Sharing a cancer diagnosis is messy and there's no easy or right way to go about it. The decision to share is deeply personal and it's most important to pay attention to what you need. If you decide not to tell anyone, that's your decision to make.

Everyone handles a diagnosis in their own way. While some swear by only telling people face-to-face, some prefer to tell people via phone, email, text, and social media. Additionally, some people use support systems to help them spread the word, as having to repeat it themselves starts to both exhaust and depress them. There are also sites like Caring Bridge that allow more control over what is going out and to who. 

While telling people can feel like the hard part, there is also the aftermath to be considered. While the good friend you told has all but disappeared, the acquaintance may step up and be a solid support. Since one never knows how others will react, it's important to think about what it is you want from the disclosure.

To read more about others' experience sharing their diagnosis, click here.