Cancer Patient Statement Of Principles Number One: Prevention Is The Key To Reducing The Burden Of Cancer

Sunday I wrote the first of seven articles, introducing you to the International Myeloma Foundation Cancer Patient Statement of Principles. I explained why I was posting this information here, instead of at www.MultipleMyelomaBlog.Com--that these five principles apply to all cancer patients, not just those with multiple myeloma.

The first of the five principles states: Prevention is the key to reducing
the burden of cancer.

I have posted a number of different articles on this site which contradict this point for several different types of cancer--prostate, breast, colon cancer as well as multiple myeloma, to name four. But for the majority of cancers, including those I just listed, it seems clear there are often benefits to identifying cancer early. For example, an ovarian cancer patient may avoid chemotherapy if their cancer is found early enough. Surgery is often an option in solid tumor type cancers if the tumor can be identified and isolated early. Catch it early, cut it out, get on with your life! Sounds like a good option to me! By developing more effective, less invasive and cost efficient cancer screening methods, thousands of cancer patients could theoretically be spared a life-long battle with cancer. Sounds good to me! Had my myeloma been identified earlier, I wouldn't have bone pain caused by all of these holes in my bones!

Here is a letter from Arin Assero with the IMF:

The IMF Needs More Advocates Like You!

Did you know that your Congressional Members make decisions each and every
day that impact your health? It's true!

To make a difference, you have to make your voice heard. The active
participation of myeloma patients and their loved ones in addition to
myeloma doctors, nurses, and researchers in the Myeloma Action Network are
vital to IMF's mission of improving the quality of life of myeloma patients
while working toward prevention and a cure.

The IMF needs more myeloma advocates like you to join the Myeloma Action
Network. In just 5 minutes you can help myeloma patients. That's all it
will take to become a member of the Myeloma Action Network, learn more about
myeloma legislative issues, and send a letter to your elected officials. As
a member of the Myeloma Action Network, you will have access to strategic
information to affect key policy issues important to the IMF and the myeloma
community.

To become a member of the Myeloma Action Network, visit the IMF Advocacy
website at http://www.capwiz.com/myeloma/mlm/signup/.

Thanks, Arin! I'm going to sign-up now. Should only take a few minutes.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat