Cancer Survival and the Power of Positive Thinking - Have We Gone Too Far? One Author Says Yes

By Kathy Santini  |   Submitted On October 15, 2009

  

On Oct. 15, CBC Radio's program "The Current," featured author Barbara Ehrenreich's latest book, Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America

In her book, Ehrenreich takes a trenchant look into America's obsession with presenting a "positive" image at all times and at all costs. Spurred by her own reaction to a bout of breast cancer, Ehrenreich came face-to-face with the near obsessive culture of positivity, which led to her questioning not only what purpose it serves, but how it came to exist.

Ehrenreich's experience and advice from others, that she had to be positive to beat cancer, is a common experience for many cancer patients. Ten years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer, my own surgeon, just before the surgery, told me that he would do a great job but that I had to work on my positive mental attitude. This scared me even more, and led me to believe that my healing and recovery from cancer was solely dependent on my attitude. Ehrenreich had a similar experience, with many people telling her that in order to heal she should have one kind of feeling or approach and it best be positive.

With the myth busting powers for which she is acclaimed, Ehrenreich exposes the downside of America's penchant for positive thinking: On a personal level, it leads to self-blame and a morbid preoccupation with stamping out "negative" thoughts. On a national level, some argue that it's brought America an era of irrational optimism resulting in disaster.

As a life, business and results coach, who has cancer survivors in her practice, I firmly believe in the power of positive thinking. My doctor's advice wasn't bad. But like all things taken to the extreme, when it doesn't allow for the full range and spectrum of human emotions, it can be limiting. And there's also the danger that adopting a positive attitude to the extreme can lead to people living in that Egyptian River called "Denial." Which, after something serious like a cancer diagnosis, can be a great place to wade in temporarily, I did it myself. But only in the short term. The happiest, most successful people are those who both have a positive mental attitude but are also realistic about their lives.

Food for Thought

Determine which side of the spectrum you lean towards, are you too optimistic and wading in that famous Egyptian River, or are you pessimistic to an extreme? After determining this, spend the rest of the week altering your thoughts in the new direction you want to move towards. Over time and with practice, your new attitude will be your fallback position for everything in your life.

Kathy Santini is a 11-year cancer survivor who is a life, business and results coach and the owner of Savvy About Success, Coaching and Education, [http://savvyaboutsuccess.com]

Kathy is the author of the e-book: Live Your Best Life Now! The Cancer Survivor's Guide to Creating a Happy and Meaningful Life, holds workshops for cancer survivors across North America and is a popular guest on radio and news programs. Some of the things Kathy has done in living her happy and meaningful life after cancer include: doing humanitarian work in Sierra Leone, building a house, nursing her dying mother at home during the last week of her life, working in a war zone in Kabul, Afghanistan as an editor and creating a successful coaching business.

To view the e-book, visit: [http://savvyaboutsuccess.com/products]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kathy_Santini/410630

An Overview on Mesothelioma

By Harold Hisona  |   Submitted On June 15, 2010

  

Mesothelioma is just another form of cancer in the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos. It is called "mesothelioma" because the cancer cells caused by asbestos fumes greatly damaged the outer linings of the lungs called "mesothelium". These fibers were acquired through breathing and were suspended in the tiny openings in the lungs or stick in mucous membranes.

Medical statistics show that 95% of the people working under asbestos environment, such as factories that manufacture or use asbestos, are afflicted with mesothelioma cancer. However, there were cases wherein people have developed mesothelioma cancer even if their previous occupation was under asbestos-free environment. The results of the diagnosis pointed back to asbestos being the primary cause as there were fumes found in mesothelium, the outer linings of the lungs. It could be that one of their relatives or family members was exposed to asbestos; the fumes could have stuck in the clothes and were brought home.

But what makes mesothelioma worse is that it is very difficult to diagnose due to the following reasons:

First of all, mesothelioma symptoms can never be detected for 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. This simply means that once symptoms start to show, the cancer may already be in its full or advanced stage. And second, even if the symptoms show up early, diagnoses will still lead to other results as there will be other diseases in the body that will conceal the true symptoms of mesothelioma cancer. More often than not, mesothelioma is the last result doctors can find after the patients reveal being exposed to asbestos in the past.

As mentioned earlier, mesothelioma symptoms may appear when the cancer is in its advanced stage. Therefore, the success of mesothelioma treatments is dependent on what stage it is found. That is why most of mesothelioma treatments are often labeled as "unsuccessful".

Studies show that if the cancer is discovered at its earlier stages, either stage 1 or stage 2, mesothelioma treatments may be successful in prolonging the life of the patient for not more than five (5) years. These treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and even surgery.

Although there are conventional and natural treatments which can be used, the result will just lead to the decrease of the size of mesothelioma in the patient. But still, these kinds of treatments will not absolutely cure mesothelioma patients.

So, the question is, Are there mesothelioma survivors?

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Harold_Hisona/214917

Survival Rate of Lung Cancer

By Brijesh Ghelani  |   Submitted On January 13, 2011

  

Over half of the over two thousand people who on the average contract lung cancer each year are dead within five years after the initial diagnosis of lung cancer. This statistic is a terrible one, that is to be admitted, but it also is important to also take into account that there are over forty percent more people who are surviving lung cancer today than there were ten years ago.

Lung cancer is the number one cancerous killer in the world today, beating out even breast cancer. Lung cancer is an aggressive enemy, what can we do to fight back against it?

Sun Tzo, in his book The Art of War, made the statement, "Know your enemy". Certainly breast cancer is our enemy, a formidable one, so lets see exactly what we know about it in order that we may form a plan to combat against it intelligently, in both preventative measures and measures to fight against it should it be contracted.

First of all, what causes lung cancer? Medical professionals claim that their studies show that the number one cause of this cancer is smoking. It that is so, then it seems as if our first step is to eliminate as much smoking as possible. A good rule would be if you don't smoke, don't start. If you do smoke, stop. It's much easier not to smoke than it is to stop once one has started. Medical studies have shown smoking to be addictive. Well so is lung cancer! This cancer is so addictive that once it enters your body it spreads and spreads.

Another cause of lung cancer that we have at least some partial control over is second hand smoke. This too we can combat. Don't allow smoking in your home! This is your castle, you are the king or queen and you have the right to say that smoking is not allowed there. Would you allow someone to come into your home and point a gun at you and play a form of what is called Russian Roulette? No of course you wouldn't and allowing someone to smoke in your home is the same thing. If the smoker is your friend, they'll respect your wishes, if they don't, then they aren't your friend to begin with and you don't need either them or their second hand smoke around.

The lung cancer survival rate is a scary one, however look at it closely. There are two numbers on that scale, those that are dead within a five year period and those who are still living. Fight to prevent cancer, but should you contract it than fight to see to it that of the numbers on that survival rate scale you are amongst the survivors.

For more information about Lung cancer survival rate please visit our site http://www.howcurecancer.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Brijesh_Ghelani/470225