The legendary singer and songwriter, Dolly Parton, was stricken by cancer and hardly told anyone about it. A month later, she was gone.

But if you are facing cancer, you shouldn’t keep it to yourself. And here’s why.

Doctors and counselors call it “acclimating,” or put another way, finding peace with the reality that you are facing cancer.

Let this thought sink in for a moment: being willing to talk about it with family, friends, and others on the cancer journey is an important part of your healing process. Those who treat cancer patients affirm its benefits.

Cancer: keep it a secret?

Yes, cancer is a private matter. But when you keep it a secret or avoid the subject, a burdensome thing can happen you begin feeling a deep sense of loneliness and abandonment.

You might look out the window seeing kids at play or walking with parents alone on the sidewalk, and you think, “Why me?”

While we don’t know all the details about Dolly Parton’s final days, we do know she kept her cancer diagnosis largely private. However, those who do likewise may miss out on major benefits.

Three benefits for telling others about your cancer journey

Professionals affirm that though the cancer journey is long and hard, being open to its reality and sharing about it with others has three big benefits:

1. Sharing with others helps you acclimate.

   Telling others helps you accept the reality of what’s happening to you in a way that eases anxiety.

2. Sharing brings welcome help.

   Some will bring meals or help manage household chores. Some will pray for you, and if you’ve ever needed help, it’s now. Others will simply sit beside you to comfort and encourage.

3. Sharing helps you fight loneliness.

   If you are comfortable talking about it, others will feel comfortable about asking how they can help and will be there for you.

Dolly Parton’s faith

While we don’t know all the details about how Dolly Parton lived out the last weeks of her life, we do know is that she was a person of deep faith. She often said, “I lean on God for everything” and it was likely no different with cancer.

What about you: have you reached out to God for hope, strength and peace against what you’re facing—whether cancer or otherwise? The Bible tells us He is waiting for us to ask, to open the door of our hearts to him. He promises us peace that passes all understanding.

God is compassionate—that’s how he describes Himself. Being compassionate means He wants to suffer alongside you. Imagine that! Take it in!

But we must ask for it.

Asking God for help

Why not ask the creator of the universe to come alongside you as He has promised? If you’re uncertain how to ask, here is a prayer you can pray right now.

“Heavenly Father, I come to you very needy. Facing cancer is terrifying. I need your help greatly. I need you to help me find new hope, strength, and peace. I need you to help me make decisions about my treatment—things I know nothing about. Please help me. I need your wisdom and help.”

Ongoing prayer

God doesn’t want us to just mark off prayer like a shopping list. God says we should pray continuously. He wants to hear from you again and again as you go through this. He wants a relationship where your heart and his are joined together for eternity.

To learn more about how to begin a relationship with God, see Knowing God Personally.

You are not alone. May God bless you.