I completely missed a fundamental piece of ground-breaking research into colorectal cancer in June. I need to get married I already drink foul potions and avoid a long list of 'bad' foods. I exercise, meditate, listen to classical music and watch comedies. I keep a journal and am part of a support group. I guess there is only thing left that could save me: marriage. A study of over 127 000 people with colorectal cancer in the US found that married people have a 14% lower risk of dying from their cancer than 'single' people. The researchers say that spouses provide support, encourage their partners to be compliant during treatment and give the person love. Do I really need a marriage certificate to live? The study didn't actually compare married people with single people, it compared married people to people that have never been married (this includes people in relationships but not married). I've never been married, but I am in a loving and supportive relationship. I live with my partner, cook for her and spend lazy weekends cuddled up. She keeps me away from McDonalds and makes me fresh vegetable juices loaded with enzymes and antioxidants. But maybe something about the marriage certificate changes people? Maybe it makes people better nurturers? Perhaps 'marriage-hormones' result in a stronger immune system. Is that why the study only compared married to non-married? It seems the marriage certificate may do something. Many studies have found that married people are happier, committed to the longer-term and have higher levels of well-being compared to single people and those cohabiting. While cohabiting isn't as good as marriage (at increasing your well-being) you can catch up to married people if you marry soon after cohabiting. It also seems the marriage certificate may do nothing. Some researchers say once you account for people's economic status, backgrounds and culture being married makes you no happier than cohabiting. Also, modern studies focus on patterns within the relationship and not the legal status of that relationship. How you talk, interact and resolve conflict appears to be more important that putting on a puffy dress and having doves released around you. I think a new study is needed before I buy a ring If we add 'De-facto' and 'Do not share place of residence with partner' or some other awkward phrase to the stream of hospital questionnaires we complete as patients now, the data should be ready in 10 years. But cancer survivorship is usually measured over five years. So to get the best of both worlds while waiting for the data I am going to focus on having a positive and healthy relationship AND start pretending I am married. This way my immune system will benefit from being in a healthy relationship and it will think it is bound to another person by law (just in case that piece of paper does actually matter). And in cancer circles that's what we call a win-win therapy. ----- The study: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110621114157.htm My online blog: www.benbbrave.blogspot.com ... View more

The term 'young' in cancer circles usually refers to people with cancer under the age of 50-60. For me, I prefer the term 'really young', but that would confuse me with the kid or young adult cohort (normally up to the age of 25). The labels and grouping are important because people my age face unique issues when we meet cancer. One of those issues is becoming a child again I'm currently wearing nappies. I've had a rectal tube removed, but there is a steady trickle of fluid that still wants to leave my bot bot. It looks like chocolate milk but smells like a dead wombat. And it's runny. So runny that I can't really choose when it is going to exit. Hence the nappies. Having my parents around to help with cancer has been a blessing. I quite happily slipped straight into the role I must have once occupied of high-dependent demanding brat. 'I want...' and 'I need this NOW' have flowed quite naturally from my cancer-affected mouth. So you're 29 and went shopping for nappies with your Mum, I get it. Mums are really good at this kind of stuff. Mum knew exactly where to get nappies and what sort would be best. And to prove I have almost completely regressed I let her pay for them. I've come full circle. My parents have been there this year when I've lost control of my bowels, soiled my clothes, soiled my bed and soiled my dressing gown (I've soiled nearly everything you can legally soil). They have handed me urine collection jugs, poo collection jugs, wet ones to wipe my bot bot and wet cloths to cool my vomiting body. They've given me cash. They have tried to feed me. They've bought me lollies. They have given me massages, cut my toe nails (bending at that angle was impossible for a while), served me food in bed and gone to the shop at stupid hours for a particular ice cream I've wanted. Thanks to all the parents out there of 'young' people with cancer. We couldn't do it with out you. My blog online: http://benbbrave.blogspot.com/2011/08/full-circle.html ... View more

See the original post and images at: http://benbbrave.blogspot.com/2011/08/google-body.html I studied some human anatomy and a bunch of non-human animal anatomy as part of my science degree. But that didn't help me when the surgeon first mentioned removing my seminal vesicle: I pretended I knew exactly where it was and then raced home and checked a textbook. Then, confused about why my whole bladder, and not just part of it, may have to be removed, I took that atlas to my next consultation. Having the surgeon show me on an actual diagram what may have to go and why was worth more than a thousand line drawings on hospital stationary. I wish I'd known about Google Body Google Body is a free web-based atlas of the human body. You can select male or female, skin or no skin, all muscles, some muscle or no muscle. It allows you to fade organs and systems in and out, hide tisssues, and highlight organs. It also tells you what you are looking at. bodybrowser.googlelabs.com/ I think Google Body is an excellent tool for patients to better understand their situation and participate in their healthcare. ... View more