My Letter to the Editor

This is a letter I recently sent to our local newspaper.....I am really hoping that they run it!

My family and I would be grateful if you would run this letter.

Dear Editor,

Cancer is not a color. In the month of October, everywhere you turn you see the color pink. Most often, pink does not represent the Metastatic Breast Cancer patient. For those who have not heard of Metastatic Breast Cancer (or Stage 4) before, “Metastatic” refers to the spread of cancer to different parts of the body: bones, liver, lungs or brain. Stage 4 is treatable, but no longer curable.

My mother was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer in September of 2010. Fast forward to October 2012 and she is battling against Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. Even though our family has been fighting this disease for two years, I was unaware of what Metastatic Breast Cancer was when mom received this terrible diagnosis.

Just because you have early detection of breast cancer does NOT mean you are guaranteed a cure. Metastatic breast cancer can occur 5, 10 or 15 years after a person's original diagnosis and successful treatment checkups and annual mammograms. About 6% to 10% of people are Stage 4 from their initial diagnosis.

There are an estimated 155,000 women and men in the United States living with metastatic disease, fighting for more treatments to extend their lives. I urge everyone to find out more about Breast Cancer and Metastatic Breast Cancer. By educating yourself, your family and friends, you will do so much to advance the mission of stopping this dreadful disease. Please visit http://mbcn.org/ to learn more about Metastatic Breast Cancer. Educate yourself to raise awareness!