“Nicholas Sparks is a monster!” I moan into the void that is my living room. 

The second lockdown reintroduced me to the movie channel packages that I’ve had for years but was always too busy to indulge in. 

The Notebook’s main characters are going through what will be their last hoorah. She remembers him, she doesn’t, he’s devastated, I’m devastated, he has an episode and I think this is it. He simply cannot take it anymore. My eyes are welling up. He sneaks into her room, is recognized, curls up at her side and both drift into the oblivion. 

Showtime tells me that Titanic is next, and I know I cannot hyperventilate when Rose lets go of Jack’s hand. I simply cannot. Barbershop it is. 

My life has become a series of what I can and cannot endure, stomach, or abide. I have this new outlook on life and the desperate almost lifeline response to not flaring up my cancer again, as though it were a match I ever had control over. 

I’ve stopped using my microwave. I’ve looked up and incorporated alkaline living, tried three times and failed miserably to make some sort of cancer approved waffles made of oats and walnuts, only purchase Bob’s Mills and shun all Genetically and Bio-Engineered food products and above all, I keep nothing in. 

No one can really tell me what caused this veganish’s breast cancer. I don’t smoke and I don’t drink and if it were second-hand smoke from years of humans being allowed to smoke indoors wouldn’t it be lung cancer? 

What has happened is a genetic tracing to find two relatives on both parents’ side who had breast cancer. One died, here, 30 years ago. The other just finished her 5 years of estrogen blockers this January overseas. 

Times have changed and I was assured that advances have even been made as little as 3 years ago. Eager students came to my room post-surgery to ask if I would be interested in entering their database. I said yes because all the women who entered trials ahead of me helped me before even, I knew I would need it. 

Being diagnosed with breast cancer has been a journey I fully intend to write a book on but for now it means I get to catch up on movies while my body heals from my mastectomy. It means I can cry about love kept at bay by misguided parents and not dwell on whether I should get a prosthetic nipple or a reconstructed one. So far, the reconstructions deflate over time and really, who has the mental capacity to keep inflating their chest every few years? 

This isn’t Botox. It’s a constant reminder that if I had listened to all the doctors’ reassurances that I was just fine despite my quarantine discovered bloody nipple discharge I would be dead. (That’s a total exaggeration unless its your health that is being ignored). 

I’d rather rail at Nicholas Sparks movies. 

The post Cancer vs Movies: A FIRST PERSON NARRATIVE LIVING WITH BREAST CANCER appeared first on RG Magazines.

Cancer disparities exist because disparities in culture, access to medical care, environmental conditions, and genetic histories exist. Cultural indicators such as diet, religion, and widespread use of tobacco and alcohol put certain ethnic groups at higher risk of developing cancer than others, and socioeconomic status directly affects cancer mortality rates in other groups. 

One extremely unfortunate example of a highly preventable cancer disparity is the well documented “substantially higher rates of prostate cancer incidence and death among African American men than men of other racial/ethnic groups” (National Cancer Institute, 2021) 

This disparity can perhaps be attributed to a culturally informed toxic masculinity, which, unfortunately, results in a disproportionate number of deaths from a cancer that has a documented survival rate of 98% if it is detected early enough. 

Another cancer that is highly survivable with early detection is cervical cancer, yet Hispanic and African American women suffer from higher rates of cervical cancer incidence and death than women of other racial/ethnic groups. 

THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) ALSO NOTES THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER WELL DOCUMENTED CANCER DISPARITIES, INCLUDING: 

• A higher incidence of a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer (the triple-negative subtype) among African American women than women of other racial/ethnic groups 

• Higher rates of kidney cancer among American Indian and Alaska Natives than other racial/ethnic groups 

• Higher rates of liver cancer among Asian and Pacific Islanders than other racial/ethnic groups 

The elephant in the room here is, of course, that every cancer disparity documented appears to affect non-white populations negatively. Perhaps this is because white Americans are normally used as the control group in these studies, or perhaps it’s due to a higher level of prevention, awareness, and care amongst that population. Indeed, “many of the same population groups that experience cancer health disparities are also significantly underrepresented in cancer clinical trials.” (NCI, 2021) 

William G. Cance, MD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, American Cancer Society spoke to the need to rectify these disparities so that we can better understand this deadly scourge: 

“While recent advances in treatment for lung cancer and several other cancers are reason to celebrate, it is concerning to see the persistent racial, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities for highly preventable cancers. 

“There is a continued need for increased investment in equitable cancer control interventions and clinical research to create more advanced treatment options to help accelerate progress in the fight against cancer.” (ASC, 2021) 

Progress is being made though, as highlighted by the NCI: 

“There has been some recent evidence of progress against cancer health disparities, including reductions in lung and prostate cancer deaths among African American men over the past decade. But researchers and public health officials agree that progress has come too slowly, and the cost of disparities—in terms of premature deaths, lost productivity, and the impact on communities—remains substantial and must be addressed.” 

The post Cancer Disparities: THE DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR appeared first on RG Magazines.

KRYSTAL MCKENZIE 

Name the number one cause of death by disease in America. Obesity? Diabetes? No – Cancer. 

In the United States, nearly 16,000 children and adolescents (aged 0-19) are diagnosed with cancer each year. According to cancer. gov, in 2021, it is estimated that 15,590 children and adolescents ages 0 to 19 will be diagnosed with cancer and 1,780 will die of the disease in the United States. 

Globally, a family gets the news that their child has cancer every three minutes with over 300,000 children diagnosed with cancer every year. Grim numbers, indeed. 

In children and adolescents in the US, the most common cancers are leukaemia, brain and central nervous system tumours, and lymphomas. Among children (age 0-14 years), also included are neuroblastoma, kidney tumours, and malignant bone tumours. 

While the causes of most childhood cancers are not known, up to 10 percent of all cancers in children are caused by a mutation that can be passed from parents to their children. Environmental causes of childhood cancer have been difficult to identify partly because childhood cancers are rarer, and partly due to how challenging it is to determine what children may have been exposed to early in their development. Because of this, most childhood cancers are not currently thought of as being caused by environmental exposures. 

Despite not being able to draw firm conclusions, there are some environmental factors that have possible associations with childhood cancer. These include tobacco smoke, certain pesticides used around the home or in places of employment, solvents that are found in some household products, and outdoor air pollution. Another suggested possible association is the maternal consumption of cured meats. 

Cancer.gov cites that researchers have identified factors that may be associated with reduced risk of childhood cancer. Maternal consumption of folate, for example, has been associated with reduced risks of brain tumours and leukaemia in children. Being breastfed and having been exposed to routine childhood infections are both associated with a lowered risk of developing childhood leukaemia. 

To sum it all up, we have a lot to fight against as humans. The best defence is to keep our bodies, our children’s bodies, and our environment as clean and healthy as possible to reduce the risk of this and other terrible diseases. In the meantime, support the children and families who have this life-threatening disease and do what you can to make a difference. 

The post The Grim Reality of Childhood Cancer appeared first on RG Magazines.

The impact of COVID-19 has been unexpected. This virus has changed our lives forever. A life once mask free, with minimal limitations, is now restrictive. This new norm has pressured authorities worldwide to find ways to contain and limit the spread of the virus, but the cost of containment is yet to be known. 

Since COVID-19 inception into Bermuda in March 2020, the island has experienced numerous changes. These changes included shelter-in-place, curfews, closure of the border, businesses, and schools, and reduced capacity for several institutions. The major concern was the impact COVID-19 would have on the health care system. What would happen if the number of cases increased, and healthcare services were subject to immense strain due to the influx and demands of patients? 

The American Cancer Society (ACS) said this pandemic has affected the way many people get medical care, especially patients with cancer. In many places affected by the pandemic, elective medical procedures, including cancer screening, were put on hold to conserve medical resources and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 in healthcare settings. 

According to an article in Sage journals, the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak has been particularly evident for cancer services, with many patients experiencing delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment. We were witness to the tragic story of 28-year-old Bermudian Sherwin Hall, who lost his battle with cancer while residing in the UK, after repeatedly attempting to get care. It appears that while trying to be safe in addressing COVID-19, a proper diagnosis and treatment plan was delayed, and another life was lost. 

What does this mean for Bermuda and the cancer patients who are unable to schedule needed appointments? Does this mean a drop in undiagnosed cancer could potentially result in a rise in late-stage cancer diagnoses and death? What effect would this have on Bermuda in the future and those battling the disease? What lifestyle changes can we make to prevent this cancer and live a full healthy life? These are questions to explore. 

Even though the small island of Bermuda has been impacted by COVID-19, cancer care providers are doing their best to prevent or limit further delay of much needed services. 

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, a not-for-profit that provides services such as early detection, radiation treatment, support care, and education for cancer and other diseases, has seen the effects of COVID-19. The Centre was hit financially by the pandemic but made it their goal to ensure safety of their patients and staff while having continuity of patient care. 

In 2020, Dr Christopher Fosker, radiation oncologist at the Centre said it was important for the Centre to resume screening services and being able to identify cancer in the earliest stages gives them the best chance of treating it successfully. 

The Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) Oncology department was also affected by the pandemic. In preparations for the possible entrance of COVID-19, BHB started planning in February 2020. Chief Executive Officer Michael Richmond, MD, then BHB Chief of Staff, said in a press release that early preparations were made such as keeping the hospital board informed, securing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), making the purchase orders for increased beds and ventilators, and reviewing their pandemic preparedness. 

Now, here we are in a situation where cases are ever increasing, hospital beds are more challenging to acquire, and our medical staff and healthcare system are being put under perhaps the greatest strain ever given. Thank goodness that some preparations were made, but it can be challenging in a locale where there is a sole radiation oncologist for an entire country, albeit a role that has a network of supportive collaborators. 

Healthcare providers in Bermuda, despite the burden, are attempting to ensure the most vulnerable, such as cancer patients, continue to receive the care needed through this pandemic. Early detection and prevention are important in all their decisions. 

Even though this pandemic has created economic disruption and social restrictions that increase the risk of adapting to unhealthy habits, there are lifestyle habits we can adapt to lessen the risk of cancer. 

According to the American cancer society (ACS), you can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying active, not smoking, and follow the recommend screening guidelines. 

In order to not burden our healthcare system in the future with late-stage diagnosis, it may also be beneficial, if not crucial, to be in contact with your healthcare provider to ensure you receive the care and treatment you need. Structure your support network to make sure you can make appointments, even if they are delayed, to get you the best care possible during these difficult times. 

Utilize credible online resources to guide your journey while taking advice from your local medical practitioner. ACS website, cancer.org, provides a wealth of information on cancer detection and prevention. 

Let’s do all we can to come out of these harrowing times by living well, supporting each other, and practicing safety measures to help our community. 

The post Long-term Effects of COVID-19 on Cancer appeared first on RG Magazines.

Referencing the Bermuda Tumour Registry in its 2019 report, the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre states that, in Bermuda, “300+ people are diagnosed with cancer every year, and (about) 80 die a year from cancer.” In addition, the report claims that “research shows that up to 50% of cancer cases and about 50% of cancer deaths are preventable with the knowledge we have today.” 

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), based at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA is an independent centre dedicated to global population health research. One of the questions considered during IHME research is “What causes the most deaths?” 

In its 2019 studies, four different cancers were identified among the top ten causes of death in Bermuda. Fourth, fifth and sixth were lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer, respectively, while breast cancer ranked tenth. This begs two very important questions – “Why does cancer present such a high risk for deaths in Bermuda? What measures can we take to prevent these cancers?” 

What knowledge exists concerning the risk factors of cancer? The American Cancer Society reports that there are risk factors that can be controlled and those that cannot be controlled. “Tobacco use, contact with second-hand smoke, being in the sun, excess body weight, not being active, drinking alcohol, and not eating a healthy diet are risk factors that can be managed.” Less controllable are risk factors such as contracting certain viruses and contact with some kinds of radiation or chemicals. Noncontrollable factors include a person’s age and genetic damage. 

Information abounds concerning the controllable risk factors linked to the leading cancers that cause death in Bermuda and there is ample advice provided to minimize these risks. 

Tobacco Use / Contact with Second-hand Smoke 

The National Cancer Institute explains that both the direct use of tobacco and inhaling smoke second-hand can lead to cancer because “tobacco products and second-hand smoke have many chemicals that damage DNA.” 

It stands to reason that the best way to prevent cancers caused by tobacco is never to start smoking or be in environments where you are forced to inhale second-hand smoke. If you are already a smoker, it would be wise to take steps to stop smoking. First, be sure to see your personal physician for assistance with this quest. For more great tips, check out the Mayo Clinic at www.mayoclinic.org. and/or the Centers for Disease Control at www. cdc.gov. 

Excess Body Weight 

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) explains how excess body fat can cause cancer. It “raises a person’s level of the hormones insulin and insulin growth factor-1.” It increases the hormone estrogen which is a cause of breast cancer. Also, chronic, low-level inflammation, common in obese people is “linked to an increase cancer risk.” This isn’t an exhaustive list, so check out other reasons on Cancer. net. 

It’s important that the overweight or obese person make every effort to shed extra pounds. First, visit your personal physician, develop a plan with their assistance and be determined to stick to that plan. 

Not Being Active 

Again, according to the ASCO, “Studies over a long period of time have shown that people who exercise regularly have “a 40% to 50% lower risk of colon cancer.” Being active can keep hormone levels healthy, lower the risk of insulin resistance, move food through the digestive system more quickly and help maintain a healthy body weight. “Some studies show that the higher the activity level, the lower the cancer risk.” 

If you lack a regular exercise program, determine the type of exercise that you would be most likely to enjoy. Whatever you decide, start gradually and work towards maintaining a good level of regular activity. Be sure to consult with your personal physician if you have underlying conditions that may prevent you from engaging in certain exercise activities. Make a concerted effort to be less sedentary by watching less television and spending less time on electronic devices. 

Drinking Alcohol 

One study, conducted by Lancet Oncology, discovered that “At least 4% of the world’s newly diagnosed cases of esophageal, mouth, larynx, colon, rectum, liver, and breast cancers, in 2020, or 741,300 people, can be attributed to drinking alcohol.” 

While heavy drinking of alcohol contributes to more cancer, globally, even light to moderate drinking was responsible for “more than 100,000 cases of cancer in 2020.” 

“A recent study that included data from more than 1000 alcohol studies and data sources, as well as death and disability records from 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2016, concluded that the optimal number of drinks to consume per day to minimize the overall risk to health is zero.” 

What more can I say? 

Not Eating a Healthy Diet 

What constitutes an unhealthy diet? Heathline’s author, Jillian Kubala, MD writes, “Highly processed products like soda, mass-produced baked goods, candy, sugary cereals, and certain boxed snack food contain little if any whole food ingredients. These items tend to pack ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and artificial sweeteners.” 

The World Cancer Research Fund, a leading cancer prevention charity based in England and Wales, adds, “Eating ‘fast foods’ . . . can make you gain weight, and there is strong evidence that being overweight or obese is a cause of 12 types of cancer.” 

So then, we need to eat to give our bodies the very best chance to ward off cancer. Heathline’s author, Jillian Kubala, MD shares, “Healthy eating” simply means prioritizing your wellness by fuelling your body with nutritious foods. The specifics may be different for each person depending on their location, financial situation, culture and society, and taste preferences.” 

There is a vast amount of information that identifies the healthy nutrient-rich foods necessary to fuel our bodies and to prevent disease. Consider enlisting the help of a registered dietician who will not only advise you about these foods, but also assist in developing meal plans designed just for you. 

In conclusion, the four leading cancers causing death in Bermuda can be overcome. Now that we know the causes of these cancers and the actions we can take to prevent them, hopefully enough of us will take heed so that the 50% of cancer cases and the 50% of needless deaths that are preventable, are indeed prevented. 

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is general knowledge in nature. Neither the Royal Gazette nor the author intend this article to be a substitute for medical diagnosis, counsel, or treatment by a qualified health professional. 

The post Top Cancers in Bermuda – WHY WE EXPERIENCE THEM AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THEM appeared first on RG Magazines.

 Earlier this year, the American Cancer Society (ASC) published a report entitled “Cancer Statistics, 2021.” The article was published by Rebecca Seigel, MPH, and colleagues, in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, and highlighted a record drop in cancer mortality rates in the United States for the second straight year. A consumer version of the report was also produced, Cancer Facts & Figures 2021. 

This is obviously a very auspicious development, but questions like the effect that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has had on cancer rates still linger. What does this all mean for Bermuda? Let’s chat. 

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) offered their take on the record drop in an article published in the ASCO Post in January of this year as well. Their analysis of the statistics made special mention of the impact of COVID-19 on cancer mortality; specifically, the difficulty in determining any impact at this stage: 

“The report estimated that in the United States in 2021, almost 1.9 million (1,898,160) new cancer cases will be diagnosed, and 608,570 Americans will die from cancer. These projections are based on currently available incidence and mortality data through 2017 and 2018, respectively, and thus do not account for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer diagnoses or deaths. 

“The impact of COVID-19 on cancer diagnoses and outcomes at the population level will be unknown for several years because of the time necessary for data collection, compilation, quality control, and dissemination,” said Rebecca Siegel, MPH, lead author of the report. “We anticipate that disruptions in access to cancer care in 2020 will lead to downstream increases in advanced-stage diagnoses that may impede progress in reducing cancer mortality rates in the years to come.” (ASCO Post, 2021) 

Highlighting the falling cancer mortality rates, the ASCO Post noted: 

“Progress in reducing mortality has slowed for other leading causes of death in the United States, but accelerated for cancer, which is the second-leading cause. An estimated 3.2 million cancer deaths have been averted from 1991 through 2018 due to reductions in smoking, earlier detection, and improvements in treatment, which are reflected in long-term declines in mortality for the four leading cancers: lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate.” 

Several reasons were highlighted as significant in the record decrease: measures such as improvements in lung cancer treatment, a sharp decline in smoking throughout society, improved awareness and prevention measures, and improved access to advanced treatment. 

Doctor Christopher Fosker, MBChB BSc MRCP FRCR, Medical Director at the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, and a resident oncologist for the Bermuda Hospitals Board describes how the current international cancer mortality trends relate to Bermuda: 

“In terms of the local situation, unfortunately, we don’t have data to compare ourselves to the ACS analysis. A review to assess our trends in cancer mortality is under way but has been significantly slowed by COVID-19. Our anticipation is we should be seeing a similar improvement as most of the reasons the ACS use to explain the improvement are also true here; increased access to care, improved early diagnosis, access to advanced treatment. 

“This is great for Bermuda (that we can keep up with those changes) but the real deficiency in Bermuda is the systemic collection and analysis of data to help us continue to improve and provide reassurance that we are up to date with our care. This deficiency is being addressed at present with the development of a National Cancer Control Plan. This project is being run by Bermuda Cancer and Health while being funded by the Bermuda Health Council.” 

On the other side of the pond, the trend is very similar. In a report published by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) in February, a longstanding decline in cancer mortality within the European Union is highlighted in detail. 

“The present analysis updates the cancer mortality predictions to 2021, confirming and further quantifying the persistent declines in total cancer mortality for both sexes in Europe, and in several specific cancer sites. The proportionally highest declines (>10%) were predicted in stomach cancer and leukaemias in both sexes and in lung and bladder cancer in men. In addition, other major cancer sites, including colorectum, prostate, breast and ovary, showed appreciable favourable trends. However, in the EU27 there were no substantial changes in pancreatic cancer mortality, apart for some fall in young men, confirming its status as a major public health concern in Europe.” 

ESMO goes on to break down the trends in the United Kingdom, and how they compare to those in the EU. 

“Following Brexit, we presented the UK separately as in previous reports, but we did not include it in the EU aggregate (EU27 as of 2020). Lung cancer patterns in the UK are closer to those seen in the USA than those in the EU27. Male lung cancer rates are more than 25% lower in the UK than in the EU27, because of earlier and larger decreases in smoking prevalence in UK men. 

“This is also reflected in a lower predicted total cancer mortality rate in the UK. The decreases in smoking prevalence in subsequent cohorts of European men explain the predicted fall in lung cancer mortality in the EU27.” 

The focus on lung cancer is not by accident here, as lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer globally, and it’s refreshing to see that the widespread preventative measures and treatment advances are taking their toll on this deadly scourge’s campaign. 

ASCO highlights the advances in lung cancer treatment specifically: “Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death, accounting for more deaths than breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers combined. Sluggish progress against these latter cancers in recent years contrasts with accelerating reductions in the death rate for lung cancer, from 2.4% annually during 2009–2013 to 5% annually during 2014–2018. As a result, lung cancer accounted for almost half (46%) of the overall decline in cancer mortality in the past 5 years and spurred a record single-year drop (2.4% from 2017 to 2018) for the second year in a row. 

“Recent rapid reductions in lung cancer mortality reflect better treatment for the most common subtype of the disease, non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Two-year relative survival for NSCLC has increased from 34% for patients diagnosed during 2009 through 2010 to 42% for those diagnosed during 2015 through 2016, including absolute gains of 5% to 6% for every stage of diagnosis. Two-year survival for small cell lung cancer remained at 14% to 15% during this time period.” 

With the consistent drive to screen for preventable cancers, as well as cancers that can be eliminated if they are detected early enough, such as prostate and cervical cancers, the fight against this blight is progressing, logically; but this trend is not necessarily global. In Africa, for example, cancer is still classified as an “emerging health problem” and it has been suggested that by 2030, there will be a 70% increase in new cancer cases due to population growth and aging (Frontiers in Oncology, 2021). Western advances, of course, will be readily available to select tiers of African society, but until cancer of all kinds is defeated at all levels of society, humanity must remain vigilant. 

The post Cancer Mortality Rates Register Record Declines – GOOD NEWS OR FALSE HOPE? appeared first on RG Magazines.