I interviewed a Caucasian female friend, 27, and she said her main health concern is excess weight. She feels that being overweight can and does cause many health problems such as back problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Her father is suffering from severe back problems and is trying to teach his children the consequences of carrying excess weight. Diabetes is another issue because it runs in her family and being overweight exacerbates that issue.I spoke to a Korean female friend, 30, who said her health concern is diabetes. Two years ago she was experiencing fatigue, dehydration, personal summers, blurred vision and frequent urination and just couldn't understand why. She had changed her diet and tried to do what she could do to improve her situation. After no success, she finally saw a doctor who diagnosed her with diabetes and then she found out that all her symptoms matched with the exception of weight loss. Today her diabetes is under control and she feels like a normal person.
Each woman has a different list of health concern but what we each have in common is that list stems from personal experiences. My Caucasian friend and I share the concern that we will suffer from a disease known to occur. My Korean friend has no known medical history of her biological parents since she was adopted.
Cancer is a major health concern for my family also. My dad has fourteen siblings. I think that a total of six of them including his mother have been diagnosed with some form of cancer. Its really frightening. I know there is a genetic component to this. That's why I am adamant about my health screenings and physicals.
ReplyDeleteMental illness and obesity, as well as diabetes and heart disease run in my family, so those are the ones I worry about the most. It is terrifying to think that I might one day have to deal with the illness that I saw my grandparents endure. Even scarier, I don't want to see my parents as elderly, even though they're starting to get up there (don't tell them I said that.. they'll kill me!). But the possibility that they might soon have to deal with some serious health issues is frightening.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for being proactive with health screenings! You have endured alot at the hands of cancer and that must be discouraging at times. Take heart in this... I read recently about a blood test for cancer in the works. They say in the next 5 years it will become a part of your regular yearly exam! It is said to be able to detect "cancer" in all its forms, and not only will they be able to find it and distinguish the type, they will be able to use the information to determine the best interventions for treatment! It is exciting what cancer research is achieveing in our lifetime! These types of discoveries will continue to advance to links to cures. You may even see the day when your hunch about the genetic component to cancer is decided!
ReplyDeleteAllison,
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying your blogs so far! I am so sorry about your mother! I have lost a step-mother to breast cancer, but I can only imagine what you were going through at such young age with your mother. I am so happy for your aunt! I think Avon, Komen, and other breast health foundations and organizations have done so much to raise awareness and garner funding for research. I think a cure or at least improved screening is just within our reach!