We hear about it every so often: a person claims to have a serious illness, such as cancer and ends up benefiting from the kindness of others as a result. Some take the ruse so far as to make the symptoms look real, shaving their head and such.
Once the deception is revealed, people are often very angry and resentful. I took part in a women’s forum a few years ago when this actually happened. A woman started posting that she had lung cancer and went as far as to chronicle her treatment and the lack of progress in stopping …read more

Many kids say they want to be a doctor when they grow up – especially if they or someone they love has been seriously ill. But, as life takes us through its twists and turns, not as many who say they’ll be doctors actually become them. And then there are the special ones.
There’s a great story over at ctv.ca, about a doctor who treated a 12-year-old for cancer, replacing cancerous bone in the knee with a prosthetic knee. Now, several years later, this patient, 28-year-old Trevor Banka, MD, is a second year resident (training period after you get your medical …read more

When a parent is watching a child go through cancer treatments, they often see what is lacking. They see if a hospital doesn’t have enough pillows for the beds or enough straws that can bend.
Several years ago, there was a young girl in Montreal who had to undergo treatments at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, where she found that they only had straight straws, not the kind that bent. This was because of budgets, one would think. So, when she was finished her treatment, she made it her mission to raise money to buy straws that could bend, making it …read more

If you’ve never heard of Donna Walton, that’s ok because you’re learning about her now.
Donna Walton is one of the millions of people who have lived through having cancer and gone on to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. In Donna’s case, 30 years after she had her leg amputated above the knee because of cancer, she is a certified cognitive behavioral therapist and she works as a consultant and motivational speaker.
You can read more about Donna’s achievements and work over at Disaboom.com: Amputee and Cancer Survivor: Donna Walton Walks Her Talk.
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Tags: donna walton, cancer survivor, cognitive behavior therapist, …read more

Most blogs on cancer focus on humans, but pets are a very important part of human life. And, when cancer strikes a beloved dog or cat, or any other loved creature, we are touched too. When there is important news in cancer findings on pets, I’ll be writing about it, as well as stories about pets themselves. I have an unending passion for greyhounds, so we may be a little heavy on the greyhound side, but I’ll be sure to mention others too.
I’ve lost three dogs to cancer in the past 4 years. Rox was a purebred golden …read more

Last month, reports came out that Paul Newman has lung cancer. The ‘rumor’ was denied through his publicist.
Earlier this month, the old actor has been spotted being pushed on a wheelchair — making the ‘lung cancer rumors’ resurface.
Paul Newman was photographed in a wheelchair during a recent outing in New York following reports that the legendary actor has cancer.
The photos, taken on July 7, show a woman pushing Newman in a wheelchair.
Well…maybe he is sick. Due to lung cancer or just plain old age, who knows? Let us just wish him good health and peace.

Republican party presidential candidate John McCain is a survivor of melanoma –  a deadly form of skin cancer.
Earlier this week, a spot in his right cheek was removed as part of a routine check-up. Following biopsy results have showed that McCain is cancer-free.
Presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain, who has a history of dangerous melanomas, had a spot of skin removed from his face today, his campaign said.
The patch of skin was removed from McCain’s right cheek during a routine checkup in Arizona, the candidate said. In 2000, an invasive melanoma was removed from the senator’s left temple.
McCain denied there …read more

It must be difficult to be Steve Jobs. Rumors that his cancer might be back pulled down Apple’s stock to as much as 12 percent on Tuesday.
Then, just reports that Steve Jobs has told associates he is cancer-free — shares of Apple jumped nearly 3 percent the very next day!
According to reports, Jobs is having nutritional problems due to pancreatic cancer surgery he had four years ago while Apple remains adamant that Steve Jobs’ state of health is a private matter.
Well…the guy must be having a tough time, cancer-free or not. However, a person of his stature can make the …read more

It looks like Patrick Swayze is fighting a good fight with his pancreatic cancer — which is really great news to hear.
All over the news are the following words this weekend by Patrick Swayze that is hopeful:
“…a miracle, dude.”
I don’t know why. I am juicing every day along with other treatments and all I can say is that it’s working fine and really well.”
The actor, according to reports has been undergoing chemotherapy and the new CyberKnife (robotic radiosurgery system) for the pancreatic cancer he was diagnosed with in March.
It’s really inspiring to see him up and about and getting back …read more

In lieu of this month’s Channel Theme Day and the recent Fourth of July celebration in the US, our topic is independence or freedom.
Speaking of freedom, in the context of cancer…what does freedom really mean? The definition varies from case to case, from person to person, from one’s perspective to another.
First of all nobody is free from the big-C. Each and everyone of us is at risk in one way or another. I mean we all walk on the face of the earth…all factors are at play contributing to the development of cancer. Environmental factors, genetics, lifestyle, diet, exposure to …read more