National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual celebration marked on the first Sunday in June. On this day, people unite to recognize cancer survivors, raise awareness about the ongoing challenges they face and also celebrate life.

Cancer is a chronic disease that can develop anywhere in the body in 100 different forms. It is caused by changes to genes that control the way our cells function, especially how they grow and divide. In many cases, it causes tumor and the bloodstream carries the tumor to the rest of the body. The first National Cancer Survivors Day was held on June 5, 1988.

There are several ways to regain your health after battling the disease. People should exercise, have a healthy and balanced diet, reduce stress, rest well and avoid smoking after surviving the disease. Regular checkups are a must after recovering from cancer.

In 2021, there will be an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases and 608,570 cancer deaths in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society.

Here are some inspirational quotes for cancer patients and survivors:

1. "Working out is my way of saying to cancer, 'You're trying to invade my body; you're trying to take me away from my daughters, but I'm stronger than you. And I'm going to hit harder than you.'" – Stuart Scott

2. "Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be." – Rick Warren

3. "Optimist: Someone who figures that taking a step backward after taking a step forward is not a disaster, it's a cha-cha." – Robert Brault

4. "Your life is your story. Write well. Edit Often." – Susan Statham

5. "When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: You haven't." – Thomas Edison

6. "You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live." – Stuart Scott

7. "Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." – Oprah Winfrey

8. "Cancer opens many doors. One of the most important is your heart." – Greg Anderson

National Cancer Survivors Day
Participants start the National Cancer Survivors Day march in Chicago, June 3, 2012. Reuters/John Gress
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