Annual Checkups Can Catch Cancer Before It's Too Late!
Written: Sep 03 '01 (Updated Sep 03 '01)
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Pros: Annual checkups can catch Cancer at early stages.
Cons: Emotional roller-coaster that accompanies the diagnoses can be difficult.
The Bottom Line: Cancer is hard to deal with. Families & Friends - Be Supportive & Loving! Those diagnosed ... Accept the Help and Love of others!
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| KCFemme's Full Review: Adult Health Issues |
Due to the recent diagnosis of another Epinionator I have had time to reflect upon my own experience with Cancer. Whether you have it, have survived it, or have known someone that has been diagnosed with it, Cancer has probably changed your life somehow.
Probably the most important part of being a survivor is being able to provide encouragement to those that are currently having to deal with the issues surrounding this disease. Many emotions run through those having to deal with it, fear, anger, rejection, and a need for isolation can be among those. However, they can also include happiness, love, hope, and need.
But of all those, shock is probably the one thing that everyone will experience. It grips the heart, it turns the stomache, and it stops time. I can't believe this is happening is usually thought or said out loud.
There are a few things that can be done though, to make this time easier on everyone. First, if you know someone who has been diagnosed, don't shy away from them. You can't "catch" Cancer for being near them, offering them hugs and support. Reflect on happy times, plan for more. And be there so the individual has a hard time withdrawing into themselves to find self-pity.
For the person who is diagnosed, keeping the chin up is much harder, but it can be done. Accept the love, warmth, support, and extended hands from your friends and family. Try hard to laugh at everything, keeping a good attitude and sense of humor keeps you going. Plus, they say that laughter is the best medicine.
No matter what type of Cancer, it is always hard to deal with. For me, I was very lucky. But I hadn't known anyone before that had been diagnosed. I didn't have the experience of being a supporter before I found that I was the one that needed the help of others.
In reflection, I had one of the easiest to cure types of Cancer. For doctors, it was considered "simple surgery". But I didn't know that at the time ... all I heard the doctor say was "CANCER". Hopefully, with this Epinion I will be able to help enlighten those that don't know much about it, remind friends and family members to be supportive, and remind those diagnosed with it to keep fighting with everything they have.
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My Story of Survival
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In 1996 I had my annual checkup. Everything was normal. I complained about having to go into the OB/GYN every year, cursed having to pay money for something that was always "normal", and squirmed as they came at me with the cold, steel instruments. Basically, I was just like every other woman that hates going through this process on a yearly basis.
In 1997 I grumbled the through process again. Unfortunately, this time my PAP results came back abnormal. I was told it was probably something on the slide, that happens every once in a while. But they wanted to do another to make sure everything was ok. Of course, you didn't normally hear back on the results for 6 weeks. After getting back another abnormal reading they referred me to another doctor.
With the new doctor, he ran the normal PAP, but also did some other tests. He went through the different things that could potentially make up for an abnormal reading, but was very supportive. He tried not to worry me too much, tried to make the wait for the results a little easier.
Since I had the tests done right before Christmas I would have to wait until the first business day after the new year to find out the results. He had them rushing the procedures, but they still had to have the time to get the results correctly.
January 4th, 1998 was probably the worst day of my life. I was at work and on the phone with the doctor for about 5 minutes as he told me about the "PreCancerous" cells that were found. I was in total shock. The only word I heard out of the whole conversation was "CANCER". I'd never dealt with it before, never did any research on it, never knew anyone diagnosed with it.
After getting answering machines from my entire family I found a co-worker that I was friends with and cried for quite a while. I finally got through to my brother, and he was probably the biggest help for me. As a law student, he had recently gone through several law suits that dealt with Cervical Cancer.
Instead of pitying me for being diagnosed, he was tough. He wouldn't let me get too self-involved. He asked tons of questions regarding what the doctor said. When I basically had no answers because I didn't remember most of the conversation he helped me pull together a list of questions that I should ask.
My doctor saw me that same afternoon and answered my questions. He went through the different procedures that were available for my situation. He said I had "carcinoma in situ" which had four stages of development. Luckily for me though, it was still considered "PRE-CANCER". However, I was in the fourth stage and it should be taken care of rather quickly.
My two options were a LEEP or a Partial Hysterectomy. The LEEP procedure would take only a portion of my cervix, however if Cancer cells were found again I would have to have a Hysterectomy.
Considering I had three children already, I opted for the Partial Hysterectomy. This would remove the cervix and uterus, thereby eliminating the Cancer, but would leave my ovaries which meant I wouldn't be forced into an early menopause.
On January 27th, 1998, I went through with the procedure. I had to stay in the hospital for a few days, but was comforted by my family and friends, and by the fact that the doctor informed me that the surgery was a total success and that the Cancer had been removed.
However, I had one scare left. The day after the surgery my doctor informed me that they did a biopsy on my cervix and uterus to find out how badly it was damaged. It turned out that the "carcinoma in situ" that was orginally diagnosed was incorrect. It had actually developed into Stage I Cancer. The treatment was just a little different, but the good news was that it was still caught in time and removed.
It is so important to get the check-ups ... In my case I went through the stages from normal to Stage I Cancer in just over a year. It can advance quickly so make sure you constantly monitor your own health.
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Support from Friends and Family
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At the time I didn't realize just how many people came out of the wood-work to help me. Some was financial, but most was emotional. A few friends told me of their experiences with Cancer, I never knew they were Survivors until then.
My family was always there for me, asking me questions, offering help, giving me lots of hugs and encouragement. Even my kids came through and helped clean the house up to make sure I wouldn't have to get up much when I got home from the hospital.
I may have gotten through it without them, but it was so much easier for me to have the support and love. They made it more difficult for me to withdraw into myself, I couldn't wallow in self-pity.
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The Treatment
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For me the treatment was simple. I wouldn't have to use drugs or go through radiation because they had removed all of the Cancerous cells.
However, I am now under a five year monitoring treatment. For the first year, I had to go in and have another PAP done every three months. The second year it moved to four months. The third to five months. And the fourth and fifth years would be every six months.
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Avoiding Cancer
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Although there are numerous things you can do to live a healthy life, like eating right and not smoking, probably the MOST important thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones is to go through with that inconvenient, uncomfortable annual check-up.
Modern medicine has made it so that almost any Cancer can be treated and potentially cured if it is found early. Although it is scary to go through, it is easier if it can be dealt with quickly.
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How Can You Help?
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First, get that check-up. If you haven't had one in a while, schedule it now. Even if everything comes up normal both you and your family will feel better for it.
Second, if you know someone who has been diagnosed with any type of Cancer, help them out. Be there for them. Remind them of the good times. Make them laugh. Lend them a shoulder when they need to cry. Having a good support group around is great emotional medicine. Plus it keeps them fighting.
Third, you can give to charities that help those diagnosed with Cancer. Whether donating to the American Cancer Society or to other organizations that support the search for a cure or offer help to families that are suffering through it currently, every little bit helps.
Lastly, for those diagnosed with Cancer ... do NOT concider yourself a victim. Cancer can be beaten, I'm a full believer of that. Some fights are harder than others, so accept the help from friends and family. I am a Cancer Survivor and I'm praying for you to become one too.
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Help a Fellow Epinionator
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Hard_To_Please is a great writer. He's written some of the funniest and most helpful reviews on this site. Many Epinionators have pulled together to help Mark through his difficult time. Recently he was diagnosed with a type of Cancer that is more difficult to fight against than my own.
Epinionator DiverPam is hosting a write-off to help Mark in addition to finding other ways to help him. Please check out all the information on her web page at:
http://kcfemme.epinions.com/user-diverpam
Or you can check out Marks very funny reviews at:
http://kcfemme.epinions.com/user-hard_to_please
If someone can give me Mark's CP site, I would be happy to add it to these links.
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Donation Sites
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Some other sites you may want to check out for fighting against Cancer are:
www.freedonation.com
www.cancercharities.com
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My Rating & Recommendation
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I give this an "Avoid It" because I hope you choose to take the precautions necessary to avoid getting Cancer or catching it before it can do much damage.
And I "Recommend" annual checkups to "Avoid It".
Not quite sure why the ratings are here, but I've got to click them to get it posted.
Recommended:
Yes
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KCFemme
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Location: Olathe, Kansas
Reviews written: 303
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