In this weeks series of “People Who Care” blogs, I’ve noted where an individuals personal struggle against a disease had led them to reach out and give back to their communities to fight these diseases. Indeed, we could question if OJ Brigance hadn’t been diagnosed with ALS and Magic Johnson hadn’t been infected with HIV, would there have been foundations created to help find a cure and/or educate individuals on these diseases.
Often times when we volunteer or make a contribution to something, it’s usually because we either A) believe in the cause or B) have either been personally affected or know someone who has affected by the cause.
I am looking forward to this September. It will be the first time that I will be fit enough to participate in the SC’s First Ladies Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I will be wearing the pink shirt in memory of Betty Monica Jarvis Edwards, my aunt, who died from Breast Cancer in 1983.
It’s not difficult to find someone who has been touched by this disease, either with our own diagnosis of it, having a family member or friend who is battling it, or knowing someone who has a friend or family member with Breast Cancer. In fact, if you’re a regular on this board, our own AV has come out about her own battle with the disease.
It’s a disease where the treatment is just as devastating to the body as the disease is. Often treatment includes surgery, which could result in a lumpectomy at the very least and a radical mastectomy, at it’s worse, leaving the body disfigured. The other treatment, a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy often leaves those fighting the disease, sick and weak afterwards. It can deplete and destroy the blood cells that the body uses to fight off viruses and infections, leaving the immune system vulnerable.
In 2008, it is estimated that 182,460 new cases will be diagnosed. That 40,480 women will not survive it. Than 1,990 men will have been found to have male breast cancer and 450 men will die from it. Despite the numbers, the prognosis is still better then it once was. Early detection and treatment has been beneficial in reducing the mortality rate in white women from 32 per 10,000 in 1975 to 24 per 10,000 in 2004. Unfortunately, this cannot be said for African-American women where the mortality rate went from 30 to 10,000 in 1975 to 32 per 10,000 in 2004. The increase is thought to be lack of health insurance or affordable medical care that would prevent these women from seeking attention early.
I’m one who is diligent in monthly self-breast exams and annual mammograms. Although I knew I needed to do this, I didn’t take much time to learn about Breast Cancer. That changed the morning I found a lump while in the shower. I can honestly say