I think the read on it can go a lot of different ways, to pigeonhole it into a single way is ignoring the many different types of personalities.

• Perfunctory response. They say it because it's expected, in their mind, to inquire as to your well being. The answer is often inconsequential or at least they may not want to know the truth.
• Unsure what to say. I think a lot of people are genuinely interested in your well being but just don't know how to ask if you are nearing death using any other language than this.
• Awkward conversation. People who are not normally good at idle conversation might use this as an opener because no matter what you answer leads to a conversation. I think they are genuine in their inquiry.
• I'm your bestest friend of all your friends. These folks seem to hammer you incessantly with the question because they want to be the first to be "in the know" and "by your side" before anyone else. I know a handful of people like this. I'm unsure if they care more about you or being top of the heap.

People are people. Funny thing is that, now 18 months post RARP, I rarely get asked it any longer. It's like they feel if you don't show any visible signs, haven't brought it up yourself or enough time as passed then you are fine, all done.

Truth is that I generally don't want to discuss it with anyone who wasn't part of it from the beginning. If I run into an old friend, I'm not leading with that - and, in fact, I don't mention it at all. "How have you been, I haven't seen you in two years", to which I reply "Ups and downs like everyone, how about you?".

This is my second cancer in 15 years, I feel this summarizes it accurately in both cases so I feel like it might just be how people are - one of those four types.