How We Talk About Cancer
40% of all Americans will receive a diagnosis of cancer in their lifetime and practically every adult will know someone who already has. How do we talk about this reality? Nancy French, who recently was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer, joins Curtis to talk about how we talk. In a wide ranging, vulnerable, and candid conversation, Nancy shares about topics like why she doesn’t personally find the “fight cancer” language helpful (even if it might be helpful for others); why people are uncomfortable talking about serious illness; how cancer can be both a horrible and beautiful experience at the same time; and more gems.
Illness as Metaphor by Susan Sontag
Why “war on cancer” metaphors may actually harm health (USC Study)
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this was beautiful and brave. Thank you, Nancy for sharing your personal experience as well as helpful and insightful information for anyone who lives in relationship with someone who is suffering. “Becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable,” on which you so eloquently centered, is a concept that is necessary, but sadly, foreign to most of us. No matter the circumstances. we all want to quickly move past the uncomfortable emotions and get to something easier to handle–and usually it does not matter whether the end point is truthful or not. Phew!–we just need to feel ok, and then we can relax. No matter that we then live in a world of dishonest emotions. When it comes to something like cancer, it is understandable that we fear allowing that raw, negative, fearful content to hang in the air. . . . . .but without this, we cannot truly connect with the person who needs our presence more than anything else. What we can do, instead, is to share in this sorrow, while at the same time, offering our hope for a good outcome. Nancy, although I wish I did, I do not know you personally, but have listened to you on this podcast and value what you bring to your family and to the world. I was truly saddened to learn of your diagnosis, and am so sorry for what you are experiencing. Too, though, I am hoping with you that you have many years ahead to continue to share your light with those around you.