Bongino: "Don't Screw It Up"
- Conservative commentator Dan Bongino, 46, said that every moment of life is a gift, and it’s our responsibility to make the most of it.
- Bongino is fighting Hodgkin lymphoma, the rarer but more treatable form of the blood cancer.
- Having a positive attitude like Bongino’s can actually help you fight cancer.
Speaking at Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit, Bongino told a crowd of thousands that his ongoing battle against lymphoma has taught him just how valuable every moment of life is.
Read MoreBongino was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in October after discovering a lump of his neck that he initially believed to be a lipoma (a fatty tumor). He is currently undergoing chemotherapy to treat the disease and has told fans that his prognosis is very good.
“God willing, this will be in the rearview mirror by February,” Bongino told SurvivorNet in a recent interview.
What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are a key part of your immune system, which helps to fight off diseases and dangers to the body.
Related: Age, Race, and Exposures Might All Factor Into Lymphoma Risk
The two most common types are Hodgkin lymphoma, which Bongino is fighting, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
As SurvivorNet has previously reported, the difference between the two lies in the white blood cells: if doctors can detect Reed-Sternberg cells, which are giant cells derived from B lymphocytes, in the blood, the cancer is diagnosed as Hodgkin. If no Reed-Sternberg cells are detected, it’s diagnosed as non-Hodgkin. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common; Hogkin lymphoma is more treatable.
Dr. Elise Chong explains why your type of lymphoma matters
The ideal treatment for lymphoma patients depends on what variation they have as well as how far the disease has progressed. Both forms can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation, with stem-cell transplant sometimes used for Hodgkin treatment and medication for non-Hodgkin.
The Power of Mindset
Throughout his lymphoma battle, Bongino has stayed remarkably positive, balancing the demands of fighting cancer with his career as a prominent conservative.
When he announced his diagnosis, he told his supporters, "We'll be okay. I am optimistic. It's not some act I'm putting on for the show. I've got good doctors, good family, good support network, great friends, and the best audience in the business."
He continues to host his chart-topping podcast and approaches both work and treatment with an attitude of overcoming.
Having a positive outlook like Bongino’s benefits more than just the heart it can actually help patients live longer. Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview that he’s “pretty good at telling what kind of patients are going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who have gratitude in life."
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