Moms Talk: How Cancer Has Affected Our Lives

Each week the Mentor Patch Moms Council answers a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Our question is in recognition of that. It is:

How has cancer -- any type of cancer, not just necessarily breast cancer -- affected you and your family?

Donna Milnes:

Cancer in any form is a very heart-wrenching disease.

My Grandmother had breast cancer and my father had prostate cancer and the treatment is as hard to deal with as the disease itself.

Keeping the patient and those who love them positive is very hard. Getting the patient to doctor appointments and treatments and maintaining a normal routine is stressful for everyone, adults as well as children.

I will say, anyone going through this is truly appreciative of any help they can get from family, friends, church, and neighbors even if it is hard to ask for it.

Sometimes just giving a hug and sitting quietly with someone is the most comforting thing one can do.

Melanie Majikas:

I imagine that every family has been affected by cancer in some way.

In my own family, we have been fortunate so far in that it has not been a frequent occurrence. But, overall, the threat of cancer does make me more aware of the need to avoid known carcinogens and try to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible, and encourage my children to do the same.

While we can't avoid every possible disease, doing what we can to prevent illness is important.

Gloria Kilfoyle:

My mother died of colon cancer so I am very aware of the importance of colonoscopies.