Have you seen the Real Age calculators? Basically, it seems that we can calculate our real age by factoring in things like smoking, diet, exercise and medical history. The goal is to keep your real age as low as possible. Apparently, staying "young" is the key to good health and longevity.
Well, I've been thinking about this real age test, and feel it really does Awesome Cancer Survivors a serious injustice. We get better as we age, not as we force our "real age" to a more youthful number. As cancer survivors, each passing year adds to our collective strength and overall health. In sharp contrast to the Real Age, a higher Cancer Age is a true status symbol! To address the Real Age test's shortfalls, I'm rolling out a new test. It's called the Cancer Age AssessmentTM.
This assessment will reward cancer survivors with their true Cancer Age! Your Cancer Age reflects the pain, anguish, and sheer guts it took for you to battle cancer and continue on as an Awesome Cancer Survivor. As awesome cancer survivors, we've all experienced more in our lives than most people. Your Cancer Age lets everyone know that you are a super hero!
Take the Assessment!
Write down your Current Age: ________________________
If you've never had cancer, subtract your current age from your current age. You're at 0. Please stop here. Your cancer age is 0. There are no prizes for you.
If you've had cancer, please continue.
Add 5 to your current age for each cancer diagnosis.
If you were diagnosed with Cancer before 18, add 100.
If you were diagnosed with Cancer between 18 and 50, add 10.
If you were diagnosed with Cancer after 50, add 5.
If you had Chemo, add 25.
If you still remember the names of all your chemo drugs, add 10.
If you lost your hair going through chemo, add 20.
If you had Radiation, add 20.
If you had surgery for cancer treatment, add 10.
If your oncologist attended your wedding, add 20.
If your pharmacy is on speed dial, add 5.
If you like MRIs, subtract 20.
If you have copies of all your medical records, up to date, add 25.
If you don't have any of your medical records, subtract 10.
If your primary care physician takes your calls on the first ring, add 10.
If you've redecorated the oncology waiting room because it was looking a little drab, add 50.
Results:
Add up your score and arrive at your Cancer AgeTM.
1-50 - Congratulations, you're an Awesome Cancer Survivor! Welcome to the club. You're on a path to becoming a truly empowered survivor.
51 - 1000 - WOW! Not only are you an Awesome Cancer Survivor, you're a true old soul. You're a sherpa, guide, expert, and treasured resource for other cancer survivors. You've battled cancer with grace, wit, charm, and alot of grit and perserverance. You have an ability to reflect on the past and see great possibilities for the future. You live each moment to the fullest and you're making sure that everyone around you lives the same way. You see beauty in all things and truly live a life with a happiness that aches. Without you, the cancer survivorship landscape would be a lonely place. Thank you for all you do! I'd climb a mountain with you!
1000 + - Your score is off the charts! Please contact me immediately, I think there's a clinical trial out there somewhere specifically for you. Seriously. Call me right now!
Proudly display your Cancer Age on your site! Want the Cancer Age badge - let me know. Leave a comment and tell me your Cancer Age!
Love this! Let's hear it for reaching a ripe old Cancer age - I'm 152:)
Posted by: Julie Goodale | January 28, 2011 at 04:08 PM
Do I get 40 points if I lost my hair twice?
Posted by: ibcwarriorbabe | January 28, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Too funny! I'm quite young compared to the rest of you, though...I'll be 112 next week!
Posted by: Ginny Marie | January 28, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Love this! Both funny and TRUE!
I seem to be 186 years old, which is high enough thank you very much! ...... but while we're at it, maybe I owe it to my experience to be even older?!....
Riffing on ibcwarriorbabe's idea, shouldn't we rack up more points per diagnosis than just the 5 each? For example:
-3 separate cancers btwn ages 18-50 (not mets... 3 brand new ones) .... do I get 30 points?
-2 separate chemos (with different drug cocktails... and yes I remember them ALL!!), do I get 50 points?
-2 separate radiation courses... 40 points?
-5 separate cancer surgeries..... 50 points?
Wow! Just taking a few seconds to think of all of this quantitatively and with good humor boggles the mind!
:-)
Thanks!
Posted by: itsthebunk | January 30, 2011 at 06:50 PM
How funny, I am the ripe old age of 120.
Posted by: Mark Nailor | January 31, 2011 at 08:00 PM
Hmm - when I set out to beat cancer, I admit I didn't expect to reach the age of 166! Fun quiz thanks.
Posted by: Shirley Corder | February 02, 2011 at 12:15 AM
Funny, I'm 158 and getting better with age :)
Posted by: Marie | February 02, 2011 at 09:17 PM
I am 199 years old...Interesting!
Posted by: Mary | February 05, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Love it! I'm 151, but who's counting? I'm loud and I'm proud to still be around. Thanks for all that you do, and for your sense of humor.
Posted by: Tmboehmer | February 11, 2011 at 04:20 PM
Hi Alicia,
It's Kate from Opposing Views. I realize how busy you must be, so I'm just checking to see if you had a chance to consider my earlier email (pasted below for your convenience).
Like you, I receive a large number of requests from web sites, most of which are spam. We publish content from hundreds of renowned expert individuals and groups. I hope you consider joining us...
Kate Wharmby Seldman
Prior email -->
Hello Alicia,
I'm Kate Wharmby Seldman, the Health Editor at Opposing Views (www.opposingviews.com).
We're a growing online news/information platform that publishes expert opinions, analysis, questions and answers from groups such as PETA, the NRDC, the NRA and Amnesty International. Each month hundreds of thousands of readers (and viewers, we also offer video) come to Opposing Views to learn about and discuss important issues.
In an effort to build a significant health and cancer section, we're reaching out to experts on the subject, and I thought Awesome Cancer Survivor would make a strong addition. If you're interested and have the time, we'd like you to become an Opposing Views expert.
What does being an expert mean? Essentially, you give us permission to publish content from your site through an RSS feed or by posting it directly on our site. Your content will reach an even wider audience and we include a byline and links to your site which enhance your position on Google and other search engines. In addition, the majority of our content is carried on Google news, Facebook, Twitter and other news and media sites.
Please contact me with any comments and/or questions, and let me know if you'd like to join us.
Kate Wharmby Seldman
Health and Entertainment Editor
[email protected]
Opposing Views
www.opposingviews.com
Los Angeles, CA
310-488-6847
Posted by: Kate Seldman | March 15, 2011 at 02:55 PM