Hi. Just wondered how many of us out there are doing a ‘Helen McCrory’.

I do have to add, much respect to Helen McCrory in all this. 

Hi Elle Getting Better. This is a very interesting topic, so thank you for posting.

I told everyone when I was diagnosed. Part of me wishes I hadn't. I do not think there is anything to be ashamed of, but people do treat you differently when they know. This may not be intentional,  but I have lost friends because of my diagnoses. Having said that, my true friends that have stuck by me are worth their weight in gold.

I think to be in the public eye like Helen McCrory, it must be incredibly hard, but then other famous people have made an impact through their cancer story. Caroline Aherne for instance who was very open about her lung cancer, and launched the Macmillan cancer improvement partnership in Manchester.  

I don't think there is any right or wrong way, it is personal choice. If that was Helen's wish not to make it public, then I am glad she got her wish, but then she was an incredible actress after all. 

Thank you Chelle for your considered reply.  There is, as you say, no right or wrong choice, nor indeed a perfect choice - only a personal choice.  I think/hope mine is right for me and, more to the point, for those I haven’t told.  And I am of course lucky to have that choice.