Oncologist-approved cancer information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Survivorship Stories


Last Updated: July 20, 2009

This section has been reviewed and approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board,  07/09

Each cancer survivor has a story to share, but when and how to share that personal story is the decision of the survivor. Telling other people about a cancer experience involves sharing personal information. Some people are more inclined to share information about their cancer diagnosis and its treatment as they happen, such as on a daily blog. Others prefer to keep details private at first or for a long time, as the topic may be too painful or too recent to discuss.

This is an individual choice. It is always your decision how much to share, regardless of any probing or intrusive interest or questions. Learn more sharing your story.

Inspiring Words: An Interview with Christina Gianoplus

Christina Gianoplus talks about her experience with colorectal cancer and her doctor, Richard Goldberg, MD, University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer.Net Associate Editor for Gastrointestinal Cancers. For more information, visit http://cancer.med.unc.edu/news/2008/release0912/

Christina Gianoplus and Richard Goldberg, MD
Christina Gianoplus and Richard Goldberg, MD

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

Advocacy and Policy

Survivorship: Next Steps to Take

Online Communities for Support

Additional Resources

Lance Armstrong Foundation: Telling Others You are a Survivor

Lance Armstrong Foundation: Meeting Other Survivors