Story perspectives

Living with Cancer: The Honest Answer to 'How Are You?'

12/18/2025

22 2

Summary

Story summary

Mark Cottle of Monmouthshire reflects on how to answer 'How are you?' after his diagnosis with metastatic prostate cancer.
He notes that the typical British response often feels dishonest given his situation.
He adopts a nuanced reply, saying "All right today" when he feels relatively well.
He emphasizes honesty by adding "today" to convey the uncertainty of his condition, highlighting the broader struggle to balance social niceties with personal truth.

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Story summary

Mark Cottle of Monmouthshire reflects on how to answer 'How are you?' after his diagnosis with metastatic prostate cancer.
He notes that the typical British response often feels dishonest given his situation.
He adopts a nuanced reply, saying "All right today" when he feels relatively well.
He emphasizes honesty by adding "today" to convey the uncertainty of his condition, highlighting the broader struggle to balance social niceties with personal truth.