I just happen to be writing this blog on February 4th, which is World Cancer Day. Therefore, I would like to do my part by making this the focus of this week’s blog.
World Cancer Day is meant to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. The World Health Organization says, “one in five people will at some point be diagnosed with cancer.” With that being said, I think it’s so important to raise awareness and take action to change the future of cancer forever.
How can we make a difference?
As a cancer survivor, I can’t stress enough the importance of screening and early detection. We must be diligent about our yearly checkups, mammograms, and advocate for ourselves. If they tell you that it will be 6 weeks before your biopsy and you feel it needs to be treated with greater urgency, then call every day, harass - do whatever you need to do to get in sooner (health professionals are going to love me!)
I say this because this is what I did, and thank God I did or there is a pretty good chance I wouldn’t be here today. When I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer (more specifically Hurthle cell carcinoma - a rare, aggressive form) I had absolutely no symptoms and felt perfectly normal. My doctor found it on my routine physical. I share this because many doctors don’t check your thyroid at a routine physical. If mine had not been detected it would have spread throughout my body in a manner of months. Yes, I love my doctor! I encourage all of you to please ask your doctor to check your thyroid if they don’t already.
I now do my part in educating the public as this is another way in which we can make a difference - be a cancer advocate. Stand up for the cause, share your experience, support those living with cancer, and help to raise awareness.
We can also help by raising money for cancer awareness. I used to canvas every April, going door to door asking for donations. Little did I know at the time that I would become a statistic. There are many fundraisers out where you walk or run that you can participate in. I also am aware that there are certain products we can buy from specific sources that donate a percentage of profit to cancer causes. Of course, we can always donate directly to specific cancer groups. All the little things we do can help to make a difference.
Lastly, volunteering at your local cancer clinic can make such a difference to those going through this alone. You could sit with patients while they’re having chemo treatment, read to them, share stories, and get them what they need. I was one of the lucky ones who had support and someone to be there with me. I’m so grateful for that! I can’t imagine if I had to go through it alone with no family nearby. Volunteers are amazing souls.
The reality is that if not us, somebody we love will be affected by cancer throughout our lifetime. Personally, I have had close family members and special friends affected by the disease. Radiation, chemotherapy, and isolation are quite challenging to say the least. Let’s all help to raise awareness. We must all work together to fight this disease and hopefully, one day, find a cure.
Until next time…