News Over Lunch...

Heard from a friend that two of her friends had been diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 3 and 4 respectively. One of them had to go for further treatment in Singapore now while the other is resting at home after some series of chemotheraphy and radiotheraphy to follow up later. I have not got much detail though i.e why at stage 3 and 4. I have been wondering till now, how could that happen but keep fighting warriors. My prayers with you.......


Known facts

1. Lack of awareness


2. Shying away


3. Ignorant

I would raise up my hand for 1, which is the case in many. We still think that once you are diagnosed with cancer, any cancer that is, you are facing the death sentence. Completely not true. The taboo had long gone. There are so many survivor stories around and these survivors had cheated death. There are so many medical advancements now. More information are made available, be them in the net, books, magazines, talks, etc. It is all up to us to be in the 'AWARE' mode. I would not deny that myself, as death was exactly what I thought too, when the doctor broke the news to me. Because back then, cancer was a bad word. Nobody even dare talked about it or even to mention it. Even the doctors were reluctant to discuss cancer. Many of us have the so called the 'ostrich syndrome'. We believed that what don't know and talk about it, won't affect us.

The lack of awareness leads to SHYING AWAY with the disease. There is no one to turn to, for comfort or even support. In some case, refraining even from the closest people around if not from own best friends. This added to the stress of coping to live with the disease. That is why in many cases, patients would simply give-up. They lose hope and lose the courage.

It is sad to hear and is that purely ignorant? Ignorant for not undergoing check-ups? Ignorant to know? Ignorant to live and fight?

Cancer doesn't just affect one person, it affects everyone who knows the person, and it takes a community to beat it.