C is for Cancer

"I am a survivor."

Those are the words that my grandmother is very proud to say. In 2002, she was diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer. Cancer is the second most deadly disease, which is why my grandmother was shocked to hear that she had cancer. She suspected that the cause of her cancer was a medicine her doctor had been giving her, but scientists later discovered that it caused cancer.

Cancer is a terrible disease that anyone could get at any age. There are lots of different types of cancers like breast cancer, brain cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, and many others. 39% of women and 44% of men in Canada can develop cancer throughout their lives, and many of them die from it. 1 out of 8 women are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Clearly, cancer is more common than you think, and anyone, healthy or not, could get it.

You have many cells in your body, and they are all ordered to grow, work, reproduce or die. But when these orders get mixed up, the cells spread through the bloodstream and attack nearby tissue and other body parts. This causes cancer, depending on which body part it attacks. In my grandmother's case, the cells spread through to her breast and ovaries. The cancer cells were the size of a tennis ball, and it was incredible that she survived.

Here are some ways to help prevent cancer:

• never smoke or second-hand smoke

• eat a high-fiber, low-fat diet

• eat lots of fruits and vegetables

• exercise regularly

• reduce your sun exposure and always wear sunscreen

I am very proud to call my grandmother a survivor. I know it would have been a very scary time for her, but she made it through with bravery.

LIFE LESSON: Cancer is a common and deadly disease. So don’t complain about putting on sunscreen, it may save your life.