When people had strong reactions to learning I had cancer, it never had anything to do with me, it was a projection of their bias or experience with the word cancer.

The World Health Organization defines cancer as encompassing roughly 200 different illnesses. Since President Nixon declared a war on cancer in 1971, the word cancer is associated with death. The nuance of type, stage, prognosis today based on interventions available right now versus 50 years ago. I learned really quickly that reactions to a cancer diagnosis may be a tiny bit about the person with the diagnosis, however, the initial reaction is nearly always about the recipient of the information and their bias and/or experience with the word cancer. It really was not about the facts of my diagnosis.

Have you had interesting exchanges with random strangers? Or friends? Family?

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