Cancer "survivor": How do you feel about this term?

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JosephineO

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10/07/2019 at 16:45

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JosephineO

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Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

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Hello Carenity members,

In thinking about cancer and reading about recent health articles, it seems that "survivor" is a term used for those recovering/defeating cancer... cancer survivor. For example, people who have survived a heart attack are not deemed heart attack survivors or people who overcome diabetes or any other ailment, etc., are not termed "survivor".

Survivor is a very powerful word and, has a deep meaning of someone who is strong and overcome the toughest obstacle... a word that rightfully describes those who recover/defeat cancer. What are your opinions on the use of the word in relation to cancer.

Do you use it as a word to describe yourself?

Do you think there is a stigma attached to one saying they were diagnosed with cancer?

Where do you think use of the word came from?

I look forward to your opinions and views.

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JosephineO

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10/07/2019 at 16:52

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JosephineO

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Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

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989 comments posted | 41 in the Living with cancer group

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What about you? What do you think about this term? It would be wonderful to hear everyone's different opinions.

@Charlee73‍ @Jo1977‍ @Dustylady‍ @sallygood‍ ‍ @maddoglady‍ @robjmckinney‍ @candle76‍ @jools06‍ @herbert37‍ @Tigger.co.uk‍ @Sandie7‍ @raymondwalley‍ @Itadee01‍ @Amanda28‍ @Magsd14‍ @mikesalmons‍ @Jellag‍ @Sara65‍

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Josephine, Community Manager

Cancer "survivor": How do you feel about this term? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-cancer/the-term-survivor-what-are-your-thoughts-and-feelings-regarding-it-2890 2019-07-10 16:52:53

Unregistered member

15/07/2019 at 09:59

Thank you for this discussion as it was something I used to think a lot about when I was first diagnosed. I feel like the title "survivor" comes because cancer can come in waves...remission and then back again...so getting through that feels like a long, drawn out war.

I'm not against the use of the word but it isn't one I would use for myself.

Cervicaldystonia

15/07/2019 at 11:05

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Cervicaldystonia

Last activity on 13/12/2020 at 12:40

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34 comments posted | 1 in the Living with cancer group

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My mother very much disliked the phrase "survivor" she would always brush that comment underneath the table. However, she is quite a private woman and always kept any of "real" feelings about her disease secret because she didn't like to talk about it with her children.

Brigde

16/07/2019 at 09:20

Brigde

Last activity on 10/06/2025 at 20:10

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Survivor is not a word I use , I got over it just in my mind. Surviving to me is like drowning type of thing surviving a drowning.. . I just got over and on with it.. lol everybody is different.

sugarpuff67

16/07/2019 at 10:26

sugarpuff67

Last activity on 30/09/2024 at 12:54

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I would not use that word either, I have been clear now for 2 years, being diagnosed and treated in 2 months I really never got time to process having cancer. Being told I had it for approx 2 years, I had no symptoms, but I am now dealing with all the side effects from the treatment everyday

Tigger.co.uk

16/07/2019 at 12:27

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Tigger.co.uk

Last activity on 03/07/2025 at 19:44

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I dont class myself as a survivor as I still have nine years to wait for the all clear ,I class myself as a strong willed woman as I have so many other illnesses I feel like screaming at times as I still am worried about my cancer sometimes I find it hard to sleep incase I dont wake up so I'm not a survivor I am a fighter and a walking miracle because of everything I have had to deal with in my life ,I have been bullied ,raped,in domestic violence in my first marriage, I have 3 bad marriages, been stalked ,had my life threatened ,lived on the street for 3 months ,and had loads of other things in my life but I am still not a survivor I am a walking miracle and a fighter I never let anything beat me

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maddoglady

16/07/2019 at 15:17

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maddoglady

Last activity on 04/01/2023 at 12:00

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Personally I hate the term 'survivor' I never use it and would hate to be referred to as a Cancer survivor.

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Maddoglady!

Gedsbones

17/07/2019 at 09:51

Gedsbones

Last activity on 23/10/2021 at 12:39

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I would never use the word survivor and feel that you have to fight so hard with the treatment and side effects which go on after the treatment ends.

byrneann22

17/07/2019 at 12:41

byrneann22

Last activity on 08/06/2025 at 16:11

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I was diagnosed.and on daily treatment so survivor is not a word I use yet, I still get anxious, most days , it is the treatment that worried me

Sandie7

01/08/2019 at 22:08

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Sandie7

Last activity on 08/04/2025 at 09:31

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I have survived it for just over 9 years so far so yes i think i am a survivor and a strong woman

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Ms s lovatt

Cancer "survivor": How do you feel about this term?

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