Detect it, Treat it, Defeat it!
In my grandmother’s day, my aunt who was her caregiver, had to learn how to sterilize, fill the needles and inject my grandmother with morphine for pain. Why? Because getting nursing care in the home for a patient with cancer was almost impossible. Many believed that cancer was contagious.
In the late 60’s my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer and went home with nothing more than a Kotex pad where her breast had been and a prognosis of 6 week to 6 month life expectancy.
In 2003 I was diagnosed with ductal cell carcinoma. I often said that it was never IF I got breast cancer but when. I was lucky – surgery, radiation therapy and by God’s infinite mercy and grace, I am cancer free 22 years later.
What a difference a few decades can make. The knowledge gained through those years have made survival possible.
That being said, I was judicious with my self-breast exams, and mammography so that it was caught early. And since then, I get a mammography, ultrasound and MRI every year. And I still visit my oncologist. I used and use every source available to get the quality care I need. It just makes good sense.
God wants us to be good stewards of our body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that lives in us and therefore we are not our own but have been redeemed by Jesus. We are to honor God by taking care of our bodies. Furthermore, Romans 12:1 urges us with a metaphor of a living sacrifice to encourage us to dedicate our bodies to God’s service. And we do this by taking care of our bodies.
Look – No one likes to talk about it, let alone experience breast cancer but cancer spares no one. We all either know someone or have experienced cancer ourselves.
Preventative medicine is the key. Today, unlike my family members of the past; we have many resources that can help us navigate the healthcare system.
A recent article in Today’s Caregiver list some of the cancer organizations available to help. I have reprinted it below for your reference.
Please, please take the time to care for yourself and keep this resource handy.
Resources for Breast Cancer Awareness
https://caregiver.com/articles/resources-breast-cancer/
CANCER ORGANIZATIONS
American Cancer Society: Widely recognized for its information services and research programs, this society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization.
American Institute for Cancer Research: By funding research, interpreting evidence, and educating the public about the results, AICR is helping Americans realize that it’s never too early and never too late to make choices that protect against cancer.
Canadian Cancer Society: The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer.
The Cancer Research Foundation of America: The Cancer Research Foundation’s mission is to raise funds to fund early-career cancer scientists and new directions in cancer science research with the goal of contributing to “Transformational Events” in the prevention, treatment and cure for cancer.
National Cancer Institute : NCI is the federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training. NCI leads, conducts, and supports cancer research across the nation to advance scientific knowledge and help all people live longer, healthier lives.
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship: NCCS’ mission is to advocate for quality cancer care for all people touched by cancer. Founded by and for cancer survivors, NCCS created the widely accepted definition of survivorship and defines someone as a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis and for the balance of life.
National Foundation for Cancer Research: is dedicated to providing scientists in the lab the funding they need to make game-changing discoveries in cancer treatments, detection and ultimately, a cure for all types of cancer.
Oncolink: was the first multimedia oncology information resource on the Internet. OncoLink is accessible worldwide to anyone with Internet access, and there is no charge for its use. OncoLink has been established with the following objectives: Dissemination of information relevant to the field of oncology. Education of health care personnel. Education of patients, families, and other interested parties. Rapid collection of information pertinent to the specialty.
Prevent Cancer Foundation: The mission of the Prevent Cancer Foundation is saving lives across all populations through cancer prevention and early detection. The Prevent Cancer Foundation advocates and supports the prevention and early detection of cancer through Research, Education, Outreach and Advocacy.
Foundation for Women’s Cancer: (FWC) supports research, education and public awareness of gynecologic cancers. Since it was established in 1991,FWA has steadfastly pursued its mission of funding for gynecologic cancer research and training, and the prevention, early detection and optimal treatment of gynecologic cancers.
BREAST CANCER ORGANIZATIONS
Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation: ABCF is a nonprofit breast cancer organization that not only sheds light on the ABC’s of breast cancer through education, outreach and patient assistance but also advocates for legislation at both state and federal levels to end the disease.
Breast Cancer Action: BCAction was founded in 1990 by a handful of women who were living with and dying from breast cancer and who demanded answers about their disease. Today, BCAction is a national grassroots organization with members across the country. Together we’re challenging the status quo and working to address and end the breast cancer epidemic.
BreastCancer.org: is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer. Our mission is to help women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal information about breast health and breast cancer, so they can make the best decisions for their lives.
After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: All of the services ABCD provides that reflect our mission and our efforts in the overall cancer support community are possible only because of the generosity of others: donors, sponsors, volunteers. Mission & Outcomes – providing free, genuinely personal help and support that eases the stress and burden of breast cancer.
Breast cancer does not have to be a death sentence. Today with the help of good, experienced and qualified healthcare practitioners, advancing research and resources, our lives can remain full, active and healthy.
Take a page from these advertisers – Nike and “Just Do It!” (Nike) “Because you’re worth it” (L’Oreal)