Hi Mark - Interesting topic. Like Mary K, I am another one for whom CML is the secondary cancer. (I used to think I had already paid my cancer dues, but apparently like the rest of life, cancer isn't fair either). I was dxed with Hodgkins exactly 10 years ago. The radiation treatment probably had something to do with my CML, but the docs still maintain that they are two separate and unrelated cancers. So yes, I definitely think that my immune system is the culprit. And therefore, I have made some major lifestyle changes to try to improve the strength of it. For me, I think the way I naturally handle stress uses up too much of my body's cortisol, which is the same hormone used to fight disease in the body. I have always been a stressed-out/worry- wart/over-acheiver type, and I am very conscious of that behavior now. Plus, since my CML dx, I moved out of the city, tele-commute instead of sit in traffic, avoid getting caught up in office politics, practice yoga, drink green tea, eat whole foods and take a lot of deep breaths before getting all worked up, which usually allows me to put it all in perspective. But Cheryl-Anne is right, you can only do so much, and ultimately que sera sera. Erin in MI dx 12/01, CCR since 5/02, PCRU since 9/02
--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "knottsm156" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Mark: > > For me CML is the second kind of cancer I have had to deal with. I > had a spinal cord tumor removed 18 years ago. Fortunately it has not > recurred but I believe that the radiation therapy that I had is what > caused my CML. So I have had 2 totally unrelated cancers. > > My neurologist told me that at St. Judes Children's Hospital they are > seeing secondary cancers in children already treated. > > I have always been diligent about getting a mammogram and annual > physical because my grandmother died from breast cancer. > > Mary K > > > > I figured that after the recent posts that people might like to > have something new to discuss :) > > > > As I've been reading about CML and cancer in general, one thing > that has struck me is the number of people that have had cancers > either recur or who have contracted multiple forms of seeming > unrelated cancers. One case particularly really struck me which was > a CML patient that has also had to deal with breast and lung cancer. > > > > Given the success of Interferon in treating Leukemia, the fact that > many in the general population test PCR postive for BCR-ABL but do > not contract CML and the knowledge that the graft-vs-leukemia effect > is at the root of the success of SCT. It seems likely that the > immune system in all of us has been compromised in some way. > > > > In addition to (or perhaps in place of) a compromised immune system > some of us may also have gained mutations in our tumor suppressing > genes such as P53 which would also seem to make recurring cancers > more likely. > > > > With the advent of Gleevec, BMS-354825, AML-107, etc. drugs we CML > warriors will not likely die (at least not in the short term) from > CML. But if we live for 15+ years I'm wondering if we have greatly > increased chances of contracting other forms of cancers for which > effective treatments do not exist. > > > > I realize that this is a depressing thought and one which isn't > conclusively proven. But if we realize that there is an increased > chance we should take appropriate screening tests (more frequent > exams, etc.). > > > > I'm curious to hear everyones thoughts about this and if they have > known other patients who have had multiple forms of seemingly > unrelated cancers. > > > > Regards, > > Mark > > > > dx'ed 4/29/04 > > (20/20) 100% Ph+ > > Currently on 400mg IM > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Do you Yahoo!? > > vote.yahoo.com - Register online to vote today! ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/8zSolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> New! Sign up for local CML support group meetings in your local community at http://cml.meetup.com Apply for Commercial Real Estate loans online and submit your deal to dozens of hungry lenders in just minutes. Loan programs for all types of business and commercial real estate. Apply anytime at http://realestatezoo.com CML (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Support List) --------------------------------- Part Of CMLHope.Com An International Community Of CML Patients For more information: http://cmlhope.com Post Message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To No Mail/Web: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Digest: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] CML Group Web Site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
