Ovarian cancer

Cancer of the ovary affects around 7,000 women a year in the UK. Knowing the signs could help you seek advice early, when treatment is more likely to be effective.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women, but the average GP sees only one case of ovarian cancer every five years. The risk of ovarian cancer increases with age, particularly after the menopause.
Cervical screening tests (sometimes known as smear tests) do not help detect ovarian cancer.

Diagnosis

If ovarian cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the outcome is good. However, because some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer are similar to those of more common conditions, it can be difficult to diagnose.
Most women are not diagnosed until the disease has spread. It's important to know about the symptoms, so that you can get advice as early as possible.

Signs to look out for

Ovarian cancer was once known as a "silent" disease, because its symptoms can be vague. Evidence now shows that any of the following three symptoms, if they occur on most days may suggest ovarian cancer:

• persistent pelvic and abdominal pain
• increased abdominal size or persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes)
• difficulty eating, and feeling full quickly

Some of the UK’s leading cancer charities, scientists and doctors agree that these symptoms are more frequent in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Occasionally, women may also experience other symptoms, such as urinary symptoms, changes in bowel habit, extreme fatigue or back pain, on their own or at the same time as those listed above. These symptoms are unlikely to be ovarian cancer, but may be present in some women with the disease.

Getting a check up

If you regularly experience any of these symptoms and they're not normal for you, see your GP. It's unlikely that your symptoms are caused by a serious problem, but it's important to be checked.
Tell the GP if there are two or more cases of ovarian or breast cancer in your close family, as ovarian cancer can sometimes run in families.
If you have already visited your GP and the symptoms continue or get worse, it's important to go back to your GP and explain this. You know your body better than anyone.
Remember, ovarian cancer is not common and early diagnosis may save lives.

EDS flare-up

EDS flare-ups are no fun at all....that's all I have to say on the matter

The cut!

   Why the cut??...to donate to The Little Princess Trust who have wigs made for children who lose their hair through chemo or due to other medical conditions.   Also I decided to raise money for The Alzheimer's Society in memory of my husband's mother, my friend Julia Boswell from Aylsham and my father who all died with Alzheimer's.
   I also have a sister-in-law who lives with Alzheimer's (diagnosed at 49).  When you watch someone you love deteriorate so rapidly to someone who no longer recognises you and whose personality completely changes, it is heart-breaking and painful.  It made me realise that no-one whatever their age, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, how healthy or intelligent they are is immune from this illness.
   Please donate to The Alzheimer's Society at www.justgiving.com/BeevanderDoes

 

Smile, camera and all that stuff

'Oh didn't we tell you' said Jamie and Juliette innocently  from Come Dine With Me as they walked in with film and sound equipment.   'No you didn't' I responded.    One hour later....

One Billion Rising

  We are going to strike, dance and rise with a billion women and those who love them around the world to demand an end to violence against women. Why one billion? Because the UN estimates that one in three women on earth (one billion women) will be raped or sexually assaulted in her lifetime.
  
   In Norwich, we're aiming to inspire 20,000 women and girls (approximately one in three women who live in the city) and men and boys and transgendered  to dance on 14 February.
The pressure is on but we are getting people on board every day and we're marketing this virally through social media and word-of-mouth e.g. women are going to their dance tutors and spreading the word through their dance classes.

The Chief Fire Officer emailed his staff to ask them to dance with him which was pretty cool. We are in touch with women dancing all over the world via Twitter and Facebook which is really exciting.

   There is a campaign dance that people are learning across the globe. You can watch it here: www.norwichrising.wordpress.com/dance.

   We're going to have a mass dance outside the Forum in Norwich at 1pm on 14 February and we are encouraging people to dance with us there or wherever they are and in whatever way they can. 

  

Genocide?

While magazines and TV chains report about the lives and love affairs of movie actors and actresses, football players and other celebrities, the Chief of the Kayapo tribe heard the worst news of his entire life:

Mrs Dilma, the President of Brazil, has given her approval for the construction of an enormous hydroelectric central (the world's third largest one).

This means the death sentence for ALL the tribes living at the shores of the river because the barrage will flood more or less 400 000 hectares of the forest.

More than 40 000 indigenous peoples  will have to find other surroundings where they will be able to survive.   The destruction of the natural habitat, the deforestation and the disappearance of several species of plants and animals will be a fait accompli.

We know that a simple image is the equivalent of a thousand words, it shows the price to be paid for the 'quality of life' of our so-called 'modern comforts'.  There is no space in the world anymore for those who live differently.   Everything has to be smoothed away, that everyone, in the name of globalization must lose his and her identity and way of living.

If this touches you, I urge and implore you to forward this message to all your friends, relatives and acquaintances.   Thank you in the name of life, nature and biodiversity.

Sponsored hair cut for The Little Princess Trust and The Alzheimer's Society

Before the cut

Gerrij van der Does Lindeboom (RiP)

William Francis Franklin (RiP)

Julia Boswell (RiP)

Adrianna Hellal-van der Does

Sue House

Lucy House

I am having eight inches of my hair cut off on 31 January 2013  to donate to The Little Princess Trust who make wigs for children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy or other medical reasons. 

I am raising money for The Alzheimer's Society in memory of my mother-in-law Gerrij van der Does Lindeboom, my friend Julia Boswell, my father William Francis Franklin and for my darling sister-in-law living with Alzheimer's - Adrianna van der Does. 

If you would like to donate, please go to http://www.justgiving.com/BeevanderDoes. Alzheimer's will receive the money directly plus GiftAid. No monies will come to me.

I was inspired to do this by my friends Lucy and Sue House.