Tag Archives: Long-Term

Living with the long term effects of cancer

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Cordelia GalgutI couldn’t possibly have imagined, when writing my latest book, Living with the long term effects of cancer, last year, from my dual perspective as psychologist and woman who has had breast cancer, that we would all be facing a pandemic such as this appalling Covid19 one we are now enduring. This situation is a huge challenge for so many of us; not least, it’s such a shock and everything else in our lives has taken something of a back seat, for very understandable reasons. This has included, in my case, trying to make light of my own health problems and related psychological challenges. And yet I am in the “vulnerable” category due to the long term effects of cancer that I experience. I am therefore at greater risk of experiencing a bad version of this virus. And I am realising increasingly, day by day, that these infernal long term effects are actually being heightened and worsened by the difficulties of the current situation, as are many other people’s problems. This situation is a veritable Pandora’s box of potential problems and very scary unknowns.

Why I wrote the book

I wrote my book on cancer’s long term effects because, since being diagnosed with breast cancer twice, in 2004, I had realised, over time, that side effects from the treatments I had, both physical and psychological, weren’t subsiding in the way I had been told they should. In fact, some were actually getting worse, eg. muscular skeletal problems, immune function and dread of the local recurrence and spread of cancer. However, despite the fact that other “survivors” were telling me they were in a similar state, what numbers of us have found is that there is little, if any, recognition of our suffering. It’s invisible to many, who look but do not see, who listen but do not hear. And the net result of this is that our problems are often enough belittled and we are judged for not ‘getting over’ cancer and not ‘moving on’. I know that this judgement is often unintentional, but it’s impact is still hard to bear.

Getting over cancer and moving beyond it is a tall order

The reality is that it is nigh on impossible to, for example, get over a cancer that could return or indeed, has returned. And cancer’s  treatments often enough cause long term effects, as well. So, I wanted my book to validate the suffering of those living with and beyond cancer and I also wanted it to inform those in healthcare and in the world at large about the plight of those living with cancer’s long term effects, across a range of cancers.

Long term effects are an increasing problem as more of us survive

Very scary though cancer still is, not least because it can still kill its hosts, it is increasingly becoming a chronic condition for many who live beyond their diagnosis, whether they are free of cancer or not. 1 in 2 of us will get this disease and many many of us will even survive for years, so my book effectively speaks to everyone. It’s a stark fact that we will all be affected by cancer in our lifetimes one way or another, if we haven’t already been.

My book is relevant for those with other long term conditions, too.

In this new Covid19 world, I hope my book can offer emotional support to those of us with other chronic conditions too and even to those of us struggling emotionally with this horrible new reality in one way or another. The support and strategies I offer are transferable to many situations and many other conditions, too.

An interesting podcast featuring me: https://twitter.com/JKPBooks/status/1247951884272443392

The Psychological Impact of Breast Cancer: A Psychologist’s Insight as a Patient is available here.

Sun Damage – Short-Term and Long-Term Effects By Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Last time we discussed sunburn and sunscreens. But what if, despite all efforts, you get sunburned?

First reduce inflammation. Take anti-inflammatories (eg ibuprofen) and apply bland moisturisers. Cool the affected skin with wet cloths, and keep hydrated.  (Pure) aloe vera may help.

Vitamin E may reduce on-going skin-cell damage, which can continue even after sun-exposure. Burnt skin should be protected from further sun. If the burn is severe and covers a large area, or you feel unwell, you may need medical advice.

After several days, your skin will appear recovered, albeit somewhat browner. But this isn’t the end of the story. You will have some permanent damage, which will make your skin look older, and put you at more risk of skin cancer.

Sun UV is responsible for 80% of skin-aging – reduced elasticity (causing sagginess), skin texture changes, wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation and yellowish discolouration. A recent study has shown that regular sunscreens significantly reduce these effects.

More worrying, it is estimated that, in the UK, sun is responsible for 70-90% of the main skin cancers – malignant melanoma (MM), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Intermittent severe (blistering) sunburn, particularly when young, is probably the major cause of MM. In fact, five severe sunburns between ages 15 to 20 years increase risk by 80%. Conversely, SCC and BCC are related to chronic long-term sun. Fair-skinned people are at greater risk as they have less protective melanin. Some people are also genetically susceptible.

Our immune system always attempts to remove damaged skin-cells, in order to prevent cancer, so any immunodeficiency increases risk. To help your immune system, eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

MM arises from melanocytes (melanin-producing cells). MM may look like a new mole, or a change in a pre-existing mole – such as increased size, irregular edge, colour changes, asymmetrical shape, itching, pain, bleeding or crustiness. Melanoma is aggressive, but can be cured if caught early, so do see your doctor if you notice any skin changes. It can develop from melanocytes anywhere – any skin and, rarely, even the eye.

MM is the most dangerous skin cancer, but BCC is the commonest (75%) and SCC is next commonest. Unlike MM, which can appear on skin anywhere, BCC and SCC generally develop on sun-exposed skin. Either may resemble a sore, which won’t heal, a reddish patch, sometimes with crusting or bleeding. BCC sometimes forms a shiny bump of various colours, or an irregular scar. SCC can look like a wart, or a raised growth with a central dip.

Most BCC and SCC can be removed successfully, but if ignored, they can invade deeply, causing serious disfigurement and sometimes can spread elsewhere in the body, particularly SCC.

The best solution is to avoid sunburn and prolonged sun exposure. However once the damage is done, do maintain a healthy immune system and watch your skin carefully for any changes, or odd lumps or bumps which won’t going away – early treatment can cure.

Further Information:

http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sunburn/facts-about-sunburn-and-skin-cancer

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/sun-facts-and-evidence

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice