National Cancer Survivor Month Stories: Laurie MacCaskill on Getting Informed
June is National Cancer Survivor Month and it also marks my 16th year as a cancer survivor! This post is part of a 6-post partnership with REALM IDx, and its companies Ambry Genetics and Invicro, to proudly celebrate all of you survivors in the cancer world. You can read the original article here.
Knowledge is Power
Cancer affects almost everyone, but it doesn’t have to.
A backache would forever change my life. I have shared my journey with pancreatic cancer on my website, and many of you know what an agonizing experience cancer can be. I was often asked, “How do you live when everyone says you are dying?” Pancreatic cancer is the world’s toughest cancer, with a five-year survival rate of just 10%. In the United States, it is the third most deadly cancer and about 70% of patients die within one year of diagnosis.[1] To be given three months to live, as I was, is the last thing anyone wants to hear.
Currently, there are no early detection markers for pancreatic cancer. Further study to discover them is desperately needed to change survival outcomes.
When I was diagnosed, I had not done genetic testing, and I can only imagine how knowing my genetic background could have changed my life. My parents were divorced when I was six months old, and I finally met my father when I was 11 years old. Both of my parents died when I was in my thirties, so my family history is very sparse.
Before my diagnosis, I was considered an exercise enthusiast, always participating in athletic events and traveling to different cities for competitions. It wasn’t so much about winning a medal. My focus was having fun, contributing to a cause, and savoring every moment spent with friends with the anticipation of a thrilling experience. When they heard I had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, my girlfriends said, “Oh no, if Laurie has pancreatic cancer, what is going to happen to us?” because I was the most health-conscious of the group. Never in my life did I think that I would be dealing with cancer. They used to tease me about my diet, always ordering green vegetables and never eating fast food. I was 55 years old and in seemingly perfect health. I did everything in my power to stay fit. I have exercised 5-6 days a week for over 40 years, I eat lots of vegetables, I never smoked, and I never missed an annual check-up.
I can’t stress enough the importance of knowing your body and trusting your instincts. Pancreatic cancer symptoms can be associated with less severe diagnoses; I will talk about these in upcoming articles. A persistent backache was my first symptom, and the key word here is persistent. The pain was often debilitating—I found it difficult to get out of bed and walking was agonizing—but mostly it was annoying, because it was always there. I was confident this was not because of an injury or irregular movement during exercise; it was unlike anything I have ever experienced. Honestly, I thought I had an infection, and an antibiotic would be the answer. Cancer never entered my mind. The doctors dismissed me, but I knew something was not right. I kept asking for more tests. I continued to hear, “Nothing is wrong. We don’t see anything. It’s your imagination.” As you can imagine, this was incredibly frustrating. I just wanted an answer!
How Genetic Testing Can Help Save You From Dealing with Cancer
Genetic testing plays a vital role in determining the risk of developing certain diseases, as well as providing data to inform the appropriate screenings and sometimes medical treatment. I was very lucky with my genetic makeup and a doctor who thinks outside the box. Pancreatic cancer is the world’s toughest cancer, but this can change with early detection, and survival outcomes can improve when you understand your risks of getting cancer.
Proactive genetic testing—ask your doctor or a certified genetics counselor for your options—gives healthy adults insights into important health risks based on their DNA. For pancreatic cancer patients, treatment guidelines state patients with pancreatic cancer should consider genetic testing.[2]
Knowing one’s family medical history allows a person to take steps to reduce his or her risk of dealing with cancer. Genetic testing is not something to be fearful about. There are many steps to ensure safety, accuracy, and confidence in understanding the tests and how the results impact you and your family members. Conversations with your doctor or a certified genetics counselor make being screened easy, safe, and reliable, and it can sometimes be done in the comfort of your home.
These tests provide critical information, such as why you may have developed cancer, what treatment options are available to you, and if your family is at risk for developing hereditary cancers such as breast, ovarian, or prostate.
If you take anything away from my story, I hope you are inspired to use your voice, be your own advocate, and refuse to take no for an answer. Finally, take advantage of genetic testing providing you and your family with the opportunity to learn about your cancer risks.
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