Learn to Accept Yourself — A Huge Part of Living With Cancer

“Every day of our lives is really filled with uncertainty” – but those facing a cancer diagnosis tend to feel that uncertainty at a more extreme level. Dr. William Breitbart, the chair of the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, says that learning to embrace that uncertainty is a part of living … not just for those fighting cancer, but for everyone.

“What the task becomes is having the courage to live in the face of uncertainty, realizing that you cannot necessarily control the uncertainty in life … the suffering that occurs, challenges both good and bad,” Dr. Breitbart says. “You may not be able to control those but you have control over how you choose to respond.”