People with Cancer?!
Question: What is the correct way to refer to someone with cancer?
Victim?
Sufferer?
I'm doing a seminar on cancer, but am at a loss when it comes to referring to them.
Thanks for your help.
Answers: What is the correct way to refer to someone with cancer?
Victim?
Sufferer?
I'm doing a seminar on cancer, but am at a loss when it comes to referring to them.
Thanks for your help.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer has changed me more than it has changed my life; but NEVER in terms of my calling myself a victim or a sufferer. I have always laughed a lot and will continue to do so. the soul is deeper...wiser, and I can never again sweat the small stuff. Weird. How could breast cancer in any way improve the life of the person diagnosed with such? But I for one can surely say that it has improved my life immensely. Halfway through chemotherphy, and Yes, ...its rough. But I have found more satisfaction in my marriage, my family, and my life that I WILL NOT take for granted for one moment by calling myself either a victim or a sufferer. It just isn't so... and in that my husband is 100% there for me-- holding me up and encouraging me-- to fight this fight for life with the shout of:
"I have cancer, but cancer does not have me."
I have no regrets but to move forward and not backwards.
Also, In drawing closer to the ones I love, I have found new qualities in them and all that they do that I never would have known had it not been for this disease. Too bad that it takes something like this to make SOME of us realize what good life has to offer. Thus, until we are dead and have lost the fight of our lives, JUST CALL US SURVIVORS, OK?
a patient
Victim - an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
Sufferer - Not even a word, but I know what you mean.
I don't like these words, sound harsh..if you're saying someone is a victim it sounds like there obviously going to to die..
Why not, this person ....... has been diagnosed with cancer
If it helps when I had suspected skin cancer a few years ago, my GP simply made me an appointment with the specialist as an urgent case. he explained to me that it was best to be safe than sorry. I saw the specialist 3 days later, had my lump removed 2 weeks after this. Luckily for me it was merely pre-cancerous and they removed it all leaving a minimul scar and I needed no further treatment. All this on the good British NHS!
Since then I have been referred for mammograms twice as an urgent case when I have found small lumps. This was as a precaution due to my history. Luckily both times were false alarms.
I think when referring it should be done honestly, tactfully and quickly and in my opinion they are a patient, victim or sufferer sounds like they want sympathy and whilst they have every right to it I think 'patient' treats them with more dignity..
I hope this helps, good luck with your seminar xx
Just call them a cancer patient.
Cancer patient. Never victim!
Or someone in remission. Or someone who has overcome cancer.
Individual who is not the disease. See the person Sally, Tom, Linda, James, whose body mutated because of some interaction and created an environment that cancer liked.
My mum died of lung cancer in January last year, and i would have been really upset if i'd heard her refered to as a victim, or a sufferer!
Mum was neither of those words, she to me was a Person, no i stand corrected, she was a lady who had cancer.
Why not refer to them by their gender!
No offense taken chris and hope your seminar goes well!
how about a patient fighting cancer?
Someone LIVING with Cancer
call the survivors, or fighters or inspirational figures.
keep things positive=)
I am actually surprised by the level of offense by those words. I AM A VICTIM OF CANCER. I AM A SUFFERER. i AM ALSO A PATIENT AND A SURIVIVOR.
But, that is just my humble opinion.
sufferer , i suggest you dont smoke its a fools game my mother and father suffered badly if they knew the dangers in there younger youth they wouldnt be smoking so long.
my god political correctness gone mad
Ive got cancer and have more important things to worry about
call me what you like
i don't think most people will mind either
Hi Chris, My names Chris too.
How do you address people with cancer. You say Hi my names Chris and I don't know how to address you but give me your names and lets take it from there. You should say help me out here because I'm new to this, Tell me your story.
People with cancer don't suddenly become aliens,Its you, me.your Mum, your Dad, people you love.Chris when you talk about cancer your talking about me. I'm so very lucky, mouth cancer, laser treatment. Don't be afraid about your seminar,its not them,them is you. good luck.
I prefer to be called "survivor"......altho for the longest time, I referred to my self as an "oncology patient".......
good luck with your seminar!
um, patient. duh.
never victim, never sufferer.
Some of my youger buddies with cancer I call them my warrior mates, but they are like 4,5,6 years old.
we call them cancer patients, therefore you could say e.g a patient/ patients had----.