I don't need a war to fight my cancer. I need empowering as a patient.

Using the martial metaphor for something as complex as cancer makes the disease ripe for political and financial exploitation.

Obituaries routinely inform us that so-and-so has died "after a brave battle against cancer". Of course, we will never read that so-and-so has died "after a pathetically feeble battle against cancer". But one thing that I have come to appreciate since being diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a cancer of the blood) two years ago is how unreal both notions are. It's just not like that.

The stress on cancer patients' "bravery" and "courage" implies that if you can't "conquer" your cancer, there's something wrong with you, some weakness or flaw. If your cancer progresses rapidly, is it your fault? Does it reflect some failure of willpower?.....................

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/29/war-fight-cancer-empoweri...


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