Julie McCrossin: Survival is not primarily personal

Julie McCrossin shared on LinkedIn:

“Turned 70 yesterday. Celebrated with family including two grandkids. This is personal. Why post on LinkedIn?

Because I don’t think my survival from a stage four oropharyngeal cancer diagnosis in 2013 when I was 58 was simply a personal matter.

As an Australian I had rapid access to a Mutlidisciplinary Cancer Team. Once diagnosed with HPV-related throat cancer, there was a sense of urgency in my access to treatment. The 5 year follow-up was efficient too.

In Britain right now there are significant delays in access to treatment for all cancers. The delays for Head and Neck Cancer patients are the worst. This means more death and morbidity for these people.

The quality and timeliness of our health system is not a ‘personal matter’. Survival and quality of life are primarily the result of good systems and sufficient resources. Access to transport and social support help greatly. Being near an urban centre boosts your chances. Committed clinicians who communicate well and embrace the benefits of new research as quickly as possible are highly valued! And we can boost our prognosis to a degree by turning up to all our treatments and putting the advice we get into action.

Survival is not primarily personal.

Thank you to my cancer team! I will never take you for granted.

Cancer waiting times in 2023 worst on record in England.”

Black and White Photo Credit: Lee Miller.”

Source: Julie McCrossin/LinkedIn

More posts featuring Julie McCrossin on oncodaily.com

Julie McCrossin, a former broadcaster with ABC Radio National, ABC TV, and Network Ten, is now a freelance journalist, broadcaster, and podcaster.

After being treated for stage four throat cancer in 2013, she became an Ambassador for Targeting Cancer and TROG Cancer Research. Julie hosts podcast series for Cancer Council NSW and Head & Neck Cancer Australia, focusing on cancer-related topics.