Young Cancer Survivors — Cancer Survivors Network

Brain stem glioblastoma in young adults

Staronearth — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:20:15 +0000

My partner (26 M) has been diagnosed with brain stem glioblastoma and I am searching about how everyone are dealing with it and navigating through it. Any pointers would be of great help.

tram flap and pregnancy

blkhwkwife — Tue, 19 Oct 2004 20:29:16 +0000

I am 32 yrs. old & I recently had a bilateral mastectomy and tram flap reconstruction. Have any of you become pregnant after having this procedure? I need advice...will it be difficult...did you deliver vaginally...was there really enough room for the baby the develop properly? How long did you wait before becoming pregnant?

dating

ovariansrvivr — Sun, 21 May 2006 06:00:41 +0000

at the risk of sounding trivial i would like to see a dating site/thread for single cancer survivors. Having cancer has changed every aspect of my life and i am finding it difficult to find someone who looks at life in the same way i (we) do. i often think of what a wonderfully fullfilled life 2 survivors could live. Also, being a survivor i realize more than ever that i don't want to live my life alone. i wish continued success to all; hang in there.

Needing support and advice

Brittboyd743 — Sun, 04 May 2025 21:12:23 +0000

Hello, I survived stage 4 cervical cancer after 4 surgerys chemo and radiation later I finally made it the outcome of surviving is having to wear a colostomy and urostomy bags the rest of my life and I'm 32 years old. I'm in a depression because I feel like I'm never going to find love again. When I got the cancer and everything my bf/baby dad at the time was not there for me at all I felt so alone my mom was by my side every step of the way but now it's like he doesn't want me because of my colostomy and urostomy bags and we have been together for 8 years. Can anyone relate on how can I get passed this rough time in my life?

Young and postmenopausal

MMC624 — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 17:15:25 +0000

I was diagnosed with cancer at 33 and completed my treatment when I was 34. I am now 35 and confirmed to be postmenopausal due to treatment. There is no undoing it. I am wondering if anyone knows of a support group for young cancer survivors who are menopausal/postmenopausal due to treatment.

Pregnancy after cancer

Pregnancyaftercancer — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 11:27:51 +0000

Hello everyone! My name is Yuliia, I am a triple negative breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at the age of 26 and am 40 y.o. now. I gave birth to my baby 7 years ago, and while I was pregnant, I have been searching for any information on pregnancy after cancer or success stories. There was no a single resource on the web on the topic. This is why I created my own website www.pregnancyaftercancer.com where I tell the stories of women who decided to opt for pregnancy after their cancer treatment.

I am looking for support please. If you know someone who became a parent after cancer, please send me a link to them, I will get in touch. Or if you are a parent after cancer treatment and would like to share your story, please please please do let me know!

It is hard to find the stories about pregnancy after cancer, so this is my cry for help.

i don't know anymore

callie_marie — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 17:26:11 +0000

I've been cancer free for over ten years now (I'm seventeen). My specific illness (Langerhan's Cell Histiocytosis) was only recently classified as a cancer and I feel like my entire world has changed. I don't know what I'm feeling or how to express it. I can't remember most of my childhood due to trauma (eighteen surgeries before my eleventh birthday, chemotherapy for eleven months, bilateral hearing loss, etc.). I've never felt like a survivor, but I also know that I've never been "healthy" (in terms of not having cancer, that is). But now I am, technically, a survivor but I don't feel like it. I don't belong anywhere. Plus, Histiocytosis is so rare that I feel like I'm all alone. None of my friends understand, and I feel like I can't talk to my parents because it makes them sad. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

26yr female peritoneal ca

MInurse26 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:49:16 +0000

My name is shannon and I'm from kalamazoo, MI. I was diagnosed in June with stage 3c primary peritoneal ca, had a full hysterectomy and had 6 rounds of carbo/taxol.. just married and was hoping for children. I am considering adoption but should I wait a few years to make sure I've beat this? My last CT and PET scans were clear and I finished chemo in October... I know my odds aren't all that great, but I'm hoping with my age, faith, and determination I will beat this. Any other young survivors of this terrible disease?

Any single female survivors?

acoglesby — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:27:14 +0000

I know that this is not a dating website. However, I have a tough time relating to nonsurvivors in a dating situation. The best relationship I ever had was with a fellow cancer patient. Sadly, she lost her battle and is no longer with us. I am 30, from GA, and looking for the love of my life.

Life Struggles

fxg1038 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 08:06:25 +0000

No actual question here :)

I'm 36. This disease is a taker. It takes and takes and takes, and doesn't give a single **** about how it makes you feel. My circle of friends is getting smaller and smaller. I used to compete/collaborate for work promotions tightly with my friends/colleagues but some of them don't even call me anymore. Men disappear when they figure out I have a 13 inch scare or can't get pregnant. I used to have a lot of friends and planned things for months later but I have to take it day by day now.

Alone in a big city like Chicago with no family or friends. It's just hard.

In remission, but haunted by cancer

akat — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 18:53:34 +0000

I am four years in remission from Primary Mediastinal B Cell Lymphoma. I was 28 when I was diagnosed and like everyone else who has faced a cancer diagnosis, it was traumatic. I have invested all my resources and time into being healthy, physically and mentally, since I finished chemotherapy. I exercise diligently, I run a lot, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I have a vice for sweets — but even that is measured — and I speak to a therapist once a week, and sometimes even more. But it feels like my own ghost, the sickly version of me that petrified and still scares me to this day, haunts me every single day. She stops me from moving forward in my life, and she’s kept me stuck in the past.

I need to know if other people here are haunted by their cancer experiment so many years into remission. how are you dealing with it? How do you move on and own your life?

Linfoma

caroargentina — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 01:00:48 +0000

Linfoma

caroargentina — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 17:59:23 +0000

College with chemo fatigue?

michdavidadams — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:57:19 +0000

I am about to end my 3-year long chemotherapy treatment for leukemia. At first, I tried full-time at a private college but every day was a struggle, I missed so many classes because I was sick (sometimes I couldn't even get out of bed), and I was just getting through the day. Then, I switched to a community college doing just 1 class every semester and it has been going well. This semester, I tried going to 2 classes. The first class went fine, but 10 minutes into the second class, something just hit me. My focus disappeared, my body started aching, I was out of it, and I started sweating like crazy even though the room was air conditioned. Once that class was over, I went to my friend's house to hang out and rest, but after an hour, I felt dead. I hadn't been that exhausted for a long time. My friend had to drive me home. The second day went worse. I was exhausted during the first class but powered through it. I talked with my parents and decided that doing 1 real-life class, and take an online class.

I tried looking online to see if any other people had this problem, but every college student basically said, "I was determined to finish college, so I powered through it. I wouldn't let cancer ruin my life." Which made me feel like I wasn't trying hard enough. I am not a very social person anyway, but I still try to go out and do things and I do like taking classes. I take Ritalin slow release to help with the fatigue, and it does give me energy throughout the day. Sometimes it's like my mind is ready for anything but my body thinks I've just ran a marathon. Other days my mind is exhausted as well as my body, so I can't do anything those days.

What do other college students with cancer do? Seeing all these college students going through college without a problem makes me feel really lazy and like I'm not trying at all. I wish I had the determination to do what they do, but there's just no way to do that unless I spend every day exhausted. The doctors have told me fatigue is normal, especially with a treatment this long, but I don't know of anyone with cancer that could only take 1 class.

Childhood cancer survivor

Tiamarieantonio — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 05:48:15 +0000

hello ,

I am 28 years old and I am a cancer survior of leukemia (ALL) I was diagnosed when I was about 2 years old and went into remission around the age of 5 . I have followed up with routine blood work once year since I went into remission . Growing up I did not have any fear about getting my cancer back I lived a pretty normal life . Once I reached high school I started facing depression and anxiety never really understanding where it was coming from . I began struggling with going to any doctors office I would end up having anxiety attacks I felt as if something was always wrong or would be wrong . I had two kids by the age of 21 and that's when I can say things took a turn for the worst. i currently spend every day in fear and worried that something will be wrong with me I have severe PTSD and anxiety from this . I find myself delaying doctors appointments because I think I will get bad news or something will be off with My blood work. its taking over my mind and life some days I can get myself physically sick conving myself something will be wrong or is wrong . feel as if it started consuming my personal life , my job , my relationships . I don't think anyone can truly understand what you are going through unless they have went through it themselves . I want to be happy and healthy for myself and my kids . I want to get to a point where I can live my life and not be in this fear. I joined this group to hope to connect to people going through the similar life experiences as me .

Cancer Survivors Dating Site

therose89 — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:01:57 +0000

I found a cancer survivor's dating site called C is for Cupid. http://www.cisforcupid.com I know some people may have been looking for something like this.

Cancer Before College

cancerb123 — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 18:49:57 +0000

Hi everyone, I was recently diagnosed with a germ cell tumor right before leaving for college. So now I'm taking a gap year to go through chemo and possible surgery. I've been struggling lately because I'm in such a transitional phase in my life and don't really have much going on (in terms of school or a job). Has anyone else been in this situation and been able to find something to ground themselves? Classes aren't really an option because of the intensity of treatment. Just trying to get through these next few months.

Boyfriend left after depression from testicular cancer

LM109907 — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 17:50:53 +0000

Hey Everybody,

I don't know what to do in this situation or what to think so here I am reaching out to others that may have had similar situations or may have something to offer.

My boyfriend and I started dating in March last year. We were so happy and everything was great. We had discussed marriage and were planning on getting engaged either at the end of this year or early next year. I'm 26 and hes 28 so we knew what we were looking for and we both thought we had found it. Well back in August he found a lump on his right testicle. He got it checked out right away and it ended up being cancer. Everything moved so quickly. From the time he found it to the time it was removed it was probably only 3 weeks and one of those weeks we were on vacation. He really struggled with the surgery and possible infertility but he had caught it extremely early so he didnt have to go through chemo and his sprem counts were normal after visiting the fertility clinic. I was by his side for everything. It never even crossed my mind that our relationship was so new and this was a lot to take on. I didnt care, I love him and I wanted to be there for him. I went to every appointment, missed so much work, drove him to and from the hospital, stayed by his side the weekend after his surgery and even cooked dinner for him and his family. It seemed like things were looking up when he was told two weeks after surgfery that they couldnt detect any cancer. We were hoping we were through this and happy to continue on with our lives. At least thats where I was, but I wasnt the one dealing with having cancer. My boyfriend ended up pulling away. He would get really quiet and I could tell he was lost in his head all of the time. I'd ask him if things were okay and I'd try to perk him up but it just kept getting worse and worse. He also would hardly talk to me about it. Only when it was really bothering him and he needed to say something but otherwise he would just bottle it up. I suggested going to see a councelor a couple times to him. I wanted to go together and help him through this. He told me he would rather go alone, which was fine but he would never make the effort to see someone. Even through all of this though we were still happy together and really in love. We still talked about our future and had as much fun as we could. Last weekend we had a big discussion about his depression and struggle with coping and he seemed more open to the idea of seeing someone. I gave him names of places I had found that were all free places run by volunteers and had one on one counceling services that wouldnt show up on any medical records in case he was worried about that. He seemed like he wanted to try and even spent some time researching the places as well. As the week went on he seemed happy, he said he felt better after talking to me and he was having a good week at work. I was so excited to see him that friday because my work week had been terrible and I missed him. Well he ended up coming over Friday night to break up with me. He said that we wanted different things, he wasnt ready for marriage and he loves to travel but thinks I dont like it as much. These felt like cop outs to me. These were things that we should have discussed as a couple instead of just jumping to a breakup. I told him I felt it was really because he was struggling with dealing with his diagnosis and this is why I had asked him to get help. He admitted that he can't go to see a councelor because thats admitting that he had cancer and he can't do that. He said he can't face his feelings because hes too scared of them. I told him he was a survivor and hes stronger for it. He told me not to call him that. He said that he was so lost right now and didnt know what he wanted for anything. For his career, his future, where he wanted to live, anything. He told me that he really just needed some time and he felt that he needed to be alone right now to deal with his depression. We talked for five hours where he was back and forth and couldn't decide if breaking it off was what he really wanted. I ended up ending it because he couldn't do it and I couldn't keep going through not knowing. And when I did end it he looked so hurt and said "Are we breaking up??". This really makes me believe he didn't want this at all but he was trying to convince himself its what he needed to do. I'm planning on giving him some time to work through things but I'm worried he will never figure it out. Its just so hard not knowing whats going on and I just want to be there to help him. I really don't know what to do. I love him and I still want to spend my life with him but I'm worried that his diagnosis took that future away from us.

Dating/marriage

yo23 — Mon, 31 May 2021 05:57:30 +0000

I was diagnosed with NPC when I was 17 and got the treatment. The major side effect of it is that I don't have enough saliva and can't eat spicy food. I am 28 years old now, and trying to find someone for dating/marriage. I'm from India (currently in US) and have tried dating apps as well as looking into arranged marriages. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go through this? I tend to tell anyone who I start dating about my cancer history in the first/second call itself. I have seen people react very badly to it and even literally run away from me. What's the best time to tell this to anyone and how? I have a good education and career, but somehow nothing else matters after this news. People either don't have enough knowledge about cancer or don't treat me as being "normal".

PS: This is my first post here.

OCD and Cancer

rlighter — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 14:09:50 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone had any expereince with OCD and having cancer. I'm presently in remission and now have OCD, because I'm scared of it coming back again. I constanly wash my hands and watch what i eat. I'm about to seek treatment.

Starting radiation soon seeking advice

Texan96 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 10:54:41 +0000

My fiancé was diagnosed with stage 2 tongue cancer she has a pre existing conditio, fanconi anemia that puts her more at risk of infection and cancers she is currently 24 and has had a 3/4 of her tongue removed her surgery was rough on her because her tongue began to clot so she had to go into surgery 3 times she is now about 4 weeks post op and is recovering slowly but definitely a lot better than before she can talk and drink liquids but the doctor suggests not eating until her tongue is fully healed so she is connected to a g tube and only gets nurtition through liquids she has good and bad days but like I said has gotten a lot better we are starting radiation next week and are scared out of our minds the doctors downplayed the surgery made it seem like it would be easy and recovery time would be about 2 weeks and we ended up 1 month in hospital and another in rehab since the surgery was tough on her we are wary on what to believe when the doctors tell us about radiation, they say that it's only gonna be on the tongue and neck area 30 sessions 5times during a 6 week period we should be home by thanksgiving we really just want to hear from your experiences how did you handle radiation? any young survivors out there? what can we expect! anyone out there with fanconi anemia with similar cases? anything helps!

PS anytype of support is greatly appreciated we are very new to this but she has a fighting spirit!

Having children and health uncertainty

Kayla888 — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 04:44:15 +0000

Hello, I had cancer in college, two intense surgeries to treat it. Now I'm 29 years old, married and talking about when to have a baby. I found out through routine Monitoring that I have cyst in the area that doesn't require surgery now but should it grow it the future surgery might be indicated. Normally it would not be a complicated procedure but I have already had two extensive surgeries done in the area, compromising my future ability to heal. This new revelation and the lack of finality (could need surgery any time, could be never) has triggered a lot of anxiety and questions of whether it's selfish to have children when I don't know what's going to happen with my health. I'd like to hear how other young survivors cope with this.

Cancer in college

jesss113 — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 01:50:34 +0000

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone would care to share advice/stories they may have from dealing with a situation similar to mine. I'm 19 years old and in the most roundabout crazy way, my doctors found and diagnosed me with a strange instance of cancer. It was caught very early and most of it was accidentally surgically removed but I still have to go through chemo. I'm a sophmore (engineering major) in college and I am insisting on remaining in school while I do my 4-6 months. I start my treatments this Friday, 3 days and counting. Yesterday I had the a-port surgury. What am I getting myself into? Can college and chemo coexist peacefully? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Hair growth after Treatment

broadwaygonnabe — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 02:37:38 +0000

I was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in 2011 when I was 19 year old. I've been three years in remision and have remained very healthy since then. Overall I shouldn't complain, yet my vanity has made me concerned about my hair. Like with many cases it's grown back different than it was before chemo, but unfortunately it's also thinner than it used to be. I also feel like it fall out easier than it used to, and although my friends tell me there's nothing to worry about I'm really self conscious about the slightest bald spot. I had to have chemo and radiation, but the tumor was on my sacrum so it shouldn't have affected my hair too terribly. I've tried taking Biotin pills and increasing my protien intake (I don't eat red meat or pork so I'm limited to poultry and fish) but I still feel like my hair is super fragile. I'd like to know if this is normal for other surivivors, if I should be worried, or if I'm being completely paranoid. I know it's really vain to be thinking about my hair after all that I've been through, but it worries me to think I could lose my hair again.

Children survivors of brain cancer

cobbs — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 16:22:19 +0000

Hello - I'm looking for feedback regarding children that survived brain cancer with radiation and chemo. Any noted side effects 2 years later and how the child is doing in school. i now have a grandaughter in my care since September and it seems to me that she is unable to focus at school or at home and unable to memorize her math tables, etc. At home she searches for simple words for a conversation and cannot follow basic instructions too well. When she started 4th grade I told the school that she needed to be thoroughly assessed as i saw several issues such as extreme short term memory. I can see the school is not going to do anything and the teacher feels like she can do better and the cancer treatment is an excuse. I dont know and would love to hear from other parents. She just received her report card and it is very bad.

18, beat cancer but no one to celebrate with

EmilyAnn — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 11:43:42 +0000

ive almost given up finding someone to be with. no one wants to date a stupid bald chick. ive had to go through what was suppose to be the best year of high school with cancer. senior year became the worst. everyday i had to deal with other kids starring at me. all the confindence i had to ask people out went right down the drain. i would like to date someone that has/had cancer just becuase they could understand but there is no one in my area...

My friend hasn't eaten in almost a month

Justsomeguy — Sun, 25 Jun 2017 07:00:09 +0000

So I have a friend of mine who has been diagnosed with some kind of spinal disorder where she only gets half the fluids her body needs, three or four tumors (which could also mean losing her arm), and type two cancer. She said that she won't make it passed 25 years of age. While this sucks for the most part, I'm concerned about how she's been doing. She seems sad at sometimes, but happy whenever I have a casual chat with her. SHe told me that she hasn't eaten in 19 days. This day it's 21. I told her to eat something, but she ended up coughing food back out. I don't know what else I could tell her. I don't want her to starve, but then she tells me she feels fine. She has also already accepted the fact that she could die. She even signed papers that tell the doctors to not resucitate her if anything happens. In fact she expects herself to die. But I don't. I think she'll pull through. I just can't get her to think that she has a chance at survival. Because I believe she does. There's many people like her who has survived cancer. Seems possible she can too. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I came here wondering if anybody had anything to say. Anything I can do, I'd like to try. Thanks.

Hair extensions?

terri421 — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 13:32:10 +0000

Has anyone tried hair extensions while waiting for their hair to grow back? My daughter is 19 and thankfully has been in remission for 6 months. She had a rough time dealijng with the hair loss and has worn wigs since she lost her hair. Her real hair is about 2-3 inches and she does not want to have short hair so she is still wearing her long wig. However, she starts a job as a camp counselor this summer and will have to swim. We're looking into getting hair extensions but not sure if her hair is too short. She has an appointment with a stylist next month so they can see if they can do the extensions, but in the meantime, I was wondering if anyone could share any experiences they may have with extensions. Or any other ideas for swimming with wigs (I hear it can be done).

Thanks so much!

3-Bromopyruvate

CANCERFIGHTERS4EVER — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 15:49:17 +0000

Hi all, just a heads up that clinical trials on 3-bromopyruvate(3-BrPa) have begun, & are scheduled to move forward at a significantly fast pace. The company, PreScience Labs, has received fda IND approval to begin human trials, and said trials were scheduled to begin recruiting patients as of Jan 2014.

Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a new age in curing or at least treating breast, lung, pancreatic and ovarian cancers with long term remission as the goal in the not too distant future.

My First Forum march 2017

CandaceMaePinkPanther — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 00:36:07 +0000

I want to reach out to fellow cancer survivors in my community. I need help with how to start this service. Any suggestions?