My cousin Cez got the shocking news of her life. She was diagnosed with cancer of the breast. Last week, her right breast was removed including the huge lump in it. She is recovering from her operation. But she doesn’t know yet if she will undergo chemotherapy treatment. If she has her way, she would choose to take anti-cancer medicine than undergo chemotherapy.

I feel for my cousin. She has barely adjusted to her married life and doesn’t even have a child yet and now this sad news.

Despite what happened to her, you’ll never see a trace of sadness in her eyes. My cousin said she has come to terms with her fate. “I cried it out and leave my fate up to Him,” she said.

She is genetically predispose to cancer because her mother was diagnosed and on remission for lymphoma or cancer of the lymph nodes four years ago. Her stressful job at the hospital is another thing she is looking at.

She is hoping and praying that the cancer cells will be healed by just taking anti-cancer medicine. She doesn’t want to undergo the rigor of chemotherapy treatment. She is quite lucky that she is working in one of the premier hospitals in the country so she is well-taken cared of. I wonder what fate awaits those who cannot secure the proper medical treatment for cancer especially those with Mesothelioma Cancer. This is a rare type of cancer that affects the membrane covering the internal organ. It is commonly attributed to exposure to asbestos. I hope many organizations will come to help patients afflicted by Mesothelioma Cancer.

For my cousin, keep your faith and be strong. You are always in our prayers.

Latest development on breast cancer:

Breast cancer is now the most common cancer site in terms of incidence in Metro Manila and Rizal and has surpassed lung cancer as the most prevalent cancer.

The top ten cancer sites for both sexes now stands at breast, lung, liver, cervix, colon, thyroid, rectum, ovary, prostate and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. In men, the five common cancer sites are lung, liver, prostate, colon and rectum while for females, these are breast, cervix, ovary, thyroid and lung.

Experts said 1/3 of all cancers are preventable.

Cancer protecting mechanisms prevent cancer. A healthy lifestyle that is started in childhood, particularly eating a HEALTHY DIET, maintaining PHYSICAL FITNESS and minimizing and properly coping with STRESS will decrease the risk of not only cancer but also chronic diseases such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, stroke and diabetes.