Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Good or Bad Cancer?

This past weekend the following secret was posted on postsecret.com:I thought this was very interesting as the person was referring to thyroid cancer. (The three colors on the ribbon are the awareness colors for thyroid cancer). I don’t think anyone invalidates what a person has gone through when they say that thyroid cancer is the ‘good’ cancer. To me that means THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS you do not have a terminal cancer, have to go through Chemo, loose your hair, or lose a major part of your body (from surgery).

Why does this person feel guilty for not suffering more? No one chooses what kind of cancer they get. I’m wondering if they have a family member or friend who is suffering from terminal cancer, which is making their cancer seem less important

I also agree that no cancer is good, but it’s all about perspective. You aren’t given a choice with what cancer you get diagnosed with. Do you think if someone had the choice to have thyroid cancer or breast they would pick breast? Even if they really wanted a boob job, I doubt they would choose breast. Why? Because thyroid is better than breast…right? Less risks?

Why is it that some people can’t even say the word ‘cancer’? Because it’s bad, right? I agree that it’s all bad. Like I said before…it’s all about what perspective you put the cancer in to deem it ‘good’ or ‘bad.’

The same day I viewed that secret, I also read an entry on the blog Dear Thyroid called ‘Myth-Busting: The Good Cancer. We’re Talking About Thyroid Cancer.'

This entry gives a great detailed explanation of what someone goes through when diagnosed with thyroid cancer. It also supports the thoughts on the secret.

A few days later they posted part 2 of the first blog entry, which states the ‘good’ points about the cancer.

Like I said before, it’s all about perspective. I was surprised at how many angry commenters there were on the first post, saying they were tired of peeps saying thyroid was the ‘good’ cancer. I guess I should be thankful that I’ve had a positive outlook for most of my diagnosis.

7 comments:

Sarah A. said...

I like how you say that when you got Thyroid cancer you see it as you were lucky that it's not terminal. Keep up the positive outlook! :)

Unknown said...

Yeah, you do have a good outlook. When the writer apologized for not suffering more, I thought she was being sarcastic.

Sarah said...

I find it interesting that people seem to think they know how much suffering someone else is going through and how it feels. Especially when they haven't experienced it. I don't know how much you suffered with your cancer, but I wouldn't wish it on anyone and I'm glad you didn't have to suffer anymore than you did. I think your attitude makes a big difference and we all know you have a great attitude.

Brianne said...

Keep up the positive attitude Amber! It really makes a difference! No cancer is good cancer but I think it really helps when you have a good support system and some people don't...maybe that's where her feelings come from. :(

Deborah "Deb" Jeffrey said...

Amber, I absolutely love your positive outlook on life! I have seen you go through from diagnosis to surgery...to a second surgery, and all the while you hung onto life and all that is positive about it. You never held a pity party, and you are a wonderful example and inspiration to me. Thank you....my life is much richer because of you! Deborah

youdontknow said...

I have thyroid cancer this is not what I think they meant that they feel bad that they didnt have to go torough more. I think they mean Just because we dont go through all that that worse cancers have to go through , we do have to suffer and people think we shouldnt have to hurt cause it is less threastening

Unknown said...

I have to disagree with you here. Just because you didn't have as rough a time with it doesn't mean others haven't. Also, the problem with the whole "thyroid cancer is the good cancer" line is that A) it's so wholly untrue as to be laughable and B) it is demeaning for a doctor to say as much to you, especially not knowing the extent of the disease.

While it's true that most patients don't have to go through chemo and hair loss, some of us do. Also, it's a fully incurable cancer; once diagnosed, you will always be undergoing treatment. Technically, it's a terminal cancer. All terminal means is that you have it till you die, people just misunderstand it to mean "this will kill you." The fact of the matter is, most people don't actually die from cancer - any type - itself, but rather, from complications of the cancer. The same is true for thyroid cancer.

Did you know that, because of the suppression therapy we undergo to try to keep the cancer from growing, we're also inviting a host of other issues? Like low bone density, heart disease and stroke risk. The RAI itself is known to cause leukemia, lymphoma and breast cancer.

There is no good cancer. It doesn't exist. There is also no cure for cancer. Instead of beating one another up, we should supporting and helping one another.