“You Are in Remission.” “You are Cancer Free.” 

These seem to be wonderful, comforting words, spoken by our trusted cancer doctors. They tell us that their diagnostic tools cannot see or detect the presence of any cancer cells or tumor(s). Sometimes they will utter these words after a patient is 5 years into remission, hoping the cancer will not recur again.

This provides patients with some form of “peace of mind” regarding the stress, high anxiety, and fears they may harbor about a cancer recurrence. The doctor may say words like: Go home and enjoy your life; do whatever you want …