fighting cancer: an examination of society’s language and its impact in palliative care
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FIGHTING CANCER: An examination of society’s language and its impact in palliative care. Heather Shantz, MN, RN, CHPCN(C) October 2012. Outline. The History of Battle Language in Cancer Understanding Metaphor The Role of Media in Promoting Battle Language - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
FIGHTING CANCER:AN EXAMINATION OF SOCIETY’S LANGUAGE AND ITS IMPACT IN PALLIATIVE CAREHeather Shantz, MN, RN, CHPCN(C)
October 2012
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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
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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
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CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY: JOIN THE FIGHT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crXaLu9Ecmg
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UNDERSTANDING METAPHOR
Metaphora (Greek) = to transfer Aristotle: “giving something a name that belongs to
something else”
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BATTLE LANGUAGE
Invasion Blunt instrumentsOffensive TargetBeat EnemyArmy of killer T cells ResistantStealth Cancer-fightingFight WeaponsWipe out AttackEradicate DefencesLethal DefeatingArsenal DestroyedMagic bullets Victims, survivors, heroes
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THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN PROMOTING BATTLE LANGUAGE
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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
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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
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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
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How can we raise awareness with journalists and challenge them to find different metaphors when they write about our patients?
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