The “shame” and “embarrassment” some people feel about admitting to having cancer has been described in this video by Jola Gore-Booth, founder of europacolon.
“There’s taboo of cancer, there’s still embarrassment. People do not want to admit that they have cancer in Eastern European countries, you are ashamed of it. It means that God thinks you a bad person in some countries,”she said.
This kind of ignorance is killing people and means the work of Jola and her dedicated team is absolutely vital.
My MEP Robert Sturdy hosted the launch of a colorectal cancer campaign in the European Parliament to save lives in the European Union; it is the second year he has supported this great cause.
The charity is strongly urging all 27 member states to fully implement EU recommendations for colorectal cancer screening. Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths in Europe and highly treatable if diagnosed early.
Please sign an online pledge in support of europacolon’s Manifesto for Life by visiting their website at this link.
I was told by Jola that I could be at risk as my father died from bowel cancer, and have promised to be tested. She was most insistant that I do this, and so was the fabulous Julia Kennedy, director of operations for europacolon, who is keen that I do this.
Like everyone else, I believe it won’t happen to me, but I shall keep my promise to Jola and Julia.
Thank you Ellee,
It is support from people like yourself that will help the early diagnosis of this highly curable disease. I would encourage all visitors to Ellee’s website to sign-up to the Manifesto for Life and help us save lives.
I will be in touch Ellee
Lots of love
Julia
Well done Ellee for bringing this to our attention, I am passionate about helping people who are affected by cancer, and I would also recommend those who have been diagnosed with cancer and those close to them to also look at the Penny Brohn Cancer Care Centre [ http://www.pennybrohncancercare.org ], a wonderful place near Bristol.
Love and Blessings,
Mervyn
I’m never quite sure why people should feel ‘ashamed’ of having Cancer…. It’s something that’s happened to you and not something you’ve done… The same applies to depression… No shame in it, it happens to many people. Plenty of people know about mine. Let’s face it, it helps you deal with it better if you are open about it as you get the cathartic effect as well as the support of others! As Roy Castle once kind of said ‘Don’t whinge, fight it!’
Julia, I look forward to hearing from you. You and Jola are so truly inspirational, I know you will succeed.
Mervyn, thanks for your comment, and I shall certainly look up your website for the Penny Brohan Cancer Care Centre. Good luck to you all there.
Mike, I do not know of any family that has not lost a loved one through cancer. As you say, there is no reason to feel shame. There is no shame in depression either. It is not something that is easy to fight, but people sometimes learn to live with it.
I hadn’t realised there was still this kind of shame in Eastern European countries.