Reflecting on Cancer
- Actress Fran Drescher, 63, was diagnosed with stage one uterine cancer in her 40s.
- Now almost 21 years cancer-free, she says she’s “experienced incredible silver linings” as a result of her cancer journey.
- In a previous conversation with SurvivorNet, Drescher offered tips for managing a cancer diagnosis and coping with fear and uncertainty.
June 21, 2021, will mark Drescher’s “anniversary of wellness.” She was diagnosed with stage one uterine cancer after an initial misdiagnosis and treatment for a peri-menopausal condition when she was in her 40s. She underwent a radical hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and surrounding structures), and now she’s happy to be many years out from her cancer battle.
Read More“I love living in gratitude and in grace,” Drescher said. “I’m a Buddhist, and I try and keep refining myself on this journey. And if you look at everything that’s presented to you as an opportunity, even if it’s a terrible thing, you will learn that sometimes the best gifts come in the ugliest packages.”
Using her Experience to Help Others
Drescher has used her cancer journey as a vessel to help others. She told Rubenstein that it took two years and eight doctors to get a proper diagnosis for her cancer. She feels very fortunate that despite a long road to get to proper treatment, her cancer was still in its early stages.
“I was very lucky in the kind of cancer that I had because I was even after all that time still in stage one because it happened to be a slower cancer,” Drescher said.
She believes if it had been ovarian cancer, things would’ve turned out very differently. And because she didn’t want what happened to her to happen to other women, she’s used her platform to educate others and advocate for healthy living. She started a nonprofit called Cancer Schmancer with a mission to transform the nation's healthcare system through prevention, early detection and policy change. In 2003, she also published a book of the same name, Cancer Schmancer, to share her story of survival.
'The Nanny' Star Fran Drescher Celebrates 20 Years of Being Cancer Free with a Virtual Cabaret
Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
Above all else, Drescher does not want cancer warriors and survivors to feel alone. In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, she shared how she handled her cancer diagnosis.
Fran Drescher's Advice on How to Handle a Cancer Diagnosis
"If you are a cancer patient or were just diagnosed with cancer, you may undoubtedly be very frightened. I know that I was," Drescher said. "Some of the recommendations that I can make for you immediately is to open your world up to people, start looking at your lifestyle and become educated so you can see what all of your options are. The best decision is an informed decision."
Understanding Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer, also called endometrial cancer, is a cancer that develops in the lining of the uterus. The uterus, or womb, is a pear-shaped organ where a fetus can develop and grow.
There are several signs to watch out for regarding uterine cancer. Irregular bleeding bleeding in between periods for pre-menopausal women and unexpected bleeding for post-menopausal women is a very common symptom.
There are also several conditions that may predispose someone to getting uterine cancer including:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (which is marked by the absence of regular periods)
- Obesity
- Hyperandrogenism (elevated male sex hormones)
- Lynch syndrome
"These patients might not be thinking about this, their primary care providers may not be speaking to them about this," warns Dr. Diana English, a gynecologic oncologist at Stanford Medicine.
If you develop abnormal bleeding or have any concerns about your body, it is important to direct all questions to your doctor right away. Early cancer detection is hugely beneficial for treatment outcomes, so always remember to advocate for yourself.
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