"Fighting" Cancer: A Different Perspective

A friend of mine posted a link on Facebook to a very thoughtful opinion piece relating to the diagnosis of cancer for Senator John McCain, a man I deeply respect. It made me stop and think, once again, of the nature of the disease and how we approach it, because I've had two sisters die of cancer.

Here's a telling excerpt from the Washington Examiner opinion piece by Philip Klein:

. . .The news that Sen. John McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer has been greeted with a deserved bipartisan outpouring of sympathy. But in their efforts to honor the legacy and fighting spirit of an American hero, many well-wishers are reacting in a way that is counterproductive and unhelpful to those faced with a horrible disease. . . .

Many cancer patients and patient advocates have written against the 'warrior' rhetoric associated with the disease. Employing such rhetoric can make those dealing with cancer feel they are failing and letting people down during especially hard times. It can make terminally ill patients feel that they are weak, or giving up, by deciding to choose palliative care options without undergoing another series of painful treatments that could only marginally prolong their lives. And it also contains the unintended but pernicious implication that those who don't live as long simply didn't fight hard enough. . . .

The author points out the need to understand the nature of the cancer with which John McCain has been diagnosed:

. . . Glioblastoma. . . is sadly among the most aggressive, vicious, and unrelenting forms of cancer. . . .

. . .While there may be benefits to patients [with glioblastoma] trying to stay hopeful and keep their spirits up, personal bravery isn't going to affect outcomes, and it's detrimental to suggest that it can.

I understand that John McCain has been a fighter all his life--including surviving for years as a prisoner of war--and so it is natural for us to use the analogy of battle in describing his reaction to this latest diagnosis.

However, Klein urges his readers to put this battle in perspective:

This isn't to say that people shouldn't honor the legacy of McCain or offer well wishes or prayers for him and his family in the tough period ahead. But they should also try to avoid the suggestion that his demonstrated toughness has any bearing on how this disease will affect his body.

For the full text, please click here: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sto...

Thank you, Colin, for bringing this to my attention.