Essays
Mary Trouba, who was encouraged by her sister to write about her experience as a patient with metastatic breast cancer, tackles the importance of the words we use when discussing cancer, explaining her problem with the phrase “battling cancer.” Read More ›
Crystal Ortner, PsyD, chronicles her difficult experiences with advanced-stage colon cancer and offers a heartfelt affirmation on the power of love. Read More ›
Neelam Shinde, a 2-time breast cancer survivor, reflects on the power of positive thinking and remembering that setbacks are integral parts of life. Read More ›
By Chase Doyle
A chest x-ray and a CT scan revealed a diagnosis of stage IV (advanced) non–small-cell lung cancer after John Doll was experiencing shortness of breath and a lingering cold. Read More ›
Jacky Costello details how her cancer journey has scarred her but ultimately made her stronger, which taught her valuable lessons about seeking support from others and finding strength through change. Read More ›
By Chase Doyle
Frank Sierawski had never smoked and had no family or personal history of lung problems, but what started out as a distressing cough ended up being lung cancer. Read More ›
By A. J. Patel
A.J. Patel, who ran around 20 miles a week as a semi-professional soccer referee, was shocked to get a lung cancer diagnosis and dismayed when his relationships strained. Then, an estranged uncle came to his aid. Read More ›
By Anna Winters
Anna Winters found a lump on her breast right before a Gun N’ Roses concert, and now deals with thoughts of breast cancer recurrence and how remission doesn’t mean that cancer is over. Read More ›
Michele Longabaugh, who passed after this article was written, addresses the stigma associated with anal cancer and her battle with this tricky disease, which she turned into a blog, a book, and advocacy efforts to help others. Read More ›
Chris Andersen learned the value of trusting one’s instincts and asking for a second opinion after receiving a misdiagnosis of breast cancer that was later diagnosed as metastatic skin cancer and she was told she had 1 to 2 years to live. Thanks to a new treatment for skin cancer, she now has no signs of cancer. Read More ›