My mom is receiving hospice care for cancer. Until now it’s not something I’ve talked about with others — which is regrettable. Avoiding conversations about cancer is one of the things that makes it most deadly.
We put ourselves and loved ones at risk when avoid undesirable conversation about cancer, our cancer risks and preventative care.
Fuck Cancer is an organization that attacks cancer by sharing facts and information that lead to early cancer detection, cancer treatment and recovery.
That’s in stark contrast to the cure-focused approach of the American Cancer Society which receives ongoing, albeit declining, local support. In 2012, our local community raise nearly $68,000 for the American Cancer Society via our local community’s Relay for Life event. The same event raised $69,000 in 2011, $70,100 in 2010 and $71,000 in 2009.
“Fuck Cancer is unlike other cancer-related charities out there,” said Saschie MacLean. “We’re not raising money to fund research or looking for a cure, we believe many charities across the globe cover that mission in spades. Our mission is to put an end to late stage cancer diagnosis by educating people about early detection. We’re educators. With 90 per cent of cancers being curable if caught in stage one, we think it’s extremely important to take a proactive educational approach, rather than reactive approach.”
FCancer provides a resource that’s honest and raw for people (like myself) that are dealing with these challenging situations. Interactive tools at LetsFCancer.com provide kids of all ages with the tools they need to have “the cancer talk” with parents. They’re encouraged to ask questions like “Has anyone in our family had cancer?”, “How old were they when they got it?” and “What kinds of cancer do we have in our family history?”
Based on these answers, we can encourage parents to reduce risk factors, identify warning signs, and follow through on annual exams (mammograms, colonoscopies, pap tests, and prostate exams). The site also includes infographics that break down ways to approach tough subjects like “how to talk to your best friend with cancer” or “how to tell your family that you have cancer.”
Although the time to have candid cancer conversations with my own parents has passed, I’m on board with what FCancer represents. I’ll use the tools with my own kids and with friends to begin difficult conversations, raise awareness, and contribute my own voice: Fuck cancer.
Fuck Cancer from Fuck Cancer on Vimeo.
About Troy Janisch