Canswer Hive: Comments We Never Want to Hear
THIS IS THE CANSWER HIVE. TIPS AND INSIGHTS SHARED DIRECTLY FROM RETHINK’S YOUNG WOMEN’S NETWORK (RYWN)
A cancer diagnosis often gives people the illusion that it’s okay to give advice on what cancer patients should be doing or worse, pass judgments on how the person got cancer in the first place. It’s as if some neighbours and friends think they know better than the actual medical professionals. Maybe some friends want to feel comforted by the fact that the person with cancer didn’t eat properly or exercise and has a family history of the disease, which then releases them from their own fears of being diagnosed. While some may think their intentions are harmless, blaming the patient for getting cancer is never okay and actually does more harm by breeding an environment of isolation and guilt for the patient. So, repeat after us: a cancer patient does not bring cancer on themselves.
This next series of Canswer Hives presents all the things our community never want to hear. First up, “You should” statements. These statements create more pressure and anxiety in an already stressful situation. During active cancer treatments, even getting out of bed is a win. Cancer is hard enough without others imposing their expectations on you and making you feel like a failure. Thankfully, people can now know and do better with the help of these real stories from our Canswer Hive.
