why is cancer taboo to some people?

Question

During my treatment I've noticed many different reactions especially that of shame and sorrow for myself and family. I've been reading an article about why cancer is seen as a taboo and a lot of it seems to be based on mis-conceptions about science etc. Why do you think cancer is/was seen as taboo in some countries? I think it is to do with mis-education and perhaps rooted in history still linked to the work of the devil.

Answer 1

I'm not sure but for some people fear is the thing that makes them stay away .....some people are afraid to face their own mortality and dealing with someone who is ill makes them think about that....also fear of saying the wrong thing or not knowing what to say or how to act....there are many reasons for people's behavior....Try to focus on positive things and surround yourself with positive loving and supportive people....Attitude plays a huge part in the recovery from cancer...so don't let the negative people get to you....when I got sick, I decided that I would eliminate anyone from my life that did not add value....I did and I believe it made a difference....I sure felt better emotionally....I wish you all the best and hope you recover fully.....

Answer 2

Yes, the 'C' word....borne of never mentioning lest you get it!!!

many people have weird ideas about the disease, treatments, prognosis...it's also difficult for lots of people to broach the subject as it's an inbuilt fear...much like death.

I was treated for cancer (extra skeletal ewings sarcoma) about 13 years ago with surgery, radio & chemotherapy and reactions varied. The more mature & genuine friends could see that I was still 'me' although I looked a bit different. Some asked questions that I was glad to answer, but others shyed away & never visited. Why? I have no idea, perhaps they just couldn't face a difficult subject...like talking to a recently bereaved person.

Common misconceptions are that cancer makes you lose your hair...you WILL die...it's contagious...that you LOOK ill when you have it...

I wish you the VERY best in your treatment.

Answer 3

There are still those unenlightened people who think that cancer is catching. They treat you differently and some of the ignorant ones will try and avoid you. I wasn't aware that cancer is seen as taboo, just that these poorer countries do not have the facilities of the West and it is a killer disease there. Caught early enough you can recover and live a long life depending on which country you inhabit. Lucky for me I live in England, have had cancer twice, operation and radio therapy at the wonderful Guys Hospital London and am still here 24 years later. I intend to live forever. There is nothing for you to be ashamed of, except for your acquaintances reactions to your illness. Good luck to you and yours.

Answer 4

I think people jsut don't know what to say, there doesn't seem to be a cancer etiquette. When my mum lost her hair from chemo, she was told how lucky she was in the hot weather to not have any hair! Cancer affects 1 in 3 people so nearly everyone knows someone who has been affected. I'm sure you have and still are going through so many emotions and want different reactions at different times depending on how you are feeling. When you are upbeat you want positive comments and when you have bad days positive comments can be hard. I remember my mum getting fed up with people saying she would be alright when she was feeling down. Just focus on you and your family that's what is important. People don't mean to be cruel they just don't know what to say. Good luck.

Answer 5

I think people in general don't know how to act when they know a person is potentially terminally ill. I know that when I have seen old school friends and they find out my dad has liver cancer they tell me how sorry they are! I'm pretty sure however that it isn't their fault. I think people still concider cancer to be ultimate and uncurable, I think science has little to do with it and it is a basic fear of death and illness, nothing more technical.

Answer 6

many people are scared of it as they don't know how to treat someone who is potentially dieing (in my book the same as anyone else!) and feel uncomfortable when faced with the issue of mortality. I think that when something major like a cancer diagnosis or scare happens you find out who your true friends are, they are the ones who stick by you. I hope the treatment goes well, fingers crossed!

Answer 7

People see cancer as scary and don't always know if the suffer want to talk about it. If you want to discuss it be open with people and start the discussion with them. However, there will be others who are embarrassed and it. Sod everyone else though - if you are coping and have friends and family who can talk about it make the most of it. I wish you all the best.

Answer 8

I never came across such an incident , it is actually no education rather than mis-education . People cant have those kind of feelings misconceptions about a cancer patient .
Totally ridiculous.

Answer 9

A lot of it is fear, I have lost a lot of my family though cancer, I know people who feel awkward around people with cancer

Answer 10

It's because people think cancer is a disease, thus is somewhat contagious, when it's actually a condition, not a disease. It can actually go from parents to kids, but that is genetically programmed from the moment the foetus is built.