Pink Ribbon Day, Movember, Daffodil Day, 7 Bridges Walk

Its great to see so many ways to support cancer research, these are just a few of them. The more funding does often relate to the decrease in mortality rates in the type of cancer, your donations do have a direct correlation. Breast Cancer has certainly had a big run over recent years and certainly the McGrath Foundation, pink ribbons, have helped the awareness and level of funding. Let me preface any of my comments with the idea that whatever cancer research you feel inclined to supporting, that's a great thing to do, and it can directly help many people now and in the future, so please, if you are in a situation where you can support, and you are inclined to do so, feel very proud that you are doing a great thing.

However please indulge me with my version, Bowel Cancer. Its not as high profile as many, and so does lack funding and research. I am hoping that when the time comes there will be a clinical trial happening that I can try, and further treatments rolling off the production line. Let me give you a few stats that hit me as pretty important (from "Lifting the lid on Bowel Cancer"):

1. Bowel Cancer is the 2nd most common (Prostate No. 1), and 2nd most deadly cancer (Lung still no. 1) in Australia.
2. Approx 4000 Australians lose their lives to bowel cancer each year.
3. 66% of those diagnosed with Bowel Cancer will live past 5 years, compared to around 90% with melanoma, prostate and breast.
4. For those with Advanced Bowel Cancer, less than 1 in 5 (16%) are expected to be alive in 5 years. I'm up to 18 months now and still in the game.
5. Bowel Cancer ranks 6th in terms of clinical trials and 7th in terms of no. of participants.
6. Last year Bowel Cancer received a 5th of the total grants and funding provided by Cancer Australia for research and support serviced given to breast ($7.3 mill v $1.3 mill) and Prostate ($6.5 mill v $1.3 mill)
7. Bowel Cancer received no gov't funding for support services whilst $31.5 mill has been dedicated to breast care nurses and $7 mill for prostate cancer support services over the last 8 federal budgets.

The paper does go on to talk about bowel cancer suffering from profile and funding, that it is often a more uncomfortable conversation. Hence my continued "speaking up" to continue to raise awareness of both the disease and early diagnosis. The poo test, keeping an eye out for change of bowel habits, regular colonoscopies from 50 on-wards, sometimes before that if warranted.

There is some great stuff on the the Jodi Lee Foundation site, and the Bowel Cancer Australia site.

You can download a full copy of the report HERE.

Had my short chemo on Monday and seem to be bouncing quicker with the change of treatment. Still feeling pretty washed out, but compared to a few weeks ago, feeling pretty good. Booked in to see an Exercise Physiologist in a couple of weeks on recommendation from one of my infusion nurses. Hoping to get some guidance and activities to up the fitness, keep the body operating at peak without over doing it. Was good to catch up with Nanna & Grandad today, who also brought along sister Sue and partner John, nice to catch up.  

And last week, on October 20, Jane and I reached the 25th wedding anniversary milestone. I am so proud to have made it, to be here, Celebrations were quiet, and reserved, but really, really important. Feel so proud to still be with the love of my life after all this time, and reckon that I love Jane more now because of this happening. Love you forever Jane.

 

So this week has started well, and tomorrow is always another day.

Love.

Trev.