We are surviving cancer in greater numbers than ever!
The American Medical Association's new oncology journal,
JAMA Oncology, presented encouraging statistics in their inaugural issue on how
many of us survive cancer. Some cancers have seen a lot of progress over the
last 20 years. For example, patients aged 50 to 64 years and diagnosed with
colorectal, breast, liver, and prostate cancer from 2005 to 2009 were 39% to
68% more likely to survive than similar patients diagnosed between 1990 and
1994. The article also pointed out that certain subgroups - the elderly, and
African Americans - are not seeing as much improvement. Disparities in
healthcare remain one of our greatest challenges in the United States .
I have addressed this previously, but for today, I want to focus on the
survivors.
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 14.5 million Americans with a history of
cancer were alive on January 1, 2014, not including carcinoma in situ
(non-invasive cancer) of any site except urinary bladder, and not including
basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers. It is estimated that by January 1,
2024, the population of cancer survivors will increase to almost 19 million:
9.3 million males and 9.6 million females.
I recently spoke at the Polk County Relay for Life
Survivor's Dinner, and this weekend will speak at one for Crockett/Houston
County. American Cancer Society Relayers are passionate about the fight to end
cancer and remembering loved ones lost to cancer, but they are equally
passionate about recognizing and honoring survivors. If nothing else, these
dinners remind me that survivors are the everyman. And as such, survivors want
nothing more than to live their lives with cancer in their past, not with side
effects or debilities that are constant reminders of what they have been
through to get where they are.
For the field of oncology - the study of cancer and how to
treat it - this new focus on what happens when we cure cancer is both
refreshing and eye-opening.
What does it mean to survive? Surely it means more than just
to live, more than just to carry on despite the hardship or trauma of cancer. Today,
when you can buy survival guides for anything from zombies and global warming
to ballroom dancing and Disney queue lines, we very much risk cheapening the
word. And how about the "take no prisoners" approach of the reality television
Survivor series? Being the last man or woman standing is not the goal, either.
Cancer survivorship is about all of us reaching the goal!
I believe that successful cancer survivorship has much to do
with attitude. I see it all the time. Patients with a positive mindset suffer
less! Negative patients can talk themselves into any side effect and can let
the burden of cancer treatment weigh so heavily on them that they simply can't
function. Having strong support systems in place can help; surviving cancer is
a cooperative effort which ideally should include not only the patient and the
medical team, but the family, friends, caregivers, support groups as well.
We have entered an era where it is no longer good enough to
cure cancer. We must cure with the least toxicity possible, all the while
staying concerned with the cost of cancer treatment both for the patient and
for society. And, we must ensure that these advances are available to all
patients, regardless of race, ethnicity, income.
Are you or is someone you love going through cancer
treatment? Get involved in Relay for Life! Survive? Thrive! Find an event near
you at relay.acsevents.org.
