Your cancer, your story, your way

A cancer diagnosis may affect your body, your mental health, and your sense of identity. When you’re going from appointment to appointment, it can sometimes feel like your voice is getting lost in the shuffle, alongside your sense of control, self-expression, and discovery. That’s where storytelling can come in, not just as a way to share what’s going on with you, but as a powerful tool for healing your mind and embracing your own individuality along the way.

Storytelling is an act of self-expression. There are many ways to tell a story, whether it’s through poetry, performing arts, music, journaling, or simply speaking out loud, but storytelling doesn’t always need to involve words. For those who feel more connected to visual or tactile mediums, drawing, painting, photography, or collage can become a meaningful way to tell your story too. Art allows you to communicate emotions or experiences that you can’t put into words.

Telling your story can help your emotions come to the surface, even ones you didn’t recognize before you tried to collect your thoughts. If you’re going through cancer of any kind at any stage, there are many ways to get started.

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How storytelling can support you after a cancer diagnosis

Sharing your story can be therapeutic and healing, according to the Health Story Collaborative, a non-profit started by Harvard Medical School physicians and dedicated to the power of storytelling and its ability to heal. Dr. Erica Kaye, Director of Research at St. Jude’s, says, “A story is an account of the consequential parts of a person’s life. It may spotlight a history of present illness or underscore a lifetime of illness. Sometimes, a story focuses on a singular decision; other times, it zooms out to explore the vast nuances of our complex lives—joy, suffering, love, loss, belonging, grief, and hope.”

Whether you’re experiencing any of these emotions or just feeling isolated and eager to share, finding your way to tell your story can often help you feel a little bit better, even during the darkest days.

Storytelling can help, but not cure.

A recent narrative medicine study by the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that those patients who shared highly emotional stories had less pain and higher well-being scores than those who hadn’t shared much at all. Those patients experienced the benefits of their own kind of narrative therapy – where storytellers realize their own importance as experts in the stories of their own lives.

Narrative therapy isn’t just reserved for therapy sessions, but it can be used at any time to help you start talking about your feelings. It’s a tool that can help highlight your strengths and resilience as you navigate through a life-changing diagnosis.

Story listening can help, too. 

If you’re not quite ready to share your own story, that’s okay. There’s power in simply listening. Preliminary research has shown that being part of a storytelling space, even as a listener, can have meaningful benefits. Patients who listened to others share their cancer experiences reported improvements in mood, lower stress levels, and even reduced pain across various stages. Listening to stories can create a sense of connection and validation, and serve as a reminder that you’re not alone in your thoughts or feelings. These shared spaces, whether in person or virtual, can be deeply supportive. 

Building your narrative can start now. 

For many, self-expression can become a way to connect with others, and a form of control in a world that feels uncontrollable and unpredictable. Whatever you’re willing to share, this checklist can get you started when you’re ready. 

1. Decide on your why and where. Think about what you want to achieve – do you want to educate others? Do you just need to release your feelings? Any reason is a good reason to start. Think about your story vehicle: where it’s a blog, song, short story, podcast, stand-up comedy, or drawing.
2. Think about an outline. If you need a little help collecting your feelings first, jot down a few ideas on paper or note cards and hang them on a wall where you can prioritize them if you need help with organization.
3. Write a rough draft. Sometimes, it’s easier to get all your thoughts down and then spend time editing when you feel like revisiting your content. Don’t be afraid to walk away from it or even start over more than once.
4. If you’re happy with your story, share it first with someone you trust like a loved one or caregiver if you’re not ready to publicize it.
5. Socialize it when you’re ready! Whether you’re publishing online, sharing with a support group or story circle, or brave enough to get up on stage – just go for it. 

However you choose to express yourself, just remember laying out your story can help you with emotional healing, deepen relationships with those who didn’t understand your pain, and even transform your own experience with your cancer. 

For a safe and inclusive space to share your story, join the Outcomes4Me Community where you can connect with others who’ve walked your path.