In October, my grandmother was diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer. She endured a massive operation and six rounds of chemo. The doctors have decided to cease treatment and she is currently at home, doing pretty well and receiving physical therapy.
Two people very dear to me have succumbed to brain tumors, and another is struggling with one. From my co-worker and friend, I have learned how quick and deadly pancreatic cancer is.
And so now I find myself getting annoyed at all of the pink ribbons I see everywhere. Don't get me wrong - I'm glad women are becoming more and more aware of the importance of early detection of breast cancer and I also am glad that fewer women are perishing from it.
My point is that there are so many other types of cancer that need attention. Where are the ribbons, the champions, the fundraisers for them?
Here are a few facts about ovarian cancer:
-It is the most deadly cancer of the female reproductive system
-When women are diagnosed in Stage I of the disease, the five-year survival rate is 90%
-However, only 19% of all cases are found at this early stage
-Learn more about symptoms here
Cancer in all its forms is a terrible disease. Stay informed, hug your loved ones and stay positive:-)
Cindi
3 comments:
Amen sister!!!!!! This is why for YEARS I've been annoyed with all the pink ribbon crap. I know it's a great cause but as you said, what about all the other cancers. What color ribbon represents CANCER as a whole? Yellow is for our troops, pink is for breast cancer, wasn't red for MADD or something? Point being, Cindi, maybe you and I need to seriously consider making it our personal mission to bring awareness to cancer as a whole. Money should be being poured in to helping finding cures for all cancers...not just breast cancer which for the record is one of the most treatable already. I lost the dearest person in my life to non-hodgkins lymphoma. My father suffered beyond my means to explain.
CANCER AWARENESS is A#1 important.
I think red is for AIDS. But I found a link of the various awareness ribbon colors here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awareness_ribbons. As you can see, some colors represent more than one thing. I also know (from my co-worker) that purple is now used for pancreatic cancer.
Actually, I believe Lance Armstrong started the Live Strong/Yellow support bands for cancer in general. Since that, every charity has picked up support bands and whatever seems to be the hottest topic gets the most attention.
I think awareness for all types of cancers, heart problems, AIDS, etc. is key. Unfortuantely, people don't pay enough attention to these type of things until they hit close to home. I think people feel like "nothing can happen to me" -- unfortunately, we all know that is not true.
When my mother was diagnoised with leukemia, I became more aware of it. When my cousin with breast cancer, same thing. And now Julia, of course I'm becoming more aware about premature babies and what can be done to help them.
It is very unfortunate that people focus so much time and energy on things that don't matter in the long run and lose sight of what is most important in life. Family, love, friendship, health, etc.
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