Reply to Friend always says she is a cancer survivor and it bothers me

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm with you OP, and my mom died of malignant melanoma.

There's a difference between having something cancerous removed, and being a "cancer survivor." My mom had melanoma more than once, and went through chemo/radiation and then some. That's cancer. That's different than having a suspicious melanoma removed early.[/quote]

There's no such thing as a "suspicious" melanoma. Melanoma *is* cancer. The only question at that point is whether it's localized or has metastasized.[/quote]

That is true. But it's still a difference between having something cancerous removed, vs. surviving cancer. [/quote]

NP here.  No, it's the difference between surviving cancer and surviving cancer treatment.  Surviving cancer includes people who have tumors, melanomas, and lumps that are cancerous removed.  Surviving cancer treatment means you have survived radiation or chemo therapy.

Having cancer is no mild thing, whether your treatment was simpler or not.  The people I know who had cancerous melanomas removed, even if it did not require chemo or radiation still had to make significant lifestyle changes.  They had to become very cautious about excess sunlight; high level SPF and cover ups, constant regular skin checks from head to toe, and regular checkups to ensure that the cancer does not spread.  Melanoma spreads very easily and having it once makes one a high risk for spread.

It's not as serious as having to undergo cancer treatment, but it's still a big deal and the person has a right to call herself a cancer survivor.  OP, I'm very sorry about your difficult experiences with cancer, but it won't make your situation better by minimizing someone else's struggles.  This is like someone who has had to have a kidney transplant minimizing someone who only has to undergo dialysis.[/quote]

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