Breast Cancer Now Forum

I faced this problem when on FEC. I could not stand the cold cap, so when my hair started to drop, I gave in and looked into getting a wig. It appeared that the local PCT had decided that only "in-patients" would receive full funding, and that "out-patients" must pay for their own wigs. Funding of wigs is apparently a local matter and ot a national directive. My onc. nurse snorted, said that so far as she was concerned I was in the clinic and therefore was an in-patient, and completed thew form. Sadly the people ordering the wig messed it up so I ended paying for my own. However, two points - talk to the team and find out what local rules are, and talk to your hairdresser. Apart from that, this link is worth looking into: http://www.wigbank.com/ I donated mine to them and feel they are well worth supporting. Another point, If you do get a wig, go to your hairdresser and ask him/her to shape it on your head. The wigs tend to be too full of hair, and thinning can do marvels. ... View more

I would not worry about the tumour so much. Give the chemo time to take effect - it can be a while, and is not always perceptible to the touch. Go the course and then have a proper deep examination. ... View more

Re alcohol and its effects in cancer, like so many things moderation is the essence. One glass of red wine taken with a meal once a day is not the level of alcohol intake that is being identified as a possible cancer source - you really have to be on the verge of alcoholism to have reached that. In this matter, you read the material and decide whether it is for or against. There are stands on both sides. As a post result of both chemo and treatment for lung drainage, my system refuses to tolerate any form of wine-based alcohol. It makes me feel really ill. No wine, red, white or pink. So Resveratrol is a life-saver as I can get the vital ingredient without suffering. Oddly spirits [in moderation] and fortified wines do not have the same effect. ... View more

In answer to Lulu's question about whether it can be taken by e+ patients, the answer I received is yes - indeed, it has been no problem. ... View more

Yes indeed, and have added it to the supplements as I cannot eat brassicas or drink red wine. Whether it is this, or the MMM treatment, my last scan showed definite improvement to liver and abdomen, and my scalp is no longer covered with little tumours. ... View more

Hi Ladies, I finished rads 5 weeks ago. I used [and still am] the radiance cream from the bristol cancer centre. It is expensive [£16 for a pot] but is amazing stuff! Has got in it- aloe vera, royal jelly, jasmine,lavender and rose. Kept my skin from burning, itching and splitting and the nurses commented how good my skin looked after 15 sessions. well worth the money-good luck to you all having rads at the moment Leadie Do wish I had looked more carefully at this thread. Have just completed a 5x round treatment to the face and had agony with skin around one eye. "Use anything" was the answer to a cry for help from the hospital. "Use Aqueous Cream" was the pharmacist's response. In fact the only thing that helped was "Baby butter" or Badger Balm, both of which are made from olive oil, calendula, chamomile and no parabens or animal fats. E45 and aqueous cream both stung like mad. I may put some Radiance Cream into stock in case of future need. ... View more

My gp sister-in-law had a case of someone who turned to Chinese medicine and six months' later was rushed into hospital with liver failure. It is potentially very dangerous, and certainly nothing should be done without your oncology team's backing. As for these "miracle" mushrooms - if you believe that, you will believe anything. ... View more

RIP. I do hope her case does have the beneficial effect of persuading young women not to ignore invitations to smear tests. ... View more

While not having any particular liking for Jade Goody, I am glad she made it to bing msrried, and hope that she achieves what she wants for her boys. ... View more

Most complementary treatments complement medical treatments, providing users with a feeling that at least they can be in charge of something. I certainly found Reiki of great help in the first two years after diagnosis, but stopped when I found I was forgetting appointments (a sure sign that the treatment is no longer effective), and have no hesitation in taking a series of supplements. If my feet were not in a painful state, I would seriously consider reflexology in order to help me relax - life is really a bit over-stressful at present. There are some people who can never take something on faith alone, but have to have "scientific proof" before they will regard a non-mainline treatment as a possibility. They have every right to express their own disbelief, and I would argue that equally we all have a right to disagree with them. Let's agree to disagree, but not argue the point. As to homeopathy, I would only go to a practitioner who has both full medical qualifications and full accreditation. I have my eye on one who has moved into my area and who is specialising in cancer. Some while back my Macmillan nurse suggested it was worth considering for dealing with the effects of treatment. ... View more

I get the odd migraine attack which starts with an occluded spot in the centre of vision, with these radiating "blades" gradually spreading outwards and then disapppearing, leaving a headache. The neurologist simply said they were typically "post-stress" attacks and that nothing can be done. I discovered that if I take a high dose effervescent aspirin dissolved in water at the first sign of an attack, that it clears off within half an hour, leaving me functioning normally. ... View more

I suspect that because it comes under the heading of herbal medicine, it tends to be ignored. The nurses in the onc. suite agreed on how effective it is in dealing with bruising, in tones of surprise. ... View more

While appreciating that her age is against her in some ways, I would say have the lumpectomy done to avoid the possible ulceration. However, you also say she is too ill for a general anaesthetic, chemo or radiation. What is the problem? If it is heart, then maybe leaving well alone is the only really sensible thing to do. ... View more

I took LifeMel and it did seem to help keep the blood counts normal - until i caught a really nasty cold when my blood counts went haywire. I think things were compromised by the stress of trying to cope with agonising side-effects, so my system was on a low. The onc. nurses encouraged me to take it, and I think they were right that it did help on the bloodcount. ... View more

Have it checked out. It is probably nothing to worry about, but skin mets can manifest with small nodules in the skin. ... View more

The actual situation is that claimants are paid up to £78.50 a week, around £20 more than they would get on Jobseekers' Allowance. Google on acoholics benefits, and you get references to the report and summary of parliamentary discussions on this. ... View more

As I have described previously, I suffered several years of stress both in my personal and working life before final diagnosis, and subsequent flare-ups have always followed stressful times. Stress takes different forms in different people and arises from very different sources, but the constant production of adrenalin can lead to an affect on the adrenal system and thereby affect the immune system. It seems to me very likely that stress is a contributory factor for certain types of people. To categorically dismiss it as a factor or to categorically claim it is always a factor are both unwise. The case for or against is still unproven and likely to remain so. It is important not to read newspaper reports about disease. They are usually simplistic and very often incorrect. ... View more

If in any doubt, check those sites that provide information on inter-drug interactions. I have never found anything that indicated immune system boosters were to be avoided when on chemo. ... View more

Well, today it was decided to stop the Xeloda. Toxicity was too high and the benefits have not outweighed the toxic effects. Blood levels were shot. I am actually deeply relieved as trying to cope with extremely painful hand/foot syndrome has taken a great toll, though disappointed that it did not work better. Better luck to all who are on it! ... View more

Something like Astragalus which boosts the immune system might help. There is some evidence that using honey topically can aid healing. Manukah Honey is recommended. But talk to your doctor or practice nurse before trying it. ... View more