Janet Beebe is a "real

advocate for self-exam." Beebe discovered her breast

cancer while breast-feeding her third child close to 17

years ago.

She found what she called

"a little green-pea-sized lump, solid, like a

rock" on her breast. Her doctor told her it was

probably a clogged milk gland and to try a heating pad.

It didn't go away.

Even though she was young

and there was not a history of cancer in her family, her

gut feeling told her to pursue treatment. After a few

minor skirmishes with her doctor, she forced the issue

and had a mammogram. The mammogram did not show anything.

However, she still wasn't comfortable so she called

another doctor. He had her come in the same day,

understanding that her peace of mind was important, Beebe

said.

Ultimately the doctor

discovered the knot was cancerous and did a lumpectomy.

Beebe's message to others is: "Be your own

advocate."

Similar stories abound.

While there are many

excellent surgeons, physicians and specialists, they may

be unable, unwilling or unqualified to address all the

concerns of every patient. Patients frequently don't tell

doctors all of their symptoms or downplay the importance

of a physical change. Some will not see a doctor until it

is too late to easily control a cancer.

In the fast-changing field

of medicine, doctors may not have the luxury - or

the same drive as someone in the midst of dealing with

cancer - to keep abreast of current treatments

options. Also, doctors see patients infrequently and

therefore depend on their patients to tell them symptoms

and keep them informed of their needs.

John McMenamin, prostrate

and melanoma skin cancer survivor, was given a number of

treatment options in both of his encounters with cancer.

He made the choice to have surgery for his prostate

cancer rather than take a chance on drugs. He also chose

not to wait two weeks for a second screening as his

doctor suggested. He moved ahead, discovered the cancer

and took action to have it removed.

Cancer survivors all know

of at least one person who opted to postpone treatment or

ignored a symptom only to have a more serious battle on

their hands. Beebe notes, "Doctors expect you to

tell them what is going on and what you need."

Janet Beebe's husband, Jim,

has had his own experience with cancer. He noticed a

white "kind of transparent" mark on the side of

his nose. He went to see a doctor who told him he could

leave it alone if Jim wanted. As a result of his

experiences with Janet, and his involvement in the

support process, his immediate decision was to have it

removed. It was basal cell carcinoma.

Another aspect of being

proactive is early detection. McMenamin notes,

"Early detection is the key."

The American Cancer

Society's web page states: "The outlook for survival

for people with these [breast, colon, rectum, cervix,

prostate, testis, oral cavity and skin cancers] is

greatly improved by early detection.

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