Grateful but worried. This past spring, I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. I am grateful to live in the U.S., where I have access to screening and the expert care at UPMC Magee-Womens breast cancer center. But the type of breast cancer I have, HER2 , is aggressive and can reoccur. Just 25 years ago, this type of breast cancer would have killed me.
When I read about the funding cuts to cancer research that have occurred under the current administration, I get worried that the therapeutic research I may need in the future is not taking place. Only one in 25 grants at the National Cancer Institute are now getting funded, an all-time low.
Having cancer has given me a lot of time to think. I am concerned, as the health directives and defunding coming from our government over the past two years are not in any way supportive of women and their choices. Limiting reproductive choices for women has been a particular focus of this administration.
I am grateful for the fact that since 1980 more women than men have turned out to vote in presidential elections. I am hopeful that female voter turnout at the midterms in November and again in 2028 is going to stop me worrying.
Kathleen Dobbin
Greensburg