Carmen Monge-Montero, Researcher and Global Cancer Advocate, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“What’s the weirdest or stupidest thing someone has ever told you about having cancer?
I’ve asked this question in more than 75 Mano interviews, and there is always laughter, pause, or rolling their eyes, and their answers reveal so much about stigma, discomfort, and how people without a lived experience get weird when talking about cancer.
After seeing the same patterns again and again, I decided to write a small guide on what not to say and what can actually help when someone opens up about their diagnosis.
This is a personal reflection on what I’ve learned so far. Every story is unique, and I know I may be missing perspectives.
If you want to hear these moments directly, I invite you to watch the MANO interviews. They’re honest, raw, and incredibly human.
Let me know what resonated with you, or what you think is missing.”
More posts featuring Carmen Monge-Montero.