20 Inspirational Quotes by Cancer Survivors to Get You Through the Tough Times
Finding Inspiration from Cancer Survivors
Hearing words of encouragement from survivors can help you feel hope and inspiration when you’re currently fighting cancer. Here, you’ll find words of encouragement and inspirational quotes from people like you who have battled cancer and came out victorious on the other side.
It’s okay if you’re experiencing fear, grief, and loneliness right now. Others in the same situation have faced similar feelings.
Here, you’ll find quotes to keep you going on your journey. With the right headspace and mental outlook, you can persevere and know there’s always hope.
“Every new day is a beautiful gift.”
Cancer survivor Lynne encourages renewed hope and strength amid your cancer battle. Lynne says, “Every new day is a beautiful gift. Open each one and find joy, happiness, and hope. Let those gifts build strength, courage, and healing, and wake up every day renewed, refreshed, and ready to accomplish great things!”.
“You’re not in this alone.”
Pancreatic cancer survivor Scott has advice meant to keep you from isolating yourself. He wants to encourage you to seek help when you need it. Scott says, “You are not in this alone, and people do survive this. There are many people…and resources that are available to you. Build your support network and use these resources”.
“Greet the life that is waiting for you.”
Folklore writer Joseph Campbell, who battled esophageal cancer, is quoted as saying, “You have to be willing to give up the life you planned, and instead, greet the life that is waiting for you”.
“Cancer cannot shatter hope.”
This motivating quote says, “cancer cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope, it cannot conquer the spirit.” This quote should bring hope and encourage perseverance even in your most challenging moments.
“Just keep punching.”
Cancer survivor Rachel says her inspiration came from her husband. He would tell her, “Just keep punching. Whenever the opponent hits you, get up and hit back harder.” This became her mantra that would help her focus and bounce back when cancer knocked her down.
“Keep the faith.”
Survivor Albert’s quote encourages people not to lose hope in hard times. Albert says, “Keep the faith – faith in God, faith in your doctors, faith in yourself. One day at a time”.
“Cancer doesn’t have to define you.”
There are many types of cancer that may make you question how this happened and why. No matter the type of cancer you have, this quote from anal cancer survivor Nelda should inspire you.
“Every day is a chance to love a little more.”
Melanoma survivor Jessi has great advice: Live every day to the fullest. Jessi says, “Every day is a chance to create a memory and to love a little more”.
“Every day is worth it.”
More great advice about living every day to its full potential comes from breast cancer survivor Hashmat. Hashmat says, “Don’t give up. Every day is worth it”.
“Cancer is like a teeter-totter.”
John, a colon cancer survivor, has encouragement for moments of relapse or despair. John says, “Cancer is like a teeter-totter. Sometimes, you gotta go down to go back up.” Even if you’re in a rough spot, don’t let that stop you from coming back stronger than ever.
“It’s possible to thrive and live healthily.”
Leukemia survivor Erika inspires hope with her quote that there’s more to life after cancer. Erika says, “It’s possible not just to survive, but to thrive and to live a healthy, wonderful life again”.
“Difficult roads can lead to beautiful destinations.”
This quote from oral cancer survivor Kia reminds us to keep going even when treatment becomes challenging.
“There’s always hope beyond what you see.”
Kidney cancer caregiver Cora has helped patients through hard treatments. She’s seen the journey and the path to hope on the other side of treatment.
“Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.”
After hearing this quote from ovarian cancer survivor Leslie, we feel inspired not to let things pass over us. Instead, respond to your cancer fight with passion and a healthy outlook.
“Being positive is the best medicine you can take.”
According to sarcoma survivor Maggie, keeping a positive outlook on life can affect your cancer battle and recovery.
“Enjoy every day without worrying about the next.”
Diego, a pancreatic cancer survivor, encourages living in the moment. Don’t take any minute for granted or dwell only on the future.
“Breast cancer changes you, and the change can be beautiful.”
Breast cancer survivor Jane’s quote can apply to anyone battling any cancer. Embrace the change and who you become when you make it through.
“We have two options, medically and emotionally: Give up or fight like hell.”
Cyclist Lance Armstrong encourages you to not give up on yourself, your doctors, or your support team.
“Nothing in life is worth worrying about.”
Cancer survivor, Julia, has had various cancer experiences over 12 years. Still, she remains optimistic, offering these words of wisdom.
“The goal is to live a full, productive life.”
American comedian, Gilda Radner, encourages living life to the fullest. Gilda puts it bluntly: “The goal is to live a full, productive life even with all that ambiguity. No matter what happens, whether the cancer never flares up again or whether you die, the important thing is that the days that you have had, you will have lived”.
Medically Reviewed by Carmelita Swiner, MD