Why should anyone care about making cancer a national priority?
Jul/Wednesday/2008 08:33 AM Filed in: LIVESTRONG
In
traveling to Columbus for the second ever LIVESTRONG
Summit, I reflected back on my journey of
survivorship and why the topic of survivorship should
matter to anyone. I thought to myself of the comments
I’d sometimes heard about why so much is made
of survivorship, from survivors and non-survivors
alike. “Why don’t they just get over it
and move on? Why do they wear it like a banner? I
mean, millions of people survive and live with
chronic disease, tragedy, and other life altering
events.”
WHY SHOULD ANYONE CARE ABOUT CANCER OR CANCER SURVIVORSHIP? WHY SHOULD CANCER BE A NATIONAL PRIORITY? WHY SHOULD WE ELECT OFFICIALS THAT WANT TO MAKE CANCER A NATIONAL PRIORITY?
1. Because we CAN find a cure in our lifetime if we make it a priority... so we can leave a legacy that our children and grandchildren will not have to face cancer.
2. Because it is costing our country 1/4 of a trillion dollars a year
3. Because we are losing too many good Americans in this war: 1500 cancer deaths every DAY.
4. Because chances are, it will be you one day... one of two men and one of three women will face cancer in their lifetime
As survivors we are a very large, motivated group, because we understand the issues in a deeply personal way. We can have a huge impact, as survivors and co-survivors in this fight.
1. IMPACT on individuals and society
We are not unlike those who have experienced other life altering events. However, we are a large group of 12 million and growing. Our co-survivors are impacted as well, so the numbers double, quadruple, and multiply to an infinite level of impact. The quality of life issues that impact us as survivors, also impact those around us. From families to employers, and even a broader scope, our economy.
We are living longer with new treatments that keep us around, when years ago we didn’t make it. As grateful as we are for the treatments that have kept us alive, we often have long lasting side effects that impact our overall health and well-being and quality of life. Aggressive cancer treatment, in particular, leaves no part of one’s life untouched, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, financially, or socially. The impact is different for everyone, depending on individual treatments, but there is no doubt impact, even with the smallest of cancers and treatments.
2. IMPACT on finding a cure
As a large group we can effect change to find a cure for cancer, just as we have for the many diseases that have impacted human beings since the beginning of time, such as polio. Mike Milken, Chairman of Faster Cures, noted philanthropist and prostate cancer survivor said at the last SUMMIT, we need to see the world of cancer through new eyes "Doing things the same old way doesn't lead to breakthroughs." He also used the example of Elvis Presley getting a polio immunization in the 50's to demonstrate how one person can make a huge difference. "Before that photo was taken of Elvis getting that shot, there was a huge opposition to getting that immunization. Afterwards, everyone got it - and as a result polio today has essentially been eradicated.
3. IMPACT on reducing cancer deaths
There are things we can do to reduce cancer deaths, TODAY. Early detection saves lives. With a large group working to create awareness of these issues, we can dramatically change the cancer death rate in our country. Harold Freeman, director of the Ralph Lauren Cancer Center, says we need to close the gap between what we know and what we do. For EARLY DETECTION, cervical cancer has a 100% survival rate, breast 98%, colorectal 60%
See www.KnowYourDensity to the left about what women should know about early detection of breast cancer
TOGETHER, WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!
WHY SHOULD ANYONE CARE ABOUT CANCER OR CANCER SURVIVORSHIP? WHY SHOULD CANCER BE A NATIONAL PRIORITY? WHY SHOULD WE ELECT OFFICIALS THAT WANT TO MAKE CANCER A NATIONAL PRIORITY?
1. Because we CAN find a cure in our lifetime if we make it a priority... so we can leave a legacy that our children and grandchildren will not have to face cancer.
2. Because it is costing our country 1/4 of a trillion dollars a year
3. Because we are losing too many good Americans in this war: 1500 cancer deaths every DAY.
4. Because chances are, it will be you one day... one of two men and one of three women will face cancer in their lifetime
As survivors we are a very large, motivated group, because we understand the issues in a deeply personal way. We can have a huge impact, as survivors and co-survivors in this fight.
1. IMPACT on individuals and society
We are not unlike those who have experienced other life altering events. However, we are a large group of 12 million and growing. Our co-survivors are impacted as well, so the numbers double, quadruple, and multiply to an infinite level of impact. The quality of life issues that impact us as survivors, also impact those around us. From families to employers, and even a broader scope, our economy.
We are living longer with new treatments that keep us around, when years ago we didn’t make it. As grateful as we are for the treatments that have kept us alive, we often have long lasting side effects that impact our overall health and well-being and quality of life. Aggressive cancer treatment, in particular, leaves no part of one’s life untouched, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, financially, or socially. The impact is different for everyone, depending on individual treatments, but there is no doubt impact, even with the smallest of cancers and treatments.
2. IMPACT on finding a cure
As a large group we can effect change to find a cure for cancer, just as we have for the many diseases that have impacted human beings since the beginning of time, such as polio. Mike Milken, Chairman of Faster Cures, noted philanthropist and prostate cancer survivor said at the last SUMMIT, we need to see the world of cancer through new eyes "Doing things the same old way doesn't lead to breakthroughs." He also used the example of Elvis Presley getting a polio immunization in the 50's to demonstrate how one person can make a huge difference. "Before that photo was taken of Elvis getting that shot, there was a huge opposition to getting that immunization. Afterwards, everyone got it - and as a result polio today has essentially been eradicated.
3. IMPACT on reducing cancer deaths
There are things we can do to reduce cancer deaths, TODAY. Early detection saves lives. With a large group working to create awareness of these issues, we can dramatically change the cancer death rate in our country. Harold Freeman, director of the Ralph Lauren Cancer Center, says we need to close the gap between what we know and what we do. For EARLY DETECTION, cervical cancer has a 100% survival rate, breast 98%, colorectal 60%
See www.KnowYourDensity to the left about what women should know about early detection of breast cancer
TOGETHER, WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!