Cancer Can Kill Your Business Before It Kills You!

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Now I have your attention, this post is only a little bit business-related.

I have been affected by cancer as both my parents died from it (and other occurrences) and, thankfully, I do not have any personal issues....yet?

Something on the radio has prompted me to write this post, as a few simple things can help prevent bigger issues and save some of our lives.

The number 1 cancer in the UK is breast cancer, and, in many/most cases, can be spotted early with some simple self-examination:

• a new lump or thickening in your breast or armpit
• a change in size, shape or feel of your breast
• skin changes in the breast, such as puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness of the skin
• fluid leaking from the nipple in a woman who isn’t pregnant or breastfeeding
• changes in the position of the nipple

If you have any of these symptoms, go to your doctor and, if suspicious, the NHS normally fast-tracks testing, diagnosis and treatment.

The NHS also offers free & regular mammogram screening to any woman over 50.

The number 2 cancer in the UK is prostate - 1 in 8 men (normally over 50 years old, but not exclusively!) will probably get it! There are several potential symptoms:

• Difficulty starting or stopping urination
• Weak or intermittent urine flow
• Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
• Feeling like the bladder has not emptied completely
• A sudden urge to urinate
• Pain or a burning sensation when urinating
• Blood in urine or semen
• Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area
• Bone pain, often in the back, hips, or pelvis
• Unexplained weight loss
• Erectile dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or bowel incontinence

HOWEVER, having one or more of these symptoms could be something else!

Checking for prostate cancer is a simple blood test (PSA), and all GP's should be happy to do this. Where men need to take note is that we are generally a beligerant, stubborn group who would rather stop our Sky Sports subscription or getting copies of Trout Fishing Monthly than go to a doctor! Don't let your stoic, manly demeanour be the reason for your demise!!!



So, if you were to get cancer and need treatment that would take you away from your business, would your business survive?

• Have you got a plan?
• Do you have succession sorted out?
• Are there people who know how the business works?

If these answer to one or more of these is no, sadly, you probably don't really have a business, you have your own job!

How can we effectively plan for our businesses to continue without our daily input?

 

[Chris Ashdown]

In my own case (Mouth Cancer) although the treatment was quick, further developments cause more operations and disfiguration and getting on for 2 years before I felt belter with many appointment's with specialists, now after 5 years hopefully clear.
But just to warn it can take far longer that a operation and radiotherapy so plan ahead

 

[DontAsk]

I had a radical prostatectomy 4 years ago which would have been much less severe had I connected the symptoms to prostate problems earlier.

Do not hesitate to ask for a test if you have any of the symptoms (or simply getting on in years) but do note that the PSA test is notoriously fickle, which is the reason there is no national screening program. First stage is usually the digital test. If PSA is positive you might need a biopsy. None of these are anything to fear.

Also, take no note of the old adage that you are more likely to die with prostate cancer than of it.

 

[fisicx]

Mum has had tongue cancer. I’ve had symptoms and a minor op to remove benign nodules. It can come back. Cancer is a worry.

 

[UKSBD]

I had jaw cancer in 2018

About 6 weeks notice from knowing to being on operating table, followed by 7 weeks in hospital, followed my 7 weeks of daily hospital visits for radiotherapy, followed by a couple more hospital visits, another operation and at least 6 months of recovery.

In the 6 weeks before going in I effectively mothballed one of my businesses websites by removing any ways of buying anything, removing my phone number from all pages and putting Google Adsense on the pages.

With my other business, I switched off the free registration form, automated the upgrade form and set it so I could receive emails whist in hospital (I never did check them for the 1st 3 or 4 weeks)

I also put my daughter on the books, gave her a crash course in how to make any edit requests, answer emails and handle any phone calls.

With the 1st business, it stayed in mothballs for at least 12 months and earned just enough to cover running costs and accountancy fees, it never fully recovered I kept it running for about 3 more years whilst taking out the reserves gradually, until finally dissolving it.

The 2nd business actually worked out quite well, the automation meant it could just trickle on without me having to do much and that is how it has been ever since.

Fortunately, I was 54 when I got cancer, both houses mortgage free, cars and everything else bought outright, no debts, nice nest egg, very low outgoings (can easily live on a £20k income)

Had it happened 10 - 15 years earlier it would have been another story

 

[UKSBD]

Mum has had tongue cancer. I’ve had symptoms and a minor op to remove benign nodules. It can come back. Cancer is a worry.

It's not just the cancer, it's also the long term effects of the treatment.

I've been cancer free since 2019 but the side effects of the treatment (especially radiotherapy) are still there

 

[numbersrule]

I had a BCC skin cancer removed from the side of my nose next to one of my eyes in about 2019. It was close enough to my eye for the surgeon to be concerned about impacts on the tear ducts, but I was very fortunate and they were unaffected and I was free of skin cancer until earlier this year when I was prescribed chemo cream to treat a pre-cancer on my lower leg and that was also successful. I have been very fortunate and these instances did not impact my working life.

However, I started another thread a while back asking how you should go about setting up a Business Power of Attorney to enable business matters to be managed when absent or incapacitated.

I have found that solicitors and accountants are reluctant to take on the role of Attorney and now family members are also reluctant. One of my businesses operates in a part of the construction industry that is perceived to be high risk. So I think this makes people think that as Attorney they may somehow become liable if an unforeseen problem was to arise.

So I have arrived at the conclusion that my only option is to carry on regardless and hope that I stay fit and healthy ( touch wood ) long enough to be able to close my businesses when I retire. But I agree with Paul Kelly, that really my businesses are really just my jobs.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Sorry to hear this and your focus must be on your health nothing else is that important its not worth worrying about .

My business is exactty the same long established The leading name in same day courier services in Devon and Cornwall .We are well known in the industry nationwide. .

Yet all this if I drop down dead or go missing at sea it will be nomore

I have three grown up daughters that have their own thing and an 11 year old Grandaughter who thinks that we can run the business with AI and no humans need to be involved

 

[Newchodge]

I had 2 different cancers in 2016 and in 2018. I sought treatment very early for both.

The first I was in hospital for 6 hours for an operation and was back at my desk the next day. A few weeks later I had 3 weeks' radiotherapy daily, which left me a little tired but did not interfere with the business at all. Still taking medication to reduce the risk of a return.

The second I was in hospital for an operation for 3 days and was back at my desk the day after I got home. No further treatment.

Both times I got a GP appointment the same day and was in hospital within 6 weeks. I was very lucky.

In early September this year, on the second day of my holiday in Spain, I slipped on a marble staircase and fell heavily, breaking my hip. I spent the next 5 days in hospital waiting for a full hip replacement, which was carried out on a Wednesday. I was discharged on the Saturday - the day of our original flight home. The insurance company failed to arrange an assisted flight home until the following Saturday, I spent most of the intervening week in bed with short periods of assisted mobility. Similarly after returning home. It was 18 days after the operation when I forced myself to do the absolute minimum needed for most of my clients - 2 clients needed attention earlier and I failed to provide the full service they were entitled to, although I did explain to them and catch up as soon as I was able. The brain fog lasted at least 6 weeks. I still don't have full mobility.

It isn't only cancer that may destroy your business!

And, for any entrepreneurs/designers out there - why has no one designed a fabric for bed linen that prevents you sliding down when propped on pillows? AND why has no-one designed socks that can be put on when you cannot reach anywhere near your own foot?

 

[Scalloway]

why has no one designed a fabric for bed linen that prevents you sliding down when propped on pillows?

When I was in hospital I discovered that the bed could rise in a V at my knees. This solved the problem of sliding down the bed. I've wondered if puting a pillow under my knees would have the same effect.

no-one designed socks that can be put on when you cannot reach anywhere near your own foot

Having limited mobility in one hip I discovered that there are aids you can slip your sock over then pull it up.

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[fisicx]

Sock putting on thingy:

https://oneclearwinner.co.uk/produc...BLd872nHHYqLsqpqbsr0F3IC9rGJf7jBoClF0QAvD_BwE

 

[tony84]

I remember during lockdown 1 I found some lumps where as a bloke you dont want to be finding lumps!

I left it a few days in the hope they went (they didnt).

So I had to book an appointment with a nurse who also wanted to have a grope! (which sounds far better in your head than when you actually have to do it!).

Funny thing was, she said something that made me feel a whole lot better... "I have done this a hundred times before and I dont really remember any of them". Which sounds odd but it made me feel better.

As it happens it was not cancer and was all fine. But having a 3 year old at the time, I was far more worried about her growing up without a dad than I was without my income.

But you do raise a good point.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I was far more worried about her growing up without a dad

Yeh, it's amazing what it takes to concentrate the mind!