Activist Russell Means fighting esophageal cancer

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PORCUPINE – Russell Means has looked death in the face before.

The former American Indian Movement leader counts nine assassination attempts on his life. He has survived danger, violence and numerous encounters with mortality -- from the 1973 Wounded Knee occupation to guerilla wars in Nicaragua -- in what he calls his “72 winters” of life.

But these days, the fiery 71-year-old activist turned actor is fighting a new and deadly foe with a different face: cancer of the throat -- or esophageal cancer -- that has spread to his tongue, lungs and lymph nodes. Doctors told Means last month that the cancer is too advanced for surgery.

Even if surgery had been an option, he would not have chosen it, Means said, since it meant removing his tongue and losing the ability to speak.

Read more: http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/activist-russell-means-fighting-esophageal-cancer/article_30efc88c-c94d-11e0-9447-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1eg4d2jlL




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