I have known far too many oboists who have had cancer. I’ve heard of clarinetists and saxophone players who have cancer. (For some reason I’m not coming up with any bassoonists, but perhaps they will be added to the list.) I can’t help but wonder if there is any connection to reeds.
I realize that a lot of people get cancer. But, really, is it so common that a number of my friends and colleagues who are reed players have recently dealt with the disease? I wonder.
So to my readers: I would like to compile a list and see if it looks like it fits with the overall averages. If you have had, or know of someone who has had cancer, please email me with the person’s name, instruments played, year of diagnosis, and type of cancer. It’s not that I know anything medically … but if I came up with a long list maybe someone out there would want to know about it. It’s a long shot, I’m sure, but it’s worth a try, I think. (And makes me feel as if I’m doing something about this.)
