Roxy works as a registered nurse on Baxter Regional Medical Center’s cardiac
floor, and has been the facilitator for the nicotine cessation program QuitSmart for 20 years, but being diagnosed with breast cancer was a completely different med- ical experience. She had 20 treatments of radiation and is on an estrogen blocker, which she will take for five years. With that came the shocking realization of the cost of treatments — her radiation treatments alone cost $40,000, and even with good health insurance there is typically a substantial deductible — as well as dealing with the physical effects of medication. Still, Roxy hasn’t lost her sense of humor. She jokes with Melissa Hudson, cancer resource coordinator at Peitz Cancer Sup-
port House, saying she’s unable to come to any of the discussion groups because they’re during happy hour. “You’ve taken good care of yourself,” Melissa later told Roxy. “A lot of good it did me,” Roxy retorted, laughing, “I’m not doing it anymore.” Between their friendly banter, it’s
clear to see the importance of getting in- formation and support after receiving any type of cancer diagnosis. “Information is vital when you’re di-
agnosed,” Melissa emphasizes. “We’re about all cancers and we’re here to help everyone.”
“Information is vital when you’re diagnosed.. We’re about all cancers and we’re here to help
everyone.” Melissa Hudson Cancer resource coordinator
Facts & Figures
About 1 in 3 people have a probability of being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. Cancer is the second leading cause of death, after heart disease.
The cancer death rate has dropped, due to reductions in smoking and early detection advances.
Liver cancer is rising faster than other cancers. Other rising rates are melanoma, thyroid, endometrial and pancreatic cancers. Source: American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2019
20 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 LIVING WELL
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