My main health concern is breast cancer. Breast cancer is prevalent in my family. My cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 22. She found the lump herself and had it checked out by her doctor immediately. Luckily, she baught the lump at the early stages. Four years later, she had the lump removed and went through chemotherapy. She is doing great now. Other family members have also been diagnosed with breast cancer, such as my grandmother and aunts. it seems that family members are getting cancer at younger ages, so that encourages me to do self breast exams more often. My co- workers have many of the same health concerns as me. Amy, a nurse, had a cousin who died from cervical cancer at the age of 32. Amy is concerned about her own health and the health of her daughter. She is even researching the HPV vaccine for her daughter. A student in the ultrasound program at my hospital is concerned about cancer for her family. In studying cancer and what it does to the body systems, she fears for the health of her family. Another co- worker, Kristan, has a strong family history of heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. She has had two uncles loss their legs due to diabetes and her father had a stroke at the age of 50. She is doing her part to lessen the chances of being affected by these diseases, such as not smoking and eating healthier foods. Although we are four women of different ages and ethnicities, we all have similar health concerns.
Samisha
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Hi Samisha. Did your cousin wait 4 years to have the lump removed or was it four years ago that she had it removed? None the less, I'm glad that she is doing well now. As women, we must be diligent in our quest to be healthy. Self breast exams are one of the best ways to protect ourselves as well as yearly cervical exams. My youngest daughter is 14 and she has had 2 of the 3 HPV vaccine shots. My two older daughters have not had the vaccine merely because it wasn’t available at the time of their high school physicals but both are considering getting them now. They are both chickens when it comes to shots, so I'll probably have to make the appointment for them and make them go!!
ReplyDeleteHi Samisha. Great post! Cancer is a big concern in out family as well. My paternal grandmother has had breat cancer twice, and thank God both times she has been blessed to overcome it. My maternal grandfather had stomach cancer that spread and eventually took him over and he passed away. Thankfully so far we have not had any episodes of cancer recently in my family however I know several people who have family with cancer ro who have died from cancer. I hope that in my life time I will see the cure for cancer found!
ReplyDeleteHi Samisha,I am glad the lump on your cousin breast was caught on time and she is now doing well. I can see your concern with breast cancer since it seems to run in the family, I would also be proactive to do daily breast examination and the yearly mammogram. I am glad that since the new digital mammogram machine come out; there is less compression on the breast itself. I found it a lot more comfortable and will not be so tense next year when I need to go back again.
ReplyDeleteGardasil is the new vaccine that has been promoted to help prevent certain types of cervical cancer. My daughter had her first GYN visit not too long ago, and the Doctor really pushed to have her vaccinated. I did not feel comfortable with the vaccine at the time since I had not read much on it. But, I can see the reasons why a parent would want to protect their daughter. My grandmother and a very good friend of mine both lost their battle to cervical cancer. If this vaccine can prevent this awful disease from taking women’s lives, then the benefits outweighs the risks.
Hi Samisha,Cancer is such a sneaky disease because usually you find out you or your loved one has it when symptoms occur that are present in advanced disease. I am concerned with the state of the healthcare system and the costs these days that are preventing people from getting their regular check ups and screenings. I think offering regular screenings gratis for people would benefit all especially for womens mammos and pap smears.
ReplyDeleteHello Samisha, I totally agree with your opinion about the cancer. Millions of people die each year without knowing that they are infected with this disease and this happens because many people do not know about the early symptoms especially women's breast cancer. However, i didn't lose anybody in my family or friend's circle, i have seen it's miserable outcomes in my society.As you might know that within denton county, there are many small towns where women are not getting enough funds for the regular mammos for breat cancer and i knew this because one of my professor is still working on this project to get enough fundings from the government and NGOs. So,let's hope within some years cancer will not be a major health concern especially for women.
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