Hi

My best friend has been diagnosed with advanced cancer of the bowel & ovaries. She is currently receiving chemo every 3 weeks which they will review after 3-4 treatments to see if surgery is a viable option.

Why have they not performed surgery first? Are they trying to shrink the cancers first?

Her husband has told me that they can not cure the cancer but can only hope to put it into remission. What is the difference? Does this mean she will never be well again? Is she likely to survive or should I prepare myself for the worst?

I really want to know how best to her help her as she has been my best friend for 20 years and I can't imagine being without her. She has always been there for me and now I want to be there for her.

Thanks

S

Hi S

Sorry you have had to wait for a reply but I am not online during the evening.

About your friend. It is quite common to treat tumours with chemotherapy to shrink them before surgery. Having the chemo every 3 weeks with a review after 3-4 treatments seems to be almost standard with this type of treatment approach. When the specialists say they can't cure but will hope to put the cancer into remission it means they won't operate but will work on keeping the size of the tumours under control and work to stop further tumours developing. That doesn't necessarily mean your friend will suffer, or even feel unwell. Very many people live for years with a cancer and can have normal lives.

Being less positive, your friend may lose the battle but believe me the oncology team will do their very best. It is worth realising that cancer treatments are improving all the time.

As to ways of helping her, be guided by how she feels and by the way the situation develops. Helping your friend and her husband to remain positive would be a wonderful help.