Three Misconceptions About Cancer Patients

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Abstract

h2><p id="cde4">The first time I walked into my clinic’s treatment room, I was surprised to see patients relaxing and happily chatting with their family members. I expected to see patients crying out in pain or appearing motionless. Sometimes, I did see patients experiencing pain or side effects in the clinic. Many patients probably do experience pain; however, the idea that all cancer patients experience physical pain is a generalization.</p><p id="5bcc">People treated me differently after they found out about my condition; they expected me to feel a great deal of pain. They treated me like a frail individual who couldn’t function on her own. I did not experience any physical pain or obstacles during my treatments or cancer experience.</p><h2 id="ed9e">All cancer patients will lose hair</h2><blockquote id="4447"><p>“Cancer is more than just one disease. There are many types of cancer,” according to <a href="https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/what-is-cancer.html">The American Cancer Society</a>.</p></blockquote><p id="1bcf">Many people believe cancer is a single type of disease or condition. In reality, there are several types of cancer, and we cannot assume all cancer patients have the same treatment plan, prognosis, and symptoms.</p><p id="dc0d">When I was in the hospital, one of my nurses assumed I

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was going to lose hair since her other patients did. My doctor told me to ignore her because he did not expect me to lose any hair, and he was correct. There are cancer patients, such as myself, who do not experience hair loss.</p><h2 id="5833">Cancer is contagious</h2><blockquote id="9d4a"><p>“You cannot “catch” cancer from someone else. Close contact or things like sex, kissing, touching, sharing meals, or breathing the same air cannot spread cancer. Cancer cells from someone with cancer are not able to live in the body of another healthy person,” according to <a href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/is-cancer-contagious.html#:~:text=Cancer%20is%20NOT%20contagious,body%20of%20another%20healthy%20person.">The American Cancer Society</a>.</p></blockquote><p id="784c">I remember when an acquaintance asked me if cancer is an infectious disease. I felt self-conscious after she asked me this question. I had to explain to her that patients are not able to spread their cancer cells to other people.</p><p id="41c3">Cancer patients don’t always share the same experiences. These misconceptions can be harmful and lead people to discriminate against cancer patients.</p><p id="e281"><a href="https://readmedium.com/about-me-jennifer-k-c5ce50b2a480">Jennifer</a> is a writer and marketer based in New York City.</p></article></body>

We are human beings with different experiences

A photo by Solid photos on Adobe Stock

Before my cancer diagnosis in 2018, I had several misconceptions about cancer patients based on society’s representation of cancer patients.

I’ve only seen patients who are terminally ill on television shows and movies. I’m not complaining about terminally ill patients being represented on television. I’m worried people will generalize all patients to look like the patients they see on television.

When my doctor diagnosed me with leukemia, I began to panic and envisioned myself dying on the hospital bed. My doctor reassured me I had a strong chance of survival, didn’t need aggressive treatment, and will not go through critical side effects. My stereotypes of cancer patients made me jump to conclusions about my future.

Here are a few misconceptions about cancer patients.

All cancer patients will go through physical pain

The first time I walked into my clinic’s treatment room, I was surprised to see patients relaxing and happily chatting with their family members. I expected to see patients crying out in pain or appearing motionless. Sometimes, I did see patients experiencing pain or side effects in the clinic. Many patients probably do experience pain; however, the idea that all cancer patients experience physical pain is a generalization.

People treated me differently after they found out about my condition; they expected me to feel a great deal of pain. They treated me like a frail individual who couldn’t function on her own. I did not experience any physical pain or obstacles during my treatments or cancer experience.

All cancer patients will lose hair

“Cancer is more than just one disease. There are many types of cancer,” according to The American Cancer Society.

Many people believe cancer is a single type of disease or condition. In reality, there are several types of cancer, and we cannot assume all cancer patients have the same treatment plan, prognosis, and symptoms.

When I was in the hospital, one of my nurses assumed I was going to lose hair since her other patients did. My doctor told me to ignore her because he did not expect me to lose any hair, and he was correct. There are cancer patients, such as myself, who do not experience hair loss.

Cancer is contagious

“You cannot “catch” cancer from someone else. Close contact or things like sex, kissing, touching, sharing meals, or breathing the same air cannot spread cancer. Cancer cells from someone with cancer are not able to live in the body of another healthy person,” according to The American Cancer Society.

I remember when an acquaintance asked me if cancer is an infectious disease. I felt self-conscious after she asked me this question. I had to explain to her that patients are not able to spread their cancer cells to other people.

Cancer patients don’t always share the same experiences. These misconceptions can be harmful and lead people to discriminate against cancer patients.

Jennifer is a writer and marketer based in New York City.