My Fight With Cancer

Breast cancer is something that has personally touched my family and more than once. I have more than one immediate family member that is currently diagnosed with breast cancer. This alone,

In 2016 approximately 1,685,210 cases of cancer will be diagnosed, and 595,690 people will die due to this disease. My uncle, unfortunately, was a victim of this deadly disease. My family and I witnessed the effects of this and it impacted us all strongly. I watched as my uncle underwent all the surgeries and treatments, and progressively got weaker and became fragile. The whole experience made me reflect upon myself and I desired to make a change, and help expand the research to develop a cure to end cancer.

My paternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 7yr old. At this age, I was too young to comprehend what was going on, but I do remember the significance of the situation and the impact that it had on my entire family. It truly influenced me. My research done on Radiation Therapy substantiates that this field has a strong impact on people’s lives both physically and mentally. Within this past year my maternal grandmother was also diagnosed with breast cancer. Seeing the effect that a positive support system can have as well as the success that the radiation therapy has had on her has reinforced my desire to be able to pursue a career that would allow me to help people get through tough times in their lives by being able to provide physical care as well as emotional support.

“Lets not call cancer patients as patients, they are cancer fighters. They are brave hearts” - Vikrmn, Gura. Nowadays, you hear more and more people getting cancer(13). It is a stress that many people worry about. You worry if one of your parents will get it. You pray your children don't’ get it. It’s a constant worry. You watch television and you can get this horrible monster from microwaving your food, drinking bottled water, carrying your phone in your pocket, using deodorant, coloring your hair and much more. Finding a cure for cancer would be a prayer answered for many.

According to the American Cancer Society, half of all men and one third of all women will develop cancer within their lifetime (Cancer.org). These figures are staggering. Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is a terrifying and unpredictable disease for many cancer sufferers. As such, it is imperative that healthcare workers have a thorough understanding of the various cancer diagnoses, treatments, and preventative strategies necessary to combat this devastating plague. Skills at managing not only the illness itself, but also the psychological and social side effects

Nearly 14.5 million Americans have had a history stint with some type of cancer and were still alive on January 1, 2014(American Cancer Society, 2016). There will be an estimated 1,685,210 new cancer cases and 595, 590 deaths in 2016 attibuted to caner in the U.S. (American Cancer Society,2016 ) Those astonishing numbers do not even account for the cancer patients family and friends whose lives are also affected this horrific disease. In order to get a glimpse of what a cancer patient has to go though, I decided to read Stuart Scott’s memoir, Every Day I Fight, by Larry Platt. He is an ESPN anchor that was diagnosed with a rare form of Appendiceal Cancer. It was a great book, and wanted to discuss the merits this book had on showing what

Cancer is Chronic disease in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems (NCI, 2013). Breast cancer in particular affects both women and men, though our focus is on Ella Miller who is the heart of the Miller family. Ella has been battling cancer for years now and even though she went into remission, the cancer has returned. This Situation is affecting her view on life and well as her family view on life with and without her. The purpose of this paper is to inform and introduce factual background of breast cancer, medical treatment options, suggestions of coping with this illness for the family and Ella as well as an outlook regarding the micro, macro and mezzo influences of the patient and family. This paper will educate Ella and her family on lifespan development and outcomes pertaining to breast cancer.

In this article, Sarah Cotterill writes about how cancer has changed the way she sees and processes the world she lives in today. During this hard time of her life she has experienced both highs and lows throughout. Cotterill is only 29 years of age but feels she has the knowledge to speak in this topic since she has experienced it first hand.

It was a typical day in the McDougal household; my sister was acclimating to college life, my annoying little brother was pushing my buttons, and my only worry was whether I was going to pass my next bio test. My dad was getting ready for a business trip to Singapore but decided to stop by the doctors for a quick checkup for his abdomen. Scans came back showing that the bump on his belly button was metastasized Stage IV Liver Cancer. I was completely devastated and couldn’t comprehend how my role model could have so much chaos inside of him. It took weeks before I could go a day without crying as I thought about my future without one of my biggest supporters. It seems for every glimmer of hope for a new treatment, a new, insurmountable brick wall appears when the scans show the treatment’s failure. As cliché as it sounds, every day truly is a rollercoaster; some days better than others. However, we slowly have adapted to this new reality and have truly understood that falling down is a part of life, but getting back up is living.

Also, I find the dynamics of cancer treatment to be absolutely fascinating. I’ve experienced the physical and emotional toll it takes on an individual and their family, and I would like to make a contribution to help better understand the disease as well as better the lives of those who are diagnosed. Along with seeking acceptance into the SURF+ program, I am also in the process of looking for opportunities in which I can volunteer or work in a cancer care setting. Volunteering or working in a cancer care setting while supplementing that experience with research in the field is an extremely rare and invaluable opportunity. If I am accepted, I am almost certain that my experiences during this summer will serve as the core of any of my future endeavors. Currently, I am close to wrapping up my first year of volunteering with Honor Health at the Deer Valley Medical Center, and I can say, without any hesitation, that my desire and motivation to make health care my career has only continued to grow. Additionally, I have taken the time to learn about MIHS itself, its mission, and the services it provides to the

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. In 2011, more than 575,000 people died of cancer, and more than 1.5 million people had a diagnosis of cancer. Millions more have been affected by cancer directly post diagnosis or indirectly by taking care of a loved one that had been diagnosed with cancer. The actual cost of such a disease extends well beyond the number of lives lost and new diagnoses each year. Cancer survivors, as well as their family members, friends, and caregivers, may face physical, emotional, social, and spiritual challenges as a result of their cancer diagnosis and treatment. The financial costs of cancer also are overwhelming. According to the National Institutes of Health,

Jean Vondrak is a fifty-six-year-old woman who was always a fighter. She had already lost her husband only a few years earlier to skin cancer and now she was being diagnosed with breast cancer. Jean was always a stubborn, strong-willed woman who seemed as though she could simply take on the world. “I was fifty-two when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.” “Before the cancer I would’ve described myself as a cheerful, strong, motivated mother, grandmother and teacher who cares deeply for my family.” “I loved to care for my family and I loved to always be up and around involved in my farm. But during the time I had cancer I felt troubled, discouraged, and anxious.”

As an 11-year-old child most kids worry about going outside to play with friends or on their cell phones not most, children worry about if there is going to be dinner on the table, or if the water is shut off, or if the electricity isn’t working. Most kids don’t have to grow up and act like an adult until their 18 or 19 years old. Not many children at the young age of 11 have to sit and wander if today or tomorrow is the last time they get to see their dad.

To quote physician and New York Times Best Selling Author, David Agus, “We may never understand illnesses such as cancer. In fact, we may never cure it. But an ounce of prevention is worth more than a million pounds of cure.” And because of these five men, the Children’s Mercy Cancer Center can continue

Breast cancer is the second leading cancer killer among women, after lung cancer (Breast Cancer , 2014). Cancer is a word that puts fear in many people, especially if they have family members who have either died or survived the disease. No one wants to hear that he or she has been diagnosed with any disease, especially cancer. Many women do not take breast cancer serious until they are diagnosed. Sadly, once diagnosed with this epidemic, a person’s life is altered forever. Breast cancer does not discriminate and can happen to anyone at any age. To prevent this disease, one must take the necessary precautions to lower the risk factors. In fact, there are several local and national events to remind people of breast cancer’s existence. Many