Mickelson's Challenge: When Cancer Strikes a Family Twice

July 8, 2009— -- Two months after pro golfer Phil Mickelson's wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer, his mother has been diagnosed with the same disease, Mickelson's sister, Tina Mickelson, revealed to the San Diego Union Tribune on Monday.

Tina Mickelson did not return ABCNews.com's messages seeking comment about her mother, Mary Michelson. T.R. Reinman, media representative for Phil Mickelson, said the Mickelson family has declined to comment "although the family is very appreciative for the support."

Reinman said Amy views herself as "just one of 200,000 people diagnosed in the same year," with no more important personal story to tell than anybody else.

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer is the second leading cause of death in Americans. So it should come as little surprise that few families have escaped the strain of a cancer battle. And it's not all that unusual for the disease to strike twice in family.

Retired anthropology professor Stephen C., who wished to keep his last name anonymous to protect his family's privacy, knows full well how tough it can be to deal with multiple cancers in the family.

"For a while it was a perfect storm in terms of energy demands, time demands if you will," he said.

Between 2001 and 2004 Stephen coped with his mother's cancer battle, his wife's cancer and even the cancer of a family pet.

"My mother was diagnosed in December of 2001. She was going through chemo and we brought her to live with us, we had some alterations made to the house so she could be upstairs," said Stephen.

"Then in August of 2002 my wife had a routine mammogram and was diagnosed. Then it was September 2002 when my cat started walking funny -- he had a tumor on his hip," he said.

With two grown children out of the house, Stephen was left alone to continue teaching and be the caretaker for his 82-year-old mother Bernice. His wife, Hasnah, continued to work through her cancer treatment and cook for the family while he would spend nights upstairs helping his mother.

At the time, Stephen made the decision to spare his mother from the news that her daughter-in-law was also battling cancer.