Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

[SistahD]

Please join us for discussion with our very own D. Patterson M.P.H. on on Friday March 12th at 2 pm (NY time)

For DJ's bio... http://www.jamaicans.com/credits/deidre.htm

"Born in Kingston, Jamaica and attended Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha). After finishing high school, I migrated to the U.S. (New York City). Thinking I would eventually become a doctor, I engaged in pre-med studies and earned a BA in Psychology. Of course, like most people, med school was not possible financially. So, still wanting to be in the health field, I went on to graduate school and gained a Masters of Public Health."


and This month's Health Article on Diabetes

http://www.jamaicans.com/articles/0304_diabetes.htm

Get your Cancer related questions ready... see you Friday afternoon!!

[tonirand]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

Hey Lady,

I may not be able to join in at that time...are you taking questions now to be answered then?

Tonks

[SistahD]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

Feel free (((HannaH))) I'm sure DJ will be around enough, to review and answer advance questions posed. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[tonirand]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

Respect

[SistahD]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

[D. Patterson]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

Hi -

Please feel free to post your question, and I will answer your question before the discussion.

-DJ

[tonirand]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

Originally posted by DJ.:
[qb] Hi -

Please feel free to post your question, and I will answer your question before the discussion.

-DJ [/qb]

Hi DJ

Welcome to the board!

I just saw your response. My bad.

Here goes:

1. What exactly is cancer? What causes it? How is it passed form one (generation) to another?

2. Can one recover from cancer (any kind) without chemo?

3. How is it possible to have cancer in so many different body sites?

4. Are the different types of cancer related?

5. No one in my family (Thank God) has ever had cancer of any kind. Does this mean we're somehow 'exempt'?

6. Is cancer race/sex related? (apart from the obvious ones)

7. My second mother died last year (cervical cancer). She battled with it about 7 years. At one point she was told it had gone for good, next thing we knew, it came back and killed her. How so?

8. Her daughers range from 22-42. What are their risks? What are the risks to their children?

9. Are her sons at risk?

10. What about her grandchildren.

11. Is there proof that HPV is directly linked to cervical cancer or is this a supposition? I learnt about this a few years ago and there are stories that this is more deadly than AIDS in terms of mortality rate. Can you shed some light on this please?

12. Someone I knew died of 'cancer of the face'. I never heard of that before. How common is it?

Thanks much for your answers.

Blessings

[Trelli]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

please have the doc answer these questians:

I knew a woman who died of skin cancer. she was of african descent. caramel in complexion.

how common is this?

I have a few of moles(beauty spots)ever since i was a small child. can moles develop into cancer?

[D. Patterson]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

Thanks for your welcome. It's great to be here.

To answer your questions...

1. What exactly is cancer? What causes it? How is it passed form one (generation) to another?

Cancer is when the cells in your body go wild. Normal cells grow, divide and die off eventually... when their time is up. A normal process in the body. However, sometimes these cells begin to grow abnormally fast and divide uncontrollably, even when new cells are not needed. These cells can then invade normal cells and destroy them. In a nutshell...cancer is the uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells.

2. Can one recover from cancer (any kind) without chemo?

Yes. A person can overcome cancer without chemo. But it depends on many things... the type of cancer, stage of cancer (how aggressive the cancer is), other treatments, and the individual.

3. How is it possible to have cancer in so many different body sites?

You can have cancer in different body sites because we have cells everywhere throughout our body. Also... cancer cells can travel to different parts of the body and begin to grow there.

4. Are the different types of cancer related

Some cancers are grouped together... like cancers of the blood (leukemia, lymphoma). Even still, there might be several kinds of leukemia... example acute myelogenous leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukema. Sometimes, having cancer (not all cancers), may put you at risk for another cancer.

5. No one in my family (Thank God) has ever had cancer of any kind. Does this mean we're somehow 'exempt'?

It's good to hear that no one in your family has experienced cancer. However, that doesn't mean you are exempt. If you are at risk for a specific cancer, even though no one in your family has not experienced it, you have a chance of getting it.

6. Is cancer race/sex related? (apart from the obvious ones)

Well... different race/ethnic groups are more likely to get certain cancers more than others. The same goes for sex. Vietnamese women are more likely to get cervical cancer than other women. Whites are more likely to get skin cancer than blacks. However... even though these groups are at a higher risk of getting these cancers... it doesn't mean that other groups are immune.

Even the obvious ones aren't so obvious. Most people aren't aware that breast cancer can occur in men. Although rare, men do get breast cancer as well, even though it occurs most often in women.

7. My second mother died last year (cervical cancer). She battled with it about 7 years. At one point she was told it had gone for good, next thing we knew, it came back and killed her. How so?

Sorry to hear about your loss.

Sometimes, a treatment may seem to help a person with cancer. However, there are times when a cancer can come back. This is referred to as a recurrence. This can happen, when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. But... not all cancers will recur. People can live a long, prosperous life after a cancer treatment.

8. Her daughers range from 22-42. What are their risks? What are the risks to their children?

Having a family history of cervical cancer does not put you at risk of getting the disease yourself. Having the human papillomavirus (HPV) puts you at risk.

9. Are her sons at risk?
No.

10. What about her grandchildren.
See answer to 8.

11. Is there proof that HPV is directly linked to cervical cancer or is this a supposition? I learnt about this a few years ago and there are stories that this is more deadly than AIDS in terms of mortality rate. Can you shed some light on this please?

HPV (which can be transmitted during sex) is a known risk factor of cervical cancer. I wouldn't say it is more deadly than AIDs. But some people have this thought because condoms do not provide complete protection from being infected with HPV. Why is this? The virus can be spread by contact with any infected area of the body. This is not true of HIV.


12. Someone I knew died of 'cancer of the face'. I never heard of that before. How common is it?

When they say cancer of the face... they are referring to head and neck cancer. Head and neck cancer is really more than just one cancer... it includes cancers of the nasal passages, sinuses, mouth, throat, voice box, salivary glands, and the thyroid gland. Skin cancers can also occur in the face. When skin cancer occurs in the face.. it may also be considered head and neck cancer.

Whew... that's it!

Your questions were very good. Hopefully my answers will help you and others who have the same questions.

[D. Patterson]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

Trelli -

Before I begin... let me say that I am not a doctor. However, my work experience (work in the cancer field) and my education (Public Health) allow me to answer your questions.

Your Question....
I knew a woman who died of skin cancer. she was of african descent. caramel in complexion. I have a few of moles(beauty spots)ever since i was a small child. can moles develop into cancer?


Although skin cancer occurs mostly in people with lighter complexion, it can happen in anyone.

If your moles begin to change colour or shape, or any other change in appearance... it may be an indication of skin cancer (although it may not actually be skin cancer, only your doctor can give that diagnosis).

People who examine their skin on a regular basis become more familiar with their moles and skin on a whole, and are more likely to notice if something changes, and bring it to the attention of a doctor.

Hope that helps. Thanks for your question... and get to know your moles.

[SistahD]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

Looking forward to welcoming D. Patterson today for a great discussion!

On behalf of the Members, Lurkers, Moderators, Administrators and Xavier.... welcome to todays' Discussion DJ, and thanks for making time for our questions regarding cancer.

[D. Patterson]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

Thank You SistahD!

It's great to be here and I am looking forward to today's discussion...

[tonirand]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

Originally posted by DJ.:
[qb] ...It's great to be here and I am looking forward to today's discussion... [/qb]

I won't be able to make it but thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions.

I have not been able to review your responses in detail but I'll do this later.

Thanks again,

(H)

[D. Patterson]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

AnnA -

Well it's good that you are able to make it. Please let me know if you have any questions after reviewing my responses.

[SistahD]

Re: Guest On Line TODAY D. PATTERSON 2PM

HI DJ, I need to read a little more on the 'mole' scenario above... my son was born with a freckle (larger and darker than most, and in the identical spot as one I have) By age 4 it had grown to 1/4" wide X 1/2" long and sprouted hair... as well as darkening spots within, so I have to keep checking it from time to time.