Health: Local Woman's Incredible Story Of Survival

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --  On the CBS 3 HealthWatch --"You have cancer again" -- that's being heard by a growing number of people.

New research shows a 300 percent increase in people with second cancers.

Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl explains the new trend with a local woman who has an incredible story of survival.

(Reporter:) "Each birthday is an important milestone for you?"

"You better believe it," said said Judy Bernstein.

At 72, Judy Bernstein loves every birthday she gets to celebrate.

Talk about beating the odds. She's survived eight different kinds of cancer.

"I'm very lucky none of them are metastatic," said Bernstein.

Judy who lives in Montgomery County is part of a new trend. There's been a dramatic increase in people being diagnosed with second cancers. They're different malignancies, not a recurrence.

(Reporter:) "This isn't necessarily bad news?"

"No I would actually flip it and say it's actually good news because we're actually getting so much better at treating people that they actually live longer," said Dr. Eric Horwitz, Fox Chase Cancer Center.

"Unfortunately then they're at risk for getting another cancer. But the only reason that's happening is because they've done really well from their first cancer," said  Dr. Horwitz.

Dr. Eric Horwitz, the Chairman of Radiation at Fox Chase Cancer Center, says it starts with improvements in cancer detection.

For Judy who's been married for 51 years, her cancer odyssey started with skin cancer, then 16 years ago lymphoma.

(Reporter:) "How did you survive eight cancers?"

"Everything was caught early. Early detection is the clue and cue to living with cancer," said Bernstein.

Most recently she had radiation for cancer around her eye.

(Reporter:) "Do you feel sick?"

"Look at me, do I look sick?" said Bernstein.

Doctors say second cancers can be more difficult to treat -- drug and radiation options are limited and radiation can increase the risk of causing different cancers and even heart disease.

Link: http://www.fccc.edu/