The Cure

Cancer is a topic that effects almost everyone in one way or another. Everyone who doesn't have it themselves has a friend or relative that suffers from one form or another of it.

I started to follow updates in cancer research back in high school when a good friend of mine's mother died. We were 16 at the time. She died of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, more deadly than Hodgkins lymphoma, after being in remission for over two years.

With the new Guardasil vaccine that protects against cervical cancer by guarding against the viris that causes many cases, brings hope that soon more potential cures for cancer that face millions of Americans, not to mention others around the world.

A little ray of hope seems to come every few months now in the struggle to fight this war, and I was so excited to read about a possible new cure for a rare form of lymphoma. Though it is still in its initial phases of research, I really hope that this will pave the way for more possible cures, or even easier forms of treatment.

The test included lower dosages of chemotherapy and sterroids, as opposed to more. Not only will this new research prove to be invaluable for future cancer patients, should it turn out to be valid, but even if it's just a step, it could mean easier recovery from treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

I know what my friend's mom went through every day with the harsh effects of chemo, and to think that that could potentially be lessened while still fighting against the cancer is reason enough to be enthralled with this new finding. It was hard enough watching this fully-grown woman go through the treatment, but imagine the kids at St. Jude's and other hospitals who have to face the same thing every day. Even if this is just a step, and even if it doesn't pan out, it's so fantastic to know that there are people out there working every day to fight for the people who can hardly fight for themselves.