The metaphorical language of cancer diagnosis

[Darryl]

canceracademy.org/the-langu...

In exploring the metaphorical language of cancer diagnosis, we gain not only an understanding of the words chosen but also an insight into the profound internal experience that drives these choices. The metaphors are not mere literary devices; they are essential tools for articulating an experience that is as immediate, raw, and transformative as it is difficult to encapsulate in plain language. Through this lens, we witness how patients translate their overwhelming internal realities into a shared cultural vocabulary—one that, despite its harsh imagery, speaks volumes about the depths of the human response to crisis.

[JohnInTheMiddle]

Trigger Alert: Susan Sontag is mentioned! 🤯😂

[Darryl Partner in reply to JohnInTheMiddle]

Susan Sontag? Not to be sarcastic, but what does mentioning Susan Sontag trigger?

[JohnInTheMiddle in reply to Darryl]

I haven't yet read the article, and it looks really interesting.

Sometimes the language we use around metastatic prostate cancer is helpful, in different ways, and sometimes it isn't. For example it's quite common to see PSA referred to as almost the same thing as the cancer itself. Mostly this probably doesn't matter; but sometimes it's helpful to know the difference.

As for Susan Sontag, RIP, a prolific public intellectual from the '70s through the '90s, there are lots of people who really don't like her and her positions. Like Camille Paglia.

Which doesn't mean at all of course, that she shouldn't be engaged with in the essay. My little comment was just meant for fun 😃. And it's all history now anyway as Boomers fade away.

[Darryl Partner]

cool no worries.

[Tall_Allen]

I loved this article, Darryl. I was struck by the similarities of metaphors used to describe ecstasy - falling, distancing from self (although hearing a cancer diagnosis is negative, while ecstasy is positive). In both cases, the ego is destroyed.

I hope you get a chance to watch "Apple Cider Vinegar" on Netflix. One character, who has cancer, uses hallucinogens for an out-of-body experience. But probably more apt is the other character with cancer who listens to the metaphors spouted by a charlatan in Mexico. She spouts such metaphors as "Cancer is nature's way of showing you that you are on the wrong path" or "Chemo and painkillers pollute the body; organic plants, juices, and enemas cleanse the body."

I hear patients use erroneous metaphors all the time. They use it to simplify their scientific understanding (e.g., it is like pulling weeds from a lawn, sugar feeds cancer, etc.). The simplification is almost always wrong and leads them away from beneficial therapies.

[Darryl Partner in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks I can't wait to watch Apple Cider Vinegar!

[SeattleDan in reply to Darryl]

We’re watching it now- excellent! (Darryl, can you please remind me of the steps on how to DM someone?)

[j-o-h-n in reply to SeattleDan]

to SeattleDan,

Click on chat (paper airplane) icon (top right of screen). Enter the UserID you wish to "Direct Message", then repeat it again in the box which was generated. Enter your message and depress send. Easy as falling off a log....( note: It can be a bit frustrating entering the Send to User ID twice).

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[SeattleDan in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thanks, Buddy!

[CAMPSOUPS in reply to Tall_Allen]

You cause me to want to hang out and have coffee with you and Darryl.

I wont have much to add to the conversation but sure would enjoy listening in and rubbing shoulders with yuz guys. lol.

[Tall_Allen in reply to CAMPSOUPS]

Next time you're in LA...

[CAMPSOUPS in reply to Tall_Allen]

My wife and I haven't given up on another LA, southern Cal trip. Who knows?

previous business+vacation combined-sometime around 3 years before dx

[Tall_Allen]

What are your thoughts on war metaphors? I know a lot has been written about it. Here are the files I have:

news.umich.edu/war-metaphor...

archive.nytimes.com/well.bl...

tandfonline.com/doi/full/10...

theatlantic.com/health/arch...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

time.com/4868301/john-mccai...

[JohnInTheMiddle in reply to Tall_Allen]

Fantastic collection TA - which I say only from the promised topic for now. However the question of war metaphors in the world of business, especially sales, is one which I am very interested. The idea of capturing territory and treating customers as the spoils of war, is expressed in many ways in sales. (Maybe some of your articles covered this.) I think it's counterproductive. But I've never seen an alternative, just degrees. It would be nice to have a better way of expressing myself, isn't that what a metaphor?

[Tall_Allen in reply to JohnInTheMiddle]

Many business terms have the origins in warfare - the original competitive game (e.g., objectives, strategies, tactics, etc.). The alternative to metaphor is objective descriptors; e.g., instead of "I fought the cancer," one can say "After my diagnosis with metastatic PCa, I used abiraterone and docetaxel at first, and Pluvicto after...." It doesn't have emotional or heroic value, however. If one wants to be seen, by himself and others, as a hero in an epic narrative, metaphor is the best way to achieve that.

[JohnInTheMiddle in reply to Tall_Allen]

Epic narratives indeed! 💪🏆🎉

[Jluh]

I would also add that using metaphorical phrases is a coping tool used for perspective. It is often used by people to make a catastrophe/traumatic event less personal and more community or world related. Feeling something has occurred to you personally can be overwhelming. Making an event impact a larger group gives inner perspective. It allows many to adjust more quickly knowing others are in the "same boat" so to speak. ---- Personality makeup plays a large role in shaping our approach and in how we view a life altering event. I've done extensive work regarding personality in past jobs. Understanding a person's personality can show insight about their reaction as well as their outlook going forward.

[Mgtd in reply to Jluh]

I tend to agree with you regarding personality and how we react to this cancer diagnosis and other life changing events.

[ron_bucher]

When I was first diagnosed, I decided I would view myself not as the patient but as the project manager responsible for showing up and making decisions for the actual patient.

That metaphor still helps me 19 years into the journey. It came from a very good friend who fought (and beat) breast cancer using that approach. She encouraged me to stay in denial (that it was actually me who had cancer) as long as possible.

Each recurrence has weakened my denial a bit, but each successful response to treatment has restored it.

[Slick714 in reply to ron_bucher]

Love this!

[j-o-h-n]

This time I'll take the short

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[carbide]

Very well written. 👍