LetteroftheWeek
Have strong opinions, write in an engaging way? You could win our Letter of the Week, and with it a book from our friends and sponsors, the publishers HarperCollins. This month’s book prize is Cross her Heart by Sarah Pinborough. Some secrets are worth dying for – the mind-blowing thriller from the author of the bestselling Behind Her Eyes.
Rules: Best letter competition runs untill January 19 next year. Entries close each Thursday at 5pm. The winner is selected by 2pm each Friday. Book of the month valued up to $49. Entrants agree to the Competition Terms and Conditions located at www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/ entertainment/competitions, and our privacy policy. Entrants consent to their information being shared with HarperCollins for the express purpose of delivering prizes.
AROUND 340 Queenslanders are told that they have brain cancer every year.
More research is needed to understand the causes and improve survival rates.
Brain cancer continues to place a significant burden on those diagnosed, and their friends and family.
It’s one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in people under the age of 39, with five-year survival at less than 25 per cent.
Research into this disease is vital to help determine the causes and ultimately save lives.
Brain cancers include primary brain tumours arising in the brain itself, or secondary tumours, spread from another part of the body. Brain tumours can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).
The effects of brain cancer are varied and usually depend on the type of tumour, the size and location in the brain. Often patients experience changes to behaviour, personality and cognition. They may also have to deal with a poor prognosis, fear of recurrence and long-term side-effects.
Cancer Council Queensland continues to invest in brain cancer research, yet more funding and awareness is needed to help identify people at risk, provide optimum treatment options and help develop new therapies and procedures that will extend the lives of brain cancer patients.
The causes are mostly unknown, however, there are known risk factors including family history. Currently, there is no screening for brain cancer available.
Symptoms can include headaches, difficulty speaking or remembering words, disturbed vision, hearing, smell or taste, seizures, weakness, loss of balance, irritability and nausea.
Brain cancer may be treated with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy – however, as treatment can be complex, patients need a great deal of support and information to assist them through their journey.
In an effort to support brain cancer patients, Cancer Council Queensland, through a project led by Griffith University’s School of Applied Psychology, will facilitate a randomised clinical trial of a telehealth intervention focused on improving access to specialised psychosocial support for the brain tumour population within existing services.
If the trial is successful, this approach will be integrated into standard care, making this muchneeded support more widely available for all patients, no matter where they live.
Cancer Council Queensland also continues to provide cancer information, emotional and practical support through the Brain Tumour Support Service to anyone impacted by brain cancer.
This week is Brain Cancer Action Week (May 6-12) – a valuable reminder of the importance of raising awareness of brain cancer and raising funds to ensure that those affected have the support and care they need.
If you or somebody you love has been affected by brain cancer, or for information on the Brain Tumour Support Service, visit cancerqld.org.au or phone 13 11 20. CHRIS MCMILLAN CEO, CANCER COUNCIL QLD WE are all indebted to our lifesavers who perform magnificently throughout the ‘season’ protecting and saving lives. (GCB May 5-6).
One hundred saved at Surfers Paradise alone is 100 too many. No doubt many of these are overseas tourists who do not realise how dangerous surf can be.
What I find quite depressing is the fact that a large number of children who were rescued were swimming outside the flags and had no parental supervision.
When parents fail to protect their own flesh and blood, it beggars belief who they expect to do it.
Rips and strong swells can put even capable swimmers in danger so how do parents expect their kids to be safe?
No one surely wants a tragedy to bring parents to their senses! KEN JOHNSTON ROCHEDALE SOUTH THIS time Kylie Lang is obsessed by creepy blokes who meet chicks online (‘Facebook dating feature great news for creeps’, GCB, 5/5/18).
It’s like this: the guys are supplying a desperate need. Hasn’t Ms Lang heard of quid pro quo?
It’s like this: I’ve kept myself ship-shape for yonks, waiting for Ms Right, but whatever, l’m not really choosy, as long as she smells nice.
l only have 3 requirements apart from smelling nice: she buys me a fully-maintained Bentley convertible every 4 years, takes me on a variety of first class OS travel, and l don’t have to have much to do with her rellies, if at all.
So l’m waiting. DAVID HALL, COOMBABAH