Essays

Edward Sawa was waking up with headaches that disrupted his daily activities and ended up being diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia and breast cancer. Read the lessons he’s learned as a male with breast cancer. Read More ›

When Veronica Brent had a constant cough and shortness of breath from walking, her daughter suggested she should have a chest x-ray. The x-ray showed she had lung cancer, and a biopsy showed she had cancer on the pancreas. She was concerned how to break the news to the family. Read More ›

Plunging from nightmare to nightmare, Serena was diagnosed with breast cancer, while her 39-year-old husband, Robert, had a stroke, which claimed his speech and movement, leaving him “trapped in a thoroughly trashed body.” Paying the medical bills added to their struggles during the pandemic. Read More ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›