There's more than one term that can be used to refer to cancer patients

This is sort of a follow-up to a thread I posted last week about cancer terminology, and how its use can impact how patients think about their treatment decision.

"Cancer patient" is probably the most commonly used term to refer to, well, cancer patients.

But in the course of web-roaming in pursuit of read-worthy cancer articles, as I have been doing for some time now, I have occasionally seen a variety of other terms employed to refer to people with cancer, some reasonable, and others, well, a bit more curious.

Here are a few of such words and phrases that I have seen used or mentioned when doing this, in no particular order, with my personal comments about each:


cancer-stricken-----usable I guess, but sort of implies the cancer is pretty bad

cancer-ridden-----see above

cancer-laden----- too old fashion sounding

carcinopath-----technical, and getting "Huh?" response in normal conversation

carcinogenically challenged-----found used in a humorous context, of course

cancer diagnosee-----again, context was humorous (I think)

cancer sufferer----- sounds pretty grim

cancer victim----- also sounds rather grim, like one is getting pummeled

cancer survivor----- we hear this a good bit, some like it, some don't

cancer fighter----- okay, I guess, but some don't like the military allusion

cancer warrior----- a noble sound to it, but has the same problem as fighter

cancer beater----- okay, I guess, better than some already mentioned

cancer winner----- like one just won the health lottery or something


There is even

becancered-----but too old-fashion sounding, like something from Shakespeare

And while researching this I also came across a term you'll probably never hear anywhere but here:

Carcinage: n. the period of time in one's life that was affected by cancer. ("He had a challenging carcinage").

Anyone want to make a case for any of these as the best way to refer to those with cancer? Or should we just stick with "cancer patients?"

I'm sure there are more terms in use out there, and maybe some even have an appeal. Feel free to mention any in a post below if you think you know of a good one.

And I haven't seen it in use so far, but "cancer victor" sounds nice.

I try not to give a negative any power at all...un less talking about quantum physics...which is another ball of wax and should be on the table...there is a switch involved when power vibrates rapidly almost instantaneously...string theory...which I alluded to in my peace/contentment thread(string,,,all things connect in my multiverse)...btw..I will repeat a seminal taught I posted a while back...as follows...the human animal likes to categorize data so as to understand it...and by doing so proves they don't...(go transfigure)...I will close with this...81guy alluded to it ...verb of the day...and maybe an allusion...my posts are only difficult to understand by lazy thinkers...think about it...uh...oh yes thoughts mean something too>>>>>>>>ouch I just had a revelation...words and thoughts probably letters chiseled...any markings...are attempts at data collation to understand...proving we don't...I wiil sigh off with Logos on this one...it seems to fit as well as anything does,,,which is not saying a lot as I just proved with this post...lol

I had not considered this topic before ...

But --- in retrospect --- I have used the descriptive moniker of "oncology patient" ...

An example of this:

In recent days, at the pharmacy, I showed up to receive the corona booster vaccine.

On the form, needing to state my specific reason for receiving the vaccine, I simply listed the reason as being "an oncology patient" ...

My main doctor is an oncologist ... I visit the oncology center ... the nurses who treat me are specially trained in oncology ... when I arrive for appointments, I push the elevator button that is labeled "ONCOLOGY" ... and when I refill my monthly medications, I am referred to the oncology department of the pharmaceutical company.

Because of this, I simply describe myself as an oncology patient.

Thoughts, reflections, experiences ~~~
CYCLONE ---- # Iowa State University

Groan! <grin!>

Doesn't matter what you call me. My wife still calls me "dick".