The Positive Impact of Healthy Relationships on Cancer Survivors
- Former “Good Morning America” weatherman Sam Champion, recently underwent Mohs surgery, a common skin cancer treatment, to treat a suspicious spot underneath—and is now celebrating his wedding anniversary with his husband, Miami-based visual artist Rubem Robierb.
- Champion, who has been battling skin cancer since his 20s, commemorated his milestone event about two months after his recent journey fighting basal cell carcinoma with Mohs surgery, microscopically-controlled surgery where surgeons remove thin layers of skin tissue until they reach clear tissue without cancer.
- Reaching milestones during or after a cancer battle, even many years later, is huge and just hits differently for many survivors. Special moments such as getting engaged, a wedding anniversary reaching another birthday, a high school or college reunion, or a “cancerversary” may mean even more to you than those events did previously, so it’s important to take them all in and celebrate all that you’ve overcome.
- After a cancer diagnosis, it’s essential for the couple going through the cancer journey together to communicate and express their feelings. Joining a support group or seeking professional therapy may also be helpful.
The 63-year-old multiple Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist, who truly connects on TV and makes people feel comfortable, underwent a procedure to treat skin cancer called Mohs surgery back in October.
Read MoreChampion captioned a heartfelt anniversary post, featuring him and his husband dining out with a waterfront view, “12 years later, and we’ve gone from “where’s the party” to “what are we bingeing tonight?”View this post on Instagram
“From wild nights out to cozy nights in, our vibe has evolved but the love stayed unmatched. Here’s to a dozen years of chaos, laughter, and figuring it all out together—whether it’s life or what’s for dinner.
He concluded by saying, “Cheers to us, then and now,” alongside the hashtags “#12YearsStrong #growupglowup.”
Champion, who previously competed in the reality competition series “Dancing with the Stars,” was greeted on his post with praised from his fans, including his number one supporter, his husband, Rubem Robierb, who commented, “…and we would do all over again my love.”
One fan wrote, “The evolution of true love,” while another commented, “Happy for you both that you have found each other and work together to make it work life has its ups and downs but when you have that special someone it makes it easier and you are not alone. Here’s to the next 12 years cheers.”
“Happy anniversary! I’ll never forget your wedding announcement and I was elated for you as I am today @samchampion! Many more happy and healthy years wished for you both together. Love and happiness to you both alway,” wrote in the comments.
Champion and Robierb married on December 23, 2012 in an small ceremony at the weatherman’s apartment in Manhattan, his rep told People.
What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer
On their big day, Champion reportedly said, “We met on New Year’s and he proposed on New Year’s Eve, so we thought let’s get married on New Year’s Eve. That’s going to be the big party. This is the legal moment that we wanted to celebrate with friends and family and loved ones.”
View this post on Instagram
He continued, “Rubem said it best. It’s the societal affirmation of our relationship. We feel like it’s the most important relationship in our lives, and so to be able to share that with the people we love and have it legitimized in that way is really profound. It’s not something we take lightly at all.
“It’s a shame we can’t officially have a legal ceremony in Florida. We’re not separating them, because we’d like to do it twice. New York it will be legal. Miami will be the spiritual side to celebrate with the people who have been with us and supporting us and been a part of our lives since we met. We want to celebrate with them.”
Reaching milestones, as Champion has just done, is a major accomplishment during or after a cancer battle, even many years later, is huge and just hits differently for many survivors.
Special moments such as getting engaged, celebrating a wedding anniversary, reaching another birthday, a high school or college reunion, or a “cancerversary” may mean even more to you than those events did previously, so it’s important to take them all in and celebrate all that you’ve overcome.
I’m Able to Be Here For More Milestones — One Cancer Survivor’s Incredible Story
Sam Champion’s Skin Cancer Journey
Sam Champion received his first skin cancer diagnosis in his mid-20s. Ever since, he’s had multiple surgeries to remove suspicious moles. In a 2015 interview with Best Self Atlanta Magazine, the anchor explained why he’s often having the procedures.
View this post on Instagram
“The problem is that there is no way to treat it other than to cut it out,” Champion said. “But I’m on television every day, and that means that other people are aware of what’s going on. When I have scars and loop stitches, people notice.”
That’s why he ultimately chose to come forward and tell people about his skin cancer history. Much to his surprise, Champion had people from all over engaged and talking about skin cancer risk.
Top 5 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Skin Cancer
“It wasn’t a conversation people were having on a regular basis. I just wanted to discuss with people why I had these scars and stitches,” he said. “I was so taken aback. I got a huge response. People were sending me pictures and asking if I thought they had skin cancer.
“I thought, ‘We need to create awareness. People don’t want to feel like they’re being preached to, but we need get people talking about skin cancer.'”
More recently, he took to Instagram in October, warning others to “keep an eye on your own skin” after a spot on his face, which has been watching and needed to be surgically removed.
View this post on Instagram
Understanding Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery
Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. This growth usually happens when un-repaired DNA damage prompts mutations, or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to multiply fast and form malignant tumors. Although this may sound scary, education is the first step to prevention, and you’re taking that step right now.
Skin cancers are majorly categorized into three types:
- Melanoma: Though less common, it’s the deadliest of them all.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): Quite common and has the ability to spread distantly if not treated. The vast majority are low risk but some can be aggressive and require multiple treatment.
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): The most common type, but luckily the least likely to spread.
Another skin cancer that is much less common, but worth mentioning is Merkel Cell Carcinoma, which is rare and mostly occurs in older adults (average age 74-76). It can be aggressive locally and spread distantly.
For most skin cancers you can take steps to reduce your risk and prevent hem. Prevention as well as early detection and treatment are your best chances at a good outcome.
As for the type of treatment Champion underwent, it was Mohs surgery—a microscopically-controlled surgery where thin layers of tissue (typically, skin cancer tissue) are removed until the surgeon reaches clear tissue.
“You’re able to remove a very conservative margin around the cancer and study it in essentially real-time,” Dr. Sumaira Aasi, Director of Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at Stanford, told SurvivorNet in a previous conversation.
If, when the surgeon examines the tissue under the microscope, cancer is found, the surgeon goes back and removes some more tissue, which is what happened in Champions case.
Dr. Sumaira Aasi, Director of Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at Stanford, explains what Mohs surgery is.
The idea is that by making the tiniest cuts and evaluating them microscopically, the surgeon knows for certain that all the cancer is out when the last piece of tissue proves to be clear. It is often done as an outpatient procedure with local anesthetic.
“The Mohs surgeon will take a conservative cut circumferentially around the cancer where we’re able to preserve healthy tissue,” Dr. Aasi explained. “We’re able to process the tissue and look at the cancerous tissue and know where there are still tumor cells persisting.
Dr. Aasi continued, “Because as the Mohs surgeon removes the cancer, it’s mapped out, and we can go back specifically to the areas where we see cancer cells and take, again, another conservative margin or amount of tissue.”
Support From Loved One’s During Health Challenges
Having a strong community around you, as Sam Champion does, between his husband, friends, and coworkers, is much needed when challenged by health struggles.
Dealing with cancer or any sort of health battle for that matter can be overwhelming, so having physical and emotional support is crucial. That being said, it’s very important to know your limits on what you can handle as you undergo treatment and recover from your cancer, and that includes relationships.
“Going through [cancer] treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience,” licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin wrote in a column for SurvivorNet.
“Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much, [is] extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment.”
Helping Patients Cope with a Skin Cancer Diagnosis
Dr. Strongin does note, however, that having people by your side during this “arduous chapter” of your life can be hugely beneficial.
“Studies have found consistently that loneliness is a significant risk factor for physical and mental illnesses and the trajectory of recovery,” she wrote. “Therefore, it will be important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment.”
Coping With a Loved One’s Cancer Diagnosis
After a cancer diagnosis, emotions may run the gamut, and grappling with your feelings isn’t easy. While coping with caring for a loved one battling cancer, the spouse must also adjust to a new normal. Feelings ranging from anxiety, sadness, anger, regret, and more may linger. However, healthy ways to cope.
- Talk to a therapist and share feelings you’re going through
- Have an open conversation with your spouse about the diagnosis
- Research the disease and learn about available treatment options
- Join a support group or connect with others who have gone through, or are going through, the same experience
- Spend time with your spouse and have consistent conversations about how you both are feeling
Natalie Wells and Stephen Skip are another couple who shared the impact cancer had on their relationship. Wells was diagnosed with brain cancer. Thankfully, her husband joined her for the emotional rollercoaster after her diagnosis rocked their family.
WATCH: Natalie and Stephen’s relationship was tested amid cancer.
“These little trials and tribulations life throws at you give you a good perspective on appreciating the things you have and not wanting the tangible, physical, petty things that people worry about and stress over,” Skip told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.
“[She’s] my best friend, my right hand. I couldn’t go on through life without [her]. I love her tremendously.”
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
