Cancer can be an insidious disease, lurking in your body without your knowing it. Tumour cells can hide deep inside the body, betraying no symptoms until after the cancer has spread to other organs.
We all know people who have succumbed to cancer, indeed this very week we are grieving the passing of our dear Rotarian colleague and friend Bev Brock.
Fortunately, with the passing of each year, great strides are made in cancer research. The Cancer Council of Victoria is a fine example of an organisation that does great work in this field, giving hope to thousands through its prevention, research and support programs. If I may speak from personal experience, a mild form of cancer – lymphoma – was discovered through routine tests a couple of years ago, and infusion treatment has been entirely successful. Curiously though, my oncologist told me I could have seen my days out without the treatment, not even realising I had it!
Our speaker today, Dr Chantel Thornton, is a specialist breast cancer surgeon and health and well-being promoter. She is passionate about delivering the highest standard of care to her patients. I’m sure she would be the first to encourage us to make each day a blessing by being a friend to someone we know who is unwell.
For good food, friendships through Rotary and the opportunity to serve, we give thanks.
Robert Fisher
Thank you to Robert Fisher for providing this reflection on 10 March 2024.
