In Cancerland… and back again

Now, however, she argues it’s time for yet another evolution – this time beyond the label ‘survivor’.

“Because of my background, I think of ‘survivor’ as being something whispered about, as applying to someone who had survived the Nazi concentration camps,” she says. “For me, cancer is not quite the same thing…it’s definitely something very bad that can happen to you, but not necessarily this epic thing.”

So will the next evolution transform survivor to thriver? Whatever the word, as Libby writes, “Instead of raging and battling and surviving, just living with it may be a better choice. Better still, as the old saying goes – living well is the best revenge.”

book cover In Cancerland: Living Well is the Best Revenge is available in major bookstores across North America. For more information or to order a copy, go to indigo books or to amazon.ca

Breast cancer in Canada
According to the Breast Cancer Society of Canada:

• 1 in 9 women will be diagnosed with beast cancer in her lifetime
• In 2007, an estimated 22,300 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 5,300 will die from it
• 9 out of 10 growths are detected by women themselves
• As many as 2 million women in North America were diagnosed with breast cancer during the 1990’s
• Since 1993, incidence rates for breast cancer have stabilized and death rates have declined

The Canadian Cancer Society recommends:

• Women between the ages of 50 to 69 have a mammogram every two years
• If you are between the ages of 40 and 49, discuss your risk of breast cancer and the benefits and risks of mammography with your doctor
• If you are 70 or older, talk to your doctor about a screening program for you
• Have a clinical breast examination by a trained health professional at least every two years if you are over the age of 40
• Get to know your breasts. Talk to your doctors about any changes

The society says that age-standardized death rate for breast cancer for Canadian women has dropped by 25 per cent since 1986. Current evidence shows that organized screening with mammography and clinical breast examination – the most reliable methods of finding breast cancer – have contributed to the declining death rates.

About Libby Znaimer
Libby Znaimer, a prominent Canadian journalist specializing in business, politics, and lifestyle issues, is producer and host of The Zoomer Report, a special feature on topics of interest to the baby boom generation. She recently joined Classical 96.3 FM as Vice-President of News and Information. In Cancerland – Living Well Is the Best Revenge is her first book. Visit her website at www.libbyznaimer.ca

RELATED ARTICLES
I am woman, I am strong
New breast cancer drugs are safer
Breast density risk for cancer

Copyright © 2007 All Rights Reserved – Fifty-Plus.Net International Inc.