When Does A Cancer Survivor Become a Survivor?

February 16th, 2012 by Miss Nixon

Phot Credit: Francine Gonzalez

Someone asked me the other day how long I had been a “survivor” and I proudly said, “6 years” but then I got to thinking…when did I become a survivor? The day I was diagnosed? The day I had a mastectomy? The day I finished chemotherapy? A survivor in my mind just meant that I was alive.

After doing my research I realized that not everyone agrees on when someone becomes a survivor. Crazy huh? You would think the definition would be clear. For example, at Memorial Sloan Kettering once you are done with “active treatment” your doctor is the one who decides when you are a survivor but the American Cancer Society & the National Cancer Institute (NCI) believe that an “individual has the right to define his or her own experience with cancer and considers a cancer survivor to be anyone who defines himself or herself this way, from the time of diagnosis throughout the balance of his or her life” but the NCI goes on to include family members, friends, and caregivers too. So basically, everyone has their own definition of what makes a survivor and when you can call yourself one- rightfully so. There was a time when people diagnosed with cancer were called victims so I feel we have come a long way. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, I encourage you to celebrate each milestone. Celebrate the anniversary day you were diagnosed and the day you ended treatment. I mean really, the more parties, celebrations, canceraversaries, the better! Even though not everyone agrees on the definition, everyone agrees on the importance of living life. Get out there and live it up!

6- year Survivor Since Diagnosis,

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