FIGHTING CANCER:AN EXAMINATION OF SOCIETY’S LANGUAGE AND ITS IMPACT IN PALLIATIVE CAREHeather Shantz, MN, RN, CHPCN(C)

October 2012

1

2

OUTLINE

The History of Battle Language in Cancer Understanding Metaphor The Role of Media in Promoting Battle Language Benefits of Using the Battle Metaphor Potential Problems with Using Battle Language Suggestions for Clinicians

3

THE HISTORY OF BATTLE LANGUAGE

1936: Women’s Field Army 1940’s and following: Mary Woodard Lasker 1969: Commission on the Conquest of Cancer 1971: National Cancer Act 2001: Conquering Cancer: A National Battle Plan to

Eradicate Cancer in our Lifetime

4

CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY: JOIN THE FIGHT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crXaLu9Ecmg

5

UNDERSTANDING METAPHOR

Metaphora (Greek) = to transfer Aristotle: “giving something a name that belongs to

something else”

6

BATTLE LANGUAGE

Invasion Blunt instrumentsOffensive TargetBeat EnemyArmy of killer T cells ResistantStealth Cancer-fightingFight WeaponsWipe out AttackEradicate DefencesLethal DefeatingArsenal DestroyedMagic bullets Victims, survivors, heroes

7

THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN PROMOTING BATTLE LANGUAGE

8

BENEFITS OF USING BATTLE LANGUAGE

Obtaining funding Summoning internal resources Generating hope & optimism Mobilizing fortitude & immunity Countering fear Dealing with fear of death by denial

9

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS IN USING BATTLE LANGUAGE

Inadequate, conceptually weak Isolating Violent, paternalistic Emphasizes technology to the exclusion of other aspects

of the illness experience Encourages behaviours at odds with health & living in

the present Leads to fear Encourages burdensome therapies Blame, shame Limits support 10

SUGGESTIONS FOR CLINICIANS

Listen Respect Explore Gently challenge Suggest alternative metaphors

11

EXPLORE THE PATIENT’S BATTLE METAPHOR

“What does fighting the cancer look like for you?” “What do you think would happen if you didn’t fight?” “Do you think anything good could come from your

experience with cancer?” “How would you like this cancer to affect your

character?” “You have been told that this cancer is not curable. Are

there other ways you can imagine living with this cancer, other than ‘fighting’ it?”

“If you could not lengthen your life, how could you make it wider and deeper?” 12

ALTERNATIVE METAPHORS

Journey Sports Game Drama Dance Teacher Natural process Work Protest and peace

13

How can we raise awareness with journalists and challenge them to find different metaphors when they write about our patients?

14