Fear of the unknown is often worse than the reality, get to know
about cancer, what's involved in treatment and the support network
that's out there for you.
So what is cancer?
Cancer is a group of diseases that involve the uncontrollable
growth and spread of abnormal cells. Good healthy cells in the body
have a normal life cycle: they grow, divide and die.
Cancer cells starts out as good healthy cells that unfortunately
then turn bad. Cancer cells take on an abnormal life cycle, they
grow and divide, but instead of dying, they keep growing and
dividing. The problem arises when the abnormal cancer cells go
berserk, grow uncontrollably and sometimes outlast and over take
the good healthy cells.
The good news is:
- Abnormal cancer cells can be treated, destroyed, demolished,
and killed!
- Cancer cells are not contagious
- The five year survival rates from adolescent cancer patients
diagnosed around 1990 exceeded 70%, (Stiller, 2002)
- You are not alone, and it isn't all bad. Many strengths are
gained by this character building experience
- Information on cancer is extensive and is at your
fingertips
- There are lots of support groups, like CanTeen, for young
people living with cancer
It was a confusing time. It is such a sensitive age and
you have got so much to deal with and then you get hit with
something like this.
Rebecca, Waikato
The bad news is:
- Treating abnormal cancer cells can be a long and painful
process
- Hospitals can be lonely and boring places
- Adjusting to life with cancer can be challenging at times
- Little is known why adolescent cancer occurs