There will be 2,114,850 new cancer cases in 2026, according to the National Cancer Institute. That number reflects people having their lives changed instantly.
Dr. Patricia Saint Cyr-Hager, DIPH, MA, Chief Operations Officer at Black Health Matters, was joined by Lamman Rucker, an actor and health advocate, and Shernette Sherrill, an Oncology Nurse Navigator, for a conversation about what living with cancer looks like.
They held spaces for voices who know what it looks like firsthand to be told you have cancer. Sonya Hurd, Endometrial Cancer Survivor, and Mia Williams, MA, MPH, Health Equity Advocate and Breast Cancer Survivor, added to the conversation. They were each vulnerable and brave in the sharing of their experiences.
“Rates are increasing fast for breast, uterine, prostate, liver, oral cavity, and pancreatic cancer, but 70% of people are surviving five years after a cancer diagnosis,” said Rucker. “We have that representation here.”
Hurd explained how she chose a facility to treat her endometrial cancer. “I chose MD Anderson because of the fact that they focus exclusively on cancer and have seen many cases and know that they are world-renowned for using and developing frontline diagnostic technology,” she said.
Her diagnosis came with physical and financial challenges. The money losses associated with cancer are referred to as “financial toxicity.”
“This strain extends beyond treatment costs to include indirect expenses like lost income and out-of-pocket payments,” and “Over half of patients with cancer (56.1%) face catastrophic health expenditures, highlighting a severe financial burden,” according to BMJ Global Health.
“Throughout the treatment, I experienced side effects like losing my hair, fatigue, mouth sores, sores on my face and hands,” she said. She also lost sleep from the side effects of the treatments. There is no manual for cancer. It comes with a ton of homework. People are expected to navigate their situation without medical training or extensive experience applying for grants.
“A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but knowledge is power,” said Sherrill. “Cancer affects the whole person, the mind, body, and spirit. Emotional struggles are not a sign of weakness. They are a natural response to an extraordinary challenge. There may be grief and loss. It’s normal to grieve your health, your routines, and the life you knew.”
Maintaining good communication with her healthcare providers helped Hurd access the treatment, information, and resources she needed.
“I always reached out to my medical team for guidance on managing these symptoms,” she said. “During that period of time, I was also experiencing unexpected expenses that I needed extra help with. I’ve been assigned a social worker at MD Anderson that helped me with whatever grants they had and after she gave me the information, I went ahead and contacted Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center that would be helpful with any other financial resources.”
It is important to be honest with your medical team about anything that might interfere with your treatment. It doesn’t matter if it is not having a ride to treatment sessions, not being able to afford prescriptions, or anything else. Speak up and ask for help.
Cancer requires support outside of clinical settings as well. Being diagnosed with cancer will impact your personal relationships. Hurd described how her loved ones showed up for her.
“During this challenging period, my husband and brother provided unwavering support, attending appointments and going with me to the treatments, preparing nutritious meals, and managing the household tasks,” she said. “Friends and family sent thoughtful gifts, messages of encouragement, and prayers, which lifted my spirits.”
Williams shared her experience as “a 19-year triple negative breast cancer survivor.” The reality of discussing her experience nearly twenty years later was not something she thought would be possible when she was diagnosed at 34 years old.
“I felt like I was in a Spike Lee movie, how you’re standing in the middle of the street and then everything is just circling around you,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do. I thought I was going to die.”
Her husband was a trusted source of support. She is committed to being a resource for others caught in the nightmarish movie scene she saw herself in when she was diagnosed. She lends her time and energy to helping others because she knows what that help means.
“I find myself today as a staunch advocate for equitable access for all women who are impacted by this disease,” said Williams.
She acknowledged how some might feel marginalized by the healthcare system. “What we have to do is just to begin to challenge systems that have not been designed for us,” she continued. “I also recommend not being afraid to speak up. What I also do is I don’t allow friends that I know that have been diagnosed with cancer to go to their appointments alone. Because when you’re in that space, you miss so many points of what the doctor may be saying that you need that extra ear there with you.”
Sherill agreed with this approach. “Ask your doctor to explain the stage, grade, and tumor type in plain language,” she said. “Write it down or bring someone with you.”
“[I] highly encourage you to bring a family member or friend to your appointment, which helps retain information because it’s a lot of information that’s given,” she added.
She recommends taking whatever steps you need to ensure that you understand what you’re being told.
“Never leave your appointment without clarity.”