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Post by JC on Feb 22, 2011 8:14:43 GMT -5
On the news yesterday I saw a story of medical research currently going on to figure out how to grow breast tissue back for women who have had a mastectomy.
Ok I realize that breast cancer is a devastating and sometimes fatal cancer, but WTF??? Grow back the breast tissue? Is that really where our priority is in medicine right now??
What about us? What about all of the millions and millions of people who suffer with chronic illnesses with no cure??
And we make it a priority to grow breasts???
Am I crazy or are any of you out there just as pissed off about this as I am?
WHAT ABOUT US?!?!?!?!?!
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Post by Shannon Elizabeth on Feb 22, 2011 12:03:40 GMT -5
I AGREE! Its totally dumb because altho they may be in emotional distress, but were physically in pain!!! Agh.
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Post by omaklackey on Feb 22, 2011 12:20:15 GMT -5
I'm not saying this is a good use of money, but I do find it interesting how many of us said we would get "boob" jobs on our plastic surgery thread. I bet its just that it would be a popular thing to have a fix for so they can get money for it. Still stupid, but it makes sense in a totally mixed up sort of way.
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Post by pretty on Feb 22, 2011 13:02:15 GMT -5
My friend Amy, who's my age, had breast cancer almost 5 years ago and has had a double mastectomy - she wears prosthetic breasts, is lonely and single and (obviously) shy about meeting someone... since it's so personal, etc. Anyway she has Lupus as well, and so has all the chronic pain/invisible disease repercussions wehave here too. I'm not saying that cosmetic improvements to someone with missing breast is as vital as finding cures for endo, RA, Lupus, etc, but just to show perspective. i know for Amy, having her breasts back would really improve her life, but I know she's just grateful to be alive.... anyhow, perspective always helps.
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Post by JC on Feb 22, 2011 13:51:33 GMT -5
I'm not saying it's not sad and life altering to have your breasts removed from cancer at all. Of course it's sad. My point was that there are so many diseases out there, so many devastating illnesses that get ZERO help, why would we put our focus on something like this?
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Post by ouchy2 on Feb 22, 2011 13:55:59 GMT -5
It's all about the boobies. LOL
If the funding is from private donors, I guess the donors can pick and choose, so they pick something well-known that can generate lots of funds. Breast cancer is so well-known, and endometriosis, well, not so much. Sucks, but research is where the funding is. Just like in universities.
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Post by pretty on Feb 22, 2011 13:58:55 GMT -5
No Jenay, I agree with you. lol
What next you ask? next it will be testicle prostheses lol. For ball-ectomies.
They have 'em.
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Post by JC on Feb 22, 2011 20:25:30 GMT -5
I'm guessing they already exist. lol
I was in my endocrine class and believe it or not, researchers are looking to treat the male version of menopause. They call it hypogonadism. LOL
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cinna
New Member
Posts: 25
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Post by cinna on Feb 22, 2011 22:27:26 GMT -5
Hm. Maybe we need to focus on the growing tissue part and not necessarily the boobie part. If they can figure out how to grow tissue maybe they can grow other stuff? Put me down for a new digestive and reproduction system! Lol.
But I definitely agree 100% on how other illnesses aren't getting the attention, research and funding they need and deserve. Especially things that affect our everyday life.
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Post by JC on Feb 23, 2011 7:01:32 GMT -5
What you're talking about is regenerative medicine. There's a lot of research going on right now on how to re-grow body parts which I find absolutely fascinating. Imagine being able to grow your own kidney back after losing it to kidney failure? Now THAT'S something I think is deserving of some attention.
There are animals out there that can regenerate body parts which are usually the object of study in these research projects. The most common one known is how lizards can grow back their tails if you cut it off. There are some organisms that can be cut in half and are still able to grow that part of their body back. Creepy!
The problem with regenerative medicine is that they can grow these tissues but they don't know how to tell the cells to STOP growing, which results in cancer because the cells divide endlessly and get bigger and bigger. That's the current challenge in trying to figure out how to grow back human tissues; telling it when to stop once it's complete.
Anyways, enough nerd talk. LOL. We had to study this crap in school which is why I can endlessly ramble about it. ;D
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Post by pretty on Feb 23, 2011 16:21:32 GMT -5
maybe when they figure out how to tell cells to stop growing, they could tell endo to stop growing! cool!
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Post by JC on Feb 23, 2011 17:32:13 GMT -5
YAY! That'd be awesome!!
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Post by JC on Feb 24, 2011 8:25:12 GMT -5
Actually, now that I think about it, if they figure out how to turn off cell growth then all cancer would be cured. Funny how endo behaves so much like cancer.  |
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Post by Heather on Mar 14, 2011 13:29:25 GMT -5
We already have regenerative properties, they're just not as advanced as lower lifeforms. We regrow our skin, and sometimes muscle tissue, if it is damage (cuts, scrapes, etc). There is a product on the market that allows for total regrowth of superficial wounds--I wanted to try it for my dog's ears. The brother of the guy who made it lost the end of his finger in a model airplane accident, and using this technology, was able to regrow the entire thing. They are still learning what this treatment can do though.
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Post by JC on Mar 14, 2011 17:46:46 GMT -5
Hey our endometriums grow back once a month!
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