G. Michael Reid on Cancer Week
His commentary several weeks ago on the B.C.B. firmly established G. Michael Reid as the journalistic patron saint of lost causes. Tonight he turns his thoughts to a subject that, although once believed to fall in that category, is now viewed in a different light.
“According to Greek mythology, the first woman on earth was not Eve, but Pandora. Created by the god Hepheatus at the bidding of Zeus, Pandora was sent to earth bearing many gifts designed to make life easy and pleasant for human beings. Among the gifts she bore, however, was a box that she was warned never to open; starkly similar to Adams predicament with his forbidden fruit. Pandora’s story winds up pretty much the same as Adams of course, though it was not temptation but curiosity which gets the better of her as she eventually finds herself fidgeting with the latches. Little did Pandora know that when she opened that box, all hell would literally break loose for from within would come much evil and every wretched disease which now plagues mankind.
Of course, if we are to believe this story, then indubitably the most woeful of maladies to escape from Pandora’s box would have to have been the killer we now call cancer. And while Pandora’s tale has long since been dispelled as myth, this God-awful disease remains a grim reality.
Still, Pandora’s story does not have an altogether sad ending for among the many evils in her box, was one good thing that has remained to comfort humanity. That good thing is hope. And it is with hope that we must join forces to fight this deadly menace to mankind.
Of course, the first and probably biggest hurdle that we must overcome in our fight against cancer is fear, for there is no disease, save maybe AIDS, which so ravages the human personality from the standpoint of fear as does cancer. Yet with AIDS, major strides have been made toward finding a cure in a relatively short period of time, while cancer research has continued for eons and as yet the only promise of a cure is through early detection. As with AIDS, few dare venture forth to test for this disease from fear of being told that they are afflicted.
Yet a big difference is that while early detection of AIDS can only ensure better treatment, early detection of cancer can practically guarantee a cure. And while science is admittedly still a long way from finding a cure for cancer and from even fully understanding this disease, researchers are convinced that by taking preventive measures, the number of those afflicted each year could easily be reduced by half. An interesting statistic is that as many as sixty percent of those who die from cancer, do so as a result
of tobacco use. Quite disturbing is the fact that second hand smoke is found to be almost as deadly as first hand smoke, which makes a ban on smoking in public places even more imperative.
This month we observe as Cancer Awareness Month and cancer societies around the world are hard at work trying to alleviate fear and acquainting the public mind to the facts about this silent killer. Tomorrow October 17th, the Belize Cancer Society will be in front of Brodies supermarket selling t-shirts and handing out pamphlets. On October 24th, the society will be holding its annual walkathon from Ladyville and all are urged to join in and if possible give a little to the cause. Of course in typical human fashion, few are ever moved to action about such matters until what threatens reaches out to directly touch us or a loved one. Then and only then, is the tremendous importance of an organization like the Cancer Society fully realized.
The Belize Cancer Society has been trying for the past few years to raise enough money to continue work on its planned hospice which is intended to not only assist those already afflicted but to help in anyway possible to prevent future cases. Today, the Belize Cancer Society is housed in a small office atop the Commercial Center and offers free advice and examination to anyone interested. There is a nurse on duty twice a week and information can be gotten over the phone. The number is 74015.
Each year, cancer is known to afflict as many as two million people worldwide and respects neither race, age, gender nor social standing. In the midst of a banner year for American baseball, there comes news that one current star and one former star have been diagnosed as having cancer. Thirty-eight year old Daryl Strawberry of the New York Yankees was recently operated on for colon cancer and former star of the Baltimore Orioles, Cal Ripken Sr. is suffering from lung cancer.
Cancer is best defined as the rapid production of abnormal cells that invade and destroy normal cells and tissues and while there is no cure once a cancer has spread, early detection, sometimes through simple do it yourself at home test, can allow doctors to eliminate tumors before a cancer can spread. Women over eighteen are advised to conduct monthly breast examinations and men are advised to conduct regular examination of the testicles. Wide spread adoption of these simple tests could go a long way toward detecting the most common types of cancer.
The following are seven classic danger signals for cancer that folks might do well to pay attention to:
1. a change in bowel or bladder habits
2. a sore that does not heal
3. unusual bleeding or discharge
4. thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
5. indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
6. obvious change in a wart or mole and
7. a nagging cough or hoarseness
If you observe any of these, please visit a doctor or stop by the Cancer Society for advice. Let us all join hope and do our share in stamping out this dreadful disease.
With the Last Word, G. Michael Reid.”
Don’t forget the Cancer Society’s Saturday morning sale in front of Brodies and the October twenty-fourth walkathon from Ladyville to Belize City.
