Cancer Stories from Patients, Survivors & Caregivers
Explore the most in-depth cancer patient stories and survivor stories out there. You can start by choosing cancer type or by popular cancer questions.
Spotlight: The White Ribbon Project
Chris Draft
Chris Draft is used to celebrity – he played many years in the NFL. But he’s become a popular face and voice in a completely different space: lung cancer advocacy.
Learn why Chris has devoted his life for the last ten years to fighting to save lives.
FAQs curated by cancer survivors
- Diagnosis
- What were the 1st symptoms of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
- How did you choose hospitals?
- Treatment
- What were the treatment options?
- Describe each cycle of chemotherapy
- What were the side effects?
- Quality of life
- How did you deal with the hair loss?
- What are the steps for fertility preservation?
Timelines by patients done with treatments
Cancer Stories
We know no two patients have the same journey, but people who’ve been through cancer treatment can help give you a sense of calm and control after a diagnosis. Learn about first symptoms, treatment decisions, questions to ask your doctor, and navigating life with cancer.
Start by choosing the stories here organized by cancer origin:
Story Highlights
NBC’s Al Roker Shares His Prostate Cancer Story
Al Roker has become a beloved, familiar face for so many as the Weather and News Anchor for the TODAY Show on NBC for decades.
Now, he’s also a prostate cancer thriver and patient advocate with a powerful message: Get screened and do it regularly, it could save your life.
Young & Diagnosed with Cancer | Michele’s Story
At just 24 years old, Michele was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Two years later, she relapsed.
In this 4-part story series, Michele shares her cancer experience, from first symptoms, treatment, through how she managed through treatment for relapsed/refractory AML.
Featured Patient Stories
Richard P., Relapsed/Refractory DLBCL
On New Treatments
“I’d like to encourage somebody to keep on going, because it does get better. I have [diffuse large b-cell lymphoma]. Well, it’s not going to go away, but like I said, the next thing is right down the line. “
Randalynn V., Ovarian Cancer
Patient Self-Advocacy
“Sometimes, it really could be something so don’t downplay what you’re going through. Let them know. It’s normal for us to feel something. Go ahead and say it in case it really is something, which it was in my case.”
Dave B.,
Lung Cancer
Fighting Stigma
“If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer. People who are advocating in the lung community and very active are talking about how anybody can get lung cancer.”
The Caregiver Perspective
- What should I be asking the doctor?
- How do I support my partner through treatment?
- How do we pay for this?
- What are the different kinds of cancer treatment?
Navigating Cancer Articles
- How can I deal with treatment side effects?
- How do I talk to my kids about cancer?
- Can we get pregnant after chemotherapy?
- How can I ask others for support?
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NOTE: Information on the site is not medical advice. It’s shared by our cancer community members.