Is Battling Cancer helpful?

Is Cancer a gift or a curse?
December 11, 2015
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Is Battling Cancer helpful?

The Cancer world is full of metaphors. Beating and battling against cancer is well documented and  a lot of high profile charities use. This article from The Guardian last year by Kate Granger challenges this metaphor.

The language we use to describe our health can be very powerful and its a very personal thing. For some people battle language might help them get through every day, for others something more gentle may be appropriate. There is no one size fits all approach. Given that less than 1 in 3 of us will be diagnosed with cancer and that because of the significant advances in treatment, cancer is now considered a long term chronic condition. So you’d probably need to think if having a battle with something your own body has produced is helpful. If it is use this metaphor or maybe the metaphor you use could change over time.

For some people cancer can be like an awakening that can unlock a wisdom, an authenticity that had been hidden before. For some it can unlock a purpose,and believe that cancer can teach us something. Sophie Sabbage in her book The Cancer Whisperer states ‘perhaps its time to take it off the battlefield and into the classroom….it is time to ask not only how we can heal the cancer in our bodies, but also what cancer is telling us about how to heal our lives…I am gravely ill, yet weirdly well’

There are no rights and wrongs, just use whatever language works for you. If you want to talk about how I can help you through Cancer Coaching, get in touch.