Have you ever hesitated to talk to someone with cancer because you weren’t sure what to say? You’re not alone. Hosts Patricia Wu and Jessica Reyes are joined by two time cancer survivor, Dr. Cortina Peters to discuss how we can better support cancer patients by changing the way we talk about their experiences.
The Language of Battle
Some argue that referring to cancer as a “battle” can add psychological pressure on patients. Dr. Cortina says everyone’s journey is different so it’s important to take that into consideration. From her experience, what took more of a mental toll was people assuming that having cancer was a death sentence because she felt that they were victimizing her experience.
Misguided Causes
Speculating on causes without evidence can be hurtful and misleading. Dr. Cortina says to avoid suggesting both causes and cures because again, everyone’s journey is different and many people don’t want to hear about what they could have done previously to avoid the current situation. Even though the words may not be ill-intended, this behavior is unhelpful and unnecessary.
For more insights from Dr. Cortina Peters, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn!
