Cancer Q&A: Farrah Fawcett’s Battle
The topic of anal cancer has gotten a lot of media attention lately because of Farrah Fawcett’s very public battle with the disease. And it’s raised a lot of important questions about advances in cancer treatment and the future for patients fighting the battle of their lives.
What is anal cancer and who is at risk for it?
Anal cancer is characterized by the growth of a tumor around the anus ― which is opening at the end of the intestinal tract — and it’s completely different from colon cancer. A large proportion of anal cancers have tested positive for human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted disease, but this isn’t the only cause.
Other patient populations at a greater risk for developing anal cancer include patients with multiple sexual partners, those who participate in anal intercourse, smokers, people with immunosuppressive diseases, such as HIV, and people with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
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What is the treatment for anal or intestinal cancer?
If it’s caught early, the most common treatment for anal cancer is surgery. But in patients whose cancer affects the anal sphincter, having surgery to remove the tumor and cancerous cells can lead to fecal incontinence causing the need for a permanent colostomy. So often for these patients, radiation and chemotherapy may be the preferred course of treatment. For later stage anal cancers, doctors treat patients with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.
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What is the cure rate for anal cancer?
Well ― like any cancer, early detection greatly increases the chance of survival. If it’s caught in the early stage, there is an 86 percent five year survival rate. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the survival rate decreases to 54 percent. Up to 10 percent of patients treated for anal cancer will develop cancer elsewhere in the body.
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What kind of advances are we making in cancer research?
We have made advances with regard to the surgical treatment of cancers by offering minimally invasive surgeries. In some cases, we’re able to provide surgical treatments with less negative side effects and shorter recovery time. Clinical studies have shown that other treatments like radiation and chemotherapy may be just as effective as surgery without many of the negative side effects.
With regard to medical treatments, there have certainly been advances in the kinds of treatments we’re using. New medical technologies are making it possible for doctors to individualize a patient’s treatment by studying the genetic makeup of their particular cancer — ultimately decreasing the chances of recurrence or spread of the cancer, and increasing a patient’s survival outcome.
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What are the major milestones/accomplishments we’ve seen in cancer research recently?
Well again, one of the major milestones is being able to identify the genetic makeup of cancers individual to each patient.
The other advancement is the research that’s been done in molecular-targeted therapies. These therapies target the development of cancers by inhibiting the growth of the disease at the cellular level — which we hope will be able to limit or potentially even stop the cancer from spreading.
Molecular-targeted therapy is a more specific treatment than chemotherapy, because chemo treatment kills off not only the bad cells — but also the healthy cells in the body. So with a therapy that is very specific in its attack of cancerous cells, the hope is that it should more be effective in stopping the development of the cancer.
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What are some tips for preventing cancer?
We’ve all heard it time and time again — good health comes from making healthy choices. So my first tip would be stop smoking! I’m sure I don’t have to tell you, cigarettes are full of cancer-causing agents and have been linked to the development of many cancers in the body.
Second, everything in moderation including alcohol! If you’re the kind of person who enjoys a nice cocktail, make sure you do it in moderation, which means 1 or 2 glasses — preferrably of red wine — or else, just avoid alcohol all together.
Make healthy dietary choices. Try to maintain a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fruits and vegetables. Both provide essential nutrients and antioxidants which help ward off disease. Limit the amount of read meat you consume, since high levels of it have been linked to certain cancers.
Recent studies have shown that vitamin D may play an important role protecting against the development of certain diseases. Because exposure to small amounts of sunlight causes the body to produce healthy amounts of vitamin D, people who live in cold environments or places with extended seasons of darkness may want to consider getting their vitamin D levels checked and taking supplements.
And finally — know your family history so you can better determine your risk for other cancers, because your screenings for certain cancers may start earlier than what is recommended to the general population, and preventive therapies may be an option for you.
Dr. Cynara Coomer is an assistant professor of surgery specializing in breast health and breast cancer surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. She is a FOX News Health contributor providing medical expertise on a variety of topics in cancer research with a focus on women’s health, breast diseases and tips for healthy breasts at any age.
Tags: accomplishments, alcohol, anal cancer, antioxidants, anus, cancer, cancer research, cancer-causing agents, carcinogens, cells, chemotherapy, cigarettes, colon cancer, cure, diet, disease, doctors, Dr. Cynara Coomer, family history, Farrah Fawcett, fish oil, health, HPV, human papillomavirus, intestinal cancer, omega-3 fatty acids, patient, radiation therapy, remission, risk factors, surgery, surgical procedure, survival rate, tumor, vitamin d
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I have suffered a lost from cancer (multiple myeloma). While I was incarcerated my grandmother passed away. So the Farrah Fawcett issue is somewhat similar from the outside looking in. I wasn’t allowed to see her or go to her funeral. But fortunately, for Farrah I am blogging. Ignoring me and taking these words for granted gaurantees her premature death. I’ve been trying to get this maessage out on blogs. I left messages on blogs on the American Cancer Society website. I checked them the next day and they had erased everyone of them. Which finally drove home a point to me, that these big companies and organizations are only looking to profit from the pain, suffering and misery of the sick. Instead of investing more money into preventive measure and healing the ill, it’s more profitable to treat the ill with medinces that will never heal. The cycle must change. I’ve written cnn (roland); wsvn7 (nicole linsalata), local radio stations (99.1wedr and hot105.1) still no answer. I am the real deal, this is no joke. And..for now on, when I post a message and it is removed, every life that could have been healed, then their blood will be upon the head of everyone involved in keeping me a secret. Give the people the right to make a choice. I will explain everything cleary, in plain writing, what they have to do and what they should expect. Feel free to pass my message on to Farrah Fawcett and whoever is interested in perserving their life. btrifinia@yahoo.com
The Dr. in “tips for preventing cancer” mentions healthy choices. No mention of avoiding anal sex. Are we so PC and so afraid to offend someone over their lifestyle choices that we con’t state the obvious? Isn’t avoidance of anal sex one of the primary ways one can avoid this cancer?
Dear Farrarh 5-15-09
I want to wish her alot . I known Cancer not fun my Grandpa Lustig rough time he died of heartarttack.Good Luck Farrarh beat the Cancer
LauraFrederick
Myths – I am in remission from having anal cancer 2 years ago. I have had 5 sexual partners, never had anal sex, never had any sexually transmitted disease. It is all too easy to judge someone on the ‘probable’ causes without actually knowing any facts.
GoodLuck,Farrah.I am sending you my healing energy day & night.Think positive.Never say the word cancer.Say infection.Continually think of happier times when you were running & laughing.
Do the same for her, Ryan.
I want to wish Farrah all the best and will pray for a miracle to spare her life. Farrah ,at the peak of her career , always showed a standard of class and dignity that the actresses of today could learn a lesson from.
Many years ago my brother met Farrah while she was staying in a hotel that he worked in. He told her how much I loved her and how I had everyone one of her posters and memorabilia in my room. Farrah took the time to pick up the phone to speak to me personally. I will never forget that beautiful gesture . i believe that it shows her true beauty.
She has also always held on to her faith and has never turned her back on God, which she herself thanks repeatedly for her blessings.
May God spare this beautiful woman and we we all pray for her.
Peter
I agree with Son of Man, the chemotherapy business is the 2nd biggest in the world. Hasn’t anyone told Farrah about Dr. Ryke Hamer? He’s saved thousands of terminally ill patients applying his thesis on the origin of cancer. I invite everyone to search it on the internet, it may save your life one day or that of someone you know. Dr. Hamer has been persecuted, encarcelated, forced to shut down his clinics and give up his license to practice, but it should be of no wonder, he is a major threat to the 2nd biggest business in the world. The majority of doctors all over the world believe the big lie behind the chemotherapy business but fortunately the number of Dr. Hamer’s followers is increasing around the world. Dr. Hamer developed his thesis after he himself contracted cancer following the unexpected death of his son. Basically, his thesis states that the developement of cancer is a natural programed response to a strong conflict situation which affects a specific zone of the brain (easily detectable through brain scans), the affected zone will determine where in the body the cancer will develop. Once the patient becomes aware of the emotional conflict which detonated the ‘disease’ the process of healing will naturally begin. It’s a fascinating thesis, rather complex but which can be understood by anyone willing to invest some time reading about it. PLEASE, PASS THIS MESSAGE TO FARRAH!
I agree with Son of Man, the chemotherapy business is the 2nd biggest in the world. Someone please tell Farrah about the New German Medicine and Dr. Ryke Hamer who has saved thousands of terminally ill patients, I invite everyone to search this information on the internet and read about this Dr.’s revolutinary thesis on the origin and cure of cancer, it just may save your life some day or that of someone you know. Unfortunately, Dr. Hamer has been persecuted, encarcelated and even forced to shut down his clinics and give up his license to practice, which is no wonder, he’s the number one threat to the big chemotherapy industry. The good news is that the number of his followers around the world is growing day by day and they are trying to get Dr. Hamer nominated for the Noble Prize.
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO FARRAH!
Please pass this message to Farrah Fawcett and anyone else you might think will benefit from it. There is still a chance she can save her life. Read on the internet about the New German Medicine and Dr. Ryke Hamer’s thesis on the origin of cancer and it’s cure. Surely there must be doctors in the great U.S.A practicing this method. Dr. Hamer has saved thousands of terminally ill patients without quemotherapy or surgery. Thank you.
I believe the commentor is right. Stress is the no. 1 cause of any Cancer. Most people I know that have had cancer have been in fact, very stressed before the incident. The brain is the most challenging and innovative part of the person. It has no feeling so if someone is operating on you and the skull is opened, you feel nothing. And it is very easy to make a mistake in there because there are so many cells, arteries, etc My point is, we are going to die all of us. Some in our sleep, some in the hospital, some on a plane, some broken hearted (yes, the doctors have proven that you CAN die and have pictures that show the brokern heart (I didnot believe it either until I actually saw the NOVA documentary. Nevertheless, Farrah is on her way out, she had a good life, more than the most of us. She wants to live, but we all do. This proves that you have to live and be happy, even when you are sad and downtrodden. And if you are out of a job and have little money, don’t worry YOU HAVE YOUR HEALTH. KEEP HOPING, BETTER TO FIND A JOB THAN A DOCTOR FOR SOME CHRONIC ILLNESS.
I believe the commentor is right. Stress is the no. 1 cause of any Cancer. Most people I know that have had cancer have been in fact, been very stressed before the incident. The brain is the most challenging and innovative part of the person. It has no feeling so if someone is operating on you and the skull is opened, you feel, nothing. And it is very easy to make a mistake in there because there are so many cells, arteries, etc My point is, we are going to die all of us. Some in our sleep, some in the hospital, some on a plane, some broken hearted (yes, the doctors have proven that you CAN die and have pictures that show the brokern heart (I didnot believe it either until I actually saw the NOVA documentary. ) Nevertheless, Farrah is on her way out, she had a good life, more than the most of us. She wants to live, but we all do. This proves that you have to live and be happy, even when you are sad and downtrodden. And if you are out of a job and have little money, don’t worry YOU HAVE YOUR HEALTH. KEEP HOPING, BETTER To be looking for a JOB THAN A DOCTOR FOR SOME CHRONIC ILLNESS.
i ‘m a cancer survivor for 12 years i had to disagree with my oncologist when it was time for chemotheraphy or radiation.i explain the reason of my refusal.it was ‘nt easy.i was told my life was in danger by doing so.in the contrary thoses are dangerous to the body.understand what cancer is first priority.cells are going bad creating tumors weaking our immune system.natural supplements are the way to do .find out what kind is, get a education.all natural cure are provided by are creator it’s for us to find it and so no to thoses agressive and deadly method.it’s time to fighting back.faith is what is all about.
josette
Great! more research is needed to find better cure and causes of many diseases. It looks that people should try to prevent disease in the first place.
My husband has a cancer drug now in the clinic Phase I and will start Phase II by end of 2009. His drug is showing great promise. I wonder if Farrah Fawcett would benefit from his drug. To get more information go to Website: http://www.kinexpharma.com
We all pray for her.
http://www.whale.to/cancer.html
A must read for anyone that has cancer,its an eye opener!
The “American Cancer Society” are the biggest crooks.
See website link-politics/lies/scientific doc. manipulation/suppression of alternative methods/media fueled hysteria/’follow the money’……..and you see the truth behind the mask of the ACS…………..
where is the comment i posted
See an eye opening website on the politics of Cancer
at
http://www.whale.to/cancer.html
I swear i posted this a few days ago already why was it not posted here?
Afraid people will find out something about the Americal Cancer Society and its corruption?
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