Dr. Susan Love, who has written the Bible about breast cancer, makes an interesting point. She notes that to 'sex up' the news, most of the time a journalist does an article on breast cancer--be it a new breakthrough treatment, advice on getting a mammogram, etc.--they show a young woman, often in her 20's or 30's, who is in treatment. The fact that young women get breast cancer is tragic, and needs to be addressed. However, Dr. Love points out that the vast majority of breast cancer patients are over sixty years of age. Because of this discrepancy between the media perception and the reality, many young women are needlessly terrified of getting cancer at their age. This is an ironic turn of events, given that for once, it isn't the women 60 plus, themselves, who are paying the price of invisibility in the media. This time, our daughters are also suffering. And while we're at it, with so many survivors afoot, walking marathons, running governments, and so on, maybe those amongst us who are beyond are 20s and 30s should take the media reports determined to terrify us with a grain of salt, as well. As my spiritual upbringing has taught me, expect the best, trust yourself and life that you'll be able to handle whatever life sends your way.
Carol Orsborn