My general rules include not discussing religion at all at work (except with a couple other known non-believers there), or at hospitals or funerals.

I'll say good luck or best of luck to people in crappy situations, or that I hope things get better.

I'm an Atheist minister to help keep predatory religious types away from my friends, and I don't want to take away someone's comfort, even if I think a teddy bear would be more effective. When my grandma went to memory care, I even went so far as to make her a care package of old Catholic crap to help her remember things. Color me practical.

There's a time and a place for everything. It seems the best course here was to let her take comfort wherever she can.

I suppose they know no other way to wish some-one good luck - itself a superstition, anyway. So here goes: Good luck to you in the oncology department. I'm due to visit my oncology vet soon. (Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma)

It's not like they are making you be blessed....hehe...I always find it weird, but I happen to look like someone you wouldn't say 'god bless you' too. Though, I often say to someone who says 'God Bless You' after I sneeze, that I am not worried my soul just left through my nose...

Yeah been there..it never ceases to amaze me that christians see a serious dease as a "test from gawd"..a test to see if it can kill you? Soo why not just pray the death away?

In the grocery store line one day, a very enthused teenager says: ‘and may god bless you!’
I said: ‘and may the goddess richly bless you, as well’, big smile.
Her face?

But cancer, no. I’d do the very same.

No, she meant well & has her own issues. No confrontation would have been appropriate, & you did not "acquiesce" as you didn't 'god' her back. I think you did the only proper thing to do, & I'm a bit of an activist saying this. It doesn't help us if we're dicks about it!