If you feel uncomfortable using the “survivor” label, you’re not alone. My recent dive into the history of survivorship helped me make sense of what might be going on and what to do.
My goal when writing Patient Handout: The Healing Power of the “Survivor” Label was to (1) help minimize patients’ distress for patients who don’t like the label and (2) help all patients tap into its power.
For those who don’t like the label, problems can arise because “survivor” is the accepted term for someone who ever had a cancer diagnosis—which means you see and hear it on a regular basis. Keep in mind:
You can choose whatever label you want. If you prefer to call yourself a thriver, badass or whatever, let people in your world know (and help them by reminding them if they forget). Or, avoid labels altogether.
You can think of “survivor” as a technical term for “cancer patient”—and not as a label for you or anyone else.
When “survivor” was introduced in 1986, patients were called “cancer victims.” Back then, the word “survivor” carried connotations of hope and empowerment—two ideas you can tap into today whenever you hear the term. If nothing else, “survivor” helped advance the survivorship movement in ways that help you today.
As a Healthy Survivor, use and respond to “survivor” language in whatever ways help you live your best life today, tomorrow, and every day.
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