Health Diary: Cancer in common

I made an amazing discovery this week.  I think Michael Douglas and I may have been twin brothers in a previous life, as we have too much in common for it to be a coincidence.

Admittedly I’m not an A list movie star, or even Z list come to that. Putting this small fact aside, we both have attractive wives with the same name, I did drama at school, and we both have an appreciation of red wine and the South of France.

However the biggest thing we have in common, is we repeatedly visited our doctors for many months, before a diagnosis of cancer was made.  Yet Michael and I are not alone; I’ve spoken to many cancer patients in recent months, who have similar stories.

Late diagnosis makes cancer so much harder to beat, and more dangerous. Again like me, Michael felt something was wrong months before the diagnosis, “It had been bothering me for a while. I went through a litany of doctors and tests.” He said.

I was pleased to see Michael Douglas broke his silence, and spoke with David Letterman about his chances of beating cancer.  Having a true celebrity utter the “C” word is inspirational to any cancer patient having treatment.  For these reasons, I have been writing about cancer.  I want to get people talking about the subject, not hiding it under the carpet and hoping it goes away.

“It makes me furious they didn’t detect it earlier” Miss Zeta-Jones said. “He sought every option and nothing was found.” I felt the same, yet over time when she learns more about the subject, and how complex it is, she’ll understand why this sort of error happens to thousands of people.

Obviously, I don’t have Michael’s profile, and more people will watch the David Letterman show than read my blog. This makes it difficult when contacting well known local personalities, requesting they help me promote the work I’m doing.  Unfortunately they either ignore me, or just rudely respond by telling me they will only honour me with an interview, if I promote their latest project. Totally missing the point.

Doctors have given Michael an 80 per cent chance of survival; I was only given three months to live when I was diagnosed.  “I’m treating this as a curable disease. It’s a fight. I’ll beat this.” Michael said.  I sincerely hope once Michael’s nightmare is over, he’ll use his profile to create awareness for numerous cancer charities, like Cancer Research.

Another thing Michael has in common with me, is we both agree that cancer is stress-related. Recently his eldest son Cameron was jailed for five years, and he’s also involved in a stressful legal fight with his first wife Diandra.  I too was majorly stressed when I was diagnosed, working all hours, trying to build a business on a shoestring.

So while Michael battles with his treatment, I’ll continue battling to create awareness on the whole cancer subject. I can’t expect to ever have the profile of my older “twin brother” Michael, but we both can help make a difference for everyone having treatment for cancer.

Recent Posts on Notebook

• The Road to the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc - Majorca 70.3 Ironman
• The Retail Ready People project means the future of the high street is in your hands
• Don't get mad about Amazon and make the right ethical choice
• Chagos: Conservationists are swimming in murky waters
• Justin Webb on the medical advances in tackling heart disease

• AmandaSeyderhelm

  Hi Chris, I’ve beaten cancer twice, and like you, believe that early diagnosis and a stronger ‘body consciousness’ is key. I’d be happy to be interviewed for your blog. You can read more about my journey on my blog http://www.apaintingartist.com/blog