People with Cancer?

Being diagnosed with breast cancer has changed me more than it has changed my life; but NEVER in terms of my calling myself a victim or a sufferer. I have always laughed a lot and will continue to do so. the soul is deeper...wiser, and I can never again sweat the small stuff. Weird. How could breast cancer in any way improve the life of the person diagnosed with such? But I for one can surely say that it has improved my life immensely. Halfway through chemotherphy, and Yes, ...its rough. But I have found more satisfaction in my marriage, my family, and my life that I WILL NOT take for granted for one moment by calling myself either a victim or a sufferer. It just isn't so... and in that my husband is 100% there for me-- holding me up and encouraging me-- to fight this fight for life with the shout of:

"I have cancer, but cancer does not have me."

I have no regrets but to move forward and not backwards.

Also, In drawing closer to the ones I love, I have found new qualities in them and all that they do that I never would have known had it not been for this disease. Too bad that it takes something like this to make SOME of us realize what good life has to offer. Thus, until we are dead and have lost the fight of our lives, JUST CALL US SURVIVORS, OK?

If it helps when I had suspected skin cancer a few years ago, my GP simply made me an appointment with the specialist as an urgent case. he explained to me that it was best to be safe than sorry. I saw the specialist 3 days later, had my lump removed 2 weeks after this. Luckily for me it was merely pre-cancerous and they removed it all leaving a minimul scar and I needed no further treatment. All this on the good British NHS!

Since then I have been referred for mammograms twice as an urgent case when I have found small lumps. This was as a precaution due to my history. Luckily both times were false alarms.

I think when referring it should be done honestly, tactfully and quickly and in my opinion they are a patient, victim or sufferer sounds like they want sympathy and whilst they have every right to it I think 'patient' treats them with more dignity..

I hope this helps, good luck with your seminar xx

I am actually surprised by the level of offense by those words. I AM A VICTIM OF CANCER. I AM A SUFFERER. i AM ALSO A PATIENT AND A SURIVIVOR.

But, that is just my humble opinion.

Victim - an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

Sufferer - Not even a word, but I know what you mean.

I don't like these words, sound harsh..if you're saying someone is a victim it sounds like there obviously going to to die..

Why not, this person ....... has been diagnosed with cancer

Hi Chris, My names Chris too.

How do you address people with cancer. You say Hi my names Chris and I don't know how to address you but give me your names and lets take it from there. You should say help me out here because I'm new to this, Tell me your story.

People with cancer don't suddenly become aliens,Its you, me.your Mum, your Dad, people you love.Chris when you talk about cancer your talking about me. I'm so very lucky, mouth cancer, laser treatment. Don't be afraid about your seminar,its not them,them is you. good luck.

My mum died of lung cancer in January last year, and i would have been really upset if i'd heard her refered to as a victim, or a sufferer!

Mum was neither of those words, she to me was a Person, no i stand corrected, she was a lady who had cancer.

Why not refer to them by their gender!

No offense taken chris and hope your seminar goes well!

Just call them a cancer patient.

Cancer patient. Never victim!

Or someone in remission. Or someone who has overcome cancer.

Someone LIVING with Cancer

Individual who is not the disease. See the person Sally, Tom, Linda, James, whose body mutated because of some interaction and created an environment that cancer liked.