Deciding When to Share a Cancer Diagnosis Can Be Tricky
- Olympic gold medalist Chris Hoy, 47, is undergoing chemotherapy after disclosing that he has been diagnosed with cancer. He said that he initially wanted to keep his health challenge private, but felt compelled to speak up.
- Some people battling a disease like cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between are valid.
- Cancer warriors need to know they have a strong support group, which can be made up of family members, young and old.
- Cancer patients with children, like Hoy, may experience increased motivation to endure difficult treatment. Still, experts suggest having an effective communication plan about the situation will help ease the emotional impact of the illness on them.
On Hoy’s Instagram, he said, “Last year, I was diagnosed with cancer, which came as a huge shock, having had no symptoms up to that point.”
Read MoreView this post on Instagram“I’m currently receiving treatment, including chemotherapy, which thankfully is going really well,” Hoy continued.
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Hoy is a six-time Olympic cycling champion. According to the Associated Press, he won a silver medal in the 2000 Sydney Games and gold medals in Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008, and London in 2012.
Notably, in his social media post, Hoy said, “For the sake of my young family, I had hoped to keep this information private, but regrettably, our hand has been forced. Whilst I’m thankful for any support, I’d like to deal with this privately,” he added.
View this post on Instagram
At this time, Hoy has not revealed the type of cancer he has nor what or who compelled him to share his diagnosis publicly. However, sharing such personal details can be an emotional decision to make.
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To Share or Not to Share a Cancer Diagnosis
Some people battling a disease such as cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches, and everything in between, are valid.
“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explains.
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Questions like “How much information should I share and with whom should I share the information?” are things Plutchik says patients often wonder.
Dr. Plutchik explains, “There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”
A cancer journey can last from just a few months to years to a lifetime, which means cancer warriors may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when someone is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik notes.
Dr. Plutchik stresses that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.
Many Parents Find Strength in Their Children During Cancer Battles
Hoy referenced his young children for sharing his diagnosis. Sometimes, children offer parent patients moral support while battling cancer directly or indirectly. We often hear parents say things like, “I’m going to beat this for my children.”
Facing cancer as a parent can be incredibly daunting. Fearful thoughts about leaving your children may creep into your mind and add even more to your overflowing plate.
“No matter what your prognosis is, it’s essential to talk openly and honestly with kids,” said Laura Nathan-Garner, Director of Strategic Communications at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
“Cancer patients with children can have increased motivation to endure difficult treatment but may also be concerned about the emotional impact of the illness on their offspring,” Dr. Cindy Moore of Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center explained to The ASCO Post, an oncology newspaper.
Dr. Moore said cancer warriors with children should discuss their most significant concerns with their healthcare teams so an effective communication plan can be created to explain their diagnosis to their kids.
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