How to Advocate for Yourself as You Battle Cancer

RARECast

At 41, Bill Potts received a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. He listened to the recommendations from his primary care physician and didn’t seek out a second opinion. It was only six months later, during a follow up visit when his doctors wanted to repeat his treatment with radioactive iodine that he began to ask questions and started to advocate for himself. He now says he would likely be dead had he not sought out a second opinion at that time. He’s since learned a lot about advocating for himself with cancer as he’s been diagnosed six times with cancer. He’s taken what he’s learned from his experiences and written Up for the Fight, a guide for newly diagnosed cancer patients, family members, and caregivers. It provides not only critical advice on dealing with the mental aspects of the disease, but also lots of practical advice about navigating the healthcare system, insurance companies, and treatments that could only come from lived experience. We spoke to Potts about why it’s essential for patients to learn to advocate for themselves, how to navigate the mental and emotional aspects of the disease, and why it’s important to stay motivated and celebrate small achievements along the way.