For many cancer patients, diagnosis carries psychological 'silver lining' By (0) Could a cancer diagnosis sometimes produce positive life changes? In a new study, many people with colon cancer, even in advanced stages, believed their diagnosis had brought some beneficial effects to their lives. In surveys of 133 colon cancer patients, researchers found that nearly all -- 95% -- said their lives had benefited in some way since their diagnosis. Advertisement Often, they felt their family relationships had strengthened, or they were better able to "take things as they come" and feel grateful for each day. That was the case whether people were in an earlier stage of the disease or had metastatic cancer -- meaning it had spread to distant sites in the body.