National Cancer Survivors Day: What is it?

National Cancer Survivors Day was held on June 7, 2014 according to the official website (National Cancer Survivor Day Foundation, Inc., 2014).  I have heard of the many different fund raisers, such as the Susan G. Komen walks, as well as the awareness months, such as breast cancer awareness and the reminder to get your mammograms.  I had not, however, heard of National Cancer Survivors Day.  I have not had cancer but I, like many of you, either have a relative or friend that has fought this battle.  Cancer is a devastating diagnosis that turns the patient’s life upside down as well as everyone around them.  Cancer does not discriminate and can claim any age, ethnic, sex, or religious group.  

We as a society, focus on remembering and honoring.  National Cancer Survivors Day is no different except they focus on the living.  On the home page of their official website, they state the purpose of this day:

            “Is a celebration of those that have survived, an inspiration for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of support for families, and an outreach to the community (National Cancer Survivor Day Foundation, Inc., 2014).”

This day is intended to celebrate life as well as recognize and thank those that do the research and provide treatment that allows patients to survive.  According to the CDC, nearly 14 million people survive after being told they have cancer (CDC Cancer Home, 2014).  This is one day of the year that we focus on the positive outcomes of cancer and remember how far we have come in advances to ending the battle with cancer. 

I was embarrassed when I realized that this day existed because I have a few family members that have been diagnosed and had the great fortune of overcoming their diagnosis.  Two have had complete mastectomies and breast reconstruction.  I cannot imagine the physical pain let alone the emotional strain this must have been on them.  They are both very strong women and would never want to be a burden on another, but you cannot go through something like that and not need support.  They all have reason to celebrate and I am going to ask them if they knew this day existed so we can celebrate that they are still a part of our lives.



Being a cancer survivor does not mean your battle is over. As a survivor, you have already overcome:

1. Physical Problems
2. Emotional Problems 
3. Social Problems
4. Financial Problems (CDC Cancer Home, 2014)

Even though the survivor has overcome all those problems, they still live with the fear that there is a high likelihood that their first cancer will come back (CDC Cancer Home, 2014). There are support groups for the patients as well as their families to help cope with all these unknown factors and to help them live a healthier and quality life after cancer (American Institute for Cancer Research, 2014).

Cancer is real part of life. Hopefully, this will draw more people’s attention to celebrate those lives that are fighting every day in the face of cancer. We need more people to recognize and help celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day in 2015. Mark your calendars now for next year. Save the date of June 7, 2015 to support those that have fought and won, those that are beginning to fight, and to thank those that make it possible for others to live (National Cancer Survivor Day Foundation, Inc., 2014).

                                                                              References

American Institute for Cancer Research. (2014). After cancer treatment. Retrieved June 12, 2014, Retrieved from http://www.aicr.org/patients-survivors/after-cancer-treatment.html

CDC Cancer Home. (2014). Cancer prevention and control. Retrieved June 12, 2014, Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/CancerSurvivorship/

National Cancer Survivor Day Foundation, Inc. (2014). The Official Website of National Cancer Survivors Day. Retrieved June 12, 2014, Retrieved from http://www.ncsd.org/


Written By: Sabrina Alvord

Sabrina Alvord is currently a graduate student in the Health Studies program at Texas Women’s University. She has worked for over 20 years in the outpatient clinic setting with many different specialties. She loves working with patients and helping them navigate through the medical system and their different barriers to fulfilling their care.  

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National HIV Testing Day

Since the late 1970s, human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, has been a significant health issue in the United States and around the world. Currently, there are almost 1.2 million people in the U.S. who are living with HIV. Although there is still no cure, with proper medical care and antiretroviral therapy, the virus can be controlled and managed in most patients.

But despite this good news, there is still a serious problem that must be addressed: Nearly one in five people with HIV are unaware that they are infected. This means they are not seeking treatment, and worse, they can pass the virus to others without knowing it. People who are unaware of their positive HIV status also have a greater risk of developing serious medical issues, or dying at a younger age (CDC, 2011). 

On June 27^th, 1995, the National Association of People with AIDS sponsored the first National HIV Testing Day in order to promote awareness of the disease, and to encourage HIV testing and early diagnosis. The event is still held annually, every June 27^th, and is now sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Minnesota Dept. of Health, 2014).

Who should be tested for HIV? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should be tested at least once, as part of a general health screening. More frequent testing is advisable for individuals who are at greater risk of contracting HIV. This includes those who are sexually active with more than one partner, those who are intravenous drug users, and/or share drug paraphernalia with others, and anyone who trades sex for money or drugs. For individuals in these categories, HIV testing is recommended at least once a year, and ideally will be done at least every six months (CDC, 2014).

Also at a greater risk for HIV are individuals who have been diagnosed with another sexually transmitted disease, such as syphilis, or those who have been diagnosed or treated for tuberculosis or hepatitis. Finally, any person who has been the victim of a sexual assault should be tested for HIV (CDC, 2014). 

Testing for HIV is a fast, easy, and relatively painless process. The most commonly used test for HIV is the antibody screening test, also called the immunoassay test. This test may be conducted in a laboratory, or can be done in a more rapid method which will provide almost immediate results. By using a small amount of blood from a finger prick, or oral fluid from a cheek swab, the rapid test can detect HIV antibodies in the body.

Some of the newer tests are the most accurate ever used, and can detect HIV as little as three weeks after exposure to the virus. When an immunoassay test indicates the individual is positive for HIV antibodies, a follow-up diagnostic test will be ordered by the health care provider. These more detailed tests help to determine the level of infection present. An antibody differentiation test distinguishes HIV-1 from HIV-2; an HIV-1 nucleic acid test looks for the virus directly, an indirect immunofluorescense assay test will detect antibodies (CDC, 2014).

Testing positive for HIV can be a frightening experience, but the earlier the diagnosis is made, and medical treatment is sought, the more positive the health outcome for the patient. The medications used to treat and manage HIV are very effective for most individuals, and help to lower the amount of the virus that is present in the body, which will keep the patient healthier. By keeping the virus controlled with medication, the risk of transmission to others is also reduced. And finally, early detection and treatment of HIV helps to decrease the number of individuals who develop AIDS (CDC, 2011).

The theme for this year’s National HIV Testing Day is “Take the Test. Take Control,” and the event will be observed across the country, with a variety of activities. In Denton, Health Services of North Texas, located at 4210 Mesa Dr., provides free HIV testing, and, the Denton County Public Health Department offers confidential and anonymous HIV testing, by appointment, for a $20 fee.

For more information about HIV and AIDS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, is a valuable resource. http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/HIVtesting/index.html

And if you’d like to find a testing center or other special events for National HIV Testing Day, please click on the link below for more information for your local area. http://hivtest.cdc.gov/press_files/

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). New Hope for Stopping HIV. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/HIVtesting/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). HIV/AIDS Testing. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/testing.html

Minnesota Department of Health. (2014). National HIV Testing Day, June 27, 2014 Fact Sheet. Retrieved from: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/hiv/testingday/hivtestingday.pdf

Written by: Kelly Greene


Ms. Greene is a Health Studies graduate student completing her MS in the fall of 2014. Her emphasis is Community Health, and her passion is finding a solution to the problem of food insecurity in the U.S. She received a BA in Exercise and Sport Studies from UTA in 1998.

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