By Shariann Tom
CEO & Co-Founder of The Cancer Journey Institute
I’m constantly hearing about people “battling” cancer, “losing their battle” with cancer, and how we need to help others “fight” cancer. Honestly, I’m exhausted by this war-like language. Aren’t you? I want to change the narrative around cancer. It’s not a fight, a battle, or a war—it’s a journey, an unexpected path, a detour in your life plans.
Describing cancer as a battle feels harsh, frightening, aggressive, and stressful. Can we adopt a different perspective? One that invites us to approach it with curiosity, empowerment, and growth. This perspective shows us who we really are and frames it as a learning opportunity, just like any other pathway in life. You might think I’m being overly optimistic or delusional, but I want to say, “I’m alive. I’m the best version of myself today. I am living a life of meaning and purpose.”
I’m also a beacon for what’s possible. Yes, cancer is scary as hell. It’s not something anyone wants to face. I understand that deeply. But I’m here, after five journeys with cancer and a lifetime limit of chemotherapy and radiation. I might even glow in the dark!
What I’m offering to cancer patients, thrivers, and caregivers is an opportunity to travel this path in a more empowering and elegant way. Let your soul take charge and glide, like water, over the bumps, divots, potholes, and hills. Fighting makes the experience harder because you brace yourself for every hit, feeling each one with intense drama, always waiting for the next attack.
But what if you didn’t have to? What if it could be like riding a wave? What if you had a guide, a trusted companion, an experienced Cancer Journey Coach walking with you?
What if this is your road to unveiling the true you? Let’s explore what your journey looks like and take the battle out of it. Let’s see what you are truly made of, what you want in life, and what you are willing to discover about yourself. Let’s try this a different way.
