PhD student Claire Galvin hopes her findings will influence how cancer is discussed, shifting from stock language to a more person-centered approach.
September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to reflect not only on medical progress but also on how to better understand the lived realities of those who have experienced childhood cancer.
Terms like “survivor,” “patient,” “fighter,” or even “battle” can carry heavy emotional weight. But do these labels shape how people see themselves years later? That question is at the heart of the Childhood Cancer Identity Project (CCHIP).
“Very few studies have looked at how people who had cancer as children view the language surrounding their experience, or how those words might affect their long-term wellbeing,” explains Claire Galvin, doctoral student in Clinical Psychology and the study’s lead. “Some find the word ‘survivor’ empowering, while others prefer to see themselves simply as someone who once had cancer.”
“My goal is to explore those differences and understand how identity relates to both mental and physical health,” she says.
Exploring language into adulthood
Galvin’s work fills a major gap in the field. Past studies in adult-onset cancer have linked self-identifying as a “survivor” to greater resilience and emotional wellbeing. But little is known about how childhood cancer survivors — who often carry their diagnosis across life stages — interpret these labels in adulthood.
The project also dives into metaphors like “battle” or “journey.”
“It has been fascinating to see how personal and varied these responses are,” Galvin explains. “For some, ‘battle’ reflects the exhausting nature of treatment. For others, it feels negative, as if surviving cancer was a matter of choice. Words can empower, but they can also invalidate people’s experiences. We need to pay attention to that.”
This insight is not just academic. Galvin hopes her findings will influence how healthcare providers, researchers and support systems talk about cancer, shifting from one-size-fits-all language to a more person-centered approach that reflects the diversity of survivor experiences.
Research shaped by lived experience
Galvin’s passion for the project is deeply personal: she too is a childhood cancer survivor.
“Being part of the cancer community has given me a unique lens,” she says. “It allows me to see where the gaps are and to ask questions that matter to survivors. I was lucky to be surrounded by a team that valued mental health during my treatment. It has inspired me to give back through both clinical work and research.”
That commitment has already been recognized. This year, Galvin received a SSHRC Doctoral Award, a national recognition that affirms the relevance and potential impact of her work.
She credits her supervisor Nicole Alberts, PhD, psychology professor and Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Interventions, as a key mentor in helping her integrate her lived experience with clinical research.
What’s next
Looking ahead, Galvin hopes to continue bridging research and practice by working as both a psychologist and researcher within pediatric oncology.
“I want to directly support children and families while also studying how we can improve long-term outcomes,” she says.
If you are a childhood cancer survivor and would like to share your perspective, you can take part in the Childhood Cancer Identity Project. Learn more and see if you’re eligible.
Learn more about research in the Faculty of Arts and Science
Learn more about the Department of Psychology