Cancer is an emotive issue.
Such words as tumour, or even growth, have horrific connotations for all of us. We know the high risk of death, we fear the inherent pain and suffering, and not altogether paradoxically, we fear the trauma associated with cancer treatment. Eighteen months ago, my wife, Sally, became aware of a lump in her right breast, along with some hardened swelling in the adjacent under arm area. Within days she had consulted her GP, undergone a mammogram and ultrasound, been referred to a specialist who conducted a needle biopsy and been booked into hospital for exploratory surgery. Even though these events occurred very quickly there still seemed to be more than enough time for considerable anxiety.