‘The Evil Dead’ Actor Bruce Campbell, 67, Says After Cancer Diagnosis, He Realigned His Priorities, Which Included Acting Alongside His Wife

“It makes you prioritize 100 percent, and for me, the priority is this movie.”

Campbell revealed his diagnosis in March, sharing on social media that he is facing a form of cancer that is “treatable, not curable.”

“These days, when someone is having a health issue, it’s referred to as an ‘opportunity,’ so let’s go with that — I’m having one of those,” he wrote. “I apologize if that’s a shock — it was to me too.”

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— Bruce Campbell (@GroovyBruce) March 3, 2026

He has not disclosed the specific type of cancer, its stage, or details about his treatment, but he says he plans to scale back public appearances to focus on getting through treatment.

“My plan is to get as well as I possibly can over the summer so that I can tour with my new movie, Ernie and Emma, this fall.”

Campbell also shared that his wife has become an even more central figure in his life, not only as he navigates cancer, but as a creative partner through film.

“My wife and I have never made a movie together before, and this is the most exciting thing ever,” he said.

“We finally got to do something that has no outside influence. We made it in our own little bubble.”

Dr. Alexandra Drakaki, medical director of the Genitourinary Oncology Program at UCLA, says the first step toward regaining control is understanding what cancer actually is.

“Cancer is normal. From the moment we are born, cancer cells are being developed, and our immune system is constantly trying to attack them,” she explains.

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.

“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.

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, and 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 mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.

SurvivorNet experts suggest women needing 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.

RELATED: We Asked AI-Powered ChatGPT to Answer Your Top Questions on Breast Cancer Here’s What It Got Right and How It Fell Short

Building the Courage to Share

Campbell chose to bravely share his diagnosis on social media. 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,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori 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.

The Role of a Caregiver

Campbell’s wife may very well be supporting her husband through cancer treatment by undertaking some caregiver responsibilities. SurvivorNet gathered expert insights from oncologists, social workers, and patient advocates to provide guidance on how caregivers can support their loved ones through treatment and beyond.

Attend Medical Visits
These visits can be overwhelming for patients. Your presence can help them absorb critical information, ask clarifying questions, and make informed decisions.

Connect with Navigators
Request to speak with a patient navigator or hospital social worker. These professionals can assist with everything from transportation and insurance paperwork to housing concerns and legal advice.

“We have a really wonderful program at [NYU] where we use lay navigators,” added Dr. Joseph, “meaning they’re not nurses, although you can use nurses or social workers—that pretty much helps newly diagnosed cancer patients through the continuum of care.”

WATCH: How Patient Navigators Can Help

Navigators may also:

• Join future appointments
• Evaluate next steps in care
• Assist with immigration and housing issues
• Navigate financial or legal concerns
• Track Symptoms and Emotions

You may notice changes before the patient does. Keep communication open and regularly check in on how they’re feeling, physically and emotionally.

Promote Patient Independence

While caregiving often means stepping in, remember the value of stepping back. Encourage your loved one to speak for themselves and make their own choices whenever possible.

“Some of the best examples that I have seen in caregivers,” said Dr. Jayanthi Lea, a gynecologic oncologist, “are those spouses or loved ones who really, almost sit back and they allow the patient, or they want the patient to express what the patient feels first, rather than barging in.”

“Step back a little bit and let the patient speak for themselves,” she continued. “Let them express what they are feeling. That is so important for the patient’s overall quality of life and well-being.”

Caring for the Caregiver

Supporting a loved one through cancer is demanding, and it’s easy to lose sight of your own well-being. But your strength is fueled by self-care.

“It is important to have some things that you can do that are kind of outside of the focus of caring for somebody that you love with cancer,” said Julie Bulger, manager of patient and family-centered care at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. She suggests relaxing activities like going for a walk or getting a massage.

Caregivers are also encouraged to seek mental health support and join caregiver support groups. These steps can reduce the risk of caregiver burnout—a condition marked by chronic fatigue, stress, and emotional strain caused by prioritizing someone else’s needs over your own.

Caregiving is one of the most compassionate roles a person can take on. It’s not always easy, but through small acts of care and moments of presence, caregivers bring hope, stability, and love during one of life’s most difficult journeys.

Get Added Clarity On Your Diagnosis

As patients and their caregivers adjust to their cancer journey, SurvivorNet’s proprietary AI tool, “My Health Questions,” is here to make the transition a bit easier.

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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