A diagnosis of cancer is by no means a death sentence. Given today’s treatment possiblities, millions of people are living with cancer or have been cured of the disease.
“You have cancer” are some of the most frightening words any person can hear, whether they’re spoken directly to you or to a loved one. Having cancer or supporting a friend or family member through an encounter with cancer — will change your life forever. You’re likely to experience a range of emotions you may never have felt before — fear, shock, anger, denial, guilt, anxiety, depression, confusion, uncertainty, doubt. Even amidst these emotions many cancer patients also find ways to rally, often uncovering new meaning in their lives and creating positive ways to live that they’d never before imagined.
One thing you should know is that, given today’s treatment possibilities, a diagnosis of cancer is by no means a death sentence. It’s true that cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, but survival rates are improving. Millions of people in the United States are living with cancer or have been cured of the disease. You’ll no doubt have many questions as you try to make sense of the presence of cancer in your life and the bewildering amount of change it brings. Thankfully, there’s an abundance of helpful resources available for cancer patients, friends and families. We’ve collected some of them for you in our Cancer Links section.