The New Cancer Survivorship

stepsforliving · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:17 pm Post subject: The New Cancer Survivorship

I just wanted to chime in real quick. As a 10-year survivor of pediatric brain cancer, I felt the need to say that there is a marked difference in how cancer survivors of all ages view their diagnosis today. No longer bystanders to their own disease, they are more educated, more involved and more empowered than ever before. These 10,000,000+ Americans are living proof that it’s not about what you had, it's that you're s till here; and that it's not about how long you live but how you live that begs to answer the ques tion: “What does it mean to be a cancer survivor?”.

I read somewhere in here that mortality rates are up. That is a half truth. Mortality is only up because diagnosis are up. Cancer survival rates have improved 15-20% for many cancers over the past 15 years and more people than ever are living and surviving the disease than ever before. This is a public health trend that shows no signs of abating.

This is why I founded Steps For Living, the only cancer advocacy group addressing cancer survivorship culturally through music and the arts.
A national organization founded by survivors and for survivors, we've been there just like you and we're still here, just like you.

It's a pleasure to make you acquaintance.

http://StepsForLiving.org

Rock on,

Matthew Zachary
Founder & Chairman
Steps For Living, Inc.
10-Year Pediatric Brain Cancer Survivor

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