RE EE SE November 12, 2003 Features e the other press © cedure, much like an x-ray, that allows doctors to see changes inside the breasts that are too small to feel. “I hope people don’t have to come face to face with something like this before they take their life more seriously,” says Harbrink, wiping away a tear. “I don't mean your academic life or your social life. I mean your actual life, the fact that you are alive.” The most common cancers continue to be breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. However, women aren't the only ones affected by breast cancer. The CCS predicts 140 Canadian men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 40 will die from it. Breast cancer normally starts within the glandular tissue of the breast. There are several different types of breast cancer but invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common, accounting for approximately 80 percent of all cases. With invasive duc- tal carcinoma, cancer begins in the milk ducts of the breast and spreads to the sur- rounding tissues. Harbrink had this form of cancer. Treatments vary depending on the type and severity of the cancer but Harbrink shivers when she recalls her chemotherapy sessions. “Don’t think for a second I didn’t have doubts about chemotherapy treatment. Three days before each treatment I'd hit rock bottom because I knew that I had to go and that they were going to put drugs in me and Id be sick.” To this day, she can’t drink anything red in colour. One of the tubes that fed the chemotherapy drugs into her right arm pumped red liquid. She says she could watch it enter her system and she could taste it in the back of her throat. Every time it made her gag. Although many people have told Harbrink she was courageous to fight the cancer with a positive attitude, she felt it was just something she had to do. “When you're faced with something like a life-threatening illness, what are you going to do—curl up in the corner and cry? No, youre going to keep going. You are going to do whatever it takes to get through.” Harbrink says the experience has changed her for the better. “I think that it has made me a better person because...1 appreciate things a lot more, the simple things...I have a much greater respect for everything that we take for granted. I take the time now to smell the flowers.” Taking time out of busy schedules is something Harbrink encourages everyone to do. She says life is too precious not to. “T can’t speak for the entire population but I think people take life for granted.” Harbrink stresses that young women need to take their health more seriously. “Do the breast exams. [If my story] could help one person, that’s great. I’m not say- ing that it’s going to be an easy road because it’s not, but they will make it through.” According to the CCS, the rates of peo- ple getting breast cancer have risen by 10 percent since 1988 but deaths caused by the disease have decreased by 19 percent. Harbrink worries about the increase in breast cancer cases but has a theory why. “Our generation has been exposed to environmental agents...right from gesta- tion it’s something that we build up in the body,” says Harbrink. “A lot of fruits and vegetables that you buy are coated in her- bicides and pesticides,” she explained. “These cause endocrine disruption.” More and more research is being done on the effects exposure to harmful chemi- cals has on humans and animals, and how these are linked to endocrine disruption. The disruption affects the reproductive and developmental systems within the body. STU Science and Technology professor Don Robinson has spent some time studying the issue. “Pesticide use has been around since the 1920s,” says Robinson. “In the past 40 years, it’s kind of startling to see the rise in pesticide use and the rise in health issues, including breast cancer and infertility in men.” “To be affected by pesticides and chemicals, it doesn’t really matter live,” he says. Chemicals are being found all over the world, including in the Arctic. Robinson says there are trace amounts of chemicals in our fatty tissue. To some degree, harmful chemicals are entering the human body but the effects are not known. Both Robinson and Harbrink suggest eating organic fruits and vegetables. where you “Now I’m very diligent when washing my fruits and vegetables,” says Harbrink. To try to eliminate the majority of harm- ful chemicals on the surface of the fruit or vegetable, she uses an organic wash. Harbrink, who is beginning her quest to become an Egyptologist, wants people to realize there is hope. “We do have choic- es,” says Harbrink. “We choose what we eat, we choose if we smoke, we choose what we drink. I’m not saying don’t drink and don’t smoke, but take some time to re-evaluate your decisions because you really don’t know how long youre going to live.” Ally Readers: Beyond the Welcoming Fan Laura Schneider OP Contributor Ally readers, are you really helping us out? Well, of course you are—at least to a certain extent. You are those wel- coming fans with familiar names like Mom or Dad, boyfriend or wife, best friend or bud. You are those encouraging people who think everything we write is just great, and we love you for it. However, is it really possi- ble that you are so impressed with our writing accom- plishments that you have nothing more useful to say than, “Isn't that nice, Hon,” and “How clever you are.” What if you had the tools to offer a little more? Wouldn’t your years o experience be an asset to us and, in turn, help us to become better writers? When I ask you to read my writing, I’m looking for a little more than loose praise as you make your way out the door. It’s not that I’m inter- ested in getting an in-depth critical analysis, especially if you feel ill-equipped to give one. But as my ally you are, I know, interested in helping me succeed. Now, don’t be frightened. Remember, no one expects you to be a gram- marian, or a perfect speller, or even have the knowledge of where to insert a comma. We just want you to let us know what you think. Tell us how you do or do not understand our writing, and why. What are some strengths and weaknesses? Did you notice anything inter- esting? This is an impassioned plea to you, ally reader, to move from the position of friendly praise to helpful ranks. I will attempt to supply you with a little guidance in what might be useful when you are entrusted to read our writing. I know it can be difficult for some people to give Now, don't be frightened. Remember, no one expects you to be a grammarian, or a perfect speller, or even have the knowledge of where to insert a comma. criticism, so try not to think about it that way. We are just asking for some constructive feedback. Keep in mind we may disregard your comments, but try not to take offence. Before you start, ask yourself, “Do I have time to prop- erly read this?” and “Can I focus on the piece without distraction?” If you feel you need more time or a differ- ent environment, why not ask us to make you a copy? http://www.otherpress.ca You should be relaxed and able to concentrate when read- ing. Okay, great. Our ally reader is ready. Now what? Get a pencil, as you may need to make a few notations. And if you do have some grammar expertise, share it freely. We can always check its validity later. The next part may feel a little silly, but it works. Read the writing out loud, to help slow you down and give you the ability to check for silly errors, such as duplicated words or repeti- tion. Now ask yourself, “How’s the flow?” and “Does it seem choppy or unclear?” Remember, if you don’t understand what you are reading, it is possible others won't either. Re-read that passage again, and see if you can suggest any- thing that may help correct it or add clarity. All these observations are of great value to us, and anything that you care to add in the form of constructive feedback is truly useful. So thanks, all you ally readers, for taking the time to show how much you care. We have much to gain from your objective insights. And by the way, your praise isn’t really hurting us either. Page 19