Speaking Up: Sharing Your Lung Cancer Experience

Deciding to talk – or not talk – about your lung cancer can be a very personal decision. For some, it makes sense to only share your details with your closest friends and loved ones. Others have decided to open up with people both in-person and online.

Do you want to share some of your story with our community?

To learn my about your experiences with talking about lung cancer, we asked our Facebook community: How have you shared your lung cancer experiences (online or offline)?

More than 40 of you explained your approach to sharing. Here is what you said.

I regularly provide updates on Facebook

Facebook can be a safe and easy way to share what is happening with you and your lung cancer experience. Plus, it gives your community a chance to self-select. Those who want to reach out will. Often, people are surprised when they find out who in their community shows up for them. It is not always the people they assumed it would be!

“I regularly provide updates on Facebook regarding my lung cancer status. It has brought me great support and kindness from many friends and followers!”

I am open and honest with anyone that asks

Some people hold back sharing anything that might be considered vulnerable. However, this also prevents them from letting in support.

If more people have conversations about cancer, it becomes somewhat normalized. More people will know how to have conversations about it, and they will learn what is and is not helpful to say to someone who has lung cancer.

“Yes, I share when I am going for a scan.”

“I am open and honest with anyone that asks!”

Being open about lung cancer stigma

Others of you are openly sharing, mainly to help educate the public. There is so much misunderstanding when it comes to lung cancer. By talking freely about your experiences, you can help shift how people think about this diagnosis.

“Yes, on several occasions. Especially on how it was caught early and how that made the big difference in beating it.”

“Yes, to help dispel the myth that only smokers get lung cancer.”

I have shared on this site a couple times

Many of you know that our Facebook page is a helpful place to find people who are also going through the experience of dealing with lung cancer. Nobody wants to go through hardship alone. While friends and family are certainly supportive, there is immeasurable support gained through connections with people who know exactly what you are going through.

“I have shared on this site a couple times. It is good to know that others experience the same things you do.”

Share your perspective with the community

Can you relate to some of these approaches? How open do you like to be when it comes to talking about your lung cancer? Continue the conversation and tell us how you talk to others about lung cancer in the comments.

Want to share your story to be featured on LungCancer.net?