Ep 3: Cancer Comparing - why we do it & why it doesn't help

After a cancer diagnosis, many people find themselves quietly comparing their experience to someone else’s. “My cancer isn’t as bad as theirs.” “They had chemo and I didn’t.” “At least it wasn’t stage IV.” “Other people have it worse.” This pattern is incredibly common in the cancer world, and yet it rarely makes the experience easier. In this episode of The After. Cancer Podcast, oncology physical therapist Dr. Leslie Waltke explores what she calls the cancer comparison game — why so many people do it, where the instinct comes from, and why it often leaves people feeling more isolated instead of more connected. Cancer may be a universal disease, but the lived experience of it is deeply personal. Different diagnoses, different treatments, different bodies, and different life circumstances all shape what the journey looks like. In this conversation, Dr. Waltke explains how comparison can unintentionally silence people’s real struggles and prevent them from seeking the support they need. She also shares a healthier framework for thinking about cancer experiences — one that allows space for every person’s reality without ranking suffering. If you’ve ever found yourself minimizing your own experience, questioning whether you’re “allowed” to struggle, or comparing your story to someone else’s cancer journey, this episode is for you. Because the truth is: cancer is not a competition. Get new episodes by email! Join the After. Cancer Podcast email list and have new episodes and resources sent directly to your inbox: https://drwaltke.myflodesk.com/aftercancer Hugs, Dr. L