You're a survivor when...

[Jackie07]

Seems we've had discussions on the topic before. Thought this link is quite good - be sure to read the comments below the article and cast your vote [Be interesting to find out how the numbers might change when all of our members cast their votes.]:

http://breastcancer.about.com/b/2009/03/20/you-are-a-breast-cancer-survivor-when.htm

More discussions can be found in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer_survivors

I personally believe that the 'second' we learned about our cancer diagnosis, we'd begun our cancer-fighting journey and are surivors. ['Supported' by the way ACS calculates 'survival rates' - 'after ... cancer is found']:

"Some people with cancer may want to know the survival rates for their type of cancer. Others may not find the numbers helpful, or may even not want to know them. Whether or not you want to read about survival rates is up to you.

The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is found."

[NanaJoni]

I went in to our local American Cancer Society office to get a wig after my bi-lateral mastectomy and prior to starting chemo. She said something about me being a survivor and I answered that I hadn't even started treatments so I wasn't a survivor yet. She answered: "The day you decide to fight cancer you become a survivor". And I've held on to that as my definition.

[tricia keegan]

Interesting and thanks Jackie, personally I've always felt like a survivor from the moment I heard those three little words!!

[Elizabethtx]

Hmmmm. Intersesting, I have always been uncomfortable with the the word survivor, felt is was premature. Maybe I will look at it different now? I personally use the word fighter instead. Fighting to be a survivor!