part of a meaningful and informed conversation. We should have guidance on the questions to ask about whether to take part in research. We must be kept informed about the progress of individual studies. We should be able to find out how to get involved with researchers to inform, shape, and influence all aspects of the process. A research active patient might be described as purposely enquiring about evidence to support their own health.
For health professionals it may be about asking how research can assist in all stages of the patient pathway. It is where research moves from being a last option to a helpful guide. … A research active health professional might then mean being fully engaged with research as a means of benefiting patients through networking with colleagues and the public.”
The term ‘cancer survivor’ commonly refers to a person that has been diagnosed with cancer at any stage during their lifetime and includes those who are undergoing treatment and those that have recovered from the disease.
The advice contained in this book is for cancer survivors who have been advised by their medical team to follow a healthy eating diet.
This book is also suitable for survivors who have finished their medical treatment and have been told they are in remission (given the ‘all clear’) from their disease, or those who have recovered from the disease.
There is currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, most women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with advanced-stage disease (Stage 3 or 4).
This is because the symptoms of ovarian cancer (particularly in the early stages) often are not acute or intense, and present vaguely. In most cases, ovarian cancer is not detected during routine pelvic exams, unless the doctor notes that the ovary is enlarged.
The sooner ovarian cancer is found and treated, the better a woman’s chance for recovery. It is important to know that early-stage symptoms are not silent – so women should be extra alert and watch out for early symptoms.
The St Mark’s Centre for Familial Intestinal Cancer (incorporating the Polyposis Registry and Family Cancer Clinic) is run by a team of specialists consisting of Colorectal Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Specialists and Administrators.
The team works together to ensure prompt diagnosis and surveillance of patients with a genetic condition associated with bowel cancer or from a family at high risk of bowel and other cancers.
Our Services
We look after individuals and their families throughout their healthcare journey. We also provide education for healthcare professionals and the public and actively carry out research. If you are referred to us we will look after you and your family.
Despite a devastating family history of cancer, no doctor took note of the history and took action to determine if there was a hereditary cause.
Having just one physician dedicated to the practice of hereditary cancer awareness and prevention would also not only potentially save lives, it also would save on the enormous expenses incurred because ofa cancer that wasn’t prevented or caught early.
No one is going to be a bigger or better advocate for your health than YOU. The days of doing a trust fall into a white coat might be over. You know you. No one will fight harder for your life than you.
You’ve had a colonoscopy and now you start reading the report and grow a little worried seeing the word “polyps” in the text. Does that mean you definitely have colorectal cancer?
For starters, no. The vast majority of colorectal polyps are harmless growths that sprout on the lining of your colon or rectum. They’re pretty common, especially in adults age 45 or older.
But that doesn’t mean polyps should be ignored, says colorectal surgeon Rebecca Gunter, MD. Colorectal cancer begins in polyps, after all. Finding and removing those polyps decreases your risk of developing the disease.
So, what’s the difference among polyps, and are some more worrisome than others? Dr. Gunter explains.
Colon polyp size
The smaller the polyp, the less likely it is to be on the road to cancer, says Dr. Gunter. Polyps can range in size from the less-than-5-millimeter “diminutive” category to the over-30-millimeter “giants.”
Why the size matters
To put those sizes in perspective, a diminutive polyp is about the size of a match head. Larger polyps can be almost as big as the average person’s thumb.
Studies show that few smaller polyps are cancerous. As polyps slowly grow, however, the cancer risk rises. It’s estimated that it takes about 10 years for cancer to form into a colorectal polyp.
Colon polyp shape
Polyps come in three basic shapes, says Dr. Gunter. They are:
Sessile polyps are dome-shaped and grow flat on your colon wall. About 85% of polyps are in this group. Sessile polyps can be snared and removed somewhat easily in a colonoscopy, though larger ones are typically taken out in pieces.
Pedunculated polyps hang from a stalk attached to your colon wall. (Think of a cherry on a stem.) They’re easy to spot and can usually be removed in one piece during a colonoscopy. Cancer can develop on the head of pedunculated polyps.
Flat polyps are the least common polyps, making up about 2% of discovered lesions. They’re the most challenging to remove and sometimes difficult to locate.
Colon polyp growth patterns
Doctors examine removed polyps under a microscope for a close-up look at their cells. The review is to determine levels of dysplasia, a term used to describe how cancerous polyps appear on a cellular level.
Polyps with signs of high-grade dysplasia have disorganized cells with a larger, darker center. These dysplastic cells often grow wildly, a sign that cancer may have been close to forming in the polyp.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a follow-up colonoscopy sooner than normal if they find polyps with high-grade dysplasia. “It’s a finding that warrants increased attention,” notes Dr. Gunter.
Polyps with cells that look only mildly abnormal are labeled as having low-grade dysplasia and are of less concern.
What is an adenoma?
Adenomas are polyps made from tissue that looks like the usual lining of your colon but isn’t. There are three kinds of adenomas, which doctors can determine by looking under a microscope. The types are:
Tubular. These adenomas look like tiny tubes jammed into your colon lining. They’re typically smaller in size and less worrisome.
Villous. This type of adenoma sprawls out like the fronds of a fern, a sign of faster and more chaotic growth. Villous adenomas are usually larger and more likely to be cancerous.
Tubulovillous. This type is a mixture of tubular and villous adenomas, with characteristics of each.
How are serrated polyps different?
Serrated polyps look like saw teeth under the microscope. They’re subtle, pale and without much form, making them easier to overlook during a colonoscopy. About 25% of colon cancers come from serrated polyps.
Should polyps be removed?
The answer is simple: Yes.
Though not all polyps turn into cancer, all colorectal cancers start as polyps. Removal eliminates the threat posed by a polyp. Keeping up with your colonoscopies allows your doctors to do just that.
Colonoscopies are recommended for everyone starting at age 45, or earlier if you have higher risk factors such as a family history of colon cancer. (Stool tests also are an option to screen for colon cancer, but colonoscopies remain the recommended method.)
“The reality is that colon polyps are fairly common,” says Dr. Gunter. “The good news is that removing them decreases your risk of colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy is a safe and effective procedure that could be life-saving. Don’t delay getting it done.”
Lynch Syndrome Ireland 