Living and chosing life is also about the quality of that life. I would rather spend two and a half years or more without barfing and a probable ticket of that cancer showing up someplace else because my immune system is so whacked. I smoke, because it’s my time now to do what the heck I want! I don’t need a mother telling my how to enjoy my last days and I don’t need anybody pitying me for a prognosis we all face one from some cause or another.

Something tells me Swayze might just get a kick reading about how he’s on his deathbed. Its those who haven’t gone through the process of cancer and initiation into the probability of passing who fear it the most, which is a natural survival instinct.

Let’s spend our time praying for those who WANT to live and have respect for the life they are given!!! Here’s a start to get a proper perspective…….go visit a children’s cancer center!

My grandmother who passed in 2005, fought cancer in her mid to late seventies(and beat it). She was such an inspiration. She had the best attitude and I think that is what got her through was her positive and of course her christian faith. But when you see or hear such grap on TV or news articles it really disgusts me when we find out they are nothing but lies.

Anyway I just wanted to vent and tell the Dr. how much he is totally right.

Sincerely

Marcy Glaze

People in general love bad news (as long as it doesn’t affect them); sad but true. I for one would love to see some pushback and a bit more demand for balanced news but I can’t see it ever happening – scandal, tragedy, war and horror are an addictive diet and people have been fed it for years now.

Technology is great and all. As a primary care physician, I must remind the public that prevention is the best cure, not just for cancer but the majority of illnesses. Prevention is cheap and effective. To increase the chance of good health, people should not smoke, drink alcohol in moderation if at all, avoid drugs, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight. They should also be up to date with age-appropriate cancer screening, notably cervical (Pap smears / HPV testing), colon (colonoscopy), breast (mammogram), and prostate (PSA blood test – I will not discuss the controversy here). Unfortunately, we do not have an effective screening test for pancreatic cancer. There are many non-cancer related health issues, including cholesterol (LDL, HDL, triglycerides), blood sugar, vaccinations, baby aspirin (for heart attack prevention, only if your doctor recommends), seatbelt and bicycle helmet use…

I realize that there are many barriers to achieving the above (e.g. lack of health insurance, lack of time or $ to see the doctor or to get recommended tests done, many other priorities in life). I just try to convince people to move health higher on their list of priorities.

Quit bashing Dr. Manny. I bet you have no medical training, or a reputable souce of medical info. You have twisted Dr. Manny’s sentence that reads “If you look at the statistics of most early-detected cancers, the survival rate is well over 50 percent.” In my medical practice, I have saved a lot of lives by early screening for colon (colonoscopy) and breast (mammography) cancers. For prostate cancer, I’m not sure the data is clear. It is unfortunate that we don’t have a screening test for pancreatic cancer. I believe the data that suggests that most preventable cancers are caused by smoking. I’m sure environmental pollution also plays a role. I also acknowledge that chemotherapy and radiation do have toxic side effects, including the higher risk of developing a different type of cancer in the future. But as with any medical treatment, doctors weigh the risks and benefits before recommending it to the patient.

So, Robert R., go see your “witch doctor.” I urge the general public to make sure you are up to date with all your preventive health care with your primary care physician, including age-appropriate cancer screenings. Don’t smoke, and maintain a healthy weight.