Is It Time to Update Our Cancer Language?

The language of cancer is always a hot topic in Cancer Land. There’s always discussion about it going on somewhere it seems; it’s one of those hot topics that keeps popping up.

For example, you’ve probably seen a fair number of lists suggesting things one should or should not say to a person who’s been diagnosed with cancer. Maybe there are too many lists – then again, maybe not…

There also continues to be mounting discontent for many about over used cancer labels and phrases.

I’ve written about this before and undoubtedly, will again.

I admit that as an educator and writer I suppose I’m a bit word obsessed. Cancer language matters to me and that’s why I choose to share opinions I have about it from time to time. It’s another sort of advocacy work that’s needed. This does not mean I expect, or even want everyone else to agree with me. Each person has the right to his/her own opinions here too.

The topic of cancer language when a person dies from it, resurfaced again last week.

As most of you know, the renowned film critic, Roger Ebert, died last week of cancer. After pondering over how I often heard this news delivered by various news sources, I shared the following statement on my Nancy’s Point Facebook page:

“I wonder how many times in the last 24 hours I’ve heard it said that Roger Ebert lost his courageous battle with cancer. Um no, cancer took his life. Words matter. We can do better.”

Then I tweeted out that same statement and within seconds I received a response from Dr. Michael Wosnick, who at almost the exact moment had tweeted about a post he had just written called, When Dealing With Cancer, “Loser” Language Doesn’t Work. (No, it doesn’t!) That’s the beauty (and sometimes danger) of social media. Response and reaction is often immediate.

Please read Dr. Wosnick’s post. It’s excellent.

The response to that Facebook statement I made was overwhelming and surprising. There were over 125 “like clicks” on it, which is a lot for my little page.

There was agreement. Admittedly, there were a couple of people who commented who didn’t see things the same way as me. And of course, I realize most who disagreed simply chose not to click the like button, but still the number who did, caught me by surprise.

Some people, perhaps even some of you reading this blog post, might think well, what’s wrong with saying a person passed away after fighting/losing a long and courageous battle with cancer?

After all, cancer is a battle isn’t it?

People with stage IV cancer are courageous aren’t they?

Yes, but…

Again, read Dr. Wosnick’s words.

I believe we can do better.

For instance, when someone dies from cancer, why not just say exactly that?

As I’ve mentioned before, I had this very conversation about the “courageous battle” with my mother shortly before she died. On one of her last days at home when she was still somewhat her old self (as well as still quite opinionated I might add), she unexpectedly looked directly at me and said:

“Please don’t say in my obituary that I passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer.”

I will never forget that moment.

Admittedly, at the time I didn’t think too much about her request. My mind was too full of other things.

“Okay, we won’t,” I promised her and we didn’t.

Why did/does it matter?

Because words matter. Because how we say things matters. Most importantly, because people matter.

How we surmise a person’s death matters too.

Let’s not automatically turn to worn out cliches and war metaphors, even if well-intended.