Alberto,

Your wife is fortunate that you have her best interest in mind. If she has already gotten feedback that she is divulging too much information about her cancer, then even if just one person feels this way, it is likely that this may be true, even if it is just perception. At Cancer and Careers we get so many questions about what to say and whom to say it to. Our response is usually that it is a very individual choice and while I haven't communicated directly with your wife, clearly she has felt comfortable about being open and candid about her situation. 

My advice is that perhaps your wife can find one colleague who is not one of her direct reports with whom she can confide in. It may also make sense for her to find an external support group to attend if she isn't already doing this.

You are correct in assuming that people have biases and make assumptions based upon very little information and often they can be negative in nature, particularly when they do not have any direct experience with the situation themselves.

Please tell your wife that you are not asking her to be someone she is not, you are just suggesting that she channel her energy and communication in a different direction. 

I hope this is helpful!

Take care,

Julie