Conclusion
[Narrator]
In cancer survivorship, advocacy does not stop with standing up for yourself. While it begins with you, it may broaden to include advocacy on behalf of others. As you become a "veteran" cancer survivor, you may find that you want to give something back, to share some of the wisdom that you have gained from your experience to help other cancer survivors.
[Narrator]
For example, when people find out you have had cancer, they may call you and ask you to speak to a family member or friend who has been diagnosed recently. If you are comfortable speaking on a personal level, talking with the newly diagnosed person can be an act of advocacy.
[Narrator]
Other ways that you may want to use your personal experience to help others include: Starting a support group in your community. Speaking about your cancer experience to community groups. Making sure your library has up-to-date resources on cancer. Speaking to medical, nursing and social work students and to employers and employees about your cancer experience. Telling your story publicly to the media or your congressional representatives to help change public opinion and policy about cancer.
[Narrator]
While the cancer experience is not unique, your individual experience with it is. Your age, your previous experience with illness, your cultural background, your job and resources, and many other circumstances affect how you respond to having cancer. As a cancer survivor, you need to become your own best advocate. In order to do that, you can develop survival skills that will help you maintain the highest quality of life possible after your cancer diagnosis.
