Surviving Cancer : From pride to shame , there is only one ocean, the Atlantic

People who have survived cancer admired in the United States , where they are named the ' survivors ' . An article on the lessons learned to listen to them to return the offset to the situation in France , where the cancer is still dragging the image of a " shameful " disease.
' Survivors ', ' cancer warrior ', ' veteran ' ...
In the United States there are 12 million ' survivors ', including 14 % who developed the disease at least 20 years ago . A field of research has emerged in response to the needs of clinicians, survivors, politicians and the public to better understand the concerns of this growing population , said Dr. Julia Rowland, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda ( Maryland ) .

In an article published in the journal Cancer , it highlights the lessons learned from these studies. Several key points discussed were positively enjoyed these patients or overseas ex- sick picture.

The researcher stresses eg the determination of ' survivors ': " The remarkable resilience of the survivors cope with the many demands of cancer is probably the biggest lesson learned humility from the study of survivors. "

" Cancer survivors may feel pride , not just relief, in their ability to endure the treatments," she expresses .

It also emphasizes the importance of language. How to raise cancer has a " significant impact on the meaning given to the disease and the forces then taken to combat it ." The ' survivors ' have the ability to think differently because they can use words that best define as ' cancer warrior ' or ' veteran ' says Julia Rowland .

No " survivors " of cancer in France
Despite a rather combative language we speak of " fight " against cancer , there is no " survivors " of cancer in France but " people who have had cancer ," a paraphrase of reflecting the ' deficit image of this population.

The campaign launched by the National Cancer Institute ( Inca ) on " 2,000,000 ordinary hero " , the French who are or have been directly confronted with cancer, to change the look of the public has not erased the offset on both sides of the Atlantic .

In the United States , the cultural pattern is different, explains APM Anne Ramon , director of public information to the Inca . " It is striking to go see the hub of private initiatives. There is a strong mobilization of civil society , which is active in communities and associations of self-support ."

" The psychological care of people with or have been affected by cancer occurs more through actions, such as discussion groups , and less professional ," she says .

The organizations have a strong in lobbying and are able to mobilize volunteers spread throughout the country. They have developed tools to help people to get involved in a combative attitude.

" It is in combat concepts and influence while in France , the concepts put forward are suffering and difficulties," says Anne Ramon .

The unique combination of death tends to distend
At the same time , the official said the French paradox " a treatable getting better but that keeps the image of a disease we die . "

" The social representation evolves more slowly than medical advances ," she analysis , noting that more than 60% of French people believe that cancer is the most serious disease ( Inca / Ipsos , 2007).

Anne Ramon advanced a " rather irrational " avoidance on the part of people who have not been directly confronted behavior. A third of the population is able to agree with the opinion that " cancer, the less you hear , you will feel better " ( League / Ifop , 2008).

As a result of this taboo , " the voice of patients is difficult to hear , which continues the tradition of a shameful disease that tends to silence . (...) There is a real difference between public good health and feeling sick or former patients who feel they work in a slightly parallel universe . "

However, the exclusive association of death tends to stretch on the pulse of the medical advances . The perception of a social stigma or relegation is no longer in the majority opinion , tempers Anne Ramon .

Thus , 89 % of the population believes that talking about cancer is no longer taboo ( INPE , 2005). "Despite the persistent gap , things are moving ," is she pleased .

" We are currently in -between, between the old image of the disease , severe , often fatal , and the hopes raised by research progress and the realization of a heterogeneous disease with prognosis and different treatments . "

The first convention of the society with cancer , which led to a "big mobilization " , showed that the situation was much changing , " thanks to the cancer plan and always to medical advances ," said Anne Ramon .