‘General Hospital’ Star & Cancer Survivor Cameron Mathison, 52, Says ‘It Was Just a Fluke That I Found My Own Cancer’; Remembers His Mother Who Passed Recently From Cancer

“I'm hanging in there. As well as can be expected,” he tells host Tamron Hall on The Tamron Hall Show when she asks about his mother. “My mom was the most supportive mom you could ever imagine. Believe me, at times I didn't make it that easy.  But she was there for me and supported me. She was there for me through my cancer battle.”

Mathison says that after his surgery for kidney cancer his mom was diagnosed with brain cancer. “I try my best in life to take these experiences and use them to empower me and improve my inner qualities,” Mathison tells Hall.

Mathison’s Cancer Battle & Its Impact on Fans

In 2019, Mathison was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. He had kidney surgery in October 2019 to get rid of the cancerous tumor growing there. In surgery, part of his right kidney was removed. There are two primary types of kidney cancer found in adults: renal cell cancer and transitional cell cancer. Mathison's type of cancer, renal cell carcinoma, occurs when malignant cells form in the tubules of the kidney.

Related: Pow! Cameron Mathison Packs a Punch After Beating Kidney Cancer by Raising Awareness for the Disease

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 76,080 new cases of kidney cancer (48,780 in men and 27,300 in women) will be diagnosed in 2021. These figures are inclusive of all types of kidney and renal pelvis cancers. The ACS says that the average age of diagnosis for this disease is age 64. Kidney cancer is highly uncommon in anyone younger than age 45.

Symptoms of renal cell carcinoma include blood in the urine and a lump in the abdomen area. Other indicators of kidney cancer may include persistent pain, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, and anemia. It's important to listen to your body and note any changes that may be occurring, so you can seek a physician's care if needed.

Mathison says that he’s heard from fans who credit him with helping them discover cancers or health issues. When Hall asks what that means, to know he’s had that kind of impact, he says, “It means sort of everything. It's like we've got all these incredible things in life and sometimes our conditions can be quite great, but at the same time if you're not kind of using your life in a way to help others and benefit others it all seems sort of hollow.”

“So when you hear [people say ‘thank you”]… I've heard people say literally from my own cancer experience. I was my own best advocate for my health. I begged for an MRI, and it was just a fluke that I found my own cancer. And so people have heard that story and literally have saved their life or their spouse’s life. It brings so much meaning to my every day."

Advocating for Yourself in the Doctor’s Office

Mathison is a prime example of the importance of advocating for your health if something feels off, and you’re not getting answers. Don’t be afraid to speak up, push back, and ask for more information or even a second or third opinion if you’re not getting satisfactory information.

Your health matters and you’re your own best advocate. Lead each doctor’s appointment with a plan, and be “pushy” if needed, our experts say.

Be Pushy, Be Your Own Advocate… Don't Settle

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