| For our special survivors’ issue,
we have chosen letters that allow us to provide information in a
number of
areas.
My 52-year-old father is in the process of scheduling a bone marrow
transplant because he has ALL. However, a match for him has not been
found and the doctors must use a partial match, giving him a less
than 10 percent chance of survival. We were shocked to learn how little
people knew about the process and how naive many people were about
the need to join the marrow registry. We need to get as many people
registered as possible so that all patients have a better chance of
survival!
Jamie Ludlow
Wexford, Penn.
[Editor’s response: To learn more about how to become a
bone marrow/stem cell donor, visit www.marrow.org or call 800-627-7692.]
In your article “The Duality of Estrogen” in Fall 2004,
you omit mention of an entire group who contract breast cancer—men.
Not only does a large segment of the population not understand men
are subject to breast cancer, but too many healthcare professionals
have the same erroneous belief. In general, men who have breast cancer
are diagnosed at a later stage than women and have a poorer outlook.
Articles on breast cancer that do not indicate men can and do get
breast cancer are an important part of the reason!
David Eisenberg
Paradise Valley, Ariz.
The article “Pet Project” in your Fall issue really hit
home with my family. Fourteen years ago, my husband and I went to
the local pet store and a puppy kept yelping for my husband’s
attention, constantly licking his hand. We took her home and named
her Missy. I recently lost both my husband and Missy to cancer. During
the last month of life for both, they slept in the hospital bed together,
my husband patting Missy and Missy forever kissing his hand. My husband
passed away with Missy snuggled next to him. Missy joined him three
days later. They gave each other so much love and comfort that it
has made my loss a little easier.
Virginia Kaplan
Las Vegas, Nev.
I am a five-year breast cancer survivor. After diagnosis and treatment,
I found my dogs to be a valuable part of my recovery. Not only did
they provide the qualities mentioned in your Fall issue’s article “Pet
Project” through their loving character, they also provided
motivation and physical therapy. Lymph node dissection left me stiff,
sore and reluctant to use my left arm, but grooming my dogs with baths
and brushing gave me strength and stretching to return to my previous
range of motion. Walking my dogs got me out of the house into the
fresh air, made me exercise and gave me pleasure as I watched them
romp and play. Having a living, loving being I was responsible for
pulled me out of my self and refocused me. I include my dogs in the
team that has helped to make me a survivor.
Janice Workman
Harlingen, Texas
The article, “Closer to a Cure” in the Fall issue was
an excellent summary. However, it did little to consider prevention.
The last few paragraphs of the story discuss prevention, but mentioning
prevention with an editorial shrug takes away from the importance
and necessity to address this aspect of our war on cancer.
Bob McGinness
Amelia Island, Fla.
[Editor’s response: The focus of the story was on the history
of cancer, which has mostly focused on cure rather than prevention.
You are correct that prevention needs more attention. We hope to
give it just that in future issues.]
Eighteen months ago I was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the
age of 34. I have been looking for articles and information on how
to
restore the healthy sex life I had before the surgery. I have had
no luck. All I hear about is breast and ovarian cancers. These are
important issues but so is cervical cancer.
Susan Martin
Dalton, Ga.
[Editor’s NOTE: Please see the current issue for a feature
on cervical cancer.]
Address
your comments and letters to editor@curetoday.com.
Letters are published at the editor's discretion and may be edited
for length. If you prefer your letter not be published, please indicate.
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