Don ’t Believe These 3 Myths About Living With Cancer

When people find out that I have stage 4 terminal breast cancer, they have varied reactions. Some are saddened and compassionate, some are concerned and curious, and others, because of their own fears, need to find an explanation — a way to feel in control. This often leads to myths about living with cancer that can be insulting to those of us who are battling the disease. Let’s examine the truth behind three of these myths: Myth #1: If you are a positive person with a great attitude, you won’t get cancer. My father, mother, and niece all battled cancer. My parents were anything but people who gave in or gave up. They each had an exceptional sense of humor, loved life, and loved each other. My niece was a 4-year-old happy, precocious child when she battled leukemia. Now, as a mother and wife living with a BRCA2 gene mutation that puts her at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancers, she is a positive force that can light up a room like fireworks. I have faced my share of tough times. I credit a positive attitude and my faith for seeing me through. I don’t even see cancer as the worst thing that has happened to me. Most of the women I know who are also afflicted with this disease are among the most brilliant, bright, positive women I know. Perhaps only bright, upbeat, positive people get cancer — there is no other explanation. In truth, we know that there are environmental and genetic factors that affect a person’s risk for developing cancer. To believe that some...
Source: Life with Breast Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Breast Cancer Nutrition Risk Factors treatment Source Type: blogs