:: NEED A DISEASE

NEED A DISEASE

December 7, 2013 at 5:47 AM

Dr. Clark: I’m setting up a character for a massive self-reevaluation during the last 6 months to a year of her life. I need a disease that’s not uncommon for a woman in her 50’s. It should be a disease that cannot be blamed on lifestyle choices, and so is no fault of the woman. The illness can’t directly affect her thinking, so don’t say a brain tumor. I don’t want to use some rare genetic disorder. Any good ideas?
Susan C.
NYC, NY

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Consider Pancreatic Cancer, fourth largest cause for death in the USA, eighth worldwide. Peak age is 75, but it’s not uncommon in 50 year olds. There’s some speculation that 20% of Pancreatic Cancers may be related to smoking, but this is not certain, and you can make your character a non-smoker. No other preventable causes have been found, so your character cannot be held responsible. A family history of Pancreatic Cancer is felt to be a risk factor, but this cancer is not a genetic disorder. At the time of diagnosis, most patients have only 6-12 months to live. The 1 year survival rate is 25%, and the 5 year survival is 6%. Treatments are limited, and mostly ineffective. Pancreatic Cancer would provide a wonderful set-up for a character to re-evaluate her world in the final tragic months of life.
H.S. Clark, MD

NEED A DISEASE

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