Five Friends

I have heard it said over and over, “Cancer has touched everyone ….” I must admit, until recently I felt a little guilty hearing such quotes. Despite my work with Georgia CORE and before that with the Georgia Cancer Coalition and Hospice Atlanta, I didn’t have friends or family members with cancer. I knew well that I was an exception to the rule.

My awakening came, like many of yours, with a quiet, measured phone call from Amy who said, “I knew something was wrong, but I was between jobs and didn’t have insurance. I postponed going to the doctor.” It turned out she had bladder cancer and required multiple surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy. She called me in search of a clinical trial that unfortunately could not save her life. Some months later, Susan took me into her confidence saying, “I received a call back for a second mammogram, then an appointment for a biopsy. I was just sure this was going to be nothing and I didn’t want to bother anyone …” She had breast cancer and needed surgery and radiation but fortunately no chemotherapy. Perhaps the call that surprised me most was from Lee father of three children with an elevated PSA who ultimately required radical surgery. When Elizabeth called to report finding a lump just before her daughter’s wedding and beginning a new, highly sought after job, I was very positive. But the lump turned out to be triple negative breast cancer requiring multiple surgeries and chemotherapy ultimately to receive an entirely positive report from her team of doctors. Thankfully Margaret, who felt certain that she indeed had cancer when she received a ‘call back’ for a mammogram, was the one who had dense breast tissue rather than cancer!

Through these five friends I have seen the continuum of cancer – its stages, the way it can sneak up on you, the surprises it holds for the trained eye as well as the uninitiated and the range of emotions we experience as patients, friends, loved ones, colleagues and caregivers. And, these deeply personal experiences have taught me how critically important it is for each patient to receive excellent cancer care. In fact, this is the reason for Georgia CORE’s very existence: to improve the quality of cancer care in Georgia through clinical research.

The oncologists and members of the cancer care team who work with Georgia CORE demonstrate -- each and every day -- the vital role of clinical research in proving the efficacy of new treatments and providing excellent cancer care. It is an honor and a pleasure to work with accomplished and committed scientists and clinicians and to contribute to enhancing the quality of cancer care across the state of Georgia.

Nancy M. Paris, MS, FACHE
President