what is the rate of reaccurance of OC?

[Debs86]

Its one of those questions i'm not sure i want the answer to but still wanted to ask

[wendydee]

I don't know if there is an answer, really, Debs. I know that's not helpful, but there are probably as many answers as women who experience OC. You could drive yourself insane by checking statistics and imagining you are among the unlucky ones who experience a recurrence, or you could think that if it does come back, you and the hospital will probably spot signs and symptoms early enough to tackle it head-on. Are you experiencing worries about your health at the moment, or is it just a query based on a wish to know the odds? Myself, I prefer to take the "so far, so good" approach

Love Wendy xx

[Suewt]

I agree with Wendy in that there are probably many statistics and in the end they mean nothing. Even if it is 1 in a 100 that does not help you if you are that one. I am trying to concentrate on lessening the chances of it returning by eating properly, avoiding certain foods and I have even taken up exercise to try to lose some weight. I was hoping to go back to work before Xmas but have been made redundant so I am adding trying to find a job to that list.

I appreciate Debs that this is probably not the answer that you are looking for but equally I don't think the answer is out there. Does it depend on the staging it was caught at as well as many other circumstances ?

I wish you all the best - Sue x

[Hidden]

There are answers to your question, notably on 'cancer research uk''s site. However; what has already been said (and is stressed on their site) is true for you, and each of us. The stats are appalling! The reality is that the health service harvests stats in very questionable ways, and ways which are often contingent upon funding decisions and the need to prove cases. The other aspect is that they are all very out of date - the most relevant available refer to 2007, I believe. Throughout my journey through treatment, I was aware that the health staff were 'surprised' by the positive, and pointed out the differences in my case to the 'norm'. I actively encouraged this, because I know from decades of working with people trying to overcome physical and mental illness, that I, as a patient, needed to believe in my individuality and difference more than at any other time in my life. I did not want to join the 'herd', so every tiny difference was important. The opposite is also true, though - when you get messages from your carers (who are immensely powerful in determining your outcome, depending upon your willingness to believe in their powers) that assume you will go in a certain way, it is hard to resist. That is true (perhaps more true) for negativity as well as positivity. Many accept predictions and they become self-fulfilling prophesies. Others (sadly fewer), get angry and rebel.

So; take prognosis and stats with a grain of salt. If you are a bolshy type like me, look them full in the face and stare them down defiantly; if you are more compliant by nature, find someone impartial to talk it all through with, and get some resilience and perspective; sadly, the stats can be like bad magic spells for some of us.

Very best wishes for your UNIQUE journey.

Isadora.

[MargaretJ]

I used to teach statistics to vith form geography students. Statistics prove nothing they just give averages. When one young member of my oncology team told me, at the end of my 1st lot of chemo, that I had to remember only a minority got to 5 years I complained about her attitude. I have accepted that tis is incurable and I have to live with it but I refuse to be "average" in anything! I am a bolshie cow and long may I be so!

[wendydee]

Long live the bolshie cows! I hope you have gleaned some useful statistics of your own from the answers, Debs.

All the best, Wendy xx

[wendydee]

P.S. Does anyone on the site feel sometimes they need a "like" button? So many good comments on this thread

[Lindy4 in reply to wendydee]

Yay Wendy I agree. We need a like. Button!

Ovacome web techies take note

Lindy

[ejd71]

**Like**. Long live THE bolshie cow and all the other bolshie cows out there!

[wendydee]

The Ovacome tecchies are working on the "like" button idea, may be in 2012!

[Fireycat]

A like button is a fab idea!!!

[TinaWright]

Yes we do need a `like button` - I also agree with you ladies about statistics, mine worked out at a 57% chance of reaching 5 years after my OC. That really made me feel depressed, especially when the first year has passed so quickly.

However, my oncologist kept corrected me when I referred to any reoccurance as `when it comes back` to `IF` it comes back. She told me I mustan`t take any notice of statistics, she said she is hopeful of a cure.

Right now the past year is feeling like a bad dream, it certainly does feel as though what I have been through actually happened to someone else, anyone else feel like that?

I sure do struggle with the fact I had cancer and could have died if it wasn`t found when it was. Now, I struggle to even think about it coming back. Each time that thought comes into my head I banish it from my brain or get a voice in my head that keeps telling me "IF" , that thought helps me sleep much better, so I prefer to stick with it.