I have thought a lot about this over the last few years and although I felt what you felt from the ghosting I believe it is part of their survival instinct and not out of any sort of malice towards you. It is tough to be around sick people as it can be a real downer,
This is something most people like to avoid if possible. Not knowing what to say after the initial 'I'm sorry' can be hard. Life goes on, even when someone has cancer and I think what can be helpful to ghosters is that they are not expected to fix the illness, it is just to help that person hold on to some sort of normal life.
Ghosters aren't acquaintances though they are the best friend that was in your life for 20 years or your spouse that promised in sickness and in health, they are the people on the inside who decided on the day the find out you have cancer that they don't want to be around you or your illness. As I said in the post it is painful but once us patients get over this we realise its not really about us, it is them. Their need to live in a world without suffering is greater than the friendship or marriage. I hope that that is clearer.