EMPORIUM — An Emporium resident has written a book chronicling her battle with oral cancer in an effort to remove the stigmatism behind the disease and help other people going through the same issues.

Christine Dickinson, a lifelong resident of Emporium, is now a five-year survivor of Stage IV oral cancer. It’s a big accomplishment, considering that only 57 percent of individuals diagnosed with oral cancer make it to the five-year mark, and those cases are typically not in advanced stages when discovered.

“They usually call in hospice when you’re diagnosed with stage IV, but I’m very stubborn,” said Dickinson. “I believe things happen for a reason. This cancer doesn’t get the recognition that some of the others do, and there’s a stigma attached to oral cancer.”

Dickinson explained that oral cancer is typically caused by smoking, chewing tobacco, heavy drinking, or the human papilloma virus (HPV), but a small percentage of patients find they get oral cancer despite having none of the common contributing factors.

“I’m here to help people today who are suffering through this — they need support and encouragement,” said Dickinson.

Dickinson’s book is called “Oral Cancer: My Journey,” with a subtitle of “The Simple Things Almost Lost.” Dickinson said the publisher asked her to drop the last line, but she said that it is actually what the book is about.

“Breathing, swallowing, eating, talking — I couldn’t do those things anymore. You really realize what you’ve lost and want it back,” said Dickinson. “I had some dark days when I wanted to give up, but you just have to keep going.”

The first thing Dickinson faced after her diagnosis was a 14-hour surgery, followed by 17 days in hospital. Tendons in her arm were used to rebuild her tongue; flesh from her leg was used to repair her arm. Community Nurses came into her home daily after her release. While the initial surgery and major treatments were done at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., she saw an oncologist and went for some treatments in Olean, N.Y. She underwent 33 radiation treatments and three chemotherapy sessions.

Dickinson gives Roswell and its staff a lot of credit, saying they had therapy dogs brought in, volunteers playing music in common areas, and other volunteers who made the rounds to bring snacks and drinks to patients in the hospital and those coming for treatment. Roswell was recently ranked #33 of nearly 900 cancer hospitals in the United States, and was the only New York State hospital outside of New York City to rank in the top 50.

“I had a choice after the biopsy, and I had heard many good things about Roswell. I’m so glad I chose there; they’re so awesome up there,” said Dickinson, who plans to donate a portion of the proceeds from her book for continuing research on oral cancer by Roswell staff.

“I still can’t eat some things. I consider this a new norm, and I’ve begun to look at things differently. I look more at what I can do, what I’ve accomplished, than what I’ve lost,” she said. One of the stand-out lines in her book reads: “Enjoy these simple things because they are, in reality, the big things in life.”

Throughout the book, Dickinson’s darker, sort-of dry sense-of-humor comes through, and she says she believes that quality helped her get through her treatment. Sometimes, laughter is the best medicine. Throughout the book, photographs are scattered amongst the pages: one of her mother who battled breast cancer; a shot of the Disney Princess sippy cup nurses gave her to help her learn to drink again; a photo of her grandson, who inspired her to go on; one of her giving the thumbs-up just before surgery; and another of her recently-removed medical port in a “critter keeper” pet cage. All are accompanied by colorful stories that show the difficulties she faced, but add a humor and lightness that would be encouraging to those struggling through similar problems.

Dickinson’s book is drawing attention at Roswell and with her other doctors. She has been invited to speak at several conferences and events, and both the hospital and the dental clinic at Roswell will purchase several copies to keep in their offices for patients to read. She has also been asked to speak to a women’s group and in other small-group settings.

“I just feel honored that I can start helping other people going through this,” Dickinson said.

“Oral Cancer: My Journey,” is available through Archway Publishing, a division of Simon and Schuster. The book is available on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and through Archway Publishing.