Smoking tobacco, using a hubbly bubbly pipe and smoking dagga (marijuana), puts young people at high risk of developing oral- and oro-pharyngeal cancers. This message was highlighted by the South African Dental Association (SADA) at a press briefing in Cape Town this week.

In the past, these types of cancer mostly occurred in adults over the age of 45, but in recent years, it has become increasingly prevalent in younger people between 20 and 30 years of age.

“While part of the explanation of this can be attributed to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the changing sexual behaviours of a younger generation where multiple partners and oral sex feature strongly, many other lifestyle practices also become significant in view of recent research results that indicate causal links between oral- and oro-pharyngeal cancer and cannabis and hubbly bubbly pipe smoking,” Maretha Smit, Chief Executive Officer of SADA said in a statement.

Cancer-causing HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, usually during sexual contact. The same type of HPV that causes cervical cancer is responsible for some oral and oro-pharyngeal cancers, and are transmitted to this region of the body through oral sex.

Link between dagga and cancer

Dagga has the same risk as any smoking tobacco in that it contains carcinogens that may cause cancer. In addition, research has also identified a link between dagga-use and HPV-related oral cancers.

Professor André van Zyl from the University of Pretoria explained that, other than regular tobacco smoke, dagga modifies the immune system, thereby causing HPV to spread easier during oral sex. Once it has spread, the cannabinoids will also promote the persistence of the HPV infection, as well as promoting tumour formation by suppressing those parts of the immune system required to protect against cancer.

In comparison to non-smokers it was found that dagga users had a more than four-fold increased risk of developing HPV-positive cancer.

“In South Africa, the use of cannabis among school-going children is on the increase. Coupled with changing sexual behaviours in the same groups and where oral sex features prominently, these trends will most like lead to increases in HPV oro-pharyngeal cancers in the next 10 to 20 years,” said Van Zyl.

Water pipe not innocent fun

Water-pipe smoking, locally known as the Hubbly Bubbly or Hookah pipe, is growing in popularity among school-going children and young people worldwide. Often with the full knowledge and approval of their parents who believe it to be innocent fun.

But that is not the case at all—water-pipe smoking is just as addictive, and even more dangerous than cigarette smoking. According to Van Zyl, the idea that the water in the Hubbly Bubbly filters out harmful substances is untrue, and smoke from the water pipe contains nicotine, tar and heavy metals and exposes the user to high levels of carbon monoxide.

What makes the water pipe even more dangerous is that the cooling effect from the water, combined with the fruity flavours of the tobacco, creates a soothing effect allowing smokers to inhale the smoke more deeply than regular tobacco smoke. The water pipe is also smoked in sessions of up to 45 minutes, therefore exposing the smoker to a lot more carbon monoxide than cigarette smoke. “Participants may inhale as much as the equivalent of 100 cigarettes,” said Van Zyl.

“The bottom-line message is that water-pipe smoking can deliver carcinogenic substances directly into the mouth and upper respiratory tract as well as the lungs,” said Van Zyl. “At the very least it is as dangerous as cigarette smoking while a further worrying aspect of the water pipe is that it exposes young people to the habit of smoking, increasing the risk of addiction. Also, because it is happening under the critical age of 16, these individuals are at enormous increased risk to suffer various cancers under the age of 45 years.”

There is the additional danger that the sharing of mouthpieces may spread other infectious agents such as herpes, hepatitis and tuberculosis.

Cancers associated with HPV, dagga and hubbly bubbly pipe smoking occurs mostly in young adults. “These young people could never imagine that they might develop oral cancer, and, it is therefore imperative that regular dental check-ups are conducted to ensure an early diagnosis of cancer in either the oral cavity or in the oro-pharyngeal area,” Van Zyl concluded.

Source: South African Dental Association (http://www.sada.co.za)

A substantial number of lung and colorectal cancer patients continue to smoke after being diagnosed with cancer, according to a new report published in CANCER.

The study provides valuable information on which cancer patients may need help to quit smoking.

According the study continuing smoking after a cancer diagnosis can negatively affect a patient’s response to treatment and possible recovery, and can ultimately raise their chance of death.

The study, led by Dr Elyse Park from Harvard Medical School in the United States, looked to see how many patients quit smoking around the time of their cancer diagnosis, and which smokers were most likely to quit. The researchers determined smoking rates around the time of diagnosis and five months after diagnosis in 5338 lung and colorectal cancer patients. Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer from uncontrolled cell growth in the colon, rectum, or appendix.

Substantial group

The research found that a substantial group of cancer patients continue to smoke. At the time of diagnosis, 39% of lung cancer patients and 14% of colorectal cancer patients were smoking. Five months later, 14% of lung cancer patients and 9% of colorectal cancer patients were still smoking. And although lung cancer patients generally have higher smoking rates, colorectal cancer patients were less likely to quit smoking after diagnosis.

Other shared characteristics between patients, apart from their types of cancer, were also identified to help physicians pinpoint the type of individuals more likely to continue smoking after diagnosis.

“These findings can help cancer clinicians identify patients who are at risk for smoking and guide tobacco counselling treatment development for cancer patients,” Dr Park said in a EurekAlert! report.

Source: EurekAlert!

If you wish to receive additional news of our Johannesburg CanSurvive Support Group meetings, please send us an email.

If you would rather not receive the newsletter, please send an email to jhb@plwc.org.za with the word “Unsubscribe” in the subject line, and your name will be removed from our mailing list.

Best wishes, Chris Olivier, Editor Phone: 083 640 4949 Email: jhb@plwc.org.za

Please click on the title to view the calender.

Imerman Angels is a not-for-profit organization that connects a person fighting cancer today (cancer fighter) with someone who has beaten the same type of cancer (cancer survivor). The one-on-one  relationship provides the cancer fighter the opportunate to ask personal questions and receive encouragement from someone who is uniquely familiar with the situation, and it allows the cancer survivor the opportunity to personally help a fighter as he or she battles the disease.

Imerman Angels also connects “caregivers.” A caregiver is a friend or family member who is supporting a cancer fighter. Similar to fighters and survivors, caregivers wish to be paired with another caregiver who relates to and understands their situation.

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Imerman Angels helps cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers regardless of the geographical location – throughout the United States and around the world. All of the services that Imerman Angels provides are 100% free. Whether you are a cancer fighter, survivor or caregiver, Imerman Angels does not turn anyone away.

PAIR UP PROCESS

The pair up process begins when Imerman Angels meets a cancer fighter in need.

Once the initial contact is made, an Imerman Angels representative speaks to each cancer fighter, either by phone or in person. The representative, who is a survivor himself/herself, then searches the database for a survivor most like the fighter based on factors such as cancer type, treatments, age, gender and geographic location. The cancer fighter and survivor are then introduced.

The relationship is in the hands of the fighter-survivor pair; Imerman Angels is always available to offer further advice, information and guidance.

FOUNDER

Jonny Imerman is the founder of Imerman Angels. He is a survivor of testicular cancer. During his own chemotherapy, he noticed how many people fought cancer without family, friends, and other forms of support.

He created Imerman Angels so that no one would have to fight cancer alone. The cancer survivor would be an angel – walking, living proof that the fighter could win too. What an amazing connection.

CONTACT US

If you, or anyone you know, have been touched by cancer, please contact Imerman Angels. In addition, we welcome your questions, feedback and ideas. We look forward to hearing from you.

Phone: (312) 274-5529

info@imermanangels.org

www.imermanangels.org

One-on-One Cancer Support: Connecting Cancer Fighters, Survivors and Caregivers

400 W. Erie St., Suite 405

Chicago, IL 60654

Phone: (312) 274-5529

Fax: (312) 274-5530

info@imermanangels.org

www.imermanangels.org

.

The study was published in the American Cancer Society’s current issue of CANCER by researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center.

Please read it at http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20111206/8114/breast-cancer-chemotherapy-study-fatigue-women-treatment-cancer.htm

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’Healthy for the Holidays’– 10 tips for cancer survivors.

Surviving the holidays with one’s waistline, bank account and sanity intact can be challenging for everyone, but the season affords specific pitfalls – and opportunities – for cancer survivors who are mindful of staying healthy throughout the season and beyond.

One in 20 adults in the U.S. is a cancer survivor, and the number of survivors is growing, many of whom have long-term health needs resulting from the disease and its treatment.

Karen Syrjala, Ph.D., co-director of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program, offers these tips for survivors. Most of them apply to anyone who wants a healthier holiday and less-stressful new year.

•  Know your holiday stress points. Do certain family members put you on edge? Do you take on too much and then find you don’t have time for it all? Start by asking yourself what makes you feel most pressured or irritable, and then what choices do you have to make this stress more manageable?  If you have to see a difficult relative, can you arrange something fun afterward? This way you can remind yourself that in a few hours you’ll be doing something that you enjoy.  It will help you get through a potentially difficult time.
•  Are there holiday events or traditions you could live without? Can you gracefully bow out of gatherings or obligations you no longer enjoy? Do you really need to bake all those cookies? Can this be the year you send a Christmas email or a link to your Facebook page instead of all those cards?
•  Are there non-holiday events you could postpone for a week or two? If your holiday to-do list is longer than Santa’s, perhaps schedule your next routine CT scan or mammogram after the holidays.
•  Remember your precious people. Schedule “together time” with those who may need you the most this holiday season, or those you most want to see. By scheduling ahead you can make sure you make time for what matters most to you. Our bodies and brains respond positively in lots of ways to time spent connecting with those we are close to; consider this important for your health during the holidays.
•  Keep moving. Physical activity is the clearest step you can take to benefit your health during the holidays and any time of year. It is certain to make you feel good and help your body and brain to function better. It can even reduce your cancer-related risks. Make opportunities to walk or take stairs for at least 10 minutes at a time. If exercising alone is hard, check with your local Y to see if they have a program for cancer survivors.
•  Practice healthy nutrition. Know what foods help you feel and do your best, then focus more on giving your body what it needs (such as fruits and vegetables) and less on trying not to eat certain foods. Eat sweets in moderation and make sure you also get protein, fiber and healthful fats. Eat your healthy food before going to a party so that it is easier to indulge in moderation. Make an appointment with a nutritionist if you are unsure what is healthy for you or if you have digestion problems.
•  Know how alcohol affects your health. Alcohol use has been associated with an increased risk of certain cancers. If you drink, do so in moderation (one drink a day for women and two for men).  Before a social event, plan ahead what and how much you’ll drink. Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, such as sparkling water with lime, to help pace yourself and stay hydrated. If it’s hard to say no once you’ve started drinking, then plan to stick with non-alcoholic drinks.
•  Relax your body and mind. When you are more relaxed you sometimes get more done – and feel better doing it. When you feel wound up or overwhelmed, take five minutes to breathe deeply and scan your body from head to toe. Close your eyes and breathe in through your nose to a count of four, hold your breath for a count of two, breathe out through your mouth for a count of four, and repeat. Check your forehead, jaw and tongue for tightness, relax; then check your neck and shoulders, stretch and move them to find a comfortable position, then continue with your arms, chest, abdomen and legs. You can even breathe and relax your body while driving – just don’t close your eyes!
•  Tend to your body’s needs. Notice if there are parts of your body that aren’t working well. Make a list and an appointment with your doctor for after the holidays. Talk with your doctor if you have fatigue that hasn’t improved with time; mental fog that makes it hard to work or remember things; neuropathy (numbness or pain in your feet, hands or elsewhere), incontinence or other problems that affect your quality of life. Knowing you have a plan for attending to these problems can ease your mind during the holidays and let you focus on other things.
•  Have a long-term plan for your survivorship care. Schedule an appointment to go over your survivorship needs if you aren’t sure about your risks for long-term problems or you aren’t sure what symptoms to watch for to maintain your health. Tap into a survivorship program to help you detail a follow-up care plan to share with your primary care provider. Make appointments now so you can forget about them during the holidays.

In the Northwest region, visit the website of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program at www.fhcrc.org/survivorship. For information on other LIVESTRONG Survivorship Programs of Excellence visit www.livestrong.org/What-We-Do.

Three years ago I got a call from him as he was waiting for the results of his biopsy to come in. It was the first time I heard fear in my friend’s voice.

A few years on and watching him work with this new reality has been an education in living. I have never seem someone fight a war right in front of me and still think about what t-shirt quality they’ll use for the new batch of prints they’ve designed. I’ve never watched someone negotiate and renegotiate their terms of living while finding the art in the most overlooked flowers.

A few months ago he asked me to go to chemo with him to take some pics to show ya’ll out there that it’s not this scary torture chamber we non-chemo types have in our mind’s eye.

Please click on the link to watch his journey -

http://http://thedotspot.net/2011/12/01/my-trip-to-the-chemo-room/

Here is your “Vision” Cancer Newsletter for November/December 2011 which I hope you will find useful and informative. Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested. There is no charge to subscribe simply send me an email with “subscribe” as the subject and let me know if you would also like to receive
notification of our Support Group activities.

The PLWC Johannesburg and CanSurvive Cancer Support Group wish you a happy and healthy festive season and look forward to continuing our relationship in 2012. If you are going away we wish you a safe journey there and a safe return.

If you wish to receive additional news of our Johannesburg CanSurvive Support Group meetings, please
send us an email.

If you would rather not receive the newsletter, please send an email to jhb@plwc.org.za with the word “Unsubscribe” in the subject line, and your name will be removed from our mailing list.

Best wishes,
Chris Olivier, Editor
Phone: 083 640 4949
Email: jhb@plwc.org.za

Johannesburg help line: 073 975 1452