Explanation of the plaques on the Positive Mental Attitude Walk

The second largest correctable cause of cancer mortality, smoking being #1, is newly diagnosed patients believing it means death and giving up without trying to fight. To dispel this mistaken theory, the first four plaques are meant to give honest hope to anyone diagnosed and encourage them to make the fight.

1. Cancer is the most curable of all chronic diseases.

2. There are treatments for every type of cancer.

3. Some people have been cured from every type of cancer.

4. There are 8,000,000 living Americans who have been diagnosed with cancer; 4,000,000 are considered cured.

To emphasize the urgency of prompt, proper and thorough treatment and the importance of a positive mental attitude, the next three plaques state:

5. Realize that cancer is a life threatening disease but some beat it. Make up your mind you will be one of those who do.

6. Treat your cancer promptly, properly and thoroughly and have a positive mental attitude.

7.Make a commitment to do everything in your power to help yourself fight the disease.

The importance of not staying with a physician who is less than optimistic and being certain of the best treatment the first time is emphasized in the following three plaques:

8. Find a qualified doctor in whom you have confidence who believes he can successfully treat you.

9. Regardless of the prognosis, get an independent qualified second opinion.

10. Get PDQ state-of-the-art treatment information from 1-800-4-CANCER. Know all your options. Knowledge heals.

Emphasizing the quality of life and its importance to successful treatment is embodied in the next 3 plaques:

11. Seek and accept support.

12. Have plans for pleasant things to do and goals to accomplish.

13. Read and practice suggestions in the book "Fighting Cancer" available free from 1-800-433-0464.

This plaque might seem trivial or obvious, but it is possibly one of the most important on two counts. First, stress is considered one of the principal factors in the recurrence of cancer and quality of life is vital. Worrying about a recurrence is bad on both counts.

14. Make up your mind that when your cancer is gone, you are through with it.

15. Call 800-433-0464

To talk with an individual who has survived your type of cancer.

To hear names of local individuals who have survived cancer.

To register as a five year survivor.

To find institutions offering multidisciplinary second opinions.

To obtain the free book, "Fighting Cancer".

For any questions about cancer.

If you know anyone who has cancer, have them call the R. A. Bloch Cancer Hot Line at 800-433-0464 or www.BlochCancer.org

All services are free and there is never a request for a donation. It may save their life!

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