Despite all the medical advances, there is some doom and gloom surrounding cancer. Yes, we know we can beat it or at least know we will not be consumed by it. Your point is well-taken, but I offer another POV.

Let's say that it wasn't cancer and it is some other ailment that has slowed us down, may be even a pulled muscle, do you think you'd push yourself through that or give your body the time to heal before resuming higher levels of training? I don't have an answer as I try to moderate my entry back into full-fledged physical activities myself.