PANAMA CITY, FL----If you are like most people, you either know someone who's battled cancer, or you are a victim of cancer yourself.
On Saturday, hundreds of people in both categories, came out to the 2010 Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment event at Gulf Coast Community College.
"My mother died two years ago from Pancreatic cancer and I wanted to see if there was any new information," says Barbara Raichert.
Raichert spent part of her Saturday at the diagnosis event for her own personal health. Like Raichert, one of the Bay Radiology doctor's mother had also battled cancer. Her mother has since recovered, however, the family crisis changed the course of her career forever.
"My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in college so it was before I'd even made the official decision to go into medicine. It impacted me that without the treatment and without the early detection that she may not be alive today," says Dr. Wendy Kriegle.
Another daughter impacted by cancer is NewsChannel 7's morning anchor Donna Bell. Bell's mother is battling breast cancer, but Bell is making it her mission to help educate.
Saturday's symposium didn't leave men out of the picture either. Rick Watson has been Prostate Cancer-Free for one year, he tells NewsChannel 7, he made it out to the event to raise awareness with others. But his work doesn't end on Saturday, as he prepares to begin leading a local men's prostate cancer support group.
"My goal is to get the word out to as many men as possible to help them get their screening in advance so they too can live cancer free and not suffer from it.
Saturday's event brought out 15 area doctors. Each who spoke about the different treatment options found right here in Bay County. There was also a chance for free cancer screenings which sometimes can be costly. Organizers say more people than expected made it out to the inaugural event. But they say that's because more people are touched by cancer than meets the eye.
To learn more about the men's prostate cancer support group or any other cancer support groups give the American Cancer Society a call at (850) 785-9205.
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