Cancer Scares

MagicMarker · 26-09-2011 09:05AM #1

This morning I had the pleasure of having a middle aged man rub gel on my balls for an ultra-sound, which I must say adds to the Monday morning misery after a very restless night, petrified doesn't even come close to how I felt.

But it all went well, I'm not dying, yay!!!

I read once that 1 in 3 people will have cancer in their lifetime, I don't know how accurate this is but it wouldn't surprise me. So I was wondering how many here have a their own cancer scare?

**Timbuk2** · 26-09-2011 09:06AM

You're one post off 20,000 :eek:

Glad to hear you were ok, I would have been terrified. Cancer definitely scares me, it just feels like a lottery as to whether you get it or not, no matter how well you look after yourself!

Seachmall · 26-09-2011 09:09AM

I wish your 20,000 post was about a man rubbing gel on your balls.

OT,
I haven't had a cancer scare but I'm still young and definitely fit the demographic for someone particularly susceptible to cancer.

Also, congrats(?) on not having cancer.

XxMCRxBabyxX · 26-09-2011 09:13AM

MagicMarker wrote: »

This morning I had the pleasure of having a middle aged man rub gel on my balls for an ultra-sound, which I must say adds to the Monday morning misery after a very restless night, petrified doesn't even come close to how I felt.

But it all went well, I'm not dying, yay!!!

I read once that 1 in 3 people will have cancer in their lifetime, I don't know how accurate this is but it wouldn't surprise me. So I was wondering how many here have a their own cancer scare?

Found a lump in my neck when I was 13. Still there a year later so got it checked out. Onwards another year or so, they thought it was benign but took it out anyway. Further tests then showed it to be acinic cell carcinoma. A "little cancer" as my doctor told me. I was to start radiotherapy when something came up in my MRI that they weren't sure about so I had a second surgery that removed my parotid gland and paralysed the right side of my face for several months. On the bright side, I then didn't need radiotherapy.

Four years later and I'm fine. Have yearly check ups but nothing has come up yet. Thankfully.

The "C" word scares a lot of people but often you can get it without it ever even having a chance to kill you. I don't think mine ever could of. The treatment can be horrible though.
So many cancers are just small ones but the only ones people hear of are the big scary ones.

Lollipops23 · 26-09-2011 09:20AM

Not sure if it counts, but my first smear came back with Abormal cells. Had to have a repeat of it to check it out further, thankfully came back all clear

doc has told me I have to go back for regular tests (despite being under 25). Scares me how a lot of docs tell girls under 25 to go away when they try to book smears, if mine had been left they could have progressed to dangerous territory.

HalloweenJack · 26-09-2011 09:23AM

I found a lump on my left ball a year back, when I was 22. I was ****ting myself. I tried to put it out of my mind, pretend it was something else, tell myself I'm too young to get cancer, blah blah blah, etc.

But it didn't go away so I went to the doctor. It was an infected hair follicle. :rolleyes:

IamtheWalrus · 26-09-2011 09:25AM

I've been paranoid over testicular cancer for years now. Had them checked by doctors about 4 times now. Always been fine even though before the check-up I've convinced myself I've cancer.

Well done on the all clear. That would scare the life out of me.

RachaelVO · 26-09-2011 09:50AM

Not had anything so far (thank jaysus).

Check regularly though! Once a month for the boobs (easy way for most chick to remember that). And I have smear reminders. Had moles n stuff checked out, but thankfully nothing.

Glad you went and got your balls smeared with jelly though, a lot of blokes seem to feel mortified at the idea of anyone check their genitals out, so you never know, you may just have sparked someone to go get checked!

jackie1974 · 26-09-2011 09:58AM

While doing sessions on a sunbed I noticed a patch of scaly looking skin forming on my breast, I stopped doing the sunbeds and hoped it would just clear up but a year on I still had it so went to the doctor. I had a couple of sessions of cryotherapy to have it removed and it's fine now just a small scar. I have no doubt it was caused by using sunbeds and thank God it was in a fairly obvious place or I would have just continued on tanning while skin cancer was developing. I felt like a right idiot risking my health for a tan after that.

stupidusername · 26-09-2011 10:00AM

Glad you're ok OP. Never really had anything myself.though I must go for a smear in a bit.

My sister had some moles removed out of precaution years ago. And as I've mentioned loads,my mam died of bladder cancer two years ago at 47.

Dravokivich · 26-09-2011 10:11AM

A mate of mine had it pretty damn bad and was lucky to get through it.

1 uncle had testicle cancer and I think my dad has been treated for cancer, not sure what though. He's never really talked about it.

Unfortunately another uncle of mine died of cancer as well. It's terrible seeing someone just wasting away while on treatment for it. I feel sorry for his son who's only memories of his old man are going to be of what people tell him.

bluto63 · 26-09-2011 10:12AM

I had a scare like that when I was 19. Found a lump on my testicles, was too scared to get it checked. Eventually I did and it turned out to be a cyst. I imagine you'll be going through that rush of relief I did!

RachaelVO · 26-09-2011 10:15AM

jackie1974 wrote: »

While doing sessions on a sunbed I noticed a patch of scaly looking skin forming on my breast, I stopped doing the sunbeds and hoped it would just clear up but a year on I still had it so went to the doctor. I had a couple of sessions of cryotherapy to have it removed and it's fine now just a small scar. I have no doubt it was caused by using sunbeds and thank God it was in a fairly obvious place or I would have just continued on tanning while skin cancer was developing. I felt like a right idiot risking my health for a tan after that.

WOW, that's scary sh1t! Those bloody sunbeds are so dangerous and yet used by so many people. Ya might as well just pour baby oil all over yourself and sit in the hot Spanish sun, cos it does the same fecking damage :mad::mad::mad: (rant over)

Glad you seen sense and all is ok!:)

Dravokivich wrote: »

A mate of mine had it pretty damn bad and was lucky to get through it.

1 uncle had testicle cancer and I think my dad has been treated for cancer, not sure what though. He's never really talked about it.

Unfortunately another uncle of mine died of cancer as well. It's terrible seeing someone just wasting away while on treatment for it. I feel sorry for his son who's only memories of his old man are going to be of what people tell him.

Your poor cousin. You do realise though, that it's possible that cancer could run in your family. If there is anything that looks/feels strange you really should get it checked out!

Dravokivich · 26-09-2011 10:21AM

RachaelVO wrote: »

Your poor cousin. You do realise though, that it's possible that cancer could run in your family. If there is anything that looks/feels strange you really should get it checked out!

I know, which is why my mother had mentioned it to me about my dad. Heart problems run in the family also.

The uncles are through marraige and general I don't think there's history of cancer running through the family. But yeah, it's always good to be aware of odd changes in your body and get stuff checked out regardless.

Chuck Stone · 26-09-2011 10:22AM

I have every disease and condition you could think of except hypocondria.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 26-09-2011 10:25AM

This could be a very important thread OP - well done.

Mr Benevolent · 26-09-2011 10:27AM

I'm higher risk for osophageal cancer due to having GORD and am probably due an endoscopy in the next few months. My uncle is currently dying of osophageal cancer

He's not genetically related to me, but it's a bit scary how fast that type of cancer spreads.

280special · 26-09-2011 10:37AM

Magicmarker, glad all went well for you.

And well done for starting a tread like this, It raises awareness and that is something well worth doing !

I had a bit more than a scare in the early 90's .Massive blood loss led to the discovery of a large tumour, but only after the first hospital either missed it, ignored it or didnt recognise it. Had a fairly serious op to remove what was a benign lump and thankfully havent had a re-occurance. But it was very, very scary.

If anyone finds difficulty swallowing, starts coughing up blood or notices changes in the products of their waste disposal system

Go get it checked out !

Cancer is all too common around here, on the small country road were I live , up to about 5 years ago there were only 6 houses. Of those 5 have been visited by this horror and in at least three cases more than once.

Again well done for starting this tread !!

azezil · 26-09-2011 10:44AM

Out of a family of 6, my dad has prostate cancer and I've a benign brain tumour. Statistic sounds about right.

Sierra 117 · 26-09-2011 11:35AM

A couple of years ago I found a lump on my left ball. I got it checked out by a doctor as soon as I could and it turned out to be nothing.

On my right ball I have a mole. When I first discovered it, I was terrified that it was cancerous since it had a lot of the signs of a melanoma but thankfully it wasn't. I check it once a month to make sure it hasn't changed.

26-09-2011 06:19PM

Constantly. I've had abnormal smears for the last five years and have had 3 ultrasounds in the past year to check for tumours after I had some worrying symptoms. It's really awful, it's always in the back of my mind and it's starting to affect my life now as I've had to put off moving abroad while I sort out more medical issues.

I don't think there are many people who don't have any relatives with cancer in this day and age. My aunt just had treatment for bowel cancer and my 18-year-old cousin has just been diagnosed with lymphoma.

Temptamperu · 26-09-2011 06:25PM

Yeah i got this lump on my neck about four years ago, didnt get it checked for another two :rolleyes:
Turned out to be just a cist but it was so scary at the time i was afraid to go to the doctor incase of bad news. Stupid of me I know but thats me.

Hazys · 26-09-2011 06:25PM

I got the ultra-sound for a suspicious lump on my balls...turns out it was just a gummy bear.

Seriously tho, i did find a lump on one of my testicles, got the ultra-sound turns out it was a bit of calcification, harmless.

nicechick! · 26-09-2011 06:29PM

I'm sure at some stage we'll all face a scare with The Big C! We'll all get older and ehhh things won't work as well

mfceiling · 26-09-2011 06:31PM

Good news OP...difficult to find a lump in a bag of lumps!
Brother just texted to say a lump on his brain is benign and docs gave him the all clear...good news all round!!

*raises pint glass*

nicechick! · 26-09-2011 06:32PM

Temptamperu wrote: »

Yeah i got this lump on my neck about four years ago, didnt get it checked for another two :rolleyes:
Turned out to be just a cist but it was so scary at the time i was afraid to go to the doctor incase of bad news. Stupid of me I know but thats me.

Its not stupid perfectly normal to have some fear/doubt

byhookorbycrook · 26-09-2011 06:32PM

In the middle of investigation for skin cancer.Awaiting results.

Had a colonoscopy a while back all ok, bar the stuff they give up to clear you out beforehand.:D

Tip for anyone having a colonoscopy: take day off work when you are drinking the laxative stuff and wear a tracksuit or skirt, you won't have time for buttons or zips.:eek:

super_furry · 26-09-2011 06:38PM

Had a tumour removed from my neck twice before having to undergo two months of radiotherapy. Left me with a cool scar, and no facial hair on half my face. I have to shave every two days otherwise I look like a crazy, but the alternatives would have been much worse.

donegal11 · 26-09-2011 06:45PM

XxMCRxBabyxX wrote: »

The "C" word scares a lot of people but often you can get it without it ever even having a chance to kill you. I don't think mine ever could of. The treatment can be horrible though.
So many cancers are just small ones but the only ones people hear of are the big scary ones.

All cancers are small ones at the beginning. They turn into big scary ones if left untreated and spread. And of course it would of killed you eventually if left untreated. What do you think would of happened if you didn't get it removed?

4leto · 26-09-2011 07:02PM

Testicular cancer I check my balls 3 times a day 6 times if I am bored,

softmee · 26-09-2011 07:03PM

I've had a bad smear test results about year ago... Not a cancer yet -but close. The worst thing is, my GP didn't explain it good enough for me and I was sure I have a cancer for few weeks. The worst few weeks in my life. I was seeing myself in a coffin. Nobody who never went through this could understand how scary it is.
I wish similar experience to all the people who ever think about suicide.. you will value your life 100 times more after that.
The thought that you go away somewhere in eternal dream -just disapear forever, not feel love, desire, sun shine -nothing ever again or you wont have children etc... this is scary place to be. ( I think its easier if you belive in God, in paradise ..)
The only positive thing out of this experience is actual appreciation of life after and the fact that we are all in this together - everybody hurts... sometimes.

(forgive my spelling)

ps: but it also "breaks" something in you.. your "light-heartnes" (not sure if you can say that) I am afraid this black cloud will stay behind my head forever..

Cancer Scares

Have you had a cancer scare? 137 votes

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