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"To some, a cancer diagnosis is a very private thing. For me, it was the complete opposite--I&amp;#x27;m an oversharer by nature so it never occurred to me not to tell people (plus, I had a supportive workplace, which I know factors huge in this). That&amp;#x27;s how I&amp;#x27;ve coped. But some people--for a number of reasons--decide to go it alone. The most recent example of this is Chris Lofton, a basketball star at my alma mater, The University of Tennessee. Last year Chris was diagnosed with testicular cancer and, other than his coach, doctors and parents, told no one. Not even his extended family or teammates. He faced surgery, radiation and all the awful emotions that accompany a diagnosis pretty much solo (he said he didn&amp;#x27;t want his parents hanging around campus, lest people think something was up). He played his entire senior season--they lost in the Sweet 16...bummer since I&amp;#x27;d picked them to go all the way--after beating the cancer. Still, it wasn&amp;#x27;t until a few weeks ago that he decided to share his story (with ESPN.com). First, I have to say, way to go Chris. I&amp;#x27;m honored to be in your company as both a former Vol and a cancer survivor. Second, I completely understand why he kept it quiet. He didn&amp;#x27;t want to take attention away from his team and he didn&amp;#x27;t want people to make excuses for him (you can imagine if he missed a 3-pointer, some might say, Oh, it must be the cancer....ugh!). But now, he hopes, his story will help people. And it will. I only hope he didn&amp;#x27;t put himself through agony with all the what-ifs and worries and so few people to lean on. Anyway, wanted to hear your thoughts on this. I know a handful of other people with cancer who have chosen not to tell their employers or even their families. I cannot imagine that. Can you? --Erin"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/life-with-cancer/2008/05/battling-cancer-secretly-would>