An estimated 1.7 million adults are diagnosed with cancer annually in the United States, and more than 500 of those new cancer patients seek treatment at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP).

NMCP showed support for its cancer patients by celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD), celebrated nationally June 5, with their own event held at the medical center June 20.

More than 100 patients, friends, family and NMCP staff attended the event, which included a guest speaker, a ceremonial walk, a reading of a poem, and a cake-cutting reception. The day allowed patients and staff members to connect and offered support and inspiration to cancer survivors and their families.

According to the NCSD Foundation, a survivor is defined as anyone with a history of cancer, from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life. Regardless of whether a patient is just beginning treatment or in remission, NMCP acknowledges that cancer survivors face a variety of challenges -- not only with their disease, but also outside of their cancer.

"There are a lot of potential psychosocial issues a patient can be dealing with that could prevent them from adequately engaging in their health care," said Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Ford, a licensed clinical oncology social worker and head of the Social Work Department. "It could be their housing situation, benefits, food, transportation, a compromising relationship -- any number of things."

Ford has developed a distress screening to identify which patients need additional services, as mental health can also be an issue for cancer patients, so that NMCP staff can help them cope with the additional stressors that come with cancer.

During the NCSD event, guest speaker Army Maj. Gen. Bill Hix, the current director of Strategy, Plans and Policy; deputy chief of staff (G-3/5/7), Headquarters for the Department of the Army, spoke of his own challenges with cancer.

"Cancer tested me in a way that Ranger or special forces training and combat never did," Hix said. "I thought I was resilient, indeed I thought I was indestructible, and cancer humbled me."

Hix, who is currently celebrating 15 months in remission after a battle with head and neck cancer, also addressed fellow cancer patients and survivors directly, offering positive words and inspiration.

"All of you are a testimony that a cancer diagnosis today is increasingly not the end, but the beginning of a transformative, enlightening and heroic journey," Hix said.

After the conclusion of Hix's remarks, event attendees walked outside together from the medical center's chapel in Building 3, along Hospital Point to Building 1, in a show of support for survivors.

Upon reaching the steps of Building 1, attendees gathered for a reading of a poem written by Kevin Nowak about fighting cancer, followed by a reception in the building's foyer.

For more information about NCSD, visit www.ncsd.org.

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