Who coined the term "The Big C" while announcing his cancer diagnosis? A - Paul Newman
B - John Wayne
C - Walt Disney
D - Ulysses S. Grant
Answer: B - John Wayne After beating lung cancer in 1964, iconic movie star John Wayne coined the term "The Big C" to help take some of the fear out of the word cancer. After surgeons removed one of his lungs, Wayne held a press conference at his home to talk about his health. “They told me to withhold my cancer operation from the public because it would hurt my image,” the Duke told the media. “Isn’t there a good image in John Wayne beating cancer? Sure, I licked the Big C.” Sadly, the Duke would not beat the "Big C" for a second time. He passed away on June 11, 1979, at age 72.