Smart Woman: A New Language

<b>Going To War?:</b> Cancer has traditionally been discussed in war like terms: â€œWar on cancerâ€, â€œBattling cancerâ€, â€œLost her battle to cancerâ€, â€œVictim to cancerâ€, â€œSurvived cancerâ€,

Thursday, January 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Going To War?: Cancer has traditionally been discussed in war like terms: â€œWar on cancerâ€, â€œBattling cancerâ€, â€œLost her battle to cancerâ€, â€œVictim to cancerâ€, â€œSurvived cancerâ€, and â€œWinning the fight against cancer.â€

Healing Words: Four women who have breast cancer prefer to talk about cancer in new way. They refused to go to war against their own bodies, and instead chose to look at the disease as an opportunity to explore themselves and understand cancer as a part of their life. Their way requires a spiritual and emotional decision to view their life in a positive way. Cancer is sometimes called the â€œWisdom Diseaseâ€, since it often teaches people to appreciate the simplest things and makes them aware that life can be
exquisite.

Some Things to Say:

Instead of: A
Say: B

A. She lost the battle with breast cancer.
B. Breast cancer was the cause of her death.

A. The war on cancer.
B. Advances in cancer research and
treatment.

A. Chemotherapy is poison.
B. Chemotherapy is medicine.

A. How are you?
B. Itâ€™s good to see you.

A. Cancer is a gift.
B. We can learn from anything,
even cancer.

A. You will be fine.
B. I hope it goes well for you.

A. Did they get it all?
B. I hope the surgery went well.

A. Is there anything I can do?
B. Be specific in your offers. Can I get your groceries, pick up your kids, etc.

For more information, contact:

Sandra Finestone
Hoag Cancer Center/Hoag Hospital
One Hoag Drive Bldg. 41
P.O. Box 6100
Newport Beach, CA 92658-6100
(945) 645-8600 ext. 2071
e-mail: sfinesto@hoaghospital.org