(StatePoint) Social media has changed the rules of privacy for almost everyone. But for people diagnosed with cancer, social media use comes with the additional complications of online disclosure, which can have unintended consequences. As part of their annual survey, Cancer and Careers, a national nonprofit that empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in their workplaces, polled survivors on their experiences with disclosing their cancer online.
Nearly one in five cancer survivors polled said that revealing their cancer diagnosis on social media negatively impacted their careers, and one in 10 said they experienced repercussions at work because of their disclosure; but 77 percent of respondents who posted about cancer or disclosed their diagnosis online felt supported by friends and family or found a support group as a result.
As with any aspect of the cancer journey, the decision to disclose, whether online or in-person, is a personal one based on a variety of factors. For more information on Cancer and Careers’ expert resources, interactive tools and educational events visit CancerandCareers.org.
If you have cancer or are a cancer survivor, learning more about the possible consequences of online disclosure can help you make decisions that are right for you.
