Sharing My Diagnosis: How Much is Too Much?

I am a primary care physician diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. After my diagnosis, I began to wonder, is it ever appropriate to disclose my situation, my diagnosis, any details about my cancer journey to my patients? On the one hand, physicians go to great lengths to protect privacy; on the other hand, patients appreciate the ability to share and connect, including knowing that their doctor has been through something similar. In this essay, I explore the nuances of over-sharing versus making a personal connection and how the two elements of this dual role might ultimately benefit each other.