Cancer - xoJane

My Dad Almost Died From Oral Sex He Had 40 Years Ago

Marci — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:00:00 -0400

His cancer had been caused not by smoking, but by HPV that had been lying dormant for decades.

I Don't Care If I Get Hand Cancer, Mama Needs Her Gel Manicures

Emily — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:30:00 -0500

Why is everything I love bad for me?

I Don't Need My Cancer To Be "Sexy," Thanks

Achariya Tanya Rezak — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:00:00 -0500

When I got my diagnosis, I didn’t think about feeling pretty, or (in the words of a male friend who tried his best one day to make me feel better) whether the treatment would give me a “free Brazilian.”

Would You Shave Your Head for Charity? Because I Definitely Would Not

Daisy — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:00:00 -0500

Hair is kind of well, a thing. I enjoy having it on my head.

My Mom Is Living With Breast Cancer

Chaédria LaBouvier — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:00:00 -0500

When my mom was diagnosed in August of 2011, my family and I found a tremendous amount of material on beating this disease, but very little on living with it.

I FINALLY Stopped F$%@ing With My Hair (Almost)

Bren Lee Gomez — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:34:00 -0400

Messing with my hair is my own personal form of therapy. Some people binge eat; I cut my hair.

It Happened to Me: My Son Has Brain Cancer

Julie Sachs — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 09:00:00 -0400

In late July, Avaric was diagnosed with brain cancer. Seeing the words “brain cancer” still shocks me, wears me thin.

It Happened to Me: I Was Diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer at 22

Jennifer Mason — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:00:00 -0400

Surgical menopause, friends running scared, and chemo nurses in Haz-Mat suits can only be faced with laughter and a positive attitude.

This Just In: Your Cat Will NOT Give You Brain Cancer

s.e. smith — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:00:00 -0400

Cats may be frustrating sometimes, they may be sassy, they may be determined to wreak havoc around the house, but one thing they won’t do, apparently, is increase your risk of cancer.

It Happened to Me: My Boyfriend Got Brain Cancer

Nora McInerny — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:00:00 -0400

This isn't a cancer story, it's a love story.

New Lung Cancer Awareness Campaign Asks: "Who Deserves to Die?"

Sarah — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:00:21 -0400

Much like other diseases that many people mistakenly pass off as the end result of an individual's weak will in the face of overwhelming vice, lung cancer is often treated with an attitude that blames the sick, rather than treating them with the compassion they deserve.

Cancer Survivor Fights for the Right to Swim Topless

s.e. smith — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 18:00:18 -0400

Jaecks is a swimmer who wants to use the public pool and wants a reasonable accommodation. She's not asking for permission to perform a strip tease, shoot R-rated movies or wear a strap-on.

The Cervical Cancer Diaries: Infants Freak Me Out Anyway

Devon Moos — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:00:14 -0500

I think I audibly heard my oncologist breathe a sigh of relief when I outwardly told him my health was more important than fertility. Based on his reaction, I don't think that happens often.

The Cervical Cancer Diaries: I Have Cancer in My Lady Business

Devon Moos — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:00:27 -0500

Cancer caused by HPV doesn't care if your a whore or not, and just wants your lady parts to kill you.

I (and My Boobs) Stand With Planned Parenthood

Marianne — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:12 -0500

I've got a lot of faith in people, a lot of belief that others really are working toward what they think is right, even when it doesn't agree with my own views. But this has shaken that belief, in a really fundamental way.

It Happened to Me: I Was a "Make-A-Wish" Kid

Emily Latka — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:30:11 -0400

I had life-threatening cancer as a teenager. When a woman told me I was applicable for Make-A-Wish, I told her I wanted to meet Conan O'Brien.

It Happened To Me: I'm 25 and I Was Just Diagnosed With Skin Cancer

Anna — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:02:15 -0400

By the time you read this, I may be in a hospital, being pumped full of toxic chemicals, or living out my last months in a beach hut in Jamaica.