Though cancer can be a harrowing ordeal, a growing body of research suggests that the disease can also change people's lives for the better. Nearly two out of three cancer survivors and their families say something good has come out of the experience.
Cancer gives survivors a renewed sense of confidence and greater appreciation for their own endurance, says Particia Ganz, a professor at the University of California. Cancer also leads survivors to question their priorities, Ganz says.
Many survivors find that coping strategies they develop during cancer therapy help them handle other problems in life, Ganz says. That could explain why older cancer patients often feel less distraught than younger people, she says.
Older people may have already learned how to weather other types of crises, such as loss of loved ones.
Note: This is not a recent news article. This material is used for the sole purpose of conducting an activity on a related matter.
harrowing: (adjective) extremely disturbing or distressing
ordeal: (noun) any extremely severe or trying test, experience, or trial.
distraught: (adjective) distracted
True, False, Maybe:
1. Cancer is an easy illness to overcome.
2. The article says that people should have cancer to learn valuable lessons in life.
Identify:
1. What is the article about?
2. What are the upsides of cancer according to the text?
Opinion:
1. What can you say about the article?
2. In your opinion, is the article inspiring enough?
3. Agree or disagree: a cancer patient cannot survive without support from the people around them.
4. Why do you think cancer can change people?
Talking Points:
1. Do you know anyone who had had cancer and overcame it?
2. How about you, are you confident that you won't have cancer?
3. Have you or anyone in your family had any serious disease? What lesson did you learn from it?
Teacher Yanda