trish2418

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/01/10/ar ... index.html Armstrong: Washington weakens fight against cancer POSTED: 2:18 p.m. EST, January 10, 2007 More on CNN TV: Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Lance Armstrong join forces in the cancer fight. Watch "Saving Your Life" Saturday and Sunday at 8 and 11 p.m ET. By Lance Armstrong Special to CNN Adjust font size: Lance Armstrong, one of cycling's all-time greats and possibly the world's best known cancer survivor, founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation with the goal of inspiring and empowering people with cancer. He now campaigns for more government funds for cancer research and treatment. AUSTIN, Texas (CNN) -- I'm not known for my patience. Patience is a polite quality and often appropriate, but it rarely gets things done. Impatience, however, is the hunger for results and intolerance for excuses and delays. Impatience got me over countless mountain passes, across the finish line in New York City and through four rounds of ruthless chemotherapy 10 years ago. Yet this election season I patiently waited to hear a candidate for office explain to constituents what he or she planned to do about one of the leading threats to the health and well-being of all Americans -- cancer. My patience was greeted with silence. Cancer will impact one in two men and one in three women in their lifetime. It is devastating and it is pervasive. In fact, every year 1.3 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, our country has made tremendous progress in this fight and produced remarkable advances in the way we prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Today, in many cases, we can humbly say that cancer is no longer a death sentence. The medical advances achieved by our nation's best doctors and researchers have given us reasons to hope. But in spite of this vast body of knowledge, 1,500 people will die from cancer today and tomorrow and the day after that, often because the care they needed to prevent cancer or survive it was not available to them. However, our nation's second-leading killer did not make the list of issues that our candidates used to get people to the polls last November. Anyone with a television or access to a newspaper can list the ballot box issues that occupied our candidates' attention -- they range from bickering to very real concerns and challenges. The political ads didn't tell voters that earlier in the year funding for cancer research was cut for the first time in 30 years. Nor did they explain that a lack of funding slows the pace of scientific discovery and the development of treatments. Our candidates did not mention the decrease in funding for programs that provide information and screening to people who need these services. I think this is unwise, but it is what our government has done this past year. I waited patiently for an explanation, some clarification or justification. Ten million cancer survivors deserve an answer. We didn't get one. It is true that state and federal budgets are constrained by many important responsibilities. But cancer doesn't care about that. It is time to hold our leaders accountable. It remains to be seen if the change in power on Capitol Hill will affect the fight against cancer. In two years we will elect a new president. We cannot predict the actions of any of our elected officials, but we can say for sure that when it comes to cancer their silence is unacceptable. Patient people may accept the status quo, but the status quo isn't working for us. Instead, we need to stubbornly hold our leaders accountable and we need the courage to ask tough questions of our elected officials. Few issues facing our government are more personal or more critical than the health of our citizens. What are we going to do to effectively fight cancer? Millions of Americans with cancer are asking. I'm not known for my patience. When it comes to cancer, I hope you aren't either. What is your take on this commentary? Do you have a cancer story to tell? E-mail us The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer. This is part of an occasional series of commentaries on CNN.com that offers a broad range of perspectives, thoughts and points of view.

left felt lime mile

I stopped drinking coffee during radiation because it contributed to the acid reflux I was suffering from. I was a big coffee drinker (about 6 cups a day) but I now drink just 1 cup of tea in the morning and once in a while I'll have a cup of cuban coffee after lunch. I still love the idea of coffee but don't want to awaken the addiction again. Trish

deodorant (another FL resident)

... with a gigantic ...

Hi Raney, I had my port installed in August '05. I finished chemo in March '06 but I'm not planning to have it removed any time soon. I barely notice its there until its time to have it flushed. Hope the procedure goes well and good luck with chemo. Trish

I'm so sorry to hear this, Barbara. You're a strong woman, though, and no matter what the upcoming tests reveal, you'll be able to fight, fight, fight when the time comes. In the meantime, a controlled freak-out is perfectly ok. Sending you big cyber hugs. Trish

Welcome, Lauren. So sorry to hear of your father's diagnosis. I'm praying treatment goes well for him. Trish

Welcome, Gayle. Your mom and your family are in my prayers. Trish

A big Welcome Home to mom. Trish

I'm so happy and excited for you! Enjoy the pregnancy and may the delivery be effortless. Trish

So glad the chemo is over! You're husband should start feeling better and better each day. Hang in there. Trish

I'm praying for good results for your dad. Trish

Oh, Nick, I'm so sorry for you and Keri. Your mom has the best of you and your wife keeping her company in heaven. Wish I had known your mom; only an incredible woman could raise a son as kind and caring as you. My prayers are with you and Keri. Trish

I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's diagnosis. Please be assured that we're here when you need us. You and your family are in my prayers. Trish

Excellent news, Muriel! I'm honored to drink to your health (cosmo please). Trish

Here's to many, many more years of survivorship! Trish

My prayers are with you and your family. Trish

Welcome! Trish

Welcome, Max. I'm praying your husband's treatment brings good results. Take care of yourself, too. Trish

Hi Kerri, I wanted to let you know that your mom and your entire family are in my prayers. I hope hospice is able to provide good quality of life for your mom. Trish

Thank you for keeping us up to date on cancer research; its truly appreciated. Trish

Hi Terry, I'm so glad you were able to tolerate radiation and chemo so well. Keep drinking plenty of water and feel free to eat everything in sight! Keep us posted. Trish

Welcome, Donna. So sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. I'm sending prayers that your husband's treatment brings good results. Keep us posted. Trish

Congratulations. I'm so happy for you! Trish