Scared? Good, Now Get Checked For Cancer

Larkspur-Corte Madera editor Derek Wilson writes a column called "Tick Tock..Time of My Life" that chronciles his days living with Stage 4 carcinoid cancer. Here's his latest entry.

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I never really understood cancer … until it came to me. I'm not certain I entirely understand this creature yet, but I do have a better idea of what it is and what it can do.

Before my diagnosis with carcinoid cancer, pretty much all I could do for cancer patients was to offer sympathy and to donate money to cancer research. That didn't mean I really understood what cancer patients were going through.

Now I do. Now I am one.

Dr. Kimberly Allison spent the better part of her life studying breast cancer. She knew what cancer was and saw what it did to her patients. But there was a level of understanding even she didn't know … until recently.

Allison is the director of Seattle's Breast Pathology at University of Washington Medical Center, where she specializes in breast cancer diagnosis. She diagnosed breast cancer in so many others, but never expected to find it in her own body.

Allison is scheduled to visit Marin Cancer Institute on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m., to discuss her own story of discovery and determination as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Allison is in a unique position as she shares her experiences as a patient and doctor in her autobiography Red Sunshine.

It takes a lot for her to share that story with the world. It can be frightening to put yourself out there and risk rejection — kind of like the first time you ask someone for a date. Then again, it's also a source of strength to receive support and positive feedback from people you might never have known otherwise.

I know through this diary how that feels, and I want to thank everyone who has helped me through my own adventure.

Hearing those words, "You have cancer," is the most frightening thing I've ever experienced. Just the possibility of that diagnosis is enough to scare most people away from the doctor's office forever. That's wrong. The possibility of a positive result should be enough to scare everyone to go see their doctors immediately.

My own diagnosis was enough to convince my family members to get themselves checked out. Fortunately, the doctors didn't find anything dangerous.

But just a reminder: Women, please get checked for breast cancer every two years after turning 50. Men, get yourselves checked for prostate cancer. And for everyone, take control of your health. If you think there's a chance you have cancer, make sure you see a specialist. Make detailed notes of your symptoms, get a thorough blood test and see a doctor you trust.

Best result: You'll never have cancer and never be able to fully understand how it feels to have cancer. But, you'll be able to sympathize with and help those who do have cancer, and that's an amazing gift you can give.

Worst result: You have cancer, but there's probably something that can be done to treat or even cure it. You'll discover how to fight the creature and you'll discover you never have to fight alone.