Stand Up To Cancer

Susan Snodgrass and Shahla Masood

In this article out of Florida, two physicians who have faced breast cancer share their stories. Shahla Masood is the medical director of UF-Shands Jacksonville's breast health center; Susan Snodgrass is director of breast imaging at Shands. In a talk about breast cancer detection and treatment, Snodgrass reminded women that symptoms of breast cancer may vary, so it's important to discuss any changes in your breasts with your doctor; Masood noted that while a breast cancer diagnosis sounds dire, it's important to stay positive. "There are always worse things that can happen to us," she said. "Breast cancer compared to other cancers is a piece of cake."
http://jacksonville.com/interact/blog/jeremy_cox/2009-10-01/health_caring_two_physicians_share_breast_cancer_battle_stories

Dana Jennings

In another contribution to the NYT's Well Blog, Jennings writes about the depression he is facing following treatment for an aggressive case of prostate cancer. Noting that as many as 25% of cancer patients develop depression, Jennings writes, "This isn't about sadness or melancholy. It's more profound than that . . . Cancer feels bleaker than other diseases. Even though my health keeps improving, and there's a good chance that I'm cancer free, I still feel stalked, as if the cancer were perched on my shoulder like some unrepentant imp."
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/after-cancer-treatment-waiting-for-the-sadness-to-lift/?hp

Mark Herzlich

Facing down a diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma at the age of 22, Herzlich, a linebacker for the Boston College Eagles, recently shared his story with ESPN. His oncologist is almost certain the cancer is gone, but has yet to do a biopsy; meanwhile, Herzlich is happy to be back on campus in the company of his teammates, though he cannot play - yet. "Being part of the football team was probably the biggest part," he said. "Being welcomed back into the football team the way I was can lift anyone's spirits."
http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/ncf/news/story?id=4526574

Alexandra Avakian

Avakian, a photojournalist by profession, has been documenting her battle with breast cancer in a series of self-portraits. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease in 2007, Avakian has photographed everything from her treatment to wig-shopping in Virginia. She writes, "Cancer puts everything into perspective. It makes life's annoyances smaller, and life's pleasures more intense. It can also increase one's sense of determination . . . In tribute to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and those struggling with breast cancer, I wanted to share a few pictures from those months."
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/behind-18/

As always, we invite you to share your stories with us in the comments below.