‘Cancer Is Part of Life But So Is Hope’: When a Diagnosis Shakes Your World, Here’s How to Take Back Control With Added Clarity

It’s a different way to reframe a diagnosis. Understanding that cancer isn’t an outside invader, but a biological process that can emerge as we age.

“Cancer is inevitable, and the longer we live, the more likely we are to develop more than one cancer. So, it’s important to accept it and deal with it,” Dr. Drakaki explains.

That acceptance, she emphasizes, is not about resignation; instead, it’s about grounding yourself so you can make clear, empowered decisions.

A new diagnosis often triggers fear and confusion, but many oncologists and numerous cancer survivors encourage patients not to let that fear silence them.

Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.

“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, and family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.

WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.

“Look for an opinion. Don’t get overwhelmed. Don’t give up. It’s normal,” Dr. Drakaki says.

She encourages patients to ask questions, seek clarity, and, importantly, pursue second, third, or even fourth opinions.

“There is always hope. They really need to be advocates. It’s okay to go for a second, third, or fourth opinion. Sometimes that last opinion will get you there.”

The Power of Multiple Opinions

When patients actively advocate for their health, it can lead to earlier diagnoses, broader treatment options, and ultimately better outcomes, especially when initial symptoms are overlooked or dismissed.

Part of this advocacy means not settling for a single medical opinion. Persistence matters: revisiting your doctor, pushing for answers, and seeking additional perspectives from other healthcare providers can be crucial steps in the journey.

WATCH: The value of getting a second opinion

Dr. Steven Rosenberg, Chief of Surgery at the National Cancer Institute, underscored this point in a conversation with SurvivorNet:

“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care. Because finding a doctor who is up to date with the latest information is important,” Dr. Rosenberg said.

His words are a powerful reminder that having the right medical team can make all the difference, and that begins with being your own strongest advocate.

Getting another opinion may also help you avoid doctor biases. For example, some surgeons own radiation treatment centers.

“So there may be a conflict of interest if you present to a surgeon who is recommending radiation because there is some ownership of that type of facility,” Dr. Jim Hu, director of robotic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center, tells SurvivorNet.

Other reasons to get a second opinion include:

• To see a doctor who has more experience treating your type of cancer
• You have a rare type of cancer
• There are several ways to treat your cancer
• You feel like your doctor isn’t listening to you, or isn’t giving you sound advice
• You have trouble understanding your doctor
• You don’t like the treatment your doctor is recommending, or you’re worried about its possible side effects
• Your insurance company wants you to get another medical opinion
• Your cancer isn’t improving with your current treatment

WATCH: The Importance Of Getting A Second Opinion: Tara Lessard Shares Her Cancer Story.

Tara Lessard is another woman who refused to follow the lead of just one medical opinion. After her 2015 stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis, she underwent 21 rounds of chemotherapy and battled severe side effects, including neuropathy that left her temporarily wheelchair-bound.

Unwilling to settle for standardized treatment, Lessard sought multiple opinions—ultimately choosing a cancer center that offered tailored care, including a spleen removal, alternative chemo, and a PARP inhibitor that kept her cancer-free for a year. Despite recurrence in 2018, Tara’s key message was clear: your opinion does matter when it comes to your own cancer treatment. So, get a second opinion if you want one.

Some health insurance companies will cover the cost of a second opinion. Still, it’s a good idea to find out if yours does before you visit a new doctor, as some insurance companies have stipulations on the extent of coverage they will provide.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to stop at a second opinion. Provided that you have the time and financial resources, you may want to consider getting a third or a fourth opinion. Just don’t get so many opinions that your treatment options overwhelm you.

With each new doctor you visit, bring a copy of your:

• Pathology report from your biopsy or surgery
• Surgical report
• Imaging tests
• The treatment plan that your current doctor recommended

Cancer as a Lifelong Journey and Sometimes a Wake‑Up Call

For many patients, cancer becomes a long‑term companion, not a single moment in time; hence, the cancer experience from diagnosis to treatment and into survivorship is considered a journey.

“Any patient with a new diagnosis of bladder cancer or any type of cancer needs to know that this is going to be a lifelong process,” she says.

Dr. Drakaki says beneath the surface, there is something deeper in that journey. It creates an extended family among fellow survivors and caregivers who understand the visible and noticeable aspects of a diagnosis and the quiet parts often away from wandering eyes.

“Oftentimes, I tell my patients that their cancer could be a blessing because it gives more awareness of how they want to spend their life.”

We often hear from patients who explain how they gain an added sense of gratitude after a diagnosis. Life milestones such as birthdays, graduations, the birth of a child, or a wedding are all examples of life experiences that gain added value for patients and their loved ones.

The added awareness can also reshape priorities, relationships, and the way patients choose to live each day. However, as patients often reshape their perspective on life following a diagnosis, their medical team’s goal remains focused.

“We should always go with a goal of cure or prolonged response,” Dr. Drakaki says.

Hope Is Real and So Is Progress

Cancer care has evolved dramatically, and Dr. Drakaki wants patients to know that the landscape is not what it was even a decade ago.

“Miracles do happen. We have new drugs that can put people in disease control for many, many years,” she says.

For patients who feel overwhelmed or defeated, she stresses that the science is moving fast and that hope is not naïve but justified as treatment advances continue.

WATCH: Lynton Daniel’s 14-Year Journey With Brain Cancer and the Promise of Precision Medicine

Lynton Daniel is a father of two, a man of deep faith, and a survivor who has spent the last 14 years navigating life with a brain tumor diagnosis that once threatened to define his future.

In March 2011, Daniel, 68, was diagnosed with a grade two oligodendroglioma—a primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor that begins in the brain or spinal cord. What followed was a journey marked by resilience and a treatment that gave him much-needed hope.

Daniel’s treatment path took a pivotal turn when he started taking Vorasidenib, a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designed to target gliomas with specific genetic mutations in the IDH1 and IDH2 genes. These mutations alter how cells process energy and contribute to tumor growth. Vorasidenib works by inhibiting the mutated enzymes, slowing tumor progression, and potentially delaying the need for more aggressive treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.

“These are very powerful drugs,” Dr. David Peereboom, a medical oncologist specializing in brain tumors at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, tells SurvivorNet.

Living with a brain cancer diagnosis for over a decade hasn’t been easy.

“How many times I have been told that I was going to die is very worrying,” Daniel shares. But he credits his emotional well-being to three pillars: enduring friendships, strong faith, and a sense of purpose.

Daniel’s experience has shaped not only his outlook but also his desire to support others.

“You’re not alone,” he says to newly diagnosed glioma patients. “It can be scary to reach out, especially when you’re vulnerable and newly diagnosed, but there are many people like me ready to help you, to be your friend.”

Daniel’s extraordinary journey with brain cancer is a testament to the power of resilience and the promise of modern medicine.

Aligning Treatment With What Matters Most to You

One of the most important conversations Dr. Drakaki has with new patients begins with a simple question: What is your goal?

Some patients prioritize longevity at all costs. Others value quality of life above everything else.

“Some people will say, ‘I’d rather have less time on earth but a better quality of life.’ And there are others who want to stay around as long as possible. So we need to make sure that we merge our goals.”

Cancer care is not just about eliminating disease; it’s about honoring the whole person.

“Our goal is to treat and cure cancer, while the patient’s goal is not just to be cancer‑free, but to avoid lifelong complications and toxicities from treatment.”

A Diagnosis Is Not the End, It’s the Beginning of a New Conversation

Dr. Drakaki’s message is ultimately one of clarity and empowerment: cancer is common, survivable, and increasingly manageable. Patients have more options, more tools, and more agency than ever before.

Above all, hold onto hope because there is always a path forward.

To further help you on your cancer journey, explore SurvivorNet’s proprietary AI tool, “My Health Questions.”

WATCH: How One Cancer Survivor and Her Sister Used “My Health Questions” to Navigate Care

This powerful resource, embedded across the SurvivorNet website, was built to bridge that gap by offering on-demand explanations of treatment options, clinical trials, side effects, insurance concerns, and more. Users can ask questions conversationally, either by typing or using their voice, and receive answers tailored to their individual profiles. If patients don’t know where to start, we provide prompt questions to get them started.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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