Cancer Awareness-Does it matter? Does it help?

StegalMan

I've been noticing the actor that recently died from colon cancer Chadwick Boseman, who became famous all of a sudden from his roles in Black Panther and several others. I really had no idea who he was, but he was actually quite famous if you follow films.

My point here is, he was one who kept his cancer a secret. I didn't want anyone to know that he had been diagnosed and didn't let anything out. So, colon cancer is one that can be easily be caught early with a colonoscopy. With his notoriety, the colon cancer community could have gained a huge bump in the awareness that by just going and getting a screening, you could save your own life. That has been lost.

I realize that we all have the right to privacy, but it seems like we have lost a huge opportunity for some awareness about this particular type of cancer. What do you think about the whole keep it private/tell people how they can NOT be like me?

JaneA

With movie stars, they probably worry about getting another role. Every person is different. At first I was embarrassed to tell someone that I had rectal cancer so I copped out and said "colorectal" cancer instead. Within a month, I realized that I could be a voice and perhaps prevent someone from going through what I experienced, and I told anyone who would listen.

MarcieB

That's a tough one. I am more of an *open book* kind of person, myself so it is difficult for me to imagine what might motivate me to keep something, so life altering, private. It was also recently reported that John Travolta's wife, Kelly Preston, died and it seems no one knew she was ill? I researched it and was surprised to find out she had breast cancer and evidently battled it for two years. I would like to know more details since I am coming up on the two year marker for my own bc experience. I would like to know what kind of diagnosis/treatment she had? I think that is why so many of us gather here - to compare notes and encourage each other. Sometimes we need the details, don't we?
But, honestly, no matter how many celebrities (and there have been plenty) come forward with their stories-warnings-advice, I think people are going to do what they are going to do. It's something like politics - you can argue one side until you are blue-in-the-face, but you are not likely to change someone's mind.

BuckeyeShelby

He was kinda sneaky about it. For instance, he gave a speech at the 150th commencement at his alma mater, and I guess if you read through the lines, he was telling the graduates to make a difference for as long as you can. And although not in the field of cancer, he did make a big difference in the struggle for equality for people of color. Think of it, he was the first African American to star in a blockbuster superhero film. Think of how many little black and brown children look up to him as a hero. Not just in the film, but for what he has accomplished. He also played many historic figures on film -- Jackie Robinson, James Brown, Thurgood Marshall. He may not have been an activist for cancer treatment/research, but we can't say he wasn't an activist.

LiveWithCancer

I think he is still helping make a splash in awareness because his family has admitted that he died of colon cancer. Perhaps the colon cancer societies and/or advocates can use his death to let others know how important screening is. He was very young and was diagnosed before typical screening would have been suggested, I think.

I do get what you are saying. When I hear of someone famous covering up that they had lung cancer rather than getting the word out about it, it makes me sad to think about the lost opportunities.

legaljen1969

When I first was diagnosed, I was the person telling everybody "Get your mammogram. I couldn't even feel what was inside of me. If I hadn't had a mammogram, it wouldn't have been caught so early." Well I had skipped three years of mammos because I never had a bad one before, but the growth was exponential and it was still tiny.

I understand why some celebrities don't speak up, but hopefully now that his family has revealed why he died- maybe the message will get out. I just hope they find a way to do it in as honorable a way as possible.

myb

Everyone is different. In the beginning for me, I didn't want to talk about it with anyone. When I realized as I started my cancer journey then that 1 in 20 people are diagnosed with colon cancer, I became an advocate. My story of being diagnosed at 50 from my preventative colonoscopy with stage 3 colon cancer with no symptoms, not even the CEA marker said i had cancer is an eye opener. 8 friends or friends of friends went to get their colonoscopy after hearing my story that year. If I get just one person to get their colonoscopy, I feel I succeeded.

My condolences to Chadwick and his family and friends. Chadwick kept his life private while battling colon cancer and still worked which is amazing! He and his family did let his cause of death out after he passed to raise awareness. There will be a Chadwick-effect, much like there was the Katie-effect of increased screenings after Katie had her on-air colonoscopy after losing her husband to colon cancer. Every cancer story tells a journey of survival and loss, and I am sorry Chadwick loss his battle to colon cancer as such a young age.

alivenwell

Cancer has stigma. He wanted to show others how one can fight it mentally. He already reflected physical strength. His image was extremely powerful. His parents probably did his large fan base a favor with a high profile message.

Lynne-I-Am

His death was certainly a shock, all the more so because of his age and the fact his medical battle was kept such a secret. Just the last day or so the American Cancer Society online site has been bombarded by people seeking more information about colon cancer , so for the moment many, many people are becoming better informed.