Article

The Problem with the Cancer ‘Battle’

The terminology surrounding the cancer journey is often associated with a “battle” and can misconstrue the experience of treatment.

Language is an important tool when it comes to living with cancer. The terminology used when referring to an individual’s experience with the disease can incite a range of emotions and can often be misconstrued.

Dr. Mark Lewis, of Intermountain Healthcare, is also a survivor. In a recent interview with CURE®, Lewis discussed why the use of the word “battle” can be polarizing when referring to someone’s cancer journey, and why sometimes the idea of opting to forego treatment is the bravest decision of all.

Transcription:

One of the problems I have with language around cancer is, whether patients choose or not, there's often a lot of talk about ‘battle.’

In fact, in almost every obituary I saw about Chadwick Boseman mentioned him battling cancer. You know, if you accept the fighting metaphor, that's great, but it's not for everybody. And what I don't like about it is it implies some lack of courage, or spirit, when patients either die, or, quite reasonably sometimes, if they choose not to pursue chemotherapy.

Sometimes I think the bravest decision I see is someone who, against the recommendation and pressure from their family, says, ‘You know what, I've listened to you, doc, I've heard about the risks and benefits. I just want to live my life, however long that's going to be, and I want to maximize its quality.’

That, in itself, is a very courageous decision, in my opinion.

Related Videos
Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week sheds light on the financial hardships young cancer survivors face, including debt and limited assistance.
CURE spoke with Dr. William C. Huang about what kind of team may be required to treat a patient with metastatic kidney cancer.
Image of woman.
Image of woman.
Image of woman.
Image of man wearing baseball cap backwards.
Image of smiling doctor.
Registered nurse Patricia Jakel emphasizes the importance of educating patients on evolving breast cancer research and the need for routine screenings.
Dr. Debu Tripathy highlights the importance of staying informed on breast cancer advancements and how this empowers patients to make informed decisions.
Image od grey haired Doctor.
Related Content