Support Plymouth Cancer Laryngectomees Group Newsletter

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)
A Charitable Support Group for Plymouth Cancer Laryngectomees

The Voice of PLC
November – December 2011
Address: c/o 80 Warleigh Avenue, PLYMOUTH, PL2 1DH, Devon, UK
Mobile: 07745819828 (text only) Email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk Website: http://plymouthlc.webs.com

FOREWORD BY THE CHAIR EDITORIAL COMMENT
Written by Geoffrey N. READ

Dear Members & Supporters,
I NTERNET Links. If you’re reading this on-line and come
across words with blue lettering that are underlined, then
you can click on these links and be taken directly to another
site for more information on that particular topic.
Our November 2011 Meeting was If you read this on Microsoft Word, you can put your cursor
held under new management! The over the link, hold down the Control (Ctrl) Key and click! Ed.
Committee now discusses the club’s
business outside of our normal PERSONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
monthly meetings and this allows
for a more relaxed atmosphere at our meetings.
N OVEMBER 2011. No celebrations in November?
Have we missed anyone?

Our monthly raffles have been B EST WISHES TO Eileen FURNEAUX for her birthday on
th
Saturday, 24 December 2011. Eileen is a very keen
Member of PLC. Great to have you along Eileen! Enjoy your
reorganised and will now be the
sole responsibility of Fiona and day!
Ron & Fiona MARTIN, ournewly-
elected Entertainments Members. LAUGH AT LIFE!

It’s now time to pay your annual I S SHE FEELING Any Better?

Doctor: Nurse, how’s that little girl
subscriptions of £5 per head. Only doing who swallowed a Fifty
members need pay... not Friends! Pence piece last night?
Nurse: No change yet!
We have twelve members lined up ready to take
part in our Club’s Christmas Dinner on Monday,
12th December 2011. This promises to be a
lovely end to what for the PLC has been a very
successful year! PLC MONTHLY MEETINGS
Thank you all for your continued support! O UR NOVEMBER 2011 Meeting took place at the
Mustard Tree Cancer Support Center at Derriford
th
Hospital on Monday, 7 November 2011 at 11 a.m. There
were eight Members, one Friend and one Guest Speaker in
Geoff attendance. The salient points of the meeting are given
below. Mr. John MCKENNA, from Colebrook Housing Carers
Chair, PLC gave us a short talk accompanied by a PowerPoint
presentation about their work. Geoff presented John with a
desk calendar as a small token of thanks from PLC.

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC) is an Affiliated Member of: The National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs (NALC)
In Association with Macmillan Cancer Support
Registered Charity Number: 273635
Our Funder: Macmillan Cancer Support

A Member of Community & Social Action Plymouth (CASAP)

Patrons & Medical Advisors : Mr. W.M. BRIDGER, FRCS - Consultant ENT Surgeon,
Mr. Tass MALIK, BSc FRCS (Gen), FRCS (ORL H&N) - Consultant Otolaryngologist, Head & Neck / Thyroid Surgeon, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

R AFFLE. November 2011. Members present decided
that the raffle should be reorganised. In future, a
single ticket will cost £1 and there will be no limitations on
D ECEMBER 2011.

th
Monday, 5 December 2011: Monthly Club Meeting.
how many tickets anyone can buy. The raffle will be As usual, please arrive at 10.30 a.m. for refreshments. We will
wholly organised by Fiona and Ron MARTIN as part of their have a Guest Speaker. Sian HARRIS who has recently taken up
duties as Entertainments Members. They will also be her appointment as the Macmillan Cancer Support Fundraising
responsible for the provision of the prizes so the Raffle Manager for Plymouth, North Devon & the Tamar Valley. Sian
Winner will no longer have to bother providing the prize has agreed to come along and explain to us how PLC can give
for the next time! something back to Macmillan in 2012.

S
th
UBSCRIPTIONS. Members are kindly requested to pay Monday, 12 December 2011: The PLC Christmas Dinner will
their £5 Subscription at the December 2011 Meeting. be held at Leandra’s Restaurant in Plymouth City Centre at 7
If you do not expect to attend that meeting then it would p.m. The cost of this event will be offset by Club Funds. Geoff
be appreciated if you could pay the Treasurer as soon as has paid the deposit for the meals from Club Funds. Those
you can. Her Contact Address details are at the top of the members who would like to, can bring a pressie along on the
front page. Eight members have paid up so far leaving evening to the value of not more than £5. These will then be
about a further nine to pay. If payment hasn’t been made placed into our Grand Christmas Dip.
by the start of the new year we will query with you
whether you still wish to remain as a Club Member.
J ANUARY 2011.

th
Monday, 9 January 2012: As usual, please arrive at 10.30
PLC MEETINGS a.m. for refreshments. We will have a Guest Speaker. A

Y OU WILL ALL be aware that the PLC has been holding
its monthly meetings on the first Monday of each
month. One month at The Mustard Tree and the next
representative from Woodside Animal Welfare Trust has agreed
to come along and explain to us how the trust operates. Then,
perhaps next year we can arrange a visit to the Animal Centre.
away from Derriford. For various reasons, we have had to th
Monday, 30 January 2011: Monthly Committee Meeting.
change this. With effect from February 2012, our
The Committee will meet at Geoff’s residence at 2.30 p.m.
meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each
month as shown below:
Monday, 9th January 2012 The Mustard Tree NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS
Tuesday, 14th February 2012 Away Day
Tuesday, 13th March 2012 The Mustard Tree DISCLAIMER
Tuesday, 10th April 2012 Away Day Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this section are
Tuesday, 15th May 2012 The Mustard Tree not necessarily those held by the PLC Committee nor its Members.
Tuesday, 12thg June 2012 Away Day
Tuesday, 10th July 2012
Tuesday, 14th August 2012
Tuesday, 11th September 2012
The Mustard Tree
Away Day
The Mustard Tree
A VICTIM OF This Harsh Climate.
This Editorial Commentary was published in The
th
Plymouth Herald on Monday, 24 October 2011:
Friday, 5th October 2012 (TBC) The Mustard Tree
Possible date of the Plymouth Laryngectomy
Information Day & PLC AGM
WHEN it was first mooted, cancer patients across the
Tuesday, 13th November 2012 Away Day South West were understandably delighted at plans to buy
Tuesday, 11th December 2012 The Mustard Tree a 'miracle laser' for Derriford Hospital.
Tuesday, 17th December 2012 (TBC) Away Day The hi-tech Cyberknife is capable of shooting beams of
Possible date for PLC Christmas Dinner
radiation at difficult-to-reach tumours, without the need
for invasive surgery. Even better, the device would have
PLC COMMITTEE MEETINGS meant that patients would not even have to remove their

C OMMITTEE MEETINGS. The Committee had a meeting
th
at Geoff’s residence on Tuesday, 18 October 2011. No
major decisions were made. Fiona & Ron MARTIN said they
clothing to be treated.
But not surprisingly, this fantastic piece of equipment, plus
the 'radiation bunker' necessary to house it came at a
would be trying to plan the social diary for 2012. Future price... and an expensive one at that.
meetings will take place about one week prior to Club The Cyberknife alone cost £2.6million, while the building
th to contain it would set back the Plymouth Hospitals NHS
Meetings. The next meeting will take place on Monday, 30
January 2011. Hospitals Trust £1.7million. In an ideal world, these sums,
weighed against the benefits that the equipment would
bring to patients, would be seen by most people as well
THE PLC FORECAST OF EVENTS worth paying. But sadly, in today's harsh, unforgiving

C ALENDAR of EVENTS. A copy of the Club’s Calendar of
Events, including Future Entertainments for the next 12
months or so, is available on our Club’s website. Please keep
climate of job cutbacks, cash squeezes, cost-cutting and
budget-balancing, such expense is difficult to justify.
Which is why the Trust has had to make the difficult
yourselves up-to-date by taking an occasional peek! decision to abandon plans to install this equipment, and
instead continue with the replacement of its three current
treatment machines.

Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only)
or email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk, or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com
2

Understandably, one cancer campaigner has already said she REMEMBER: This is an emergency service and must
is appalled at the decision... and many people will echo the only be used in an emergency as below...
feelings of Jennifer WOODFORD. But set against Derriford's
efforts to save £31million this year, which has included When…
cuttings posts and beds, the hospital felt that it had little  Life is at risk;
option. The only glimmer of hope in this unfortunate  Crime / trouble is happening now;
situation is that Dr. Phil HUGHES has said that the hospital will  Someone is injured or threatened;
"continue to monitor" the Cyberknife situation.  Person committing crime is near;
Here's hoping that at some future date, circumstances will  There is a fire or people trapped;
change enough to allow Plymouth patients access to this  You need an ambulance urgently;
wonderful, but expensive, piece of kit.  Someone is in trouble, or missing, at sea,
 Someone is in trouble on the cliffs or on the shoreline.

C OMPLAINTS AGAINST DERRIFORD Hospital Have Fallen.
This article appeared in The Herald on Tuesday, 18th
October 2011:
If any Club Member who doesn’t have access to a computer
and needs help with this then do get in touch with Geoff.

THE number of complaints made about Derriford Hospital to
the health Ombudsman has dropped in the past year. E

XPERT PATIENTS PROGRAMME. A free course for
people living with long-term health conditions.
The Health Service Ombudsman Ann ABRAHAM looks into Do you live with a long-term condition?
complaints against health authorities, when a person is  Are you a good communicator?
 Are you motivated?
dissatisfied with how their grievance has been handled locally.  Do you want to make a positive difference to the
She has today published the second in an annual series of  lives of others?
reports on complaints handling.  Would you like to become a volunteer tutor and help others
It states she received 56 complaints about Plymouth Hospitals manage their long-term conditions?
NHS Trust in 2010 / 11, of which two went on to be To learn more about becoming a volunteer tutor please contact:
investigated. Jan White,
This compares to 64 complaints in 2009 / 10, of which five Expert Patients Programme Co-ordinator,
went on to be investigated. That year the trust was named as Plymouth Guild,
among the 10 health bodies having the country's highest Ernest English House,
Buckwell Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DA
number of Ombudsman investigations over complaints. Tel: (01752) 201766
In 2010/11, four investigations for Plymouth Hospitals were
reported on and upheld.
The Ombudsman also received 44 complaints about NHS
Plymouth, the city's primary care trust (PCT), of which none
F LU (ALSO KNOWN AS INFLUENZA) is a highly infectious
illness caused by the flu virus. It spreads rapidly
through small droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by
were accepted for investigation. an infected person.
This compares to 35 the previous year, of which one was Studies have shown that flu vaccines provide effective
accepted for investigation. protection against the flu, although protection may not be
The Ombudsman's report criticised the progress the NHS is complete and may vary between people.
making to improve the way it deals with patients' complaints Protection from the vaccine gradually decreases and flu
as "patchy and slow". strains change over time. Therefore, new vaccines are
She warns that the NHS is still not dealing adequately with the made each year and people at risk of flu are encouraged
most straightforward matters and that too many minor to be vaccinated every year.
disputes are escalated to her office before they are resolved. The flu vaccination is offered to people in at-risk groups
The Ombudsman received the most complaints about Heart and Laryngectomees are included in this group!. These
of England NHS Foundation Trust – 171 complaints, of which people are at greater risk of developing serious
eight were accepted for investigation. complications if they catch flu, such as pregnant women
Nationally, the two most common reasons people gave for and elderly people.
being dissatisfied with how the NHS had handled their Find out who should have the flu jab.
complaint were poor explanations and no acknowledgement
This year's flu jab (2011).
of mistakes.
This winter’s flu jab protects against the same three
strains of flu as last year’s vaccines. These include the
T HE EMERGENCY SMS Service lets deaf, hard of hearing
and speech-impaired people in the UK send an SMS text
message to the UK 999 service where it will be passed to the
H1N1 strain of the flu virus. H1N1 is the same strain of flu
that caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
police, ambulance, fire rescue, or coastguard. H1N1 is included because it is likely to be one of the major
Simply by sending an SMS message to 999 you can call for flu strains circulating in Britain this winter.
help and the emergency services will be able to reply to you. The best time to have a flu jab is in the autumn, from
You will need to register your mobile phone before using the September to early November.
Emergency SMS service. Find out more about getting the flu jab or speak to your
Download the Emergency SMS leaflet. local GP.
Click on this link to see the information source.

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F ORMER BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT to Undergo
Chemotherapy. This report was broadcast by Helena
th
DEMOURA on CNN on Saturday, 29 October 2011:
Chewing tobacco. Paan, areca nut and gutka are as
dangerous as smoking tobacco, if not more so.
Sex. Experts now think that Human papilloma virus...
Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA, seen here on
transmitted during oral sex... could soon overtake alcohol
Tuesday, 25th October 2011, is expected to and smoking as the major cause of mouth cancer.
undergo chemotherapy to treat a tumour in his Diet. Poor diet is associated with up to a third of mouth
larynx. cancer cases. Fruit, vegetables, egg and fish consumption
STORY HIGHLIGHTS help to lower your risk.
 Lula's tumor has not metastasized. Dental hygiene. Recent research in the US found that
 He will be treated at Sao Paulo's Syrian- people with chronic gum disease had an increased risk of
Lebanese Hospital. developing oral and neck cancers.
 The country's current president, Dilma ROUSSEFF, is Mouth cancer warning signs. Around two-thirds of mouth
considered his hand-picked successor. cancer cases are discovered in the later stages of the
 It is not clear what day the treatment will begin. disease. But early detection of mouth cancer can improve
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA will five year survival rates to 90%.
begin chemotherapy in the coming days to treat a tumour Regular dental checkups may catch the disease in its early
in his larynx, a hospital official said Saturday. stages before you are even aware it exists. Common
The former president will be treated at Sao Paulo's Syrian- symptoms which you should always get checked out include:
Lebanese Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Mirtes
 Ulcers which don’t heal within three weeks.
BOGEA.
 Red and white patches in the mouth.
It is not clear what day the treatment will begin.
 Any unusual changes, lumps and swellings in the mouth
LULA, 66, was diagnosed Saturday morning after (can be painless).
undergoing medical examinations, BOGEA said.
"This is a localised tumour," noted BOGEA. She added that
the tumour has not metastasized, a characteristic of most
cancerous cells.
H EAD & NECK Cancer Research Priority Setting
Partnership. Details about this project are available at:
http://www.lindalliance.org/head-neck-cancer.asp.
LULA, one of Brazil's most popular leaders, helped craft the The deadline for submissions has been extended to
nation into a major global economy. Presidents, however, are th
Wednesday, 30 November 2011. It is now possible to
barred from running for a third consecutive term. submit suggestions for treatment uncertainties online,
The country's current leader, Dilma ROUSSEFF, is without using email or snail-mail. Please go to:
considered his hand-picked successor. ROUSSEFF is the http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Head_Neck_Cancer-
first woman to hold the presidency. Research_Priority_Setting_Partnership
For the full story, please click on this link. Those who do not have access to a computer and who
wish to participate in this survey should contact Geoff.
H ABITS THAT CAN Lead To Mouth Cancer.
This article was published in Healthy
st
Living on Monday, 31 October 2011:
Mouth cancer is one of the least well known cancers, but it
H
th
ELPING TO EASE Hospital Parking Stress.
This editorial was published in The Herald on Monday,
7 November 2011.
kills more people each year than testicular and cervical FEW things are more stressful for many people than having to
cancer combined. go to hospital... either as a patient, or visitor.
In the UK, the number of new cases have soared by nearly But in Plymouth, the experience of
50% in the past ten years. Each year around 6,000 people are visiting Derriford Hospital can be
diagnosed with the disease, and around 1,800 people die made even more distressing because
from it. of difficulties in finding car parking
This year, as part of Mouth Cancer Action Month, the spaces. So anything which will help
British Dental Health Association are aiming to increase improve the situation, a long-running problem as old as the
awareness of the warning signs and risk factors for mouth hospital itself, ought... in theory... to be welcomed.
cancer, and urge people ‘If in doubt, get checked out’. Certainly plans put forward by hospital managers to tackle on-
Habits that put you at risk of mouth cancer site traffic problems should go some way towards easing the
Everyday habits that increase your risk of mouth cancer frustration which so many patients and visitors experience.
include: Construction of a new multi-storey car park, barriers with pay
on exit machines, the freezing of parking charges for several
Smoking. This is the number one risk factor for mouth years and electronic signs indicating where spaces are
cancer. The saliva in your mouth helps spread around the available will all help, and will be enthusiastically welcomed
carcinogens in cigarette smoke, increasing your risk. by many.
Alcohol. Helps smoke absorption in the mouth, so The scale of the parking problems plaguing Derriford is
drinking alcohol while smoking increases your risk of highlighted in a report from Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, for
mouth cancer even more. If you smoke and drink heavily the city council's Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee. This
you are 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer. states: "Difficulty in parking and finding the entrance to the
hospital is stressful for patients and members of the public,

4

and can have a profoundly negative effect on their
experience." So these moves will doubtless prove popular and
be seen as a positive step forward. Not so, however, will be
N ATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LARYNGECTOMEE CLUBS
(NALC). We received a letter from the Association
th
Secretary on Tuesday, 11 October 2011. The letter contained
the controversial move to cut free parking at the hospital the dates of the 2012 General Committee Meetings to be
from 45 minutes to just 15. held in London as follows:
This facility was introduced in May 2009 to help people  Monday, 30th January 2012
dropping off and picking up patients. But the report says that  Monday, 26th March 2012
this has been "heavily abused", and led to an average  Monday, 2nd July 2012
reduction in monthly car parking income of £10,786. Clearly,  Monday, 1st October 2012

to the trust which is watching every penny in its efforts to If any Club Member wishes to attend these meetings as
meet budget requirements this cannot go on. If this "perk" our Club Representative then do please let Geoff know. It
goes, it will spark much protest. But unfortunately, it would may be possible to claim back your travel expenses.
seem that the finger of blame for this should point at those The letter also contained the Minutes of the General
rd
who have abused this system, who have now spoiled things Committee Meeting held in London on Monday, 3 October
for everyone. To read more please click on this link. 2011. The salient points are:
 16 attended. 10 apologised.

L ORD GOULD, STRATEGIST Behind New Labour, Dies of
Cancer At 61. This article was published in the Daily
th
Mail by Michael Seamark on Tuesday, 8 November 2011.


Current account: £64,050. Business account: : £34,818
The current account is high because NALC has to pay £25,000
to Macmillan for the back rent on its property.
 Staff pensions also need to be paid.
Philip GOULD, one of the architects of  70 attended NALC Annual Luncheon at Penrith in the Lake
New Labour, has died aged 61 following a District in September 2010.
battle with cancer. If any Club Member wishes to see the hard copies of these
The political strategist and pollster was documents they should contact Geoff.
one of Tony BLAIR's most trusted advisers
and a key figure behind the party's three
consecutive general election victories. N EW SERVICE LAUNCHED at the Mustard Tree Macmillan
Centre To Support People Living With And Beyond
st
Cancer. This is a Press Release issued on Friday, 21 October
Little known outside Westminster, Lord GOULD urged Labour
to listen to polls and 'focus groups' to discover what voters 2011. Geoff was in attendance representing the PLC.
wanted. An exciting new service, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support
Lord GOULD, who became a life peer in 2004, had undergone for people living with and beyond cancer will be launched on
treatment for cancer of the oesophagus, but the illness later st
Friday, 21 October at 1 p.m., at the Mustard Tree Macmillan
recurred. Centre, Derriford Hospital.
In his final television interview, in September, he said he When people are affected by cancer, the difference between
believed that the 'nastiness' of politics had contributed to his a good day and a bad day can often come down to really
cancer. small things whereby providing the right support at the right
He was asked by Andrew MARR in September about time in the right place can make all the difference.
something 'that your wife Gail said to you; that politics, being For many years The Mustard Tree Macmillan Centre and its
involved in politics, was somehow connected to your cancer; outreach sites at Kingsbridge, Tavistock and Liskeard have
that the nastiness of politics and the aggression of politics been places where people can go for support, advice and
had somehow contributed to your cancer?' information.
Lord GOULD replied: 'Yes, I think that's true. What would Each Centre offers a friendly space where patients their
have been better for me would have been to have said I'll do families and carers can ask questions, share concerns and
what I can do, which I do quite well, and then just push it discuss with Cancer Support Specialists how cancer is
back a little bit. affecting daily life. A wide range of information booklets and
'And of course the other side of it is that it's only because I'm services are on offer including:
an obsessive nutcase when it comes to politics that I've done  Benefits advice
what I've done.'  Counselling
 Complementary therapies
For more on this article please click here.
 Support coping with hair loss and choosing wigs
 Support groups and other activities

M ACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT.
We have received a copy of the fifth issue of the
Macmillan Learn Zone Update newsletter.
The Living With and Beyond Cancer Service funded by
Macmillan Cancer Support will enable services to be
2011 has been a busy year with lots of new e-learning extended to include:
courses and resources launched. Macmillan has put together  A dedicated telephone support and information line.
a quick summary of all the best bits from the year so far.  One to one consultations with specialist support staff.
 Education sessions and workshops offering advice on a range
Please click on this link to find out more. Geoff has sent
of health and wellbeing topics.
copies out to those on-line.  Signposting to a wide range of services and support within
If any Member not on-line wishes to have access to this local communities.
information then please contact Geoff.  Appropriate fitness, activity and exercise for health and
wellbeing.
 Information and support within the workplace.

5

Debbie CLIFT, from the Macmillan Project Team said, ‘Cancer About Macmillan Cancer Support
affects every part of life, not just your health. The NHS is good Cancer is the toughest fight most of us will ever face. But
at treating illness, but we know that there is a gap when it you don’t have to go through it alone. The Macmillan team
comes to managing the impact that cancer has on everything is with you every step of the way, from the nurses and
else. We want to be able to help to fill this gap and to support therapists helping you through treatment to the
people to live well with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. At the campaigners improving cancer care.
heart of this enhanced service is knowledge of the local area. Whatever’s on your mind, we’re here. Call the Macmillan
We have done extensive work on making sure we are aware team free on 0808 808 0000 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. -8
of the many and varied support services that are available in p.m.) or visit www.macmillan.org.uk
communities.
‘The other really important aspect of the service is time. Our
dedicated staff are able to provide one-to-one conversations
and personal solutions for people... this isn’t a one-size-fits-all
P LATON MEDICAL: The LaryLife Magazine.
Geoff has received his glossy magazine for September-
October 2011. Those members on-line who do not currently
project... it’s about finding out about specific needs and receive a copy can subscribe by clicking on this link. Those
working with the individual or family concerned to find not on line should ask Geoff to open an subscription account
support that is tailored to them. on their behalf.
We will be running rolling education programmes covering
self management issues and ensuring patients, their families
and carers have access to the most up to date and well
evidenced information covering this.
P LYMOUTH LINk NEWSLETTER. Geoff emailed out Issue
No. 15 (October 2011) of the Plymouth LINk Newsletter
to those on-line. Those not on-line and who would like to
‘We are also going to be running education sessions for the receive a hard copy should contact Geoff.
wider community... employers, employees and others... so
that they are more aware of the impact that a cancer
diagnosis can have, and how they can help and support their T HE PLYMOUTH THIRD Sector Consortium (PTSC). PLC
is a member of this consortium which has now
changed its name to Community & Social Action Plymouth
colleague or friend.
‘We are really excited about this project. We have been (CASAP). And it changed its logo at the same time. This
piloting it over the last few months, and the feedback has means that PLC will have to update all its documentation
been fantastic.’ accordingly.
Ed MURPHY, Senior Macmillan Development Manager at Geoff emailed the CASAP’s November Newspage to
nd
Macmillan Cancer Support said, ‘More people are living Members on Wednesday, 2 November 2011. Those
longer with cancer, so it is vital that we help them to live well. without computer access should contact Geoff should they
Macmillan Cancer Support is very pleased to be funding this wish to see a hard copy.
project at the Mustard Tree Macmillan Centre as we know
that it will have a real impact on the quality of people’s lives.’
Feedback from users of the service to date include:
T HE RUDEST HOSPITALS in Britain.
This article, including the table below, was published in
th
the Daily Mail on Tuesday, 8 November 201:
 I Felt very low after treatment finished for second diagnosis of
cancer-counselling sessions were arranged promptly. A Good Health investigation,
 I was given very helpful advice on coping with after effects of using Freedom of Information
cancer - including techniques for reducing stress. requests, found a troubling
 Felt better straight away with the reassurance that the way I lack of basic care and
was feeling was perfectly normal. sympathy. 49% of complaints
 Given good advice on when to introduce exercise and the were about doctors, 29%
benefits of this - Ideas as to what sort of exercise might be about nurses, 6% about
good for me - taking into account my interests and lifestyle. administration staff and 2%
 Exercise did make me feel better and more confident about midwives. Kate WIGHTON
dealing with the physical demands of returning to work. reports on the soaring number
 My referral to the team meant that I could get on with my life of complaints against hospital
as much as possible whilst having cancer treatment and be
staff...
assured that future support will be provided, whenever I need
it, for all aspects of living with and beyond cancer To read the full article, please
The launch showcased some of the support available click on this link.
through this project, and featured some interviews with
people already helped, as well as interviews with staff and
representatives from Macmillan.
The new service is based at the Mustard Tree Macmillan
Centre, Derriford Hospital, but has regular outreach
sessions in Liskeard, Tavistock and Kingsbridge. The Advice
Line can be called on (01752) 431467.

6

Click to view albums our Facebook Page.

T HE SPEAK EASY CLUB Newsletter. A copy of the October
2011 Newsletter has been sent out to those on-line. If
there is any Club Member who is not on-line and wishes to
have a hard copy then please contact Geoff.
Click to view it online.

U P TO 40% of Cancers 'Are Caused By Viruses':
Discovery Offers Hope of Vaccines and New Therapies.
This article was published in The Mail by Tamara Cohen on
th
Monday, 17 October 2011:
Viruses may cause up to 40% of cancers including brain
tumours and leukaemia, scientists claim.
If they are proved correct in
further tests, it could pave the
way for vaccinations against
several types of cancer and
therapies to cure them.
The claim follows research
which has discovered viruses in types of cancer which were
never thought to have been linked with infection.
Vaccination: The research study using DNA analysis has
shown that viruses could be implicated as the cause of 40% of
the 200 forms of cancer.
More than 300,000 people a year are diagnosed with cancer
in the UK, of whom half will die from the disease.
Nobel Prize winner Harald zur HAUSEN, who jointly
discovered the link between cervical cancer and Human
papillomavirus (HPV) in the 1980s, said he expected more
discoveries to follow and suggested that viruses could be
involved in cancer of the skin, breast, gut and lungs.
But scientists warn it could take a long time and huge
investment before vaccines are developed.
Alan RICKINSON, professor of cancer studies at Birmingham
University, said: ‘If we can understand how these viruses work
we could prevent people from contracting them and even
create therapies that use the patient’s own immune system to
destroy infected or cancerous cells.’
The process still confounds experts because viruses work by
invading cells and making them produce more viruses. But
this process then kills the cell which should mean it cannot
become cancerous.
One theory is that cancer-causing viruses can remain hidden
in cells for years, preventing the cell from repairing mutations.
Click to read more.

T HE VOICE. This is the official magazine of Countrywide
Supplies Ltd. and they have just
published Issue No. 6, their Autumn
edition. Copies can be viewed on-line by
clicking on this link. If any Club Member
wishes to have a copy but does not have
access to a computer then please contact
Geoff.

7

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)
is a Charitable Cancer Support Group.
PLC aims to offer support and care to laryngectomees and their carers and families.
PLC also encourages understanding and support by the public.
And, just for those who may not be aware...
Laryngectomy is the removal of the larynx and separation of the airway from the mouth, nose and
oesophagus. The Laryngectomee breaths through the neck, a stoma. It is done in the cases of
laryngeal cancer. However, many laryngeal cancer cases are now treated only with radiation and
chemotherapy, or other laser procedures, and Laryngectomy is performed when those treatments fail
to conserve the larynx.
If you’re a Laryngectomee you would be most welcome to come along on your own or with your
partner and / or Carer.

Come join us!
Our Members and Friends meet on the first Monday of every month.
Do please see our website for further details.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Our grateful thanks to :

THE PLYMOUTH DIOCESE
http://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/

for their assistance in reproducing copies of this newsletter.

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC) is an Affiliated Member of: The National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs (NALC)
In Association with Macmillan Cancer Support
Registered Charity Number: 273635
Our Funder: Macmillan Cancer Support

A Member of Community & Social Action Plymouth (CASAP)

Patrons & Medical Advisors : Mr. W.M. BRIDGER, FRCS - Consultant ENT Surgeon,
Mr. Tass MALIK, BSc FRCS (Gen), FRCS (ORL H&N) - Consultant Otolaryngologist, Head & Neck / Thyroid Surgeon, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

Support Plymouth Cancer Laryngectomees Group Newsletter

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