Originally Posted by bigAPE (Post 7288591)

I guess it depends on how much credence you give to their "celebrity".

I feel no more for Jade Goody or Kylie than I do for the person who checks out my groceries. If I found out they had Cancer I would feel sorry for them and hope that they can get through it, but I wouldn't be crying myself to sleep over it. I wouldn't expect Kylie to cry over me or my family if, god forbid (odd for an Agnostic to say that), anything happened to us.

My personal view is that it's a sad reflection on modern society that we are so enthralled by these "celebrities". It's a massive industry which these people manipulate very well, often stretching their 15 minutes of fame to weeks, months or in the case of Goody, years.

Originally Posted by s/nurse (Post 7288633)

If a 'celebrity' can encourage just one person to have their checks and therefore potenially save their life I am all for it. I would just want to shut myself away!
I have only sympathy for Jade and her family. She makes money by doing interviews ect, would you expect her not to do that now when all she wants is to leave her sons with a few quid? "we" the public make the girl a 'celebrity'

Originally Posted by Professional Princess (Post 7288674)

Its true, I do feel so sorry for anyone with this disease but I tell you one thing, if someone in the public eye can make just one extra person take a cancer test then I am all for it.

My Mums friend had breast cancer and that did not inspire me to get a scan done. Yet Kylie Minogue shocked the hell out of me.

Has Jade got small cell cancer (Oat cell), if so then I can understand why its so aggressive and nothing can be done :(

Originally Posted by s/nurse (Post 7288709)

I don't know the nature of her cancer, only what I have read on BBC news.
Poor girl, it gives me chills to think about. How fragile is life.
Jacqui

Originally Posted by Professional Princess (Post 7288720)

When I spoke to my doctors about having a smear, they said I had to see the doctor for a full examination. In London our nurse did it and you never saw the doctor, I dont know why my doctor wants to see me.

Also, in WA you have a mammogram over the age of 40 years old - even with no history of BC, Im having mine done free in 2 weeeks. IN the UK, they said I had to wait till I was 50.

Is it due to funding that they wont do it in the UK before 50, is it because it is bad for you? I wonder why they do it over 40 in WA (with no history of BC)

Anyway, Ill see the GP for my smear and full examination, Ive just never heard of seeing a doctor before.

Originally Posted by s/nurse (Post 7288725)

I think it is a case of risk factors and cost in the Uk. Over here I was really suprised when my GP asked when I had last had a mammogram, errrmmmmm never! So off I went a few months ago and it was all over in about 20 minutes. Pap smears I have on a regular basis, not the most comfortable of things to go through but hey, when the results come back negative it is always a sense of relief. My Grandma died of cervical cancer:(

Originally Posted by moneypen20 (Post 7288765)

In Australia it's usual for the doctor to do smears. Practice Nurses have only just been ok'd to do them and even then you have to apply to do them, not all medical centres have nurses allowed to do them. No big deal, just normal practice here.

Originally Posted by Professional Princess (Post 7288733)

My GP in the UK mentioned that the NHS couldnt afford to pay for every woman needing a mamogram from 40 years and over but that was just his opinion. I had always suspected it was a financial reason though.

I cant believe how quickly Jades cancer has spread.

Originally Posted by Professional Princess (Post 7288768)

I dont mind, as long as its done properly thats all that matters to me.

I have to pay $65 and get most back from medicare, and pay nothing for the smear.

Originally Posted by s/nurse (Post 7288772)

From what I have read, she has been complaining od problems for up to 5 years. Doctors, allegedly, missed or dimissed the signed.

As for breast screening

http://www.cancerscreening.gov.au/

http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/br...een/index.html

and

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/fact_mammograms.htm

Originally Posted by Professional Princess (Post 7288733)

I cant believe how quickly Jades cancer has spread.

Originally Posted by bcworld (Post 7288802)

My mother had a malignant melanoma (mole) removed. 6 years later, and after having been given the all clear after attending 3 monthly check ups for 5 years it returned as secondary cancers. From diagnosis to her dying was less than one month.