Olympic Distance Runner Ciara Mageean, 34, Says When She Began Writing a Book, She Didn’t Expect Cancer Would ‘Become Part of Her Story’ But Adds ‘It’s Given Me Purpose’

Mageean, one of Ireland’s most decorated athletes, has earned gold, silver, and bronze at the European Championships and represented her country at both the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2021 Tokyo Games.

She had been preparing for a return to the Olympic stage in Paris before an Achilles injury derailed her 2024 season.

 

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“My Greatest Race is the story I’ve always wanted to tell: the triumphs, the setbacks, and everything in between,” she said.

She has not disclosed the specific type of cancer she is facing, but she has acknowledged the emotional weight of the diagnosis and asked for privacy as she focuses on recovery.

“Right now, my focus is on healing and taking things one day at a time,” she said previously.

Since her diagnosis emerged in the middle of writing the book, Mageean chose to weave those unexpected turns directly into its pages.

“In the middle of intensive treatment, this project has given me a real sense of purpose — a reminder that hope, ambition, and joy still have a place in my life every single day,” she wrote.

“From chasing medals around the world, to the heartbreak of missing Paris, to discovering strength I never knew I had, this book reflects the highs, the lows, and the incredible people who continue to lift me up along the way.”

Help Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis

If you are facing a cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. 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, family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.

WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.

If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could involve traditional talk therapy, medication, modifying lifestyle habits (such as exercise and diet), joining a support group, or exploring other approaches.

SurvivorNet experts suggest that women need a little extra help coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.

• Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
• Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
• Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
• Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
• It’s Okay to Keep Some Things Private

Mageean hopes concerned fans give her the space she needs to not just treat her cancer but also mentally process this life-changing moment. Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between are valid.

“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” Dr. Plutchik explains.

Plutchik says patients consider questions like “How much information should they share and with whom should they share the information?”

Dr. Plutchik explains, “There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”

WATCH: Sharing your diagnosis.

A cancer journey can last months to years, which means cancer warriors may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when a cancer patient is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik further explained.

Dr. Plutchik stresses that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.

Finding Your Base of Support

Many cancer patients are encouraged to build a community of supporters to help them along their cancer journey. The support group can be comprised of close family and friends. It may also involve a mental health professional or online support groups available on social media. Every survivor SurvivorNet has had the opportunity to speak with and detail their own way of coping, whether it’s exercise, advocacy, or meditation.

RELATED: How Cancer Patients & Survivors Find a Lifeline on Social Media Platforms; How to Find the Right Group for You

Ovarian cancer survivor Kelly Sargent found a sisterhood of supporters among women she met at a Bible study group, which eventually became an essential part of her support network.

WATCH: The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients.

“When I was diagnosed, as soon as I got in the hospital, I started going online to find not only information, but also support groups, stories from survivors, anything that I could find as far as my treatment, I definitely looked for,” Sargent told SurvivorNet.

“I have an incredible set of friends that I met after my diagnosis through a Bible study group that have become very, very close friends of mine that are an incredible part of my support system. That support from those ladies has been life-changing for me,” Sargent continued.

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,” Dr. Alexandra Drakaki, medical director of the Genitourinary Oncology Program at UCLA, 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.

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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