That Others May Know

My main reason for continuing to tell our story is so that others will know.  

Change thinking ways... change doing ways.  Breast cancer is so well promoted.  There is probably not one woman alive who hasn't heard about a mammogram.  Breast cancer seems to have permeated most families, lending to further our education on the disease. Pink ribbons are on everything from bumpers to butter. 

and women talk...  They share their stories and their tears.  They wrap arms, cook casseroles and say prayers.  Men don't.  They go into their caves in an attempt to bear the burden alone.  I've watched women fight this disease with more strength than I ever knew they had.  It hurt to see such pain but in the end I stood proud of what they accomplished. 

While they might have had a cheering audience, the trek, they walked that alone. 

I'm proud of Gregg that he is willing to share the deeply, personal and shameful aspects of his disease.  Believe me when I tell you.  He does NOT participate in pity parties and doesn't want anyone's sympathy.  We've both been shocked at the ugliness of prostate cancer.  The extreme radical treatment and the physical and psychological pain that comes with it.  His sole purpose...

Just so others may know.

Many believe the two cancers, prostate and breast, are related, from the same gene.

Both scary.

Both cutting away at your core.

I'm glad screening tests are relatively easy for BrCa and PCa.  Have you or your loved one had your yearly screening?  Yearly mammograms after 40.  Yearly PSA after 45.  These ages change if you have a 1st degree relative with either of these cancers. Developing these tests took years of research, but neither of them prevent cancer.  They are early detection sirens.  THAT'S NOT ENOUGH!

How about stopping it before it happens?  Eradicating cancer.  Like polio!  Hopefully, we'll see this in our lifetimes.  For now, do what you can.  Eat right and exercise, get yearly screenings and donate to the American Cancer Society. 

Statistics

Breast Cancer                                                                 Prostate Cancer
1 in 8 women will get BrCa this year                              1 in 6 men will be diagnosed this year
230,480 women will be diagnosed in the USA               240,890 men will be diagnosed in the USA
39,520 will die from BrCa                                               33,720 men will die this year.
Most commonly diagnosed cancer among women          Most commonly diagnosed cancer among men
2nd deadliest cancer among women,                              2nd deadliest cancer among men

Lung cancer takes the lead in both sexes

I hope you learned something.  Hug a man today and ask him about his most recent PSA!

Digging deep and reaching high!