The Impact of Support During a Cancer Journey
- Andrew Lloyd Webber, the 74-year-old music composer of “Cats” was declared cancer-free from prostate cancer in 2010.
- Now, his son is battling stomach cancer and Webber is right by his side.
- Having supportive loved ones through the cancer journey can make it easier to cope with.
- Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, in the U.S. is more likely to form in the gastroesophageal junction the area where the long tube (esophagus) that carries food you swallow meets the stomach.
- Symptoms of stomach cancer can include difficulty swallowing, nausea, stomach pain, unintentional weight loss, and vomiting; treatment options for this disease include surgery, medications, radiation, and chemotherapy.
"I am absolutely devastated to say that my eldest son Nick is critically ill," Webber said in a statement.
Read MoreI am thrilled & delighted that we are bringing @badcinderella on Broadway to the Imperial Theatre. We have been working hard on a few new songs for our Broadway opening &, with such a brilliant team, led by the spectacular @LinedyGenao, I know this is going to be really special. pic.twitter.com/QVxFxBNl16
Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) October 3, 2022
Andrew Lloyd Webber is best known for his composition of musicals that include “The Phantom of the Opera”, “Cats”, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Evita” and “School of Rock”. Fans flocked to social media to show their support for Webber and his family and offer their prayers through this health challenge for the family.
Webber is a cancer survivor himself. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, and after fighting mightily, the cancer warrior was declared cancer-free in 2010. Webber turns 75 on March 22 and has not noted any complications with his own cancer diagnosis on his social media in recent months. Despite his recovery, he admitted his cancer journey was difficult at times, both physically and mentally.
What Is Stomach Cancer?
Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, can affect any part of the stomach, according to the Mayo Clinic. In the U.S., stomach cancer is more likely to form in the gastroesophageal junction or the esophagus the area where the long tube carries food from your mouth to your stomach.
Stomach cancer occurs with an abnormal growth of cells in the stomach. The cancer typically affects older people, nearly six of every 10 people diagnosed with stomach cancer are 65 or older.
Stomach cancer can be hereditary. In fact, inherited cancers account for 5-10%to of all diagnoses with researchers having identified over 50 inherited cancer syndromes. One of those is a form of stomach cancer known as hereditary diffuse gastric cancer, marked by a genetic mutation inherited at conception known as CDH1. The good news is that because researchers have identified this genetic mutation, individuals who have a history of stomach or other cancers in their family can test to learn if they are at risk.
Stomach Cancer Symptoms
According to the American Cancer Society, symptoms of this disease may include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weight loss without trying
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling bloated after eating
- Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Bloody stool
- Stomach pain
- Unintentional weight loss
- Vomiting
While these symptoms could be indications of other conditions, it’s important to bring up any changes to your health with your doctor.
Stomach Cancer Treatment
Treatment options for stomach cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy.
Doctors take into account a number of factors before determining the best treatment option. The following conditions influence what treatment method doctors are likely to choose, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- The cancer's location
- The stage of the cancer
- How aggressive the cancer is
- Your overall health
- Your treatment preferences
Family Support After Diagnosis
Andrew Lloyd Webber prioritizing his son and their family as they battle the cancer together is a powerful tool for Nicholas' cancer journey.
"[I] have not been able to attend the recent previews of ‘Bad Cinderella’,” Andrew Webber said.
“And as things stand, I will not be able to cheer on its wonderful cast, crew and orchestra on opening night," Andrew Webber continued.
Like his father, Nicholas Webber is also a composer and producer. He worked on productions including "Love, Lives and Records" and "The Last Bus".
Cancer warriors know a strong support system, which can include family, friends, fellow cancer warriors and survivors and mental health professionals, is critical to maintaining a positive mindset.
Dr. Shelly Tworoger, a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center told SurvivorNet that "there's a number of common things cancer patients can experience, such as anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation."
Knowing you have loved ones by your side at every step and help you process those emotions and cope with your new reality during your journey.
Feelings of grief can be tough on cancer warriors. Around 15% of cancer patients experience clinical depression. Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology shared with SurvivorNet the benefits of maintaining a positive mindset and its impact on outcomes.
"We know, actually from good studies, that emotional health, quality of life is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better survival, better outcomes," she said.
Power of Prayer for Cancer Warriors
Andrew Lloyd Webber is hopeful his son will "turn the corner" in his cancer journey. He says the family has turned to their faith and are steadily praying as they continue to support Nicholas.
"We are all praying that Nick will turn the corner," Webber said in his statement.
"People often ask me about prayer in terms of therapy," Dr. Zuri Murrell, director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center told SurvivorNet.
"I believe that prayer is very helpful. But also, in some patients who don't believe in prayer, I believe that a positive attitude is what's really important … for a lot of people, prayer helps them develop this."
Many cancer warriors turn to their faith to help them stay motivated through intensive rounds of chemotherapy and surgery. Researchers who studied the relationship between praying and life expectancy in cancer patients found prayer helps withstand pain and suffering.
"The patients can overcome their illnesses with the help of praying and of other religious actions, thus helping them gain more power and being able to control their illnesses, as they know a lot about their sickness therefore, they can stand the pain and suffering and become hopeful to future," researchers N. Hekmati Pour and H. Hojjati said in the Journal of Medicine and Life.
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