20 Encouraging Cancer Quotes for Patients to Inspire Hope
When it comes to cancer, we understand that finding the right words can be a challenge. Whether you or a loved one is going through a cancer journey, learning how to give and ask for support can take time. Having a supportive quote or two on hand can be a great relief when you are in need of some calming words to cherish or share.
In this article, we compiled a list of our favorite cancer quotes that aim to inspire hope and encourage an optimistic outlook for those battling cancer. If you or your loved one would appreciate a positive quote, here 20 inspiring quotes for someone going through a cancer journey:
“You have to be willing to give up the life you planned, and instead, greet the life that is waiting for you.”
Joseph Campbell
“Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.”
Samuel Smiles
“Cancer cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope, it cannot conquer the spirit.”
Unknown
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift – that’s why it’s called ‘the present.'”
Eleanor Roosevelt
“Our way is not soft grass; it’s a mountain path with lots of rocks. But it goes upwards, forward, toward the sun.”
Ruth Westheimer
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds, and diamonds are made under pressure.”
Peter Marshall
“Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today, let us begin.”
Mother Teresa
“Today will never come again. Be a blessing. Be a friend. Encourage someone. Take time to care. Let your words heal, and not wound.”
Unknown
“Let nothing trouble you, let nothing frighten you. All things are passing; God never changes. Patience obtains all things. He who possesses God lacks nothing. God alone suffices.”
St. Teresa of Avila
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
“Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark.”
Rabindranath Tagore
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Psalm 62:1-2
“God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”
Unknown
“Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future. Faith is the courage to dance to it today.”
Peter Kuzmic
“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
Unknown
“In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
Albert Camus
“Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.”
Sonia Ricotti
“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.”
Oprah
“Cancer is a word, not a sentence.”
John Diamond
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.”
Isaiah 43:2
Our community’s favorite encouraging cancer quotes
For more quote ideas, we reached out to the empathetic CaringBridge community, many of whom with lives that have been touched by cancer. We asked them to share encouraging words that they’ve heard or shared:
“When I was given a short time to live, I was told by one of my kids, ‘Mom, you’re a fighter! Let’s do this!”’
Shared by Mary Bollinger Appelhanz
“A complete stranger overheard a conversation between the pharmacist and myself the day that we received my husband’s diagnosis of an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. As I prepared to leave, this gentleman apologized for listening to us, but felt like he needed to share these words: ‘My wife & I were where you are a year ago. Please remember to never give up HOPE!’ We never forgot those words from a complete stranger and are forever thankful.”
Shared by Bobbie Harrington Henry
“My first oncologist told me: ‘When you read about the statistics/prognosis; remember that you are NOT a statistic, you are YOU and you are unique.’ The prognosis I later read about was not good, so his statement always gave me hope. I have survived over 10 years. The prognosis was 2-3 years. He was right!!”
Shared by Karen Kockelman Schultz
“Cancer is a marathon – you can’t look at the finish line. You take it moment by moment, sometimes breath by breath, other times step by step.”
Shared by Sarah Betz Bucciero
“Plan for the worst, hope for the best and live for the moment!”
Shared by Tiffany Smith
“I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know WHO holds tomorrow.”
Shared by Sigrid Devida
“People who said ‘I am here for you’ were some of the sweetest words I ever heard.”
Shared by Sylvia Ramsey Savage
We hope these quotes have been helpful in offering some encouragement or peace, or gathering inspiration for what to say to a loved one. Sometimes, the best words are simply, “I love you, and I’m here for you.”
Please let us know in the comments if there are any more quotes that helped you or a loved one through their cancer journey! We’d love to hear from you.
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