[Beyond Illness, Rewriting the Story of Life]

Cancer has long been perceived as a devastating setback. However, advances in medicine and the growth of supportive care are allowing patients to move beyond the limited narrative of "fighting disease" to the more open-ended narrative of "living with illness". Within this new narrative framework, cancer survivors work to bolster their resilience and discover renewed meaning in life. True comeback, no longer defined solely by remission, now also incorporates the ability to draw strength and hope in adversity. The challenge of cancer, extending far beyond pathology and treatment, involves psychological adjustment, family dynamics, and social connectedness. The results of recent studies show positive coping and psychological resources to reduce anxiety and depression significantly and improve overall quality of life (Lai et al., 2020; Lee et al., 2024). Similarly, social support from family and peers plays a decisive role in alleviating isolation and enhancing resilience along the cancer journey (Jiang et al., 2025). Moreover, evidence indicates patient empowerment through shared decision-making and digital health tools improves adaptation and well-being outcomes. As a result of the above, the focus of cancer care has shifted from mere survival to achieving wholeness of life and mental health. In this issue, we explore issues ranging from coherence-based support strategies and the role of nurses in CAR-T therapy to the empowerment experiences of families and patient groups and new pharmacological insights into cellular therapy (Gupta et al., 2024). The articles in this issue collectively underscore a central message -- cancer is not only a medical challenge but also a profound test of our humanity and collective resilience. We hope readers will find in these reflections the transformative power that exists between setbacks and comebacks. Each cancer journey is not an ending but rather a new chapter in the ongoing story of life.