Fighting talk: How language can make us better
The Documentary Podcast
BBC
4.3 • 2.7K Ratings
🗓️ 12 August 2020
⏱️ 28 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
When we talk about cancer it’s often hard to find the right words. As we search for the perfect thing to say, we find ourselves reaching for familiar metaphors; the inspiring people fighting or battling their cancer. Cara Hoofe is currently in remission from Stage 3 bowel cancer, she says it would be easy for her to say she has beaten cancer. Cara asks experts what impact these militaristic metaphors actually have on those living with cancer, and asks current and former patients what we should talk about when we talk about cancer.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | A bomb that killed hundreds of thousands of people, a scientist who wanted it made, but |
| 0:05.3 | then didn't want it to be used. |
| 0:07.8 | My own grandfather and a picture of a mushroom cloud. |
| 0:12.0 | The bomb, a brand new podcast from the BBC World Service, available now. |
| 0:17.7 | Hi, I'm Cara, I'm 36. |
| 0:24.9 | I was 32 when I was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer. |
| 0:29.0 | Over the following three years, the disease progressed and spread to my liver. |
| 0:33.4 | Sorry, I have a major feel uncomfortable. |
| 0:36.0 | You're now dreading an awkward conversation. |
| 0:39.2 | I don't blame you, it's a tricky subject. |
| 0:42.1 | When you get diagnosed with cancer, it's hard to find the right words. |
| 0:46.1 | I found myself automatically saying, I've got cancer. |
| 0:49.2 | Like almost like I'm telling them something bad and a dirty word. |
| 0:52.4 | My mum was a bit like that. |
| 0:53.9 | She actually once said to someone, she's got a little bit of cancer. |
| 0:58.6 | How did you have a little bit of cancer? |
| 1:01.7 | It's a topic that can bring conversations to a grinding halt. |
| 1:05.6 | I met out with a friend that I haven't seen for some time. |
| 1:08.4 | He said, what have you been doing in the like time I haven't seen you? |
| 1:10.9 | And without engaging my brain, my mouth went, well, just trying not to die. |
| 1:14.2 | You know, it's just standard and the colour drained out of his face. |
| 1:18.2 | I had to prop him up with beer and feed him peanuts. |
... |
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