The Violence of Cancer

General 4 Minutes

I was at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) in early December, 2019, when a tweet was posted by Liza Bernstein referring to the “violence of cancer. ” At first, I thought I would disagree with the characterization and then, when I spent some time pondering the concept, I discovered that it resonates with me in several different ways.

Here’s the tweet …

I wasn’t able to attend the specific event she was at and referred to in this tweet, but I heard a lot about how wonderful and powerful it was.

And it got me thinking, pondering, ruminating about this violence of cancer concept.

First of all, the concept underlines that we human beings are not fairly matched against cancer.  Cancer is capable of doing violence that robs us of our very humanity and it literally does that to each person who becomes its host. This is an excellent time to reiterate that the “fight” language emphasizes the chasm between patients and cancer in a wholly unhealthy way. Those of us who have the rogue cancer cells multiplying without remorse are wholly unequipped to defeat the inexorable march towards domination; all that modern science can do is throw roadblocks in the Cancer’s path and that doesn’t work for long.

Secondly, the concept of violence underlines and highlights the “trauma” of living through the experiences of cancer and the treatment. Each step is traumatic in so many ways and there isn’t sufficient information or understanding of how that ongoing trauma impacts every area of the patient’s life and circle. I’m not just referring to those of us who will be in treatment (aka ongoing recurring trauma), but also to those who have been told that their treatment is over. For men and women enduring the trauma of cancer treatment, the trauma is never over and the resources to deal with said trauma are sorely lacking.

Third, the concept captures the devastation in the aftermath.  When a human being encounters violence or a “trauma,” the effects of said experience reach far beyond the actual trauma.  The concept of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) highlights the brain and chemical changes that occur after a trauma is experienced as well as the ongoing affects. The long lasting effects of trauma has been studied with survivors of a military conflict.  While living with a terminal diagnosis is quite different from surviving bombs and bullets, the actual experience of attempting to live after or during said experience is actually rather similar: nothing is the same and reminders exist everywhere, ready to pop out when least expected to wreak havoc.

Fourth, the concept of violence is illustrative in that the victims of violence are often blamed for experiencing violence by inviting or attracting it, just as cancer patients are often blamed for … what? Not preventing their cancer? Patient shaming is a thing just as victim shaming is a thing. For every person who shows empathy, there is at least one more who silently judges or maybe vocally judges. As an aside, the people who judge, silently or vocally, a cancer patient and assigns blame to the patient deserve to be water boarded or maybe buried alive or some other equally nasty torture such as chemo.

Fifth, just as violence against an individual affects their entire family, the violence of cancer shows no mercy to everyone it touches. Additionally, just as there are few resources and assistance to the family members of a person affected by violence, there are few options and little assistance to the caregivers, the family and the friends of people with cancer. The people who shoulder the vast majority of the burden of caring for their loved one and watching the relentless progressions and affects of the disease and treatment deserve medals and parades and keys to the city and a pile of money so they never have to work again. And yet, the isolation after a loved one passes only magnifies and intensifies the pain of loss.

Sixth, the isolation of those affected by violence is extremely similar to the isolation many with cancer experience. Just as those not exposed to violence are often visibly uncomfortable in the presence of someone who has been affected, so are the healthy people in the presence of someone who is dying of cancer. This response, often visible and usually demonstrated by those who seem least likely to react in this way, is horrific, demoralizing and heartbreaking. Many simply withdraw because this reaction is so painful.

Seventh, those who are affected by violence stereotypically respond in one of two ways: 1) by withdrawing from the world to protect themselves and others; or 2) by exhibiting anger towards themselves or others. These two responses are also quite visible in cancer patients to the outside world; however, the latter is often misunderstood. It’s probably the same for victims of violence as well. Living with this awful weight is difficult, you see. The fact that it is invisible to others only makes it worse. At some point, the frustration builds and builds.

Eighth, the response to those who suffer from PTSD or some other mental health affect of violence or cancer or something else is not to address the issues, but typically to medicate said issues away. The medical provider or layperson who is willing to weigh in and meet the victim of violence or cancer where he or she is at, is extremely rare. Most medical providers consider their job done once a diagnosis is given and treatment is completed. The aftermath is not their concern.

Ninth, violence, like cancer, does not discriminate. Neither violence nor cancer cares about degrees, acknowledges accomplishments, or has any idea what family a victim came from. Old and young, men and women, PhDs and people who didn’t graduate high school, slackers and workaholics … no one is safe.

Tenth and finally, the best resources for victims of violence and cancer patients are those that the people within the community create. Those who have been through the experience know best how to support those that are entering it now. While no two experiences are exactly alike, the ability to say … “I know how you feel, I’ve been there too,” is invaluable. For those of us who notice a gap, we figure out how to fill it.

While cancer and violence may be inextricably linked, cancer truly is the worst club with the best people as my dear friend, Emily Garnett is fond of saying. I’d never wish this experience on anyone; at the same time, I am forever grateful for many of the people I’ve met as a result. People who I likely never would have rubbed elbows with.

Published by Abigail Johnston

I'm a daughter, a wife, a mother, and I've been living with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer since March, 2017. All of the words I publish are my own.

Published

39 thoughts on “The Violence of Cancer”

  1. Abigail,
    This is an extraordinary piece of writing that deserves the widest audience possible. I hope you’re planning to publish it in various media—and that perhaps you’ll consider sending it to a national publication, eg, Atlantic Monthly.
    So many of us have been affected by the violence of cancer—either indirectly or directly—that I believe your piece will resonate and help crystallize feelings that haven’t been as well-formed as yours.

    Liked by 5 people

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      1. Wow, thanks!! I write my blog mostly for myself as writing is very cathartic for me. It’s always a bit of a shock when someone thinks my ramblings are good enough for wider consumption. Thank you for reading and commenting!!

        Liked by 2 people

  2. This article hit at home for me on every point made. After my dear wife’s mastectomy on Monday, her chest is so bruised and discolored, it’s as if a boxer used her as a punching bag.

    Everything about cancer is an entire assault on your every sense. God bless, and thank you for sharing your experience.

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    1. Have you heard about Arnica Montana? Chemo nurse told me about it. Pellets you dissolve under your tongue. Helps encourage the absorption of the blood under the skin. Helped me so much!!

      Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, entire assault on your every sense, yes, exactly.

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  8. Abigail, thank you for sharing your thoughts and putting on paper what so many of us are feeling. I am Stage IV Triple Negative MBC, and trying to live my days in as positive a way as I can, but I am constantly reminded of how my diagnosis is affecting those around me. It is a violent process, one that we have no control over, and the aftermath for those involved is traumatic. Our ability to tolerate is incredible, and I am blessed to have a strong support network, but your words still resonate with me as I know them to be true. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and to put on paper what so many of us are living but unable to express so clearly.

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    1. There is so much that we all carry and I saw a meme that said something like … “even though I CAN carry this heavy burden doesn’t mean it isn’t hard.” That resonates with me so much in this context. Thank you for reading and commenting!!

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  10. “The worst club with the best people …” Indeed. Living with cancer as the patient or the significant other is like treading lightly through an imagined minefield, never knowing when the IED might maim or kill.

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  11. What an amazing piece of work on such a traumatic, emotional, and terrible illness. I have not been diagnosed but have rheumatoid arthritis that is relentless as well and goes at yes t your organs. I am so sorry for all the beautiful souls that have to battle any illness, but I know what you mean and it is always adversity that molds us into the most beautiful people. Many blessings to you. We hear your voice and you are surrounded by light. Hugs

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  17. I’ve just realized that I often used the word “battling”when I describe how my business strives to help families diagnosed with a terminal illness because often is described by others as a fight which requires strength and endurance.

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    1. Yes, that battle language is everywhere in the cancer world. For those of us who are terminal, it is yet another reminder that at some point we will lose and I just don’t accept that for me and my friends. It is my sincere goal to educate as much as possible so that others understand how deeply damaging that imagery can be. Thank you for reading and commenting!

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