Survivor stories

It really is amazing how many people have a story to tell about their experience of cancer. Today, while buying a birthday card, I also bought a ballpoint pen that was being sold in aid of breast cancer research. I began to talk with the shop assistant and it transpired that she had undergone a double mastectomy and a total hysterectomy in 2007. We swapped tales, and both of us agreed that we had never felt better. I left the store feeling uplifted and optimistic; as well as avoiding talking about cancer, the population as a whole doesn't seem to be aware that there are some positive aspects, too. My quality of life, for example, has never been better.

The most interesting thing about today's encounter, though, was that it was one more example of someone who ostensibly wasn't related to a cancer charity being prepared to talk about cancer. Why is it that whenever I go to cancer charity shops or encounter cancer charity collection volunteers in the street or door to door, those volunteers become embarrassed and change the subject if you say you've had cancer yourself?