American singer Taylor Swift revealed her mother's cancer diagnosis to fans on Thursday, April 9. Swift's mother is Andrea Finlay. Finlay is 57 years old. Cancer occurs when abnormal cells divide and destroy body tissue. Left untreated, it is fatal. There is no target demographic, age group, or social status for the disease.
Swift wrote a letter to fans on her social media blogging site, Tumblr that Finlay was screened for health issues at the hospital. Finlay's screening returned with cancer positive results. Swift shared the Tumblr post on her Twitter account and the tweet received 64,618 retweets and 93,609 favorites.
"She wanted you to know because your parents may be too busy juggling everything they've got going on to go to the doctor, and maybe you reminding them to go get checked for cancer could possibly lead to an early diagnosis and an easier battle," write Swift. "Thank you for caring about my family so much that she would want me to share this information with you. I hope and pray that you never get news like this."
Tweets From Taylor's Fans and Friends:
"@taylorswift13 my love and prayers to you and your family Taylor!" tweeted Troy Laureta.
"@taylorswift13 I'm so sorry :-( Been there with my mum too. All my love and thoughts with you and your family. Look after yourself," wrote Charlotte Graham.
"@taylorswift13 she will pull through this, do not even worry
"@taylorswift13 I'm sorry to hear this. My prayers to your mother and family," tweeted BehindTheYellowTape.
"@taylorswift13 Prayers go out to your mom. She will beat that nasty Cancer. Love You," tweeted @Melissa_Sis.
Cancer Facts:
Cancers occurs when deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is damaged. DNA damage can be caused by exposure to cigarette smoke or the sun's harmful rays. DNA damage can also be inherited by individuals from genes passed on by parents. Normal cells grow, divide, repair, and die. Cancer cells invade other areas of the body and multiply without repairing DNA.
According to the American Cancer Society, "More than one million people in the United States get cancer each year."
There are over 100 types of cancer. Cancers can begin spreading at the bone, skin, organs, mouth, and more. Depending on exposure to radiation, chemicals, UV rays, tobacco, type of diet, anyone can contract cancer.
Types of cancer treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and surgery. Chemotherapy uses medicine. Radiation therapy uses high energy particles to damage or destroy cancer cells. Targeted therapy uses drugs to attack cancer cells. Surgery is used to diagnose, treat, and help prevent cancer.
