On the morning of my TEDx Talk, I felt more than nerves, I felt the weight of history, grief, and purpose. In sharing “The Myth of the Cancer Warrior,” I spoke the truth about survivorship, ancestral strength, and the crushing pressure placed on cancer survivors to always appear strong.
Twelve years after pancreatic cancer, I am still here. This reflection explores survivorship, grief, medical dismissal, and the painful truth that too many pancreatic cancer patients are still diagnosed too late and left behind by a system that has not moved with enough urgency.
Dr. Yvette Colón challenges the “hero survivor” myth in her Toastmasters speech, sharing a more honest, inclusive view of cancer survivorship.
Dr. Yvette Colón explains what health equity is, how it differs from health disparities, and why systemic racism in healthcare demands urgent change.
A true story from my treatment journey that highlights how deeply medical racism can affect care and why we must speak out and share these experiences.
