Posted by In this post, I’m taking up a summer blogging challenge posed by Nancy at Nancy’s Point to answer ten random questions about cancer that she has put together.
Nancy has shared her answers to the ten questions, and asked other bloggers and readers to join in and answer as many as they like.
So, here are my answers to Nancy’s ten random questions about cancer.
1. Share anything you want about your cancer diagnosis (or your loved one’s). Share your age, cancer type, stage, when you were diagnosed, family history (if any), your reaction, how you learned the news, or whatever you’re comfortable sharing.
I was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer in 1993, when I was only 35 years old. Many people assume that, because of my young age at diagnosis, there must be a family history of breast cancer. But actually, there is no history of breast cancer in my family and I carry no cancer-related genetic mutations. In fact, an estimated 90% of breast cancer cases are not related to any inherited mutation.
2. What is the most outrageous thing someone has said to you about your (or your loved one’s) cancer?
The notion of being “celebrated as a survivor” has always seemed to me incredibly misplaced. Even in the beginning, after I had just completed treatment, I remember feeling that if I was doing well it was due to a combination of having received excellent care as well as some luck. It certainly wasn’t due to any heroic effort on my part.
3. What is your biggest cancer pet peeve?
My biggest cancer pet peeve is our culture’s tendency to treat cancer as somehow an individual’s responsibility. If someone gets cancer, it must be because of their bad “lifestyle” habits, and they are expected to “beat” cancer through force of will and a positive attitude. This focus draws attention away from what we need to do as a society to seriously reduce deaths from these diseases, including gaining a better understanding of how environmental factors contribute to cancer risk and coordinating and properly funding research efforts.
4. What is something you want others to know specifically about breast cancer?
I want others to know that in the United States alone we are still losing over 40,000 women and men each year to breast cancer. Although some progress in has been made in improving treatments, it is not nearly enough. Scientists have made tremendous advances in understanding the disease at the molecular level, but translating that knowledge to effective treatments and prevention methods lags far behind.
5. If applicable, do you worry about recurrence rarely, from time to time, or a lot?
I rarely worry about recurrence these days. Instead, I make taking care of my physical and mental health a priority.
6. Do you feel cancer has made you a better person? If you do, specifically in what way?
No, I do not feel that cancer has made me a better person. I do feel that we learn from our life experiences, both the good and the bad, and often especially those that are traumatic. But in my view there is no reason to single out a cancer experience as somehow more of a growth opportunity than any other challenging life experience.
7. What is your favorite cancer book?
My overall favorite is The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee. Two others that I’ve reviewed and highly recommend are The Truth in Small Doses by Clifton Leaf and Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History by Florence Williams.
8. Besides your family, where do you turn for emotional support?
When I was going through treatment, I found talking with others who had had similar experiences to be especially helpful. Besides being a source of practical information, talking with others who “had been in my shoes” helped me to see that I was not alone. I also have wonderful friends who were very supportive.
9. How many cancer blogs do you read and why do you read them?
I read lots of cancer blogs. Since I started my blog about four years ago, I’ve found that connecting with other bloggers, blog readers and advocates online has helped keep me inspired and moving forward with my own blogging.
10. Do you call yourself an advocate? If so, what drives you?
Yes. I’ve been involved for many years with breast cancer organizations, including groups that provide support to patients and others that advocate for research funding and ensuring access to quality care for all. I also continue to serve as a patient advocate reviewer evaluating research proposals for government funding. Starting this blog seemed a natural way to leverage what I was learning in my other advocacy activities. What drives me is the memory of those we have lost to breast cancer and other cancers, as well as realizing that we can do better and that, working together, many lives can be saved.
Related Posts
Three Year Anniversary for After Twenty Years Cancer Research Blog
Reflections on Advocating for Change
My Breast Cancer Story
Blogging Challenge: 15 Random Facts About Me
Photo by Lisa DeFerrari
After 20 Years 
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for participating in my blogging challenge and for all you do to help keep our community informed about the latest research developments. Thanks for being you!
Hi Nancy,
I enjoyed answering the questions! Thank you for putting together another great blogging challenge!
Lisa, I love your blog, and this blogging challenge post was a great one! I agree that having cancer does not make one a better person. Thank you for such a great post.
Hi Lisa, I really enjoyed learning more about your experience. Like you, I was in my early thirties when I was diagnosed with BC, and there was no history of the disease in my family. Your blog is a wonderful source of evidence-based information and advice. Thank you for all your great advocacy work.
Lisa, it’s always nice to learn more about each other and to realize how much we have in common. Your story is very encouraging, because as you know, I was dx at 32. I am so glad you’re doing well and I hope you stay healthy for a long time. I appreciate what you do. Thank you for continuing to be part of our community after all those years. xo