Cancer - Nip it in the bud with early detection!
Cancer.
It has to be one of the ugliest words in the English language, if you ask me. It is no respector of persons and will take them whether they are young or old, short or tall, skinny or plump, male or female.
Almost every woman I know has had someone stolen from them by cancer. I specifically chose the word "stolen" because that's really what it is. Most cancer is treatable, if not curable, if detected early enough. But we don't take the preventative measures because we think it can't happen to us, or we're too young, or we don't have the money, or a million other excuses. I've heard them all and even used them myself.
But no longer. You see, I can't afford not to be screened. I have three children. All under the age of 12. How could I possibly face them and tell them that they just aren't worth the extra money or inconvenience that it might cause me to have a pap smear and mammogram or to have those pesky little moles finally checked out? No one likes those procedures, but as uncomfortable as they are, they win hands down to telling your kids that it is only a matter of time before you are gone from their lives for good.
No more good night stories, no more songs, no more kisses.
All because you either didn't know, or you didn't bother to be checked out. I am pleading with you - don't become a statistic. Help me in this cause - together we can help nip cancer in the bud with early detection.
Here are some interesting facts:
- *Melanoma takes one person every 62 seconds.
- *Breast cancer will take the lives of 40, 480 women this year - that's about one every 15 minutes.
- *Each year, about 15,000 women learn they have cervical cancer.
(if you'd like to read more go to the American Cancer Society webpage and click on "Learn about Cancer)
Here's the deal. I have some oncologists in Texas that want you to be informed so badly, they are willing to donate some time to the cause.
They are inviting you to a question and answer right here on my blog.
Leave your cancer question and I'll do my very best to have it answered by one of these highly trained oncologists. Obviously, not every question will be able to be answered, but we will get as many as we can. I will accept questions throughout the weekend and comments will close at 9 pm central mountain time on Sunday, May 18th.
I will be posting the answers starting Friday, May 23rd (subscribe via email or RSS so you won't miss any of them!) and, depending on the Drs. schedule and the volume of questions, may continue through on into next week.
Lastly, I encourage you to help me spread the word. Grab a button and put in in your sidebar. Get the word OUT that prevention can save lives. There are some very special blogging ladies that agreed to help me get the word out about this today and I want them to all know how much I appreciate them posting and linking back to this little blog to help promote this cause. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says that “Two are better than one, for they have a good return for their work.” Partner with us, won't you?
Grab the Code HERE:
<a href="http://simplyamusingblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/cancer-nip-it-in-bud-with-early.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Cancer Q&A" src="http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r87/tallgirltexas/smcancerbtn.jpg" border="0"/></a>
To Find a Screening Provider:
~Contact your primary care physician.
~If you do not have a primary care physician or need a referral to a screening provider, contact:
National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4CANCER to find screening facilities in your area (English and Spanish options available).
- American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 for information about facilities offering low-cost mammograms in your area.
- If you are in Texas, you can check out the Women’s Health Program, which provides low-income women with family planning exams, related health screenings including breast and cervical cancer screenings, and birth control through Texas Medicaid. For an application and more information, call 1-866-993-9972 or visit here.
Look on the bright side! Subscribe via RSS.
Comments
I had a few thoughts/questions:
-- Could the docs identify the different types of screenings available and at what age women should get them?
-- discuss alternative forms of tanning (tanning beds, spray/creme tanners)
-- cancer risk from USING high SPF sunscreens
(as I think of more, I'll pop back in)
I tried to add your code to my sidebar and, well, it didn't work.
I'll write a post about it today and use the image in the post and come back later to see if I'm the only one having problems with the code.
Thanks for doing this. I am worse than most about getting my screenings, so this is screaming at me right now.
K
No questions come to mind right now, but I'm going to put your button up and link to you in my weekly round-up.
Thanks for this!
I understand that cancers are so varied but could they touch on why 2 women, who both have breast cancer of the same nature, would have 2 completely different treatments? How do doctors decide what treatment works best?
Why suggest a lumpectomy when it seems that "it" comes back anyway?
How about a very specific break down of what we need to watch for on moles. I've gone in before for a mole I was certain was "bad" and been laughed out the door. How do we know?
Thank you for doing this!
And are regular skin tags ever problematic?
I've heard that itchy breasts can be a symptom of breast cancer - is this true? I'm also breastfeeding so is it more likely that any itchiness is caused by milk flow/production?
Thank you for the opportunity, Karen!
Also, are women who have never had children at a higher risk of having ovarian cancer?
Thank you!
Kim
Blessings!
:)
I found you through Michelle over at Scribbit and wanted to add my applause for this great idea.
Here's my question:
My primary care physician has told me that some of my moles look "pre-cancerous", she suggested that I get a second opinion from a dermatologist but said that I could get them looked at on my own time. I assumed this means that they are not dangerous right now and decided to wait to see a dermatologist when my schedule opens up in a few months. Am I being too careless or is it okay to wait?
Thanks again for putting this all together!
Jenny
I am putting the button on my blog near the top though!
My question:
Last summer I found a large lump(walnut size) in my breast. Went to my doc, had a mammogram and ultrasound. They told me it was a cyst. It has not changed and several of my friends think I should have it checked further. I will return in late summer to my doc for my regular annual exam. Should I push for further testing or just accept that it's a cyst that's there for a while? Thanks!
xo ~K
My question is: are there any reliable early screening tests for ovarian cancer?
Another colon cancer question: A good friend of mine (two weeks shy of 26) has idiopathic gastroparesis and a family history of colon issues (not specifically cancer, to my knowledge). She recently had a colonoscopy due to some symptoms that had previously been attributed to her gastroparesis meds, and they found and tested polyps. The tests came back alright, but it sounded as though polyps are unusual in a 25 year old. How unusual/high risk is this?
I was told I had Melanoma 1 1/2 years ago!
I use to lay in a tanning bed...I feel like that is HOW I got melanoma?!?! Are you more at risk to get melanoma in a tanning bed rather than the sun???
What a GREAT way to use yout blog Karen!!!
(((HUGS)))
Close to my heart - unfortunately. :-)