Mom survives cancer but loses daughter to disease

Now she works hard to improve understanding

After battling breast cancer into remission, Lucy Shore hoped the deadly disease had left her life for good.

Unfortunately, her family’s battle with cancer was far from over. In September 2006, Shore’s daughter, Melinda, took ill.

Melinda had colorectal cancer. About seven weeks after she was hospitalized, Melinda died.

“Her caregivers counselled the immediate family to each have a colonoscopy because apparently first-degree relatives of someone with colorectal cancer are at a higher-risk situation,” said Shore, a Riverview resident.

That recommendation ultimately saved Shore’s life. Doctors discovered a tumour on her colon and she was immediately sent for surgery.

“The key is catching it early,” said George Wurtak, a spokesman with the Canadian Cancer Society.

“It varies from individual to individual, but if it is caught early enough there is a 90% cure rate.”

Having battled cancer twice and won, Shore now vows to honour her late daughter’s life by doing everything she can to help make cancer history.

“The fact that I was diagnosed in time saved my life. I have looked at that and said, well, if my life has been saved I should do something worthwhile with what is left,” Shore said.

Because this month is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Shore has been working to increase awareness of the disease by promoting the importance of colorectal screening.

“Some people are afraid to get checked in case they are diagnosed with cancer because they think it is a death sentence,” Shore said.

“If you catch it early, it is a gift. It can be dealt with and you can be given a second chance. If you leave it, it can be a tougher battle.”

According to Canadian Cancer Society statistics, 93% of those diagnosed with colorectal cancer are 50 or older.

It is recommended that people 50 or older go in for screening once every second year.

“Unfortunately, this is an area that people tend not to want to talk about, but we need to get over that taboo,” Wurtak said.

“You know your body best and if there is something that is not right get it checked out, see a doctor,” he said.

Along with 1,200 volunteers across the province, Shore is working hard during this year’s Daffodil Days campaign throughout March.

The Canadian Cancer Society hopes to raise $225,000 from the sale of daffodils and $840,000 from its residential door-to-door campaign.

“It is all about providing hope. The daffodil is a symbol of hope,” Wurtak said.

Proceeds from the campaign will be used to fund cancer research and community services for cancer sufferers and their families.

To learn more about cancer or to make a donation visit the Canadian Cancer Society website at www.cancer.ca.