Cancer Survivors Wear It like a Badge

BettyBoo

This article in the Sunday Times by a well known UK actress/celebrity has caused outrage amongst women with a bc dx on Twitter, Facebook and the UK Breast Cancer Care Forum.



http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/09/28/cancer-jennifer-saunders_n_4008879.html



http://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Living-with-breast-cancer/Some-people-wearing-cancer-like-a-badge-claims-Saunders/m-p/778624#M82803



Celebrities not helping by implying we are sympathy and attention seekers, being disappointed when our hair grows back we should get over it!

Mardibra

Cancer treatment is far from easy.  Some choose to call it a battle because for them it is.  Some choose to shout their dx from the rooftops because that approach works for them...its what they are comfortable with.  Others choose to go through treatment and consider it a "path" to wellness rather than a battle.  They choose to keep it quiet because thats what works for them.  Both are acceptable.  Just depends on the individual.

I personally dont like the words "battle" and "survivor"...its just not me.  I also can count how many people know I have BC on two hands...shouting out and wearing the "survivor" label just doesnt work for me.  Regardless of which path you choose, they are both correct and dependent on the individual. 

SelenaWolf

I don't like the words "survivor" or "battle" either.  I never wanted breast cancer to define me, so I don't like the "labels" that tend to come with a cancer diagnosis.  I tend to dislike the pink ribbon, as well, but for that and other reasons.  I shudder when I see people behaving like fools in pink tutus.  I avoid people who continue to wear their breast cancer diagnosis/experience like a political statement.  But that's just me.  Everybody deals with this in their own way; everyone celebrates differently; everyone needs to advocate in a different way; everyone needs to stand- and be heard in a different way.  My way would be to hit someone with a shovel if they referred to me as a breast cancer survivor or tried to pin a pink ribbon on me.   I just want to get on with Living.

But, yes, I do agree that treatment is more of a "grind" than a battle.

leggo

I know exactly what she means. I'm sure we all know peopke like the ones she's talking about. Those who like to play their "woe is me" cancer card and milk it forever. Like the ladies above said though, everyone deals with their situations differently and to each his own. I happen to agree with her though. There are just people out there that are never grateful and always feel entitled, just because they happen to have been diagnosed with cancer.