BLOG: Teens and Gynecologic Cancer Prevention
A lot of teens in the country think that because they are young they should not have to worry about cancer prevention. I know this because I used to be one of those teens until I researched the Cancer Schmancer Movement website. (I always forget how to spell Schmancer!)
I think the most important things I ever learned from Cancer Schmancer are that 1) doctors can be wrong more than you think so make sure to take note of what they are saying and take a friend with you and never go alone, and 2) there is a 95% survival rate for those who are diagnosed in stage 1.
I talked to some of my friends about what they think. I asked my friend Ajami age 13, why she thought it was a good idea to have an organization dedicated to women’s health and gynecologic cancer and at first she said: “because its smart.” When I repeated the question she said, “ Because women need to be more aware of women’s health issues and gynecologic cancer prevention to stay healthy.”
I then asked my friend Katlyn, age 14 and she said “I think that women need an organization just for them besides a Breast Cancer organization because breast cancer is always mentioned and the other gynecologic cancers are not as much.”
And last but not least my friend Valeria, age 13 and she said, “If you do a lot of research on only one or a few diseases you will be more successful at getting towards a 100% survival rate, and finding a cure.”
We all feel that it is important to stay proactive with your doctor because you and your doctor should work like a team and fill each other in on information, you are aware of things about your body that he/she is not aware of and vice versa, so it is important to get checked frequently especially when you do become sexually active. (Hopefully not until a very long time from now!)
The easiest ways to help ensure you won’t get a gynecologic cancer are to refrain from smoking, stay thin and eat right, and take all necessary precautions with your doctor to stay cancer free. Play sports, dance, or do something to stay active. It is important to make sure you listen to your parents when they tell you to eat your vegetables. They’re not being mean - they just want you to be healthy! Early detection = survival!
- Julie Hoefling, 13
