I’ve always admired people with strong will, no more so than mesothelioma cancer survivors. I admire the enormous courage and willpower these people embrace. They truly have the courage to move mountains.
Cancer is a fact of life–and death. The mysterious genetic triggers strike fear in many of us. However, when fear is accompanied by anger, the hurdles loom ever larger. I’m referring to the link between mesothelioma and asbestos. How unfair a hand to be dealt than to become sick because of one’s job. The link is a strong one, with a history of exposure in 70 to 80 percent of cases.
As with other cancers, mesothelioma prognosis improves with early detection. The later a diagnosis is made, the more limited the treatment options. The American Cancer Society estimates that the five-year survival rate is about 10 percent. Individuals of that 10 percentile represent truly remarkable people.
There’s encouragement and hope in these stories of survivors. It also helps to give us perspective. Life is truly too valuable to waste. It’s unfortunate that a crisis often provides the wake-up call.
