When it comes to incurable diseases, nothing comes close to cancer. Cancer manifests itself in many forms, and sometimes, we discover it only when it’s too late. Cancer continues to claim the lives of millions around the world. And those who battle and survive it, know that cancer is no walk in the park. Even with all the advancements that humanity has made in medical science, we are still in the middle of nowhere to curing it.
Be it breast cancer or colon cancer, these incurable diseases ruin the lives of many. Cancer sucks, and we as a society can only sympathize with people who undergo treatments to have a fighting chance against it.
In this post, we aim to humanize the struggles of cancer survivors, their issues, and what we as a society can do to help ease their suffering.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
“In 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685,000 deaths globally. As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer.”
The same goes for colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society Journal, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians:
“Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and women. In addition, it is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, and the second overall when men and women are combined.”
Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer in being the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. Mostly diagnosed in women, breast cancer can take a heavy toll on one’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being. The worst part about it? Doctors and medical science have no idea what contributes to the increased risk of breast cancer in females other than their gender.
We have come a long way in spreading awareness, in suppressing and treating this incurable disease. Organizations such as Susan G. Komen, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), Colorectal Cancer Alliance, and Colon Cancer Foundation have done considerable work in educating people about how to deal with their research and findings with these incurable diseases.
WHO has designated October as the month to raise awareness about breast cancer and March for colon cancer to spread awareness. Health organizations worldwide hold walks, awareness campaigns, fundraisers, and events dedicated to spreading awareness and education regarding these cancers all month long. It is a good idea to attend these events to understand better how you can help cancer survivors.
As a result of these events, there has been a rise in seeking early treatment among women, which has saved lives and opened cancer survivors to better treatment options and healthcare plans.
Even though survival rates have improved due to increased awareness, the truth is that breast and colon cancer remains deadly and fatal. According to breastcancer.org:
“About 12 per cent of women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.” Similarly, The American Cancer Society estimates “104,270 new cases of colon cancer with 45,230 new cases of rectal cancer.”
We can’t stress this enough – you must schedule regular checkups with your doctor if you feel any symptoms associated with these diseases.
If someone you love is battling cancer, you need to lend your support in the most caring way. A little gesture of appreciation, a home-cooked meal, even a caress can go a long way in making them feel they matter. They need to know that you are there for them, no matter the situation or illness.
Nevertheless, we still have mountains to climb. To every breast or colon cancer survivor reading this, you are not alone in this fight.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/lcod/men/2016/nonhispanic-black/index.htm
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