And for today's news...
When I was a little girl and I had heard that someone had cancer, or had passed away from it, it was usually a much older person, someone of my granny's age. It was rare to hear that someone in their 20's, 30's or 40's had this dreadful disease. I hate to hear of anyone, of any age suffering from any disease. Despite the advances in technology, pharmacology and science our health is getting worse. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease can strike any age group. I really think that globally we need to address this problem and ask the biggest yet unanswered question...WHY?
We need to become more bodily aware. We need to get rid of our Victorian attitudes to our bodies and their functions and to address the issues most affecting us in society. We need to stop being frightened of discussing things for fear of raising difficult, embarrassing, or politically correct questions. We need to make ourselves and our children more responsible and aware of our own health. It is not a doctors responsibility to keep us well...it is ours!
One article from today's news highlighted these issues. Kris Hallenga was only 22 when she went to her doctor about breast lumps. No-one, not even medical professionals even considered that breast cancer could be the cause. She was 23 by the time she was officially diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She was told that she only had about two and a half years to live, that was over 5 years ago. She has found a purpose to life by setting up a charity called "CoppaFeel!" and raising awareness in schools about the importance of early diagnosis.
I think she is an extraordinary young woman doing extraordinary work. Her story will be shown on BBC3, Wednesday at 9pm. (What a pity the BBC didn't think this issue was worthy of being shown on prime time tv. Another example of our British sensitivities getting in the way of building knowledge and awareness!)
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