Hey Guys,
This may be a dumb question,but then again maybe not. Do we still have cancer when we are in remission? They say everyone has cancer cells in their body from birth so it makes me wonder. It may be something to think about. John
I'll jump in. I think that if you are in remission it means that there are no active cancer cells , so no cancer. I don't think we are born with cancer cells. I think that we may have some genetic weakness in our cells that let them go haywire at some future point in time and turn into cancer cells. If we already have had cancer and go into remission, those cells no longer go crazy, but we have the weakness in the cells to produce more cancer at some point, meaning no longer in remission. Of course, the oncs can say we are in remission, but there may still be a cancer cell floating around, just waiting for the right time to divide and become active cancer. Okay, now I have rambled on. I hope I made some sense.
My transplant docs are now saying cure is sometimes possible with transplant. They've given me a 50-60% chance of cure for Follicular lymphoma. I am keeping that carrot dangling in front of me to get me through this.
Even if it's just a 10 year remission I could do that too!
Everyone at some point starts developing cancer cells but the body in most cases the body is able to fight it off. Having actual cancer is when your body can no longer kill the cells as fast as they are multiplying. Remission means that there are still cancer cells but the body is back on track and able to keep up with the production of those cells and kill them off fast enough before there is a problem. And ofcourse remission does not mean that you are cured, only under control and can come back at any time.
I know I sound like a bummer but I like to know the truth. I told my oncologist not to sugar coat anything for me and to give it to me plain and simple.
I asked and this is the answer I got......you cant blame stress alone on a relapse of cancer. Having too much stress (and it has to be a really lot of stress) can cause a lot of other factors that people dont really think about like.....poor nutrition and depression. And than having those problems can cause a weakened immune system, which can cause a relapse in cancer. Its like a domino effect. Best thing to do is take yourself out of ant stressful situation and if its the cancer causing stress, try to stay possitive.
I agree with that 100%. There is so much that can lead to stress. The domino effect it seems the bottom line is the weakened immune system. Maybe age has something to do with it as well. Everything seems to weaken as we get older. I still feel a lot of it is related to the chemicals we eat all our lives and it takes its toll as the years go by. John
Hi everyone, I believe cure or remission is different with different types of cancer. My slow growing folicular Lymphoma is inactive enough at times to avoid treatment or even detection. Other more prolific growing cancers have a better likelihood of actual cure due to their higher profile and growth rate.
Joined: May 2010
Remission
Whats the matter,nobody want to touch this? John
Joined: Aug 2010
Remission
Hi John,
I'll jump in. I think that if you are in remission it means that there are no active cancer cells , so no cancer. I don't think we are born with cancer cells. I think that we may have some genetic weakness in our cells that let them go haywire at some future point in time and turn into cancer cells. If we already have had cancer and go into remission, those cells no longer go crazy, but we have the weakness in the cells to produce more cancer at some point, meaning no longer in remission. Of course, the oncs can say we are in remission, but there may still be a cancer cell floating around, just waiting for the right time to divide and become active cancer. Okay, now I have rambled on. I hope I made some sense.
Lisha
Just my thoughts
Joined: Nov 2006
remission
To me if your clean your clean! I was clean for three years after my first cancer, then it came back, now I clean again, I will take it! lol
Joined: Apr 2006
I'll take gone
My doc likes to say it's gone, because remission infers that cancer is still there. I would love to hear gone again :)
Joined: Mar 2011
just not active
Since there is no cure it is always there just idle and not moving about creating havic.That's my 2 cents.Michele Dx95 FNHL3
Joined: Apr 2006
cure
My transplant docs are now saying cure is sometimes possible with transplant. They've given me a 50-60% chance of cure for Follicular lymphoma. I am keeping that carrot dangling in front of me to get me through this.
Even if it's just a 10 year remission I could do that too!
Take Care,
Beth
Joined: Apr 2011
remission
Everyone at some point starts developing cancer cells but the body in most cases the body is able to fight it off. Having actual cancer is when your body can no longer kill the cells as fast as they are multiplying. Remission means that there are still cancer cells but the body is back on track and able to keep up with the production of those cells and kill them off fast enough before there is a problem. And ofcourse remission does not mean that you are cured, only under control and can come back at any time.
I know I sound like a bummer but I like to know the truth. I told my oncologist not to sugar coat anything for me and to give it to me plain and simple.
Joined: May 2011
stress
do you think stress can cause a relaspe. denise
Joined: May 2010
Stress
Denise,
If I had to guess I would say YES. John
Joined: Apr 2011
stress
I asked and this is the answer I got......you cant blame stress alone on a relapse of cancer. Having too much stress (and it has to be a really lot of stress) can cause a lot of other factors that people dont really think about like.....poor nutrition and depression. And than having those problems can cause a weakened immune system, which can cause a relapse in cancer. Its like a domino effect. Best thing to do is take yourself out of ant stressful situation and if its the cancer causing stress, try to stay possitive.
Joined: May 2010
AGREED
I agree with that 100%. There is so much that can lead to stress. The domino effect it seems the bottom line is the weakened immune system. Maybe age has something to do with it as well. Everything seems to weaken as we get older. I still feel a lot of it is related to the chemicals we eat all our lives and it takes its toll as the years go by. John
Joined: Apr 2011
Remission, My two cents
Hi everyone, I believe cure or remission is different with different types of cancer. My slow growing folicular Lymphoma is inactive enough at times to avoid treatment or even detection. Other more prolific growing cancers have a better likelihood of actual cure due to their higher profile and growth rate.
Joined: Mar 2010
Remission
I say I had cancer . It is gone. It is not in my body!!! I do not want it back.
Joined: Mar 2010
Remission
I say I had cancer . It is gone. It is not in my body!!! I do not want it back.
Joined: Mar 2010
Remission
I say I had cancer . It is gone. It is not in my body!!! I do not want it back.
Joined: Mar 2010
Sorry
I was trying to make a point but didn't mean to be obnoxious:)