There are many health issues that women have to be concerned about today. The one health risk that concerns me most is cancer. Fortunately, I have been blessed thus far in my life not to have had any friends or loved ones diagnosed with cancer. However, so many people worldwide have been impacted by the effects of cancer. The reason cancer worries me most is due to the fact that it can take over any part of your body regardless of the lifestyle you lead, your race, or gender. Cancer does not discriminate. Once an individual has been diagnosed with cancer, they are told how long they can expect to live. Wow! How can you possibly live your life knowing that everyday there is a time clock ticking down the last minutes of your life. While trying to cope with your diagnosis, then you must find a way to tell your family.
Every once in a while you hear about those brave individuals who fought back against cancer and beat the odds. Who knows if you will be afforded the same miracle? Even if you overcome its ferocity, will it return in the future? Cancer treatment is a long and painful process. Its physical and mental toll on your body is tremendous.
I spoke with other women regarding their health concerns. The first individual I spoke with is a white, 48 year old woman. She reiterated my concerns and fears of cancer. Unfortunately, she has witnessed first hand how cancer can destroy a wonderful and vivacious person. A co-worker of hers had overcome cancer in the past, but several years later it returned with a vengence. Her co-worker now has only months to live and is withering away every day. It's a scary feeling not being able to control your own fate.
Another individual I spoke with is a 31 year old hispanic female. She was also concerned about cancer, however, she was most concerned with heart disease. It seems that she lost her father a few years ago to heart disease. Heart disease is known to run in her family, and that is a fear that she and other family members must live with daily. Knowing how it feels to lose a loved one to heart disease is not something she wants to have to go through ever again. Who could blame her?
Health concerns vary from person to person, but in the end, the fears are very similar. In order to overcome these fears, I believe education is key. Even today there is so much life saving information that needs to be shared. A simple change in a daily routine can be life saving event.
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Hello Candice,
ReplyDeleteI believe this is my third time blogging to this issue. Having a hard time understanding the blog thing.
I agree that Cancer is a serious health issue today. It has to be great not having to experience a loved one with this type of illness. There have been so many people in the world diagnosed with some form of Cancer and I can tell you, working at a Cancer Hospital you can see it all. The pain and hurt so many people have to go through, not knowing the outcome. Not knowing what to expect is what really hurts. There have been many people in my family who have died from Cancer and you learn a great deal but at the same time you are losing someone close to you. I just hope that with all the research studies going on that someone will one day create a cure for cancer.
Anita Vallier