Jonathan "JJ" Jowitt’s Post

Complete and utter devastation. A month ago, NHS England sent letters to a group of women, essentially informing them that they been failed. Between 1962 and 2003, radiotherapy treatment was provided to 1,487 women who were being treated for Hodgkin lymphoma. In 2003, the NHS became aware that these women were at very-high risk of breast cancer and so, they were to be invited for annual MRI scans and, at the appropriate time, a mammogram. It has now become clear that many of those 1,487 women were never contacted or invited onto the very high-risk programme. The consequences of this will be significant. Certainly some of the women in this group will already have passed away. Many of those that are alive will have developed breast cancer in the last 21 years and in some instances, the cancer will have been treated very aggressively. Each individual's own circumstances will be unique but there will undoubtedly be a number of instances where the situation would have been different, had that individual been contacted in 2003 as necessary. I have written about the situation in more detail on the Lennons Solicitors website and will post a link to my article in the comments. If you are affected by this, or by something similar, please feel free to send me a message to see how I might be able to assist. #LennonsSolicitors #medicalnegligence #clinicalnegligence

Today, as part of our “Survivor Voices” series, we are grateful for the opportunity to share the story of  primary bone lymphoma (PBL) survivor, Kate. Kate, who was diagnosed in 2023, looks back on her experience and diagnosis with gratitude and at a future with a new outlook on life. After having knee pain that prohibited her from bending her knee, Kate’s husband recommended she see a doctor and get it looked at. “After two months of countless tests, I finally got my diagnosis. It turns out, I have an extremely rare type of lymphoma called primary lymphoma of the bone. PLB originates from the bone marrow rather than a lymph node. There is not much research on it, hence why it took so long to confirm my diagnosis. Once my diagnosis was confirmed, I was ready to rock and roll and get started on whatever treatment plan was getting thrown at me” After active treatment, Kate found that her perspective on life really changed. “Survivorship to me, means adapting to a new normal, where physical and emotional scars remain, but where resilience and hope also thrive. It’s about learning to embrace life with a new perspective, cherishing every moment, and finding joy in the small victories. It also means facing ongoing fears and uncertainties, but doing so with a sense of empowerment and determination.” While survivorship is never linear or a one-size-fits-all, Kate is grateful for the lessons that she’s learned over the course of her journey, thus far. “Surviving cancer has profoundly transformed my outlook (on life). Survivorship has taught me to treasure each moment and focus on what truly matters. I’ve come to value the small victories and find joy in every day. Cancer has also shown me the importance of embracing vulnerability. In a world where everyone often showcases their "highlight reel," I've discovered that being open about my own struggles helps me connect deeply with others facing their own challenges. We all have our battles, and it's through genuine human connection and support that we navigate them together.” To read the rest of Kate’s story, visit our blog: https://lnkd.in/e9eGNNMS

I can't quite put into words how honored I feel to have been trusted to tell the story of Kickin' Cancer's 2024 recipient, Perla, who is battling ovarian cancer. After interviewing her, I can confidently say that her optimism is contagious and her wisdom is plain to see. Read here to learn about her journey and what you can do to stay aware and understand symptoms. https://lnkd.in/e9RMRMtH

Join our supportive gynecologic cancer community at Smart Patients. Are you navigating the journey of gynecologic cancer? Whether you're facing ovarian, uterine, cervical, vulvar, or vaginal cancer, you're not alone. Our dedicated Smart Patients community welcomes you to join a space filled with understanding, support, and trusted resources. Here, you'll find a welcoming environment to share your experiences, gain insights from others who truly understand what you're going through, and access a wealth of information tailored to your needs. From the latest research findings to personal stories of resilience and recovery, our gyn cancer community is here to support you at every stage of your journey. Connect with individuals who've walked paths similar to yours, discover new coping strategies, and share your own knowledge and experiences to help others. Together, we can navigate the complexities of gynecologic cancers with strength, hope, and mutual support. Don't face this alone—join Smart Patients today and become part of a community that cares deeply about your well-being. We're here to move forward stronger together. #GynecologicCancerCommunity #OvarianCancer #UterineCancer #CervicalCancer #VulvarCancer #VaginalCancer #SmartPatients

Let’s clear the air… Myth - If you’re healthy, you don’t need a Pap smear. Truth - Pap smears are key in detecting changes in the cervix before they become cancerous – and that’s crucial for everyone. Myth - No symptoms mean no cervical cancer. Truth - Cervical cancer can be asymptomatic in early stages. Regular screenings are the best way to catch it early. Myth - Cervical cancer is untreatable. Truth - When caught early, cervical cancer has high treatment success rates. SHARE this post with other youth-serving professionals, parents/caregivers, and young people.

Breast cancer risks increase significantly with age starting from 40 years of age up to 70 years Older age is one of the important risk factors for breast cancer Recommended breast screening should start at 40 years of age - mammograms should occur yearly between 40 to 50 years because picking up aggressive cancers earlier reduces death rates by 10% Recommended breast screening is 2 yearly in women between 50 to 75 years if ones risk is average One should not stop mammograms as you get older as rates of breast cancer increase significantly in women older than 70 years to more than 4%, with a cancer diagnosis in 1 in 3 women Therefore, continue mammograms indefinitely, THEY SAVE LIVES.. #mammogram #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness

Tomorrow is Rare Cancer Awareness Day. Did you know that 1 in 4 cancers diagnosed in Australia are classified as a rare or less common cancer? Imagine you’ve been diagnosed with a cancer so rare that nobody has even heard of it. That’s the reality for many people diagnosed with rare cancer. They must navigate a complex health system with limited information and little support, and often face huge financial burdens. It’s easy to see how these Australians can feel isolated, scared and lost. That is why the work of organisations like Rare Cancers Australia is crucial - They understand that some peoples cancer is as individual as their fingerprint. Learn more here: https://buff.ly/3RqWC1R

Very happy and excited to share this wonderful guest blog by Namiko Sakamoto about her own cancer journey, and how things changed and she transformed along the way ❤️ ! GUEST BLOG: "Then there was hope". By Namiko Sakamoto #NewfoundlandAndLabrador #Cancer #Hope #LivedExperience #PublicOutreach #SharingExperiences #Stories #PublicEngagement #Blogging #PublicInterestGroupOnCancerResearch https://lnkd.in/eaNwtn53

"If breast cancer is detected before it reaches 15mm, the survival rate for most women is 95%." - Gerald Lip Thanks to the assistance of AI, doctors are now able to detect and treat breast cancer earlier. Great to see our partnership with Kheiron Medical and the NHS go from strength to strength The full article is here https://lnkd.in/ezngvAj8 And check out this video to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gMgZyz2J #EraofAI #PrecisionMedicine #Productivity #NHS

From the American Cancer Society... While colorectal cancer rates in people 65 and older have been dropping each year, rates for people younger than 55 have actually been increasing for the past three decades.  The number is 1-2% a year! But there’s good news! 55% of all colorectal cancer cases are potentially preventable with lifestyle changes. Regular screening tests may also prevent cases and catch cancer early - when treatment outcomes are better. Experts recommend that people start getting regularly screened for cancer at age 45, but talk to your doctor about starting screening sooner if you think you may have a family history or other risk factors.  I encourage everyone to get screened based on the new guidelines! Early detection increases your probability of a full recovery. I was lucky to have mine caught when I went for my routine colonoscopy at age 50.