"I spent a lot of time mourning that I don't have this carefreeness about life anymore."

"So much of cancer is the loss of the self and loss of control."

Life after cancer: Survivors' stories

"It's like people are afraid of us."

"I was effectively living in a bubble at home."

"Dating and relationships and sex and sexuality have been ignored."

"Would somebody see me as whole?"

People with cancer are living longer today because of better detection and treatments. There are more than 18.1 million cancer survivors in the U.S., and their ranks are growing. But they're also living longer with cancer’s after effects. In these stories, they share how their diagnoses shifted their paths, perspectives and priorities. Some found new purpose. Others rebuilt careers. Many redefined family bonds. They all say while cancer becomes part of your story, it doesn't have to define it.