Sharing a cancer diagnosis can be one of the most difficult conversations you will ever have. Who do you tell? How much do you need to share? And what’s the best way to tell others about it?

These days, many cancer patients choose to use social media as a platform for breaking the news to their family members and friends. It’s convenient and prevents you from repeating yourself to many different people. But it also presents challenges you should be aware of.

This guide will help you decide if announcing your diagnosis on social media is the right choice for you and how to navigate the process with care.

Is social media right for you?

Before you jump straight to typing out that tweet or post, remember there’s no right or wrong way to share your diagnosis. Some people choose to be open about their cancer journey on social media. Others prefer to keep it more private, telling only close friends and family.

Both options are valid, and the key is to choose what feels right for you. Here are the pros and cons of using social media.

Pros of sharing on social media:

• Share your story once: You can spread the news easily without having to repeat yourself multiple times to different people in your support network.
• Wider support group: Reach a large number of people quickly like your extended family or co-workers.
• Online emotional support: Loved ones can easily offer words of encouragement, love, and solidarity through comments or DMs.
• Control the narrative: By announcing your diagnosis on your terms, you can shape how others learn about it and avoid rumors or misinformation.
• Create awareness: Some people choose to share their diagnosis to raise awareness for cancer causes, support early detection, or encourage others to seek medical care.

Cons of sharing on social media:

• Unwanted advice or comments: Some might start posting unsolicited medical advice or comments on your feed, which can be overwhelming or unhelpful.
• Emotional overwhelm: The volume of responses may be difficult to manage.
• Privacy concerns: Once shared, your diagnosis is out in the open, and it may be difficult to control who has access to that information or how it is shared.
• Pressure to update: You might feel pressured to provide online updates more regularly than you intended, which can be emotionally taxing.

What should I say on social media?

If you decide that social media is the right avenue for you, take time to prepare before making your announcement. Start by giving yourself space to process the diagnosis privately. There’s no need to rush into things.

When you’re ready to make your announcement, here are some things to consider:

1. Define what you’re comfortable sharing: You don’t have to reveal every detail of your diagnosis. Some people prefer to share general information, while others might include specifics about their cancer treatment or prognosis. Remember, once you post on social media, the information is essentially public (even if you have privacy settings in place). Be sure that you’re comfortable with who might see the post and that you’ve considered potential consequences.
2. Set boundaries with responses: The National Cancer Institute suggests to be prepared for a range of reactions. To minimize unsolicited advice, questions, or comments that don’t sit well with you, set boundaries in your post by clearly stating how you would like people to respond. For example, you might say, “I appreciate your support and love during this time. I’m not looking for medical advice but would be grateful for your encouragement.”
3. How can others support you: If you’re open to help, the American Cancer Society suggests letting your support system know how they can help (whether through positive thoughts, prayers, or offering specific assistance). This can guide your network in providing the type of support you need most.
4. Your cancer care team can help: If you find the details of your diagnosis and treatment difficult to summarize, ask your cancer care team to distill the key points for you to share with your loved ones.

Offering updates and future communication

After your initial announcement, you may decide whether or not you want to provide regular updates about your cancer journey. It’s helpful to let your audience know what to expect. For instance, if you don’t plan to share frequent updates, you might say, “I will update everyone as I feel ready, but I may not post often about this.”

If you prefer more private communication, you can invite close friends and family to connect with you directly through phone calls, texts, or private messages.

Alternative ways to communicate

If social media feels too overwhelming for you, there are alternative methods of sharing your diagnosis with others.

You could create a private email list, messaging group, or simply stick to speaking to others personally. A trusted family member could also help you pass on the message to others. This allows you to share your journey with a select group of people without the wider exposure of social media.

Remember that the priority should be about protecting your own mental health and choosing what feels right for your own specific circumstance.