Things to know if you get cancer in 2026
A patient shares personal advice for navigating a cancer diagnosis in 2026, emphasizing the need for patient advocacy and persistence in scheduling. The author also warns about the limitations of AI models in medical decision-making.
Why it matters
As patients increasingly turn to digital tools for health information, understanding the limitations of AI and the necessity of self-advocacy in complex medical systems is critical.
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Things to know when you get cancer (2026 Edition) · JJ Maxwell
Things to know when you get cancer (2026 Edition)
I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in my mouth in May 2026. Here are some things I learned based on that experience so far.
You need to be doggedly persistent on scheduling things. Yes this means lots of phone calls. If you get an appointment a few weeks out, call back a few days later and ask for something sooner and see if they have any cancellations. I could only get an appointment 4 weeks out with an ENT (this was before I knew anything was wrong). My wife made me call back and I was able to get in that week due to a cancellation.
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