By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
Westborough – Cancer can strike anyone – even young athletes in their prime, such as Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, former Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel, champion bicyclist Lance Armstrong and the late Greg Montalbano, a Westborough resident who was a star pitcher for St. John's High School and the Worcester Tornadoes.
It can also strike young women such as Rebecca Soulliere, who three years ago, discovered that not only was she pregnant with her third child, she also had Stage II breast cancer. Rebecca was shocked because she was only 33 and did not have a family history of breast cancer.
Fortunately, her cancer is now in remission and her daughter, whom she named Reece Everest in honor of the long, hard journey they had endured during the pregnancy and cancer treatment, is also doing well.
Now, as an advocate for the Westborough-based nonprofit group, the 15-40 Connection, Rebecca shares her story with others facing similar situations.
The 15-40 Connection was started in 2005 by Shrewsbury resident and businessman Jim Coghlin Sr. in memory of his good friend Mark Ungerer, who died in 1995 from multiple myeloma. Mark's son, David, had also died of cancer, when he was only 16.
The group's goal is to promote health awareness and early detection of cancers in young people. It also aims, through presentations to youth groups and classes, to teach kids to be self-advocates for their health. By doing so, group members hope to increase the number of young cancer survivors.
Tricia Scannel Laursen is the group's executive director.
“Over the past two decades there have been important advances in cancer and more and more people are living lives free of cancer after their treatments,” she said, “but early detection is a key factor.”
“It's important to be aware of what your body is normally like,” she said, “and if something doesn's feel right, to tell someone. This can be hard, especially when someone tells you are being paranoid or a hypochondriac. But if the symptoms persist for more than two weeks, you need to have the courage to insist that you need to get it checked.”
In the best cases, it turns out nothing is wrong, she said, “…then you can get rid of that worry and doubt.”
But in some other cases, a person's gut instinct will prove, to themselves and to others, that something indeed is not right.
“We try to teach kids “You know yourself better than anyone and know what's normal for you. Be pro-active – not reactive,”” Laursen said.
According to the group's website, www.15-40.org, 72,000 individuals between the ages of 15 and 40 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. It is the number one disease-related cause of deaths in that age group.
For women, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer with thyroid being second. For men, it is testicular, Laursen said.
“For women and men combined, it is melanoma,” she added. “It's the deadliest form of skin cancer – very treatable if caught early, difficult to treat at advanced stages.”
One of the most common causes of melanoma is tanning beds.
“We try to appeal to the kids” vanity,” Laursen said, “reminding them that tanning so much will eventually cause wrinkles sooner than later.”
Although 15-40 Connection does not provide specific medical advice, it will help point each person in the right direction, for not only medical attention but also support.
As a survivor, Rebecca believes that is vitally important.
“I did not learn of 15-40 until after my experience,” she said. “However, [it] has given me additional confidence in knowing the power of a shared story. 15-40 has opened my eyes to the vast magnitude of young people who are diagnosed and the impact that shared experiences can make on another young patient.”
For more information or to contact a representative to speak to your group, contact 15-40 Connection at www.15-40.org.