Jade Goody's cancer almost certainly incurable
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Big Brother star Jade Goody faces the tough reality that her cancer is now almost certainly incurable.
News that her cervical cancer has spread to her liver, bowel and groin will come as a devastating blow to the 27-year-old.
Goody now has metastatic cancer, which occurs when cancer cells spread from the place where the disease started to other parts of the body.
While metastatic cancer can sometimes be controlled with treatment to prolong survival, it is highly unlikely that Jade will ever be free from the disease.
Treatments for metastatic cancer include chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, surgery and drug treatments, or these in combination.
Goody has stage 4 cervical cancer, which is when the disease is at its most advanced stage and has spread.
Only 15 per cent to 30 per cent of women with stage 4 cervical cancer will live longer than five years.
Martin Ledwick, head of cancer information nurses for Cancer Research UK, said: "When cervical cancer has spread to other parts of the body away from the cervix, particularly if it's in other major organs, then the likelihood of it being cured is very low.
"However, some women may live for some time following treatment.
"It's very difficult to predict who is going to be in that position."
Mr Ledwick said metastatic cancers behaved differently and responded differently, depending on the origin of the cancer.
He added: "The same types of treatment that would possibly have some effect in early stage cervical cancer might be helpful in these circumstances.
"We have to look at how the cancer is affecting the individual person and, with cervical cancer, there are various different treatment options available.
"Sometimes chemotherapy is effective, sometimes radiotherapy is effective and sometimes surgery can be helpful.
"Usually what would happen is that the medical team would see what is causing the biggest problem for the individual."
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women under 35 after breast cancer.
However, the vast majority of cases still occur in older women.
Around 3,000 women are diagnosed with the disease each year in the UK and the prognosis is good if it is caught early.
In addition, around 24,000 women will get smear test results each year showing severely abnormal changes to the cells of their cervix, indicating the likelihood of cancer in the future unless treatment is given.
Signs of cervical cancer can be picked up through smear tests, or the woman may experience symptoms such as bleeding between periods and during sex; or pain or discomfort after or during sex.
Having regular smear tests from a young age will pick up the vast majority of changes to cells before they even get a chance to develop into cancer.
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the sexually transmitted infection, human papillomavirus (HPV).
A UK-wide vaccination programme of girls aged 12 and 13 is currently ongoing to protect against HPV.
A catch-up programme for girls up to the age of 18 has also been set up using the vaccine Cervarix.
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Comments
In all the education there is - there is simply not enough priority given to encourage young girls to have the self esteem to say NO to early sex or if having sex when young to ensure condoms are used. This is one of the best preventions of cervical cancer in later years, yet so little is done to send this message to young people, with disasterous consequences like this.
Poor girl lets hope she may be the exception to the rule and lives for a long time yet
As someone who has had pre-cancerous cells removed from their cervix, I can assure you that promiscuity/early sex/condoms are nothing to do with it - and that by allowing this misunderstanding to continue people are heightening the risk for those who believe they are "safe" to skip screening and end up with a bigger problem!
HPV can be transferred with or without a condom. You basically only need to have had sex once. In fact, before I was diagnosed I went for an unrelated full gynae check at a reputable hospital, and asked specifically for an HPV test, and they told me they didn't do it because there's no way to stop it spreading and so many people carry it! Had they done the test, at least one fewer person would've been exposed to it! So let's stop painting this as some kind of "bad girls" disease, and start asking the NHS what they're going to do to provide treatments that don't result in patients like Jade going to hospital once at 16, having abnormal cells removed, and then being so traumatised by the experience they never go again.
In my blog at www.leangreencafe.blogspot.com, I list natural methods for preventing cancer and disease, and maintaining optimal health. I also am a researcher, having done hours after my own diagnosis, handing my own Gyno/Oncologist a study abstract and requesting a CA-125 blood marker test, among other things. The first thing this doctor said after my hysterectomy, after arguing with me that the blood marker was only for uterine or ovarian cancer was that "I was right".
On my blog I list resources of natural Cancer Treatments that are shared by medical doctors and others, along with human stories of what has worked.
In my opinion, the best thing a doctor can say is there is nothing they can do. The chemo, cutting and radiation often cause such collateral damage and misery, it is a death sentence. I do not support the hype of 'vaccines' either, that not only don't treat more than one or two strains of HPV, and are not adequately tested, but have mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde and other harmful toxins and carcinogens that are not advisable.
The internet offers research and answers the medical field will not give you. For instance, Medical Doctors get less than one hour of training on Nutrition. My last oncologist bragged that he didn't listen during that training, and passed out Twinkies in his office. Not only his ignorance and arrogance was sad, but also that he had throat cancer of some type, and after his own surgery could not talk well.
My best. Do not trust the first person with MD behind their name. Do not hand your responsibility for life over to some other person who acts like they know it all. There is support available.
It is hard enough being a mother without having the added issues of battling cancer.
All I can say is I wish Jade the best and hope she can manage to spend as much time with her family and friends. I also had smear tests that showed signs of cell changes, so it's so important to keep getting checked out and follow the advice given.
test question for all your soft-hearted people out there: when did you last check on an elderly neighbour if they have been able to do their shopping for the last days with pavements as icy as they are in some areas? or bought a big issue from the guy sitting next to the supermarket every day instead of the sun? but if people are not in the tabloids, they don't count, right? and praying is cheap, actions would take too much initiative. now go on reading about other people instead of living your own life.
Karma!! Remember that when you are judging others
I will remember you in my prayers. God bless.
Pat
I wish Jade and her family all the luck in the world and I hope this story has a happy ending xxx
She was too young to be taken from us, however others are taken from us at such an earlier age.
Stay strong.
I can understand your pain and trauma BUT..
Imagine waking up and your still alive 40 years later..
I dont think you should throw in the towel without putting up a fight.
Jesus Christ can heal you.
If you wanna know how..I could show you.
Just thought to let you know.
The doctors removed a golf ball size brain tumour in March 2008 which sadly still left Me with severe epilepsy.
Sod karma. I have done no wrong to anyone and I think if we all plough back through our childhoods there will be a time we must all have said "the wrong thing". Maybe We were just not aware of it.
Jade, You must fight this and my attitude as a Mum of 3 is that we are lucky to know our time is limited and make the most of each funny moments that we may miss out on in all their years to come.
COME ON EVERYONE SHOW SOME SUPPORT, WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THE DREADED CANCER HITS US!!!
Most of You have left lovely supporting messages which is what Jade needs, but those who are being nasty about "past mistakes".......GROW UP. It could be You or one of Your loved ones.
My husband, kids, parents and brothers are going through hell watching Me suffer.
Amanda T x x x
If I have offended anyone or could support anyone mandsini@hotmail.com is my addy feel free to speak Your mind as I do.
www.cannabuzz.net (for scientific/medical research explanation)
Dr R Melamede's video's explaining how our biochemistry is harmonised/balanced by thc can also be found on youtube...*thc suppresses tumours while supporting the surrounding tissue-the exact opposite of what happens during chemo*
www.phoenixtears.ca
Rick Simpson, Canadian who supplied home-distilled 'hemp oil' containing high levels of thc was arrested but not incarcerated for supplying whoever he met who needed it FOR FREE. He was not allowed to present patients' medical records in court, nor were his patients allowed to testify...he is currently touring Canada on a self funded tour to educate the public on his findings, since the medical community has been gagged by the pharmaceuticals.
Go to the above website to be better informed.
There are natural cancer treatments, despite the level. I went from no prognosis to good health.
Some countries are banning the vaccines as dangerous, while the Big Pharma powers in others are pushing to force this on the people. Greed and population control.
Candida, diet, environmental toxins, tobacco and its chemicals being absorbed into cervical tissues all can play a part in immunity here.
Scares are usually about control and profit.
Visit my blog to get more info. www.leangreencafe.blogspot.com
Unkind comments are unnecessary. Women need to support each other.
please read a book from dr johanna budwig "cancer"
you can live
all the best
marin,switzerland
yours faithfully, Sammy Michelle xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
you are requested to come to patanjali yogapeeth, HARIDWAR (India), where your cervical cancer can be cured successfully(with 100% gurantee).
I AM A FAN OF YOU... & MY HEPATITIS B WAS CURED THERE, WHOSE COST WAS JUST 7$.