Cancer is Not Like Cooties

I have been very involved in both The American Cancer Society and The leukemia & Lymphoma society now for a while. The L&L society runs many programs dealing with raising money and raising awareness. One specific campaign is called Pennies For Pasta. This is a program is set up in the Elementary, Middle, and high schools that allow students to donate their loose change to the cause. This program works so well because it lets every student feel like they are a part of the difference the school makes. Even low income schools are able to make a difference and participate. As part of the campaign, I went around to a few of the schools and talked to the students. I was able to sit down with select students and tell them about my story, the campaign, and how it makes a difference. After wards, I took questions from the students. One of the most common questions I heard from the students, is “How do you get cancer?” “Is it contagious?” “Will I have it because my mom has it?”

I came to realize that one of the things I think is so well known about Cancer, is often left unanswered. These kids were truly worried that Cancer is contagious. This also comes as a reason behind why Cancer patients who go back to school after treatment become avoided. Most of our kids go through school hearing about scary cancer, or watching a family member with it and never really have their parents sit down with them and explain what is going on. It becomes a don’t ask, don’t tell policy. Parents feel like they are protecting their kids by not telling them. Some parents can’t face it enough to be able to talk to their kids about it. Most kids have no idea how to step up and ask about it.

While these may seem surprising to some of you that there are kids today who truly believe they can catch cancer, I have found many adults who still believe this as well. I still have people who are so ignorant about Cancer, that they avoid me or become extremely uncomfortable around me. I once had a person come up to me, but be very careful to leave at least five feet between us so as not to catch my cancer, and ask me if I had gotten over my little problem.

Now, treating this as a post done to be purely educational, there are a few things to take away:

Cancer is not contagious.

Be upfront and open with children, students, and family members when dealing with Cancer.

Ask questions when you are curious, most people would prefer you asked and knew.

As a Cancer survivor myself, I have never once been aggravated by someone truly asking me a question out of pure curiosity. I have had many people ask me things that could be considered rude or ignorant, and yet I remember that I would probably wonder the same. It is always better to have answers, than to worry about asking the wrong questions. As well, to parents who do not want their children educated on Cancer because they think it will ruin their big bubble of perfection, you only hurt your child by shielding them from truth. Cancer is a whole lot less scary when kids feel knowledgeable. From every after school commercial we can remember, it has been engrained that knowledge is power.

So just to answer some of the most common questions people wonder, here goes:
The actual Cancer drugs make you lose your hair, not the cancer itself. The hair grows back, different than before. Cancer is not contagious, you cannot catch it. The best way to prevent Cancer is a healthy diet, exercise, and most importantly regular check-ups with your doctor. Early detection is the best defense. You will not get Cancer because your Mom has it. Cancer is a mutation of the cells. We are making strides every day towards a Cure and more respondent drugs.

But once again, please be aware, whether I talk to you, touch you, share your pencil, kiss you, pass you on the street, or send you an email, this is not like Cooties. I cannot choose to give someone Cancer, and I cannot take it away with a Cancer Shot. Cancer is not contagious, but my cooties probably are.