› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Help finding an article(s)
- This topic has 33 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 1 month ago by JerryfromFauq.
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- August 21, 2012 at 9:15 pm
We are hoping some of the “researchers” on here can help us. My husband had a skin melanoma removed in 1997. He was in the military for 10+ years, spending 14 months in Iraq. With the exception of this time in Iraq, he has spent the majority of his time indoors ( he is an engineer). In 2011, he progressed to stage 4, multiple surgeries, Yervoy, and Zelboraf and right now, he is NED:). We are trying to find some sort of research article stating that the extreme sun exposure he had in Iraq could have contributed to his melanoma spreading.We are hoping some of the “researchers” on here can help us. My husband had a skin melanoma removed in 1997. He was in the military for 10+ years, spending 14 months in Iraq. With the exception of this time in Iraq, he has spent the majority of his time indoors ( he is an engineer). In 2011, he progressed to stage 4, multiple surgeries, Yervoy, and Zelboraf and right now, he is NED:). We are trying to find some sort of research article stating that the extreme sun exposure he had in Iraq could have contributed to his melanoma spreading. His melanoma specialist has already written a letter stating this fact, but we need some sort of research showing the same. We would be so appreciative of any help that can be offered.
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- August 21, 2012 at 10:33 pm
Good luck. I've never seen any research that has shown UV exposure causes metastasis, only primary melanoma. Not to say there isn't any, but I've never run across anything along those lines in over 10 years on this site. In fact, I've often considered it quite ironic that melanoma warriors hide in the dark after a diagnosis – the horse is already out of the barn. If you find any supporting documentation, please share it here as it isn't something I've seen posted here before.
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- August 21, 2012 at 10:33 pm
Good luck. I've never seen any research that has shown UV exposure causes metastasis, only primary melanoma. Not to say there isn't any, but I've never run across anything along those lines in over 10 years on this site. In fact, I've often considered it quite ironic that melanoma warriors hide in the dark after a diagnosis – the horse is already out of the barn. If you find any supporting documentation, please share it here as it isn't something I've seen posted here before.
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- August 22, 2012 at 2:33 am
It's your call. Sun damage will most likely occur with continued sun exposure and that includes the other types of skin cancer. Having melanoma raises the risk for those other skin cancers. Excising those cancers can be more disfiguring that melanoma as they tend to occur in very obvious sun exposed areas. In addition, multiple primaries can occur although only in a smaller population (<10%). People who have a genetic defect for melanoma or dysplastic nevus syndrome seem to be at highest risk for multiple primaries (genetic mutation may be more important than sun exposure).
I've known people to almost become reclusive after a diagnosis. But as I stated before, I've never seen any studies which say more sun would increase the risk for metastasis. I have a genetic defect for melanoma and was given a 76% lifetime risk of getting melanoma. I had my share of sunburns growing up, but with that type of risk I hardly worry that the sun is my main enemy. (I've had 3 primaries). I'm not very sun tolerant anymore, but I have no problems walking out my door with no sun block on. If I know I have potential to burn, I cover up. Maybe use sun block but only when covering up just isn't practical. I try to avoid getting color although my arms will get some. This is what works for me and is my comfort zone. Everyone else needs to work out what makes sense to them. I think that controlling sun exposure IS something that we can control – and you can't say that with much of anything when discussing cancer. That's also why people change their diets, habits, etc. – they get a sense of control over something where there is little control.
So should you avoid the sun? I don't know. I only know what works for me based on what I've researched. Your mileage can and will vary!
Janner
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- August 22, 2012 at 2:33 am
It's your call. Sun damage will most likely occur with continued sun exposure and that includes the other types of skin cancer. Having melanoma raises the risk for those other skin cancers. Excising those cancers can be more disfiguring that melanoma as they tend to occur in very obvious sun exposed areas. In addition, multiple primaries can occur although only in a smaller population (<10%). People who have a genetic defect for melanoma or dysplastic nevus syndrome seem to be at highest risk for multiple primaries (genetic mutation may be more important than sun exposure).
I've known people to almost become reclusive after a diagnosis. But as I stated before, I've never seen any studies which say more sun would increase the risk for metastasis. I have a genetic defect for melanoma and was given a 76% lifetime risk of getting melanoma. I had my share of sunburns growing up, but with that type of risk I hardly worry that the sun is my main enemy. (I've had 3 primaries). I'm not very sun tolerant anymore, but I have no problems walking out my door with no sun block on. If I know I have potential to burn, I cover up. Maybe use sun block but only when covering up just isn't practical. I try to avoid getting color although my arms will get some. This is what works for me and is my comfort zone. Everyone else needs to work out what makes sense to them. I think that controlling sun exposure IS something that we can control – and you can't say that with much of anything when discussing cancer. That's also why people change their diets, habits, etc. – they get a sense of control over something where there is little control.
So should you avoid the sun? I don't know. I only know what works for me based on what I've researched. Your mileage can and will vary!
Janner
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- August 22, 2012 at 2:33 am
It's your call. Sun damage will most likely occur with continued sun exposure and that includes the other types of skin cancer. Having melanoma raises the risk for those other skin cancers. Excising those cancers can be more disfiguring that melanoma as they tend to occur in very obvious sun exposed areas. In addition, multiple primaries can occur although only in a smaller population (<10%). People who have a genetic defect for melanoma or dysplastic nevus syndrome seem to be at highest risk for multiple primaries (genetic mutation may be more important than sun exposure).
I've known people to almost become reclusive after a diagnosis. But as I stated before, I've never seen any studies which say more sun would increase the risk for metastasis. I have a genetic defect for melanoma and was given a 76% lifetime risk of getting melanoma. I had my share of sunburns growing up, but with that type of risk I hardly worry that the sun is my main enemy. (I've had 3 primaries). I'm not very sun tolerant anymore, but I have no problems walking out my door with no sun block on. If I know I have potential to burn, I cover up. Maybe use sun block but only when covering up just isn't practical. I try to avoid getting color although my arms will get some. This is what works for me and is my comfort zone. Everyone else needs to work out what makes sense to them. I think that controlling sun exposure IS something that we can control – and you can't say that with much of anything when discussing cancer. That's also why people change their diets, habits, etc. – they get a sense of control over something where there is little control.
So should you avoid the sun? I don't know. I only know what works for me based on what I've researched. Your mileage can and will vary!
Janner
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- August 21, 2012 at 10:33 pm
Good luck. I've never seen any research that has shown UV exposure causes metastasis, only primary melanoma. Not to say there isn't any, but I've never run across anything along those lines in over 10 years on this site. In fact, I've often considered it quite ironic that melanoma warriors hide in the dark after a diagnosis – the horse is already out of the barn. If you find any supporting documentation, please share it here as it isn't something I've seen posted here before.
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- August 22, 2012 at 12:23 am
Well it is not going to affect spreading but:
Department of Defense: Troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other regions with intense sun exposure are at long-term risk for melanoma. In 2008, melanoma and skin cancer joined breast, prostate and ovarian cancers in the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).
CDMRP represent a unique partnership among the public, Congress and the military. It was established within the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command in 1993, when Congress, in response to grassroots advocacy efforts, tasked the Defense Department with developing and managing an innovative breast cancer program. Since 1993, CDMRP has grown to include programs aimed at other major diseases, including prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and autism.
All CDMRP programs are conducted according to a two-tier review model recommended by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine. The first-tier is a peer review of proposals against established criteria for determining scientific and technical merit. The second-tier is a programmatic review, conducted by members of the Integration Panel (an advisory board of leading scientists, clinicians, and consumer advocates), that compares proposals against each other and recommends submissions for funding based on scientific merit, relative innovation and impact, portfolio balance, and overall program goals.
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- August 22, 2012 at 12:23 am
Well it is not going to affect spreading but:
Department of Defense: Troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other regions with intense sun exposure are at long-term risk for melanoma. In 2008, melanoma and skin cancer joined breast, prostate and ovarian cancers in the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).
CDMRP represent a unique partnership among the public, Congress and the military. It was established within the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command in 1993, when Congress, in response to grassroots advocacy efforts, tasked the Defense Department with developing and managing an innovative breast cancer program. Since 1993, CDMRP has grown to include programs aimed at other major diseases, including prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and autism.
All CDMRP programs are conducted according to a two-tier review model recommended by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine. The first-tier is a peer review of proposals against established criteria for determining scientific and technical merit. The second-tier is a programmatic review, conducted by members of the Integration Panel (an advisory board of leading scientists, clinicians, and consumer advocates), that compares proposals against each other and recommends submissions for funding based on scientific merit, relative innovation and impact, portfolio balance, and overall program goals.
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- August 22, 2012 at 12:23 am
Well it is not going to affect spreading but:
Department of Defense: Troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other regions with intense sun exposure are at long-term risk for melanoma. In 2008, melanoma and skin cancer joined breast, prostate and ovarian cancers in the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).
CDMRP represent a unique partnership among the public, Congress and the military. It was established within the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command in 1993, when Congress, in response to grassroots advocacy efforts, tasked the Defense Department with developing and managing an innovative breast cancer program. Since 1993, CDMRP has grown to include programs aimed at other major diseases, including prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and autism.
All CDMRP programs are conducted according to a two-tier review model recommended by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine. The first-tier is a peer review of proposals against established criteria for determining scientific and technical merit. The second-tier is a programmatic review, conducted by members of the Integration Panel (an advisory board of leading scientists, clinicians, and consumer advocates), that compares proposals against each other and recommends submissions for funding based on scientific merit, relative innovation and impact, portfolio balance, and overall program goals.
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- August 22, 2012 at 12:29 am
I have seen research somewhere showing those that had intermittent sun exposure, like sun bathers vs roofers, have more of a chance of getting skin cancer. Maybe someone has that study archived. But if Janners interpretation of your request was correct, then I have never seen any studies dealing with metastasis.
Mary
Stage3
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- August 22, 2012 at 12:29 am
I have seen research somewhere showing those that had intermittent sun exposure, like sun bathers vs roofers, have more of a chance of getting skin cancer. Maybe someone has that study archived. But if Janners interpretation of your request was correct, then I have never seen any studies dealing with metastasis.
Mary
Stage3
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- August 22, 2012 at 12:29 am
I have seen research somewhere showing those that had intermittent sun exposure, like sun bathers vs roofers, have more of a chance of getting skin cancer. Maybe someone has that study archived. But if Janners interpretation of your request was correct, then I have never seen any studies dealing with metastasis.
Mary
Stage3
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- August 22, 2012 at 1:07 am
Just curious, did he use sunscreen/sunblock when he was in all that sun? If so the real cause of his melanoma could have been caused by all of the chemicals that were baked into his skin from the sunscreen. Here are two links worth considering, see:
I have never read anywhere that melanoma is positively caused by the sun alone.Thank your husband from me for helping to keep our country free.
Best wishes to both of you
Gene
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- August 22, 2012 at 1:07 am
Just curious, did he use sunscreen/sunblock when he was in all that sun? If so the real cause of his melanoma could have been caused by all of the chemicals that were baked into his skin from the sunscreen. Here are two links worth considering, see:
I have never read anywhere that melanoma is positively caused by the sun alone.Thank your husband from me for helping to keep our country free.
Best wishes to both of you
Gene
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- August 22, 2012 at 1:07 am
Just curious, did he use sunscreen/sunblock when he was in all that sun? If so the real cause of his melanoma could have been caused by all of the chemicals that were baked into his skin from the sunscreen. Here are two links worth considering, see:
I have never read anywhere that melanoma is positively caused by the sun alone.Thank your husband from me for helping to keep our country free.
Best wishes to both of you
Gene
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- August 22, 2012 at 2:55 am
ASn Kanner stated, I have never seen any reports/studies that relate continued, mild expesure to the suns rays to the metastisis of Melanoma. I was basically at stage Iv when my melanoma was diagnosed and have not greatly changed my sun exposure actions. I did not sunburn before and have not sunburned since having melanoma. In seldom wear any sunscreening (unless expecting to be in the sun for extremely long times). For me, a couple of hours is not long. I do not turn red in that time. I do strongly urge all (ESPECIALLY people like my many times badly sunburned, light skinned, blonde haired wife) to wear sunscreen avoid chance of getting sunburns. For my wife 15 minutes of exposure to strong direct sunlight will cause reddening and shortly afterwards burns.
I know that I disagree with many Dermatoligsts that urge people to avoid the sun, especially after being diagnosed with melanoma.
Did your husband get sunburns in Iraq? Were any new primary tumors found?
The one interesting item I have seen regards the Melanoma rate in military members from the World War II. The Military members in the Pacific suffered a 30% increase in developing Melanoma over that of the military serving i n Europe.
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- August 22, 2012 at 2:55 am
ASn Kanner stated, I have never seen any reports/studies that relate continued, mild expesure to the suns rays to the metastisis of Melanoma. I was basically at stage Iv when my melanoma was diagnosed and have not greatly changed my sun exposure actions. I did not sunburn before and have not sunburned since having melanoma. In seldom wear any sunscreening (unless expecting to be in the sun for extremely long times). For me, a couple of hours is not long. I do not turn red in that time. I do strongly urge all (ESPECIALLY people like my many times badly sunburned, light skinned, blonde haired wife) to wear sunscreen avoid chance of getting sunburns. For my wife 15 minutes of exposure to strong direct sunlight will cause reddening and shortly afterwards burns.
I know that I disagree with many Dermatoligsts that urge people to avoid the sun, especially after being diagnosed with melanoma.
Did your husband get sunburns in Iraq? Were any new primary tumors found?
The one interesting item I have seen regards the Melanoma rate in military members from the World War II. The Military members in the Pacific suffered a 30% increase in developing Melanoma over that of the military serving i n Europe.
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- August 22, 2012 at 2:55 am
ASn Kanner stated, I have never seen any reports/studies that relate continued, mild expesure to the suns rays to the metastisis of Melanoma. I was basically at stage Iv when my melanoma was diagnosed and have not greatly changed my sun exposure actions. I did not sunburn before and have not sunburned since having melanoma. In seldom wear any sunscreening (unless expecting to be in the sun for extremely long times). For me, a couple of hours is not long. I do not turn red in that time. I do strongly urge all (ESPECIALLY people like my many times badly sunburned, light skinned, blonde haired wife) to wear sunscreen avoid chance of getting sunburns. For my wife 15 minutes of exposure to strong direct sunlight will cause reddening and shortly afterwards burns.
I know that I disagree with many Dermatoligsts that urge people to avoid the sun, especially after being diagnosed with melanoma.
Did your husband get sunburns in Iraq? Were any new primary tumors found?
The one interesting item I have seen regards the Melanoma rate in military members from the World War II. The Military members in the Pacific suffered a 30% increase in developing Melanoma over that of the military serving i n Europe.
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- August 22, 2012 at 10:57 am
Wow…you all are so knowledgable. Thank you. My husband had mulltiple sunburns in Iraq…no sunscreen was provided and they were out all day in the sun. The doctors are assuming that the the stage 4 dx is a reoccurrence not a 2nd primary. I didn’t realize that they didn’t encourage stage 1 patients to stay out of the sun….I assumed that was common knowledge. I guess I’m wrong. I guess the two of us know a lot about treatments, but not so much about the causes.Does know about articles that show they don’t know what the causes are?
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- August 22, 2012 at 10:57 am
Wow…you all are so knowledgable. Thank you. My husband had mulltiple sunburns in Iraq…no sunscreen was provided and they were out all day in the sun. The doctors are assuming that the the stage 4 dx is a reoccurrence not a 2nd primary. I didn’t realize that they didn’t encourage stage 1 patients to stay out of the sun….I assumed that was common knowledge. I guess I’m wrong. I guess the two of us know a lot about treatments, but not so much about the causes.Does know about articles that show they don’t know what the causes are?
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- August 22, 2012 at 10:57 am
Wow…you all are so knowledgable. Thank you. My husband had mulltiple sunburns in Iraq…no sunscreen was provided and they were out all day in the sun. The doctors are assuming that the the stage 4 dx is a reoccurrence not a 2nd primary. I didn’t realize that they didn’t encourage stage 1 patients to stay out of the sun….I assumed that was common knowledge. I guess I’m wrong. I guess the two of us know a lot about treatments, but not so much about the causes.Does know about articles that show they don’t know what the causes are?
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- August 22, 2012 at 6:57 pm
You have to watch the wording of most articles. Many times you will see that UVA/UVB rays are the cause of melanoma (implies that these are the only items that relate to melanoma). To get very technical, there have been reviews/studies that show a strong relationship between UVA/UVB rays being related to the occurrence of the DNA mutations that are melanoma. As far as UVA/UVB being the only thing that may have a relationship to Melanoma, I have my doubts. One day other relationships may be discovered. While this is likely, we need to watch the known relationship and not ask for trouble. I do not sunburn easily (Never had a real sunburn) and if you have read my profile, certainly never THERE!
Many primaries are never found. Primaries are found in areas that never saw enough light to even consider this an absolute and only cause of the DNA mutations we call melanoma. Melanoma primaries do occur in people's mouths (Tongue, gums, esophagus), Internal genital areas, etc as well as areas that have been exposed to the UVA/UVB rays (watch out for Tanning lights)
I have been saying and pushing for people to realize that Melanoma is definitely more than just a one stop problem. Melanoma may actually be a hundred different oncoprotein/DNA mutation problems. It is definently more than just one single thing. (Many cancers are being found to be more complicated and tied to types of DNA mutations and onco proteins, not only to a certain "type " cancer.
If I can find time I will try to look up some of the bookmarks that relate to this topic. (I hate dial-up internet access !)
Semper Fi.
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- August 22, 2012 at 6:57 pm
You have to watch the wording of most articles. Many times you will see that UVA/UVB rays are the cause of melanoma (implies that these are the only items that relate to melanoma). To get very technical, there have been reviews/studies that show a strong relationship between UVA/UVB rays being related to the occurrence of the DNA mutations that are melanoma. As far as UVA/UVB being the only thing that may have a relationship to Melanoma, I have my doubts. One day other relationships may be discovered. While this is likely, we need to watch the known relationship and not ask for trouble. I do not sunburn easily (Never had a real sunburn) and if you have read my profile, certainly never THERE!
Many primaries are never found. Primaries are found in areas that never saw enough light to even consider this an absolute and only cause of the DNA mutations we call melanoma. Melanoma primaries do occur in people's mouths (Tongue, gums, esophagus), Internal genital areas, etc as well as areas that have been exposed to the UVA/UVB rays (watch out for Tanning lights)
I have been saying and pushing for people to realize that Melanoma is definitely more than just a one stop problem. Melanoma may actually be a hundred different oncoprotein/DNA mutation problems. It is definently more than just one single thing. (Many cancers are being found to be more complicated and tied to types of DNA mutations and onco proteins, not only to a certain "type " cancer.
If I can find time I will try to look up some of the bookmarks that relate to this topic. (I hate dial-up internet access !)
Semper Fi.
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- August 22, 2012 at 6:57 pm
You have to watch the wording of most articles. Many times you will see that UVA/UVB rays are the cause of melanoma (implies that these are the only items that relate to melanoma). To get very technical, there have been reviews/studies that show a strong relationship between UVA/UVB rays being related to the occurrence of the DNA mutations that are melanoma. As far as UVA/UVB being the only thing that may have a relationship to Melanoma, I have my doubts. One day other relationships may be discovered. While this is likely, we need to watch the known relationship and not ask for trouble. I do not sunburn easily (Never had a real sunburn) and if you have read my profile, certainly never THERE!
Many primaries are never found. Primaries are found in areas that never saw enough light to even consider this an absolute and only cause of the DNA mutations we call melanoma. Melanoma primaries do occur in people's mouths (Tongue, gums, esophagus), Internal genital areas, etc as well as areas that have been exposed to the UVA/UVB rays (watch out for Tanning lights)
I have been saying and pushing for people to realize that Melanoma is definitely more than just a one stop problem. Melanoma may actually be a hundred different oncoprotein/DNA mutation problems. It is definently more than just one single thing. (Many cancers are being found to be more complicated and tied to types of DNA mutations and onco proteins, not only to a certain "type " cancer.
If I can find time I will try to look up some of the bookmarks that relate to this topic. (I hate dial-up internet access !)
Semper Fi.
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- February 6, 2013 at 12:43 pm
wow, 14 years later (1997 – 2011)? I thought if after 2 years things are ok then it's good. this is scary as a Stage I person to know you still have to worry even 14 years later. is there anything in my pathology i can look for to predict if that is likely to happen?
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- February 7, 2013 at 7:03 am
Janner can probably provide you the best answer. Between 90 and 95% of stage one people will not have either a new primary nor a later metastisis. So far who will have a re-appearance is not known. Most primaries and metastises are found by the patients ourselves. This is why I preach VIGILANCE. A few people have had their spread occur between 20 and 30 years after being "cleared".
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- February 7, 2013 at 7:03 am
Janner can probably provide you the best answer. Between 90 and 95% of stage one people will not have either a new primary nor a later metastisis. So far who will have a re-appearance is not known. Most primaries and metastises are found by the patients ourselves. This is why I preach VIGILANCE. A few people have had their spread occur between 20 and 30 years after being "cleared".
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- February 7, 2013 at 7:03 am
Janner can probably provide you the best answer. Between 90 and 95% of stage one people will not have either a new primary nor a later metastisis. So far who will have a re-appearance is not known. Most primaries and metastises are found by the patients ourselves. This is why I preach VIGILANCE. A few people have had their spread occur between 20 and 30 years after being "cleared".
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- February 6, 2013 at 12:43 pm
wow, 14 years later (1997 – 2011)? I thought if after 2 years things are ok then it's good. this is scary as a Stage I person to know you still have to worry even 14 years later. is there anything in my pathology i can look for to predict if that is likely to happen?
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- February 6, 2013 at 12:43 pm
wow, 14 years later (1997 – 2011)? I thought if after 2 years things are ok then it's good. this is scary as a Stage I person to know you still have to worry even 14 years later. is there anything in my pathology i can look for to predict if that is likely to happen?
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