According to the American Cancer Society, in 2014, an estimated 1,665,540 new cancer cases were diagnosed and 585,720 cancer deaths occurred in the U.S. Cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the U.S., accounting for nearly 1 in every 4 deaths. One in four people. Take a look around the room. One in four of you will be touched by cancer. Essentially, that means nearly every single one of us will likely be personally affected by cancer at some point, either through our own diagnosis or through that of a loved one.
The Deep Emotional Impact of Cancer
And the bottom line is, cancer sucks. It sucks in so many ways. It is one of those diseases that, no matter how strong-minded and healthy you are, no matter how optimistic and vigilant you remain about your health and well-being, the diagnosis of yourself or a loved one will rock you to your core. It will make you question everything, from God and faith to finances and life choices. Cancer changes life.
In today’s world, cancer has become an everyday word. Turn on the news, or start any month of the year, and awareness campaigns are everywhere. 911 lawyers are still handling cases related to cancers linked to the bombing of the World Trade Towers. It doesn’t take much to hear a sad cancer story or a success story from a survivor. Suffice it to say, whether we talk about it or not, cancer is on our minds. The American Cancer Society says the average person worries about cancer at least 2-3 times per week. Doctors in the U.S. say that, on average, half of their patients show up with symptoms of illness and are worried the diagnosis could be cancer. With 1 in 4 people touched by the disease, it’s no wonder that we are concerned. The onset of a new illness or ache sends people privately scouring the internet, all while worrying in the back of their minds whether this new bump or cough could turn into cancer.
Not to mention that hundreds of thousands of young children are fighting this disease, often losing the battle. Cancer is the number one cause of death in children. Not only does that seem unfair, but it also sounds cruel. How could these beautiful children, who don’t smoke or abuse their bodies, have brain tumors and deadly cancers? Our children go to school with these kids, and they, too, are exposed to the harsh reality of a cancer diagnosis. Our kids go to school with classmates whose parents or grandparents are battling the disease. They are being exposed to death and loss at a young age.
What makes cancer even worse is the treatment for the disease. Few illnesses in this world require such invasive, painful, and miserable treatments. Chemotherapy and radiation, while life-saving in the long run, are grueling and painful, and difficult to witness as a loved one goes through them.
What makes cancer more difficult for many patients and families is the undertones that cancer has become a multi-billion-dollar industry. When your loved one is dying and you hear whispers of hidden cures and medicines that are unavailable for human trials, people tend to turn angry and hopeless. Last year alone, cancer brought in $124.6 billion into the economy. Many people believe that cures exist but are being covered up by pharmaceutical companies, or lost within federal agencies, in order to perpetuate the revenue generated by cancer treatment and diagnosis. Add these figures to the amount of money raised by large non-profit organizations like Susan G. Komen, where top executives earn six-figure salaries, and you can see why conspiracy theories about hidden cures persist.
Unfortunately, there is no proven, 100% effective way to avoid cancer. While with other diseases, taking care of yourself, going to the doctor for preventative maintenance, and making healthy life choices can significantly reduce the risk, the same is not true for cancer. So for many people, especially those with a family history, they are just rolling through life until the day they or a loved one gets the diagnosis—the C word.
The reality is that we all have to die in some way. Old age brings with it illnesses and ailments that seem anything but fair. But cancer seems to know no boundaries or limits. It attacks innocent babies, single mothers, and working fathers alike. Cancer doesn’t seem to have a specific race, religion, or creed. It doesn’t follow the rules of medicine, isn’t predictable, and surpasses all the limits of science, medicine, and logic. These are the reasons so many turn to hope, faith, and belief in miracles during and after a cancer diagnosis. In fact, one of the few things cancer cannot take away is our faith, love, hope, and belief in humanity. And perhaps, for those diagnosed or with loved ones affected, that is the only saving grace left.
