Language

Training in weightlifting I am surrounded by Crossfit athletes, who are beasts, badasses, fighters, killing or crushing the next WOD (=workout of the day), tackling the Hero workouts. And there is a myriad of abbreviations to get used to. I love the enthusiasm and zest of the Crossfitters, and the wonderful support and encouragement I have been receiving from them.

Before my diagnosis I had only been vaguely aware of the fighting language in the breast cancer world. The other day I received an invitation to a breast cancer survivorship celebration organized by a local health care clinic. Do I even qualify as a survivor? It has only been two months since surgery.  When can I call myself a survivor, if ever? There are fundraisers to fight the battle of breast cancer.  What can I fight? Is this a battle to be won?

These words seem to imply that after diagnosis, we go through treatments and then it is over. But it is not. Hormonal therapy continues for years. Complications can occur long after immediate treatments, e.g. lymphedema. Breast cancer can recur anytime and does, or it can metastasize. The best we can say is that we are in NED ("no evident disease"). Such language may also imply that somehow dealing with cancer is in our hands. Many women are affected by breast cancer who have various lifestyle situations or choices, vegetarians, meditators, exercise enthusiasts, healthy BMI, younger age. These are factors said to reduce the risk. There is no point to look back and wonder whether we could have done something different. Lifestyle choices  do not eliminate the risk, and should definitely not get in the way of seeking medical help.

Breast cancer awareness month is in October every year. There is a lot of commercialism with pink ribbons. What is it that we should really be aware of?

• Being aware that our bodies, that let us know faithfully when something is amiss, a sore throat or back pain, will not warn us about cancer in the breast. A self-exam or scheduled screening can identify a lump that does not hurt or feel foreign.  
• Being aware that there is an onslaught of information, uncertainty, confusion at the time of diagnosis. And it is good to be prepared for ourselves as well as for family and friends. How many women do we know with breast cancer? Look around, 1 in 8 women, there will be some in our circle of acquaintances. 
• Being aware that we have no inkling that a fun activity or exercise can result in swelling the next day. 
• Being aware what life is like during or after treatment: clothing, hair, changes in our bodies, and more. 
• Being aware that bad things happen even with positive thinking, as Barbara Ehrenreich so eloquently writes: Smile! You've got cancer

This has also been expressed by various bloggers, I'm living with cancer, not fighting a war or Breast Cancer Awareness? Let's get real or The pinking of America or in the book "How to be a friend to a friend who is sick" by Letty C Pogrebin.
And keep in mind  to check out charitable foundations before enthusiastically supporting an initiative, because it may be different from what you thought it was: http://www.charitynavigator.org