Cancer and Our Responsibilities

I read Mr. Stefanides column on cancer and had a few thoughts myself. The word “cancer” is so generically and broadly used that it is frequently misleading or inaccurate. To say someone has “cancer” really tells you very little. What kind is so important! Infectious diseases killed most people in the past, and thanks to curative antibiotic pharmaceutical treatments and vaccinations, we live longer, so our aging protective immune system now becomes victim to cancers. 

I was at a Chiefs NFL football game a few years ago with my sons. It was “Stand Up to Cancer night,” and when the announcer said, “ Would all cancer survivors please stand up,” my sons said, “Come on, Dad, stand up!” I was shocked and a bit embarrassed. Yes, I had a large tumor removed from my posterior thigh a few years ago, but I have had clear checks and have a good prognosis based on genetic studies on the tumor. I'm not in denial; I just didn’t think of myself that way, and I fortunately have had good medical care! 

Cancer is a relative term with many sites of origin and varying prognoses. The treatments and prognosis for many “bad aggressive” cancers have changed due to incredible medical developments like robotic surgeries, targeted immunotherapies, and incredibly accurate radiologic evaluations. The introduction of “Artificial Intelligence” will only further dramatically revolutionize cancer treatments. It is “our responsibility” to continue to improve our lifestyles, reduce our risks with diet and screening, and keep our perspective forward thinking!