Wasn't sure where to place this as it applies to everyone.

We often knock Consultants and doctors, feeling they are not committed to their work but I have just purchased a brilliant album of songs called "TAKE A DEEP BREATH"

It was written and is played by the Professor of Oncology Research at the Cancer Centre here in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

I am not here on a promotion drive but to say most physicians are doing their best to treat and to research new methods of treatment. This is a neat way to do it and to support patients and carers alike. This is the link.

http://www.friendsofthecancercentre....a-deep-breath/

Melanoma warning signs.

A B C D E List from Cancer.net

• Asymmetry. The shape of one-half of the mole does not match the other.
  
• Border. The edges are ragged, notched, uneven, or blurred.
  
• Color. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, or blue may also be seen.
  
• Diameter. The diameter is usually larger than 6 millimeters (mm) or has grown in size. This is about 1/4 inch in diameter, about the size of a pencil eraser. Melanoma may be smaller when it is first detected.
  
• Evolving. The mole has been changing in size, shape, color, or appearance, or it is growing in an area of previously normal skin. Also, when melanoma develops in an existing mole, the texture of the mole may change and become hard or lumpy. The skin lesion may feel different and may itch, ooze, or bleed, but a melanoma skin lesion usually does not cause pain.

There are revolutionary new treatments available for melanoma now.
Take care of your skin.

4 Cancer Models and Grape Seed Extract - Breast, Prostate, Colon, Skin Types

Anticancer and Cancer Chemopreventive Potential of Grape Seed Extract and Other Grape-Based Products

This may be printed here elsewhere but I'll place it here too. Grape Seed Extract has been in research on the above cancers and the MAIN reason I started taking it 26 yrs now is we were told "may prevent cancers"..... I got with it and have NEVER regretted my decision.

The Genetics of Cancer - NIH National Cancer Institute
Genetic Changes and Cancer
Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
Genetic Tests for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
Identifying Genetic Changes in Cancer

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Here at the link I'm posting above is some excellent information regarding the genetics of cancer.

In my own type of cancer (Stage 4 melanoma) I have a mutation in the BRAF gene. This means that my mutation has allowed aggressive growth. It's called being BRAF positive and having that come back positive can then be used to direct cancer treatments.

Despite common opinion, not all cancer treatments are Chemotherapy and not all patients in treatment for cancer are immunosuppressed.

Fortunately with new research there are now treatments such as the one I am getting (Immunotherapy) that teaches my own immune system to put on the brakes of the aggressive tumour growth. There are also Targeted Therapies, other treatments used in BRAF positive patients. These two types of treatment work in a totally different way from Chemotherapy

I post this information because I think it is extremely important that people who are diagnosed, and told they will not survive, know that there are treatments available for such serious type of cancer as metastatic melanoma and thankfully I'm one of the fortunate ones to have the treatment be successful so far. Sadly it doesn't work for everyone but that's where genetics comes into it.