The Bermuda Triangle of Cancer

A friend of mine claimed a while back that I was the Bermuda Triangle of cancer.
It’s not that people with cancer mysteriously disappear when they come near me. It’s just that a lot of my friends and family develop cancer. (I’m almost definitely certain there’s no cause and effect. My specialist tells me I just know too many people.)

I’ve had 14 family members and friends diagnosed with cancer in recent years and nine of those had breast cancer. Add me to that for a grand total of 15. If nothing else, that sort of crap in the lives of the people you love gives you some perspective.
I didn’t used to have perspective.
The first time the Cancer Society of New Zealand ran its Daffodil Day fundraising appeal I was 19 and had just broken up with my boyfriend. Devastated, I thought Daffodil Day and probably daffodils and most likely all flowers actually, would forever remind me of him. Yes, yes, people were suffering and dying of cancer, but hey, my heart was broken.
At 19, no-one I loved had been diagnosed with cancer. I remember watching the Daffodil Day TV ad, showing people turning away from the collector as the voiceover said one in three people would not be able to turn away from cancer so easily. As I sat with a box of tissues, a cask of wine (yes, I was very sophisticated at 19), ex-boyfriend voodoo doll (and a bit angry), I had no idea how right that ad’s prediction would be for me.
Twenty plus years on, Daffodil Day doesn’t remind me of that ex-boyfriend anymore (yes okay, for the pedantic among you… apart from when writing this post) because I now have perspective.
I’d really like to lose my Bermuda Triangle of cancer status. But another three friends were diagnosed with cancer last year. The good news is that all were caught early so their prognoses look good. The wonderful woman with breast cancer I wrote about in my last post finished her treatment and has well and truly got both her hair and spark back. Love you S. Another friend is about to start her treatment – sending big hugs and good vibes across the ocean to you F.
Please go to see your doctor if you notice any changes in your breast at all (not just lumps) and check out any changes that could be symptoms of other cancers (eg blood in your urine) as well. It’s most likely nothing. But if it isn’t, then early detection could save your life. It’s partly why I’m still here, five years on.