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.
November Spotlight:
The White Ribbon Project
Heidi Nafman-Onda: Lung Cancer Patient & TWRP Founder
Diagnosed with 3A non-small cell lung cancer at just 55 years old, Heidi Nafman-Onda says she found little support in raising lung cancer awareness, so she decided to create that community herself. Hear more about what’s driving her to fight for not just her own life, but those everywhere impacted by lung cancer.
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:
Spotlights:
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.
Living with Cancer | Beth’s Story
She was just 29 years old when she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and then 45 when she was officially diagnosed with a relapse, but Beth hasn’t let the cancer define her life.
Beth shares her incredible story of trying to get treatment while living in small towns, advocating for herself to get heard, the experience of being in a clinical trial, and the importance of finding community.
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?
Recommended by Organizations Like
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NOTE: Information on the site is not medical advice. It’s shared by our cancer community members.