Unfortunately, most people have been touched in some way by the dreaded ‘C’ – Cancer. You may be a survivor or you may have had family or friends affected or even taken by this dreadful disease. Young or old, cancer does not discriminate.
For me, Cancer is very personal as I lost my mother, father and brother to various forms of cancer. My mother had breast cancer and died 30 years ago when treatment was still in the more exploratory stage. Mum was a fighter who battled on for 10 years before succumbing at age 63.
Dad unfortunately, retired at 65 years old and six months later had passed away battling bowel cancer. That was 35 years ago and as recent as October, 2015 I lost my brother who was diagnosed with cancer and gone within six weeks of the diagnosis at age 65.
The statistics are sobering
The Cancer Council of Australia’s facts and figures section of their website suggests:
- An estimated 130,470 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia this year, with that number set to rise to 150,000 by 2020.
- 1 in 2 Australian men and 1 in 3 Australian women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85.
- Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia – more than 44,000 people died from cancer in 2013. Cancer accounted for about 3 in 10 deaths in Australia.
- Around 19,000 more people die each year from cancer than 30 years ago, this is due mainly to population growth and aging.
However, there are some encouraging statistics as well:
The death rate (number of deaths per 100,000 people) has fallen by more than 16%.
66% of people diagnosed with cancer in Australia are still alive five years after a cancer diagnosis.
Let’s Celebrate Cancer Survivor Day
June 5th is Cancer Survivor Day which coincidentally is the day I lost my mother. It is a day to rejoice and appreciate the lives of those who have fought the battle and won or are still fighting the battle and won’t give in.
How often, do we hear of sufferers who have had a positive mindset recovering or at least prolonging their life, to the amazement of the medical fraternity.
I recently met a wonderful survivor Heather Von St James a wife, mother and survivor of Mesothelioma – a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Heather is a SURVIVOR and an avid campaigner for raising awareness of this terrible disease.
You can read Heather’s inspirational story by clicking here on this link.
What can you do to try to avoid this horrible disease?
Know your family history
Talk to your parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and try to find out your family medical history. Then discuss with your doctor what tests would be available to you. Educate yourself on what you need to be doing.
Know your body
Early detection is vital. Do you know how to self-check? Click HERE FOR A COPY OF THE CANCER COUNCIL’S EARLY DETECTION FACT SHEET
Regular screening such as mammograms, pap smears, colonoscopy and even genetic testing can help you keep a check on what is happening within your body.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise helps to promote good health and not only keeps you physically strong but also mentally strong.
Live a healthy lifestyle
Smoking and alcohol are two major factors in your lifestyle which can increase your risk of cancer.
Living in Australia we have the highest rate of skin cancer because of overexposure to the sun.
Be aware of your environment
Have you been exposed to asbestos? Older homes built before the 1970’s often have asbestos in the insulation, drywall, ceilings and sometimes even fixtures. It’s important to stay aware of your environment since preventing exposure to asbestos is the only way to protect yourself from developing mesothelioma which you can read more about here.”
Keep a positive mindset
The mind is powerful so keeping a positive mindset is such an important part of a holistic healthy lifestyle
So on this Cancer Survivor Day, give thanks for the precious gift of life, the power of positive thinking and the courage of all of those who are fighting the battle. Let’s also not forget the love and support provided by their families and friends to help keep them strong.
19 Comments
More people than ever before are surviving. Part of it is public education about treatments, survivorship and the positive thinking that they engender!
Yes it is wonderful to see people surviving and it is all about education and early detection. Unfortunately, as in the case of my brother, no real warning and 6 weeks later gone!
I lost my husband to brain cancer and now my boyfriend has lymphoma. It’s great to see that research is finding some solutions to allow people to survive and live longer. We have to keep on fighting for a cure.
Oh I’m so sorry for your loss Rebecca and my thoughts are with you and your boyfriend at this time. We do have to keep fighting, it is such a horrible disease and sometimes even early detection may not help. Sending you a big hug to you both. xx
My best friend just went through an ordeal. She is coming up clean now, thank goodness. Thanks for bringing awareness to the need for a cure.
Oh I’m so sorry Estelle. My friend just yesterday had to have a biopsy after a mammmogram and there is a long history of breast cancer in her family. We all need to be aware and I think if you have been touched in some ways it makes you want to do more to educate others. Have a beautiful day and my thoughts are with you and your best friend. Thanks for stopping by.x
My husband has follicular lymphoma so my heart is very close to this topic. Thankfully, he is doing great with medical treatment and I pray he continues every day. Thanks so much for continued awareness to this every so important medical condition.
Oh I’m sorry to hear about your husband Carolann but happy to hear that the medical treatment is working. I don’t think I’ve recovered from the shock of losing my brother last year. As I wrote it was only 6 weeks and he actually lived in another country so we could only say goodbye by telephone. I’m surrounded by this disease so I’m very passionate about it.
I’m so sorry about your mom, Sue. Cancer has destroyed so many lives and I hope a cure is found soon so anyone who’s diagnosed with it can celebrate Cancer Survivor Day.
Thank you Lois. It is hard to lose your Mum in particular and next week it will be 30 years. I still miss her as there is always so much I’d love to share with her. Cancer affects so many people and I wish the miracle would happen and a cure is found. Until then we just have to keep up the awareness campaign for early detection. Have a beautiful day!
I lost my mom to breast cancer as well Sue. I love your tips and your measured, empowering approach to wellness through education and actition!
Oh I’m sorry for your loss Ruth and I can totally relate. It is so sad to see our loved ones suffering, so we have to keep the awareness campaign going to help others. Have a beautiful day and thank you for stopping by. x
It is hard to lose love ones to cancer or any death for that matter. But watching this disease eat away at their bodies is especially hard. Great awareness for everyone Sue.
Yes it is a terrible disease Michelle and we just have to keep trying to find a cure.
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for such an informative and helpful post. As someone currently living with cancer it is so important that people listen to their bodies and check things out if something seems off.
Hi Nicole, thank you for your kind words. I’m sorry you are experiencing this in your life and send you my best wishes and hugs. We do have to be so aware and not worry about getting checked out because we feel it might be nothing. Take care xx
Such an important post to share and raise awareness. You are an amazing woman Sue with such a beautiful, strong heart xx #mg
Oh thank you Mackenzie you always make my day! I’ve missed our interaction lately as we are both busy but hope you are settling into your new home. Have a lovely weekend. x
[…] recently wrote a post about Cancer Survivors Day which is on June 5 and will be also promoting Global Wellness Day on June 11. As part of my […]