Funny, I see the solution as being avoiding the attachment to begin with. His argument applies whether or not you have cancer. Relying on another person for happiness is a foolish move. It is a much better idea to learn to enjoy solitude.
Very Zen.
On the other hand:
Ten no atauru o torazareba, kaette sono toga o uku ;
Toki itatte okonawazareba, kaette sono wazawai o uku.
Not to take what Heaven gives is to incur Heaven's calamity; not to act when the moment comes is to incur Heaven's misfortune.
(Miura, Isshū and Ruth Fuller Sasaki, The Zen Koan. San Diego: Harvest/HBJ, 1965. 119. Print.)
From the Dhammapada:
From what's loved is born grief, from what's loved is born fear. For one freed from what's loved there's no grief — so how fear?
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.16.than.h...