Each cancer survivor has a story to share when the time or situation is right. Some are more inclined to share information about their cancer diagnosis and its treatment. Others may prefer to keep details private or may feel uncomfortable discussing certain parts of the body. Or, the topic may be too painful or too recent to discuss.

Telling other people about a cancer experience involves sharing personal information. This is an individual choice. It is always your decision how much to share, regardless of any probing or intrusive interest or questions. For more information, read Cancer.Net Feature: Sharing Your Story.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation developed an educational program called LIVESTRONG, which is a resource created to educate survivors and their friends, families, and caregivers about cancer survivorship. LIVESTRONG offers Survivorship Stories-stories of real survivors sharing their experience with cancer. Through words and videos, survivors from across the United States talk candidly about what their lives have been like since completing active treatment and what survivorship means to them.

More Information

Cancer.Net's Advocacy and Policy Center

Additional Resources

LIVESTRONG: Telling Others You are a Survivor

LIVESTRONG: Meeting Other Survivors