Introduction
What is cancer? Cancer is defined in so many different ways. The definition that sticks out to me is a malignant growth or tumor resulting from the division of abnormal cells. Cancer is one of the leading diseases in the killing of the human race. Cancer is a disease that has taken many lives over the years and will continue to do so until researchers find a cure. It is found that when diagnosed with any fatal disease it is difficult to deal with. Some people want to just give up and feel that all hope is gone and then you have those who will fight to beat the disease. This brings me to a strong will yet amazing person by the name of Farrah Fawcett. Farrah Fawcett childhood was filled with baseball and ballet. Her dad wanted a boy and her mother was determined for her to be a girly girl. Farrah attended the University of Texas majoring in Art. At the encouragement of a publicist in 1968 Farrah struck out to LA at which time she landed a role on several shows. She then met an actor by the name of Lee Majors after which they were married in 1973. Farrah Fawcett was a world renowned actress who was best known for her role in the TV series of Charlie’s Angels (1976). For over 30 years Farrah Fawcett had a rocky relationship with Ryan O’Neal her longtime boyfriend. Ryan was very abusive to Farrah during this relationship. In 2001 she and Ryan O’Neal reconnected. During this relationship they had a son by the name of Redmond. Farrah would do anything to make sure her son was happy and taken care of. She was a positive icon for women during her career as well as a successful actress. However, Farrah Fawcett faced some health issues. In 2006 she was diagnosed with anal cancer. Anal cancer is a type of cancer which arises from the anus, the distal opening of the gastrointestinal tract. Anal Cancer is a lump which is created by the normal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the anus. Anal Cancer is the specific form in which Fawcett was diagnosed which is a pretty rare form of cancer in the anus. Later that same year when she was diagnosed with the anal cancer O’Neal was diagnosed with Leukemia.
The Plight of Farrah Fawcett’s Life
When Farrah was diagnosed with this disease, doctors at UCLA Medical Center told her that it could not be removed. Farrah being the fighter that she was would not take no for an answer. She made it her priority that she would beat the disease and one day be cancer free. In 2006 Farrah underwent standard treatment for this disease in the United States. On Fawcett 60th birthday she declared herself cancer free after a routine check-up. In May 2007 the cancer returned, and Fawcett began seeking alternative treatments in Germany. She flew to Germany to pursue alternative treatments in her battle against cancer some of which are not allowed in the United States. Dr. Klaus Keeley would be the physician who would remove the tumor. Fawcett took chemotherapy treatments at Frankfurt University Hospital in Germany as well as alternative treatments in a clinic in Bad Wiessee in the Southern state of Bavaria. Cancer is a disease that if it is diagnosed in early stages it can be cured or controlled. But unfortunately in some cases once the cancer spreads death is almost certain. Fawcett cancer had spread to her liver which made her fight a little harder. Not only was she fighting her battle with cancer but also the media. The media exposed false statements about Fawcett’s health to the public. During this time Farrah Fawcett maintained her great sense of humor and positive attitude about this entire ordeal. She could not figure out how the tabloid found out about the cancer before she could tell her family. Fawcett later found out the information was leaked from an employee of UCLA Medical Center. Once the cancer had spread to her liver they began Chemo-perfusion therapy. This form of therapy was complicated. After the perfusion treatments she would have very ruff nights. She stated that the needles going into the liver was the most painful part of this procedure. The doctors told Farrah it is not good to fly after these procedures. They told her it could cause fever and swelling but she was always ready to get back to LA. Farrah stated “Sometimes this disease makes me feel like a stranger to myself”. Dr. Jacol was one of her doctors that spoke about what a positive person she was and how she was such a fighter through this entire process. Farrah Fawcett wanted every opportunity to survive cancer and was willing to put forth every effort needed to beat the odds of this disease. Farrah Fawcett had the attitude that I will embrace whatever life style changes needed in order to beat this disease and live cancer free. When asked about her fight with cancer Farrah Fawcett saying was “I don’t live to fight cancer, I fight cancer to live”.
Farrah Fawcett was in great health her whole life. She believed in exercise and healthy living. She never smoked or drink. She had a sister that passed away in 2001 of cancer. Farrah Fawcett dad when interviewed said that kids are supposed to bury their parents. O’Neal stated that Farrah lost her hair, lost weight but she never lost hope through this whole process. O'Neal had hopes of marrying Fawcett if she regained enough strength—a moment that never came. Now, for O'Neal, "the good moments come when he realizes that he was able to stand by her side and help her through this," says Dr. Piro. "The bad moments come when he realizes that he doesn't know how to face a life without her." Says O'Neal simply: "I loved her with all my heart. I will miss her so very, very much." Unfortunately, Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with anal cancer at the age of 62; however, she did not go down without a fight. Farrah stayed positive until the very end. In and out of the hospital over the past three months, Fawcett continued to amaze family and friends with her resilient spirit. Just days before she died, Fawcett was sitting up in bed, asking her friend Dangerfield for a steak. "I rushed to a restaurant and when I got back she ate more than I did!" Dangerfield recalls. "We sat on the bed and talked about fashion. She was happy."
Farrah Fawcett died on June 25, 2009 in the intensive care unit of Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, with Ryan O’Neal and Stewart by her side. A private ceremony was held in Los Angeles on June 30. Farrah’s son Redmond was permitted to leave his California detention center to attend his mother’s funeral. Unfortunately, news of Fawcett’s death was significantly dominated by the death Michael Jackson another great icon that died on the same day. Therefore less coverage was focused on the death of Farrah Fawcett. Farrah Fawcett’s situation educated the American public about methods of fighting cancer with herbal treatments, mistletoe, vitamins and other provisions that the German medical teams says it is effective in boosting the immune system and kill cancer cells. But it is not approved in the United States this is why Fawcett traveled to Germany for the treatments. Farrah Fawcett remained a trooper and a fighter. She never gave up on herself of surviving cancer despite all of the trials and tribulations this disease brought to her life.
Conclusion
My analysis of the Farrah Fawcett story shows me that no matter what life through your way never lose hope or faith in surviving. Farrah Fawcett was a person with a big heart that loved her friends and family. Watching this documentary showed me how courageous of a person Fawcett was. I saw how she was such an inspiration to people around her. Fawcett’s friend Alana Stewart stated she was an inspiration to her just being there and watching everything she went through. Farrah Fawcett will always be remembered by her sense of humor, her kindness, her beautiful smile and of course her beautiful blonde hair that everyone talked about from Charlie’s Angels. When I think of Farrah Fawcett, I think of her role that she played on Charlie’s Angels because that was one of my favorite shows. Now when I think of Farrah Fawcett I think of her courage, faithfulness and her willing to live through her fight with cancer. This documentary gives me a new outlook on the lives of people that face this deadly disease every day. Farrah Fawcett bravely fought her battle with cancer to the very end.

References
"What Is Cancer/Anal Cancer?" WebMD.WebMD, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2013. http://www.webmd.com/cancer/what-is-anal-cancer>.

"Farrah's Final Fight." - Cancer, Farrah Fawcett, Ryan O'Neal : People.com. N.p., 18 May 2009. Web. 16 Sept. 2013. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20282113,00.html>.

News, SHEILA MARIKAR via World. "Farrah Fawcett Dies at 62, Succumbs to Cancer." ABC News. ABC News Network, 25 June 2009. Web. 16 Sept. 2013. http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/FarrahFawcett/story?id=7464123>.