Emotional Support Sisters

I recently attended a workshop about breast cancer awerness and screening information. In the discussion the presenter started talking about risk factors. Some risk factors, like genetics, are unavoidable. Others are more avoidable. 

One of the ones she borught up was birthcontrol containing estrogen. She talked about how if you have several other risk factors, like obesity, a family history, or not breastfeeding just to name a few,  you should probably avoid birth control containing estrogen. 

This discussion happened shortly after I was diagnosed with PMDD and had just started treatment using birth control withe estrogenl. I had had some concerns starting birthcontrol because I have several risk factors for stroke. Birthcontrl with estrogen increase risk of stroke. After talking with my Dr, we decided that the reward, aka functioning, was worth the increased risk. We also talked about ways to mitigate the risks.

Back to the workshop discussion. I could feel the energy of the room shifting to a more fearful experience, instead of an educational one. I brought up my story, and then said that there is a difference between quantity of life and quality of life. I personally would rather live a shorter, more full life over a long and miserable life. Just because statistically you increase your chance of getting cancer, does not mean you will get cancer, or a stroke, or whatever it is you are increasing your chances of. Don’t live your life in fear. Also talk over riskfactors and other concens with your Dr.

Now I am making up numbers. Lets say you have a 5% chance of getting whatever disease. That means that if you lived 100 lives only 5 of those lives would end up with that disease. Living life afraid of 5, when 95 of them are not with that disease is not a good quality of life. Now, as some one who is living life with a chronic illness, sometimes the fear sneaks in. I fear for my kids, and hope they don’t have the issues that I have. I try my hardest to help them avoid avoidable risk factors. Maybe I try too hard and am causing other problems, but I can only work with the knowledge I currently have.

I also want to say I am not trying to minimaize anyone’s experience with cancer. I have watched friends battle for their lives. Some have won. Some have lost. Some have won only to have to fight again. I do not wish that experience on anyone. In that same breathe, I do not wish for anyone to experience the complete loss of mind and self that I experience with PMDD. The cure for the 10-20 year battle I would face with PMDD is worth the increased risk of cancer or stroke. 

To close with a quote from my dad, that I am sure he stole from some one else. “There are lies, damn lies, and then statistics.”  Don’t let statistics rule your world. Just let them provide you with a little insight.  Go out and live life to the best of your ability!

Missy