An article brought to you by Dara Kurtz. Dara Kurtz is a breast cancer survivor and provides Survivor Mentorship & Support at Cancer Services.
There has never been more health information at our fingertips than there is today. For a cancer patient or survivor, this can be tricky.
At any time, day or night, you can pick up your phone, type a few words into Google, and instantly find thousands of articles about your type of cancer, treatment options, survival statistics, side effects, and the latest research. It’s almost too much.
The problem isn’t finding the information.
The problem is knowing what to trust.
As cancer survivors, it’s only natural to want answers. We want to know what comes next. We want to know about the latest treatment options and how we can reduce our risk of recurrence.
So we search. And then we get ourselves into trouble.
I’ve done it myself. Many times.
I’d find myself reading an article or seeing a Facebook post about another woman whose breast cancer had returned. Before I knew it, I was clicking link after link or reading the comments section on a post in an online breast cancer support group. I was looking for reassurance. Instead of feeling better, I almost always ended up feeling more anxious and overwhelmed. Instead of helping myself, I was doing the opposite.
That’s when I realized something important. Something I think will help you.
Not everything you read applies to you. In fact, most things won’t.
Your diagnosis is unique. Your treatment plan is unique. Your medical history is unique. Reading about another person’s experience, or taking advice from someone on social media, can quickly send you down a path that isn’t helpful. Because no one knows your situation better than your healthcare professionals who have been caring for you.
If something you read online concerns you, write it down and bring it up at your next appointment. Send your doctor a question via MyChart. Your doctors want you to understand your care, and they’re the people who can help you separate what’s fact from fiction.
When you look for information on your own, please make sure you choose sources you know are credible and science-backed. National cancer organizations, respected healthcare systems, and trusted nonprofits all work hard to provide up-to-date, accurate information. I assure you, at Cancer Services, that’s our commitment as well. Everything we share is rooted in evidence and designed to help you.
Knowledge is empowering, but only when it’s reliable.
Once you have trustworthy information, focus on what is within your control. Nourish your body with healthy foods most of the time. Find ways to move your body. Keep your follow-up appointments and recommended screenings. Take care of your mental health. Build a community of people who lift you up and remind you that you aren’t alone.
Those simple choices, repeated over time, often matter more than chasing the latest headline. Don’t let Google become your doctor. Use the internet to help you, not diagnose or predict your future, or cause you unnecessary anxiety. Taking charge of your knowledge isn’t about becoming an expert on cancer. It’s about knowing enough to make confident decisions and moving forward, trusting the information you have.
From my heart to yours,
Dara
To read more tips from Dara Kurtz, check out our Empowered Living Page. You can also check out her substack page here!
Choose One (or All) of our August Challenges!
- Read Dara’s NEW Empowered Living article about “Taking Charge of Your Mind: Finding Calm in the Midst of Uncertainty” DONE! Email us to request your sticker!
- Create “Botanical Watercolors” with Rachel Frank at Art and Wellness on Thursday, August 27th.
- GYN Survivors: Join us for Living On The EDGE on September 1st. Visit our page for more information.
- Watch one of our expert interviews on a topic that interests you! Find them here: cancerservicesonline.org/expert
- Watch last month’s Nutrition Webinar HERE!
