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Show JX by Corey W. Grua Public Into. Chairman, Attitudes about cancer becoming more open QUESTION: Are attitudes changing toward cancer? ANSWER: I watched a rather interesting in-teresting TV program about cancer the other day. It pointed out that attitudes about cancer really are changing. Not too many years ago, if Aunt Tillie had cancer, the family would tell others that she was just ill and no one dared question that. Obituaries never mentioned men-tioned the cause of death, as though it were bubonic plague or some similar disease. Today, things are different. Cancer is understood more and feared less. The cure rate is becoming better every time the statistics are tallied. Families are no longer ashamed to list in the paper that cancer was- the cause of death. Many organizations, with ACS at the forefront, are seeking ways to cope with and cure cancer. Time is the real enemy now. This is what we should fear. When cancer is suspected, get that checkup and set your mind at ease. It usually isn't cancer, but if it is, and you catch it fast enough, you now have a better than ever chance of survival. An attitude of delay is even more dangerous than cancer itself. If you hang on to that attitude, I suggest that you remove it. Then all your attitudes about cancer can be correct and reasonable. Look around at life. It's worthwhile to be up to date with your feelings. |