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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Breast Cancer / April 2005Military metaphors
I never thought twice about this before, but it's begun to annoy me that the news media always use the terms "battling," "fighting," and "struggle" when referring to people with cancer. Typically, when someone dies, they will say, "She lost her battle with breast cancer yesterday" or the like. Perhaps it's even more annoying when they say, in speaking of a woman who survived (thus far!), "She won her fight against breast cancer." As if she had somehow *earned* her survival, instead of just being on the lucky side of the stats. I don't know about you guys, but in the year since I first felt a lump and was plunged into this nightmare of chemo, surgery, radiation, and horrible side effects each more debilitating and demoralizing than the next, I haven't felt like a brave little soldier *at all*. I don't feel like I'm "battling," "fighting," or "struggling," I feel like I'm *enduring*. My image of myself is that of a concentration camp inmate--complete with bald head and tattoos--grimly determined to come out alive, but unable to actively escape or revolt, just waiting for liberation to come. Can anyone else relate to this? Eva >I never thought twice about this before, but it's begun to annoy me that >the [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Can anyone else relate to this? I can. But it's not just cancer which engenders such journalistic hyperbole, I don't know any cancer or chronic disease patient who would describe themselves as battling against their condition. You choose to fight ... the nature of any illness is that we can't fight it, we have to endure it and the treatments until we recover, survive or die but it's not a war. Nor are we 'struck down'. Cancer and the like are insidious, we don't know we have it until it's been around for some time, as a rule. Such phrases show a paucity of language. Pity the users! Mary > Eva >>I never thought twice about this before, but it's begun to annoy me that >>the >>news media always use the terms "battling," "fighting," and "struggle" >>when >>referring to people with cancer. ... >>I don't know about you guys, but in the year since I first felt a lump and >>was plunged into this nightmare of chemo, surgery, radiation, and horrible >>side effects each more debilitating and demoralizing than the next, I >>haven't felt like a brave little soldier *at all*. I don't feel like I'm >>"battling," "fighting," or "struggling," I feel like I'm *enduring*. ... >>Can anyone else relate to this? > > I can. But it's not just cancer which engenders such journalistic hyperbole, > I don't know any cancer or chronic disease patient who would describe > themselves as battling against their condition. I know some who do. In fact, I've heard one of the women on my rowing team refer to herself as a "breast cancer victor", which sounds like an extension of the same metaphor. As an aside, I'd be willing to bet (and have read things to support) that actual soldiers in battle don't feel much like "brave little soldiers" a lot of the time, either. A lot of what they do is slogging through mud (or sand), carrying heavy packs, waiting for a surprise that may be deadly. Not totally different from our situation. > You choose to fight ... the nature of any illness is that we can't fight it, > we have to endure it and the treatments until we recover, survive or die but > it's not a war. Not a war, true. Yet treatment -is- "fighting it", I think. One could choose not to be treated. Some do. And increasingly, it appears that our choices may influence our outcomes -- perhaps lifestyle issues as well as treatments per se. Is that "choosing to fight", or not? The term that kinda bugs me is "patient". I felt more like an im-patient, most of the time! War metaphors are like sports metaphors; they're everywhere. Metaphors, schmetaphors . . . going through treatment is just an unpleasant plod through annoying territory, however described. I'd prefer not to do it again. But given similar circumstances, I would. In a heartbeat. Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email ... >>>Can anyone else relate to this? >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > deadly. That's so, but when they are actually fighting (with guns, > bombsand the like) it's a different situation. > Not totally different from our situation. The first part isn't but it isn't fighting. It's enduring. >> You choose to fight ... the nature of any illness is that we can't fight >> it, we have to endure it and the treatments until we recover, survive or >> die but it's not a war. > > Not a war, true. Yet treatment -is- "fighting it", I think. One could > choose not to be treated. Some do. When we have treatment we're being passive, taking tablets, injections or whatever isn't actually doing anything, is it? We've put ourselves at the mercy - sorry, in the skilled hands - of the doctors. It could be said that they are doing the fighting but even then ... > And increasingly, it appears that our choices may influence our > outcomes -- perhaps lifestyle issues as well as treatments per se. Is > that "choosing to fight", or not? Hmm. I don't think so. That's about a whole life decision, not the battle against one 'enemy. That is the crux of the matter, I suppose, I don't see cancer as an enemy, just a condition. It didn't choose to attack me. > The term that kinda bugs me is "patient". I felt more like an im-patient, > most of the time! LOL! > War metaphors are like sports metaphors; they're everywhere. Metaphors, > schmetaphors . . . going through treatment is just an unpleasant plod > through annoying territory, however described. Exactly. > I'd prefer not to do it again. But given similar circumstances, I would. > In a heartbeat. Of course, I suspect we all would because life is sweet. A soldier in a battle situation doesn't have the choice ... Mary > Ann T. > Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email > When we have treatment we're being passive, taking tablets, injections or > whatever isn't actually doing anything, is it? We've put ourselves at the > mercy - sorry, in the skilled hands - of the doctors. It could be said that > they are doing the fighting but even then ... I guess I conceptualize it differently, then. I heard the doc's recommendations, signed up for the course, drove myself to the facility, took the meds, drove home, wretched for 24 hours or so until I could keep food & water down. Three weeks later, I did it over again. Pretty intentional activity. It didn't feel that passive to me! >>And increasingly, it appears that our choices may influence our >>outcomes -- perhaps lifestyle issues as well as treatments per se. Is >>that "choosing to fight", or not? > > Hmm. I don't think so. That's about a whole life decision, not the battle > against one 'enemy. Well . . . some folks seem to lose weight, revolutionize their diets, start to exercise . . . specifically because of the cancer, and a desire to do everything to survive it. It may have whole-life impacts, but I'm not sure it's always a whole-life decision. If it were truly a whole-life decision, perhaps we would've made that decision *before* getting cancer? > That is the crux of the matter, I suppose, I don't see cancer as an enemy, > just a condition. It didn't choose to attack me. I'm with you on that: Seeing cancer as an "enemy" is just a wee bit anthropomorphic for me! I don't feel as if I were "attacked" by cancer, as if it it had intent. But if I research, plan, take action, all with an aim of ridding my body of its remnants . . . well, I guess that feels active, feels more like "fight". We fight for rights, fight pollution, fight to finish a race, fight for a breath, fight poverty. Why not fight a disease? I suppose Eva's right, that one is just on the lucky side of the stats if one survives. But rightly or wrongly, I purely emotionally don't like thinking of myself as a teeny cork bobbing about in a big ocean, unable to influence my direction, just waiting to see what happens. I can't think of myself as "enduring" treatment. I *chose* treatment. (There is some endurance involved in sticking the course, though <G>.) The umbrella program that my rowing team is part of is called WeCanRow (Women Enduring Cancer Row). The "enduring" part has always rather rankled. >>I'd prefer not to do it again. But given similar circumstances, I would. >>In a heartbeat. > > Of course, I suspect we all would because life is sweet. A soldier in a > battle situation doesn't have the choice ... Desertion happens in battle. Perhaps, so does suicide. One can always choose to give up, somehow or other. In war, "honor" points toward fighting. I guess treatment choices don't have that value-laden coloration, but we do choose to take difficult steps that we hope will drive the disease from our bodies. Mary, are we disagreeing <smile>? It's been a while since that heppened, eh? No question the military rhetoric is waaaaay overdone. I vaguely resent being called "brave" for going through diagnosis & treatment, too. I didn't choose the diagnosis, and the alternative to treatment -- dying of cancer, and fairly soon -- wasn't exactly a better choice. Having been through that alternative with my husband, who lacked other choices, I didn't want to die just yet. What's a person to do? Why is that brave? Always a pleasure to chat, always in a spirit of friendship, Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email >> When we have treatment we're being passive, taking tablets, injections or >> whatever isn't actually doing anything, is it? We've put ourselves at the [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > food & water down. Three weeks later, I did it over again. Pretty > intentional activity. It didn't feel that passive to me! No! Of course that part isn't passive. But in different circumstances you could have stayed at home and had those things done to you. You didn't apply the treatments (i.e. 'weapons') :-) >>>And increasingly, it appears that our choices may influence our >>>outcomes -- perhaps lifestyle issues as well as treatments per se. Is [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > not sure it's always a whole-life decision. If it were truly a whole-life > decision, perhaps we would've made that decision *before* getting cancer? Does the weight loss, dieting and exercising affect the cancer? I don't think so, I think it makes life worth living. Ann, you know how much I admire your activities but I think that does you good (and those of us who enjoy it vicariously), it doesn't affect the cancer. I'm on a five year plan to lose weight so that I can get into a slinky gold number for our 50th anniversary. And if you're reading, Tim, you can wipe that smirk off your face NOW! >> That is the crux of the matter, I suppose, I don't see cancer as an >> enemy, just a condition. It didn't choose to attack me. >> > I'm with you on that: Seeing cancer as an "enemy" is just a wee bit > anthropomorphic for me! I don't feel as if I were "attacked" by cancer, > as if it it had intent. Quite. > But if I research, plan, take action, all with an aim of ridding my body > of its remnants . . . well, I guess that feels active, feels more like > "fight". It's a matter of semantics I suppose - but if those belligerent terms weren't used by journalists and others would you have thought about them for yourself? > We fight for rights, fight pollution, fight to finish a race, fight for a > breath, fight poverty. Why not fight a disease? I don't fight for any of those things, I work towards doing my bit about them. It's a commonly used expression, I think it's inappropriate. But it's an interesting discussion. Makes one think. > I suppose Eva's right, that one is just on the lucky side of the stats if > one survives. But rightly or wrongly, I purely emotionally don't like > thinking of myself as a teeny cork bobbing about in a big ocean, unable to > influence my direction, just waiting to see what happens. Well you and I are lucky to be living in a time and place where that ocean also has the accumulation of knowledge and practitioners who can influence our direction, we wouldn't be able to do it by ourselves without them. > I can't think of myself as "enduring" treatment. I *chose* treatment. You were guided in your treatments, surely? > (There is some endurance involved in sticking the course, though <G>.) There certainly is! > The umbrella program that my rowing team is part of is called WeCanRow > (Women Enduring Cancer Row). The "enduring" part has always rather > rankled. It would with me too. It's a laboured acronym. Took me a minute to work it out. Actually, the word 'laboured' brings to mind the parallel of the labour of childbirth. We don't (didn't) fight that, we endured it, persevered, we had no option. Just like the condition common to us all here. >>>I'd prefer not to do it again. But given similar circumstances, I would. >>>In a heartbeat. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > coloration, but we do choose to take difficult steps that we hope will > drive the disease from our bodies. What's the option though? > Mary, are we disagreeing <smile>? It's been a while since that heppened, > eh? No idea, I haven't kept a tally! Ii can't remember it happening either. I don't see it as disagreeing though, I think we're exploring attitudes, our own and others'. That's what words do to thinking people. Please don't take offence at anything I say. I'm not being rude to you, I value your opinions and admire you tremendously and I look forward to meeting you some day. > No question the military rhetoric is waaaaay overdone. I vaguely resent > being called "brave" for going through diagnosis & treatment, too. I > didn't choose the diagnosis, and the alternative to treatment -- dying of > cancer, and fairly soon -- wasn't exactly a better choice. Having been > through that alternative with my husband, who lacked other choices, I > didn't want to die just yet. What's a person to do? Why is that brave? Well, that just about sums it up :-)))))))) > Always a pleasure to chat, always in a spirit of friendship, Indeed. Your bosom pal <eeek but couldn't resist!> Mary >>Well . . . some folks seem to lose weight, revolutionize their diets, >>start to exercise . . . specifically because of the cancer, and a desire >>to do everything to survive it. .... > Does the weight loss, dieting and exercising affect the cancer? I don't > think so, I think it makes life worth living. Ann, you know how much I > admire your activities but I think that does you good (and those of us who > enjoy it vicariously), it doesn't affect the cancer. I'm not talking about me, especially, here. I'm a lazy slug, and I do love my chocolate <grin>! My point was that some adopt a new lifestyle because they *believe* it will have an effect on the cancer -- i.e., they're fighting, whether science supports the choice of weapons or not. Certainly, we've had women in this group who were convinced that juicing, or eating organic, or macrobiotic, would reduce their chances of recurrence/death. I think others may've launched exercise programs for the same reason. And a semi-recent study (I could find a cite if I had to <g>) did seem to suggest that exercise might have a beneficial effect on recurrence/survival in breast cancer survivors. IIRC, it was the sort of study that showed a correlation, but conclusions were not able to be drawn that it was definitively a cause. However, this is not why I row (etc.). I do it because it's fun, it reduces my stress level, it makes me feel strong, and I'm happier. I'll admit that study adds a dash of motivational impetus to overcome my inertia, at times, but not more. I have 30 years of bad lifestyle to prove I'm not motivated to do things by the potential for good health! > I'm on a five year plan to lose weight so that I can get into a slinky gold > number for our 50th anniversary. And if you're reading, Tim, you can wipe > that smirk off your face NOW! Ooooo! We need photos when the time comes! >>But if I research, plan, take action, all with an aim of ridding my body >>of its remnants . . . well, I guess that feels active, feels more like [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > weren't used by journalists and others would you have thought about them for > yourself? Quite probably. With eight years or so of Chinese martial arts in my past, and my late husband having been a martial arts teacher & firearms enthusiast, I'm pretty cozy with martial rhetoric. Certainly, I say things like "I'm fighting a cold", for example. This usage is supported by the dictionary definitions (at least in the dictionary I checked!) >>I can't think of myself as "enduring" treatment. I *chose* treatment. > > You were guided in your treatments, surely? Sure. But it's like almost anything else. If I need to buy a new car or CD player, I do research (i.e., listen to experts like doctors, or read reviews of cars or CD players), then make a choice. Ken (late husband) chose not to have chemo, though the medical oncologist waltzed in, and told him "this is what we're going to do". At heart, I guess I just don't feel like someone to whom things are done. I feel like someone who does things. I know this is about feelings, about self-concept, not objective fact. (And I'm *not* saying we always have all the choices we'd like. Ken's dead, for example.) >>The umbrella program that my rowing team is part of is called WeCanRow >>(Women Enduring Cancer Row). The "enduring" part has always rather >>rankled. > It would with me too. It's a laboured acronym. Took me a minute to work it > out. > > Actually, the word 'laboured' brings to mind the parallel of the labour of > childbirth. We don't (didn't) fight that, we endured it, persevered, we had > no option. Just like the condition common to us all here. Well, some of us endured it. Some of us didn't have children. (I almost said "chose not to have children" just to be devilish, but that wasn't the true word for me in this case.) I agree, one wouldn't fight labor/labour. (Unless we're talking politics rather than childbirth <g>?) Though one might struggle to give birth (I gather it's work, eh?) if things were difficult, perhaps? >>Desertion happens in battle. Perhaps, so does suicide. One can always >>choose to give up, somehow or other. In war, "honor" points toward [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > What's the option though? To give up. Not to "endure" treatment. Perhaps to kill oneself quickly and avoid both the treatment & the disease. Not much of a choice, in my world. But those at the margin (in whom chemo, say, is less effective), or who fear chemo, surgery, or radiation; or who are in denial . . . may not accept treatment. Others want every treatment, heedless of the marginal returns and the potential side effects. There's -something- going on here that has to do with one's posture of opposition to the disease, I think. >>Mary, are we disagreeing <smile>? It's been a while since that heppened, >>eh? > No idea, I haven't kept a tally! Ii can't remember it happening either. I > don't see it as disagreeing though, I think we're exploring attitudes, our > own and others'. That's what words do to thinking people. Please don't take > offence at anything I say. I'm not being rude to you, I value your opinions > and admire you tremendously and I look forward to meeting you some day. Eek! I fear I've unintentionally made you feel badly! NoNoNo! I hadn't the slightest sense that you were being rude, and had no inclination whatsoever to take offense. I find it very interesting to see how our choice of words interplays with our personalities, outlook, etc. Words are just words, finally. But I'm a heckuva stubborn, pugnacious, overbearing, contrarian so-and-so, and my choice of words is bound to reflect it <grin>. >>Always a pleasure to chat, always in a spirit of friendship, > > Indeed. > > Your bosom pal <eeek but couldn't resist!> Dunno . . . izzit even possible? After all, I've got none <VBG>! But, in all seriousness, I'm feeling warmly toward you, as always, regardless of what's on my chest (or not). Take care, Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email >>>Well . . . some folks seem to lose weight, revolutionize their diets, >>>start to exercise . . . specifically because of the cancer, and a desire [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > I'm not talking about me, especially, here. I'm a lazy slug, and I do > love my chocolate <grin>! You? Lazy?? > My point was that some adopt a new lifestyle because they *believe* it > will have an effect on the cancer -- i.e., they're fighting, whether > science supports the choice of weapons or not. Certainly, we've had women > in this group who were convinced that juicing, or eating organic, or > macrobiotic, would reduce their chances of recurrence/death. I think > others may've launched exercise programs for the same reason. But having an effect on cancer isn't fighting it. In my lexicon anyway. Look, I (occasionally) clean the kitchen floor. I'm not fighting the dirt, just trying to move it. > And a semi-recent study (I could find a cite if I had to <g>) did seem to > suggest that exercise might have a beneficial effect on > recurrence/survival in breast cancer survivors. I'd like to believe that. But they don't suggest that boxing or fencing or other pugilistic skills have better results than, say, rowing (G) do they? > However, this is not why I row (etc.). I do it because it's fun, it > reduces my stress level, it makes me feel strong, and I'm happier. I'll [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I have 30 years of bad lifestyle to prove I'm not motivated to do things > by the potential for good health! Me too :-( >> I'm on a five year plan to lose weight so that I can get into a slinky >> gold number for our 50th anniversary. And if you're reading, Tim, you can >> wipe that smirk off your face NOW! > > Ooooo! We need photos when the time comes! You'll have them. Promise. Stick around. >>>But if I research, plan, take action, all with an aim of ridding my body >>>of its remnants . . . well, I guess that feels active, feels more like >>>"fight". This conversation has caused me to think more about the issue. My latest flash of insight (!) has suggested that the fight, the battle, might be between the cancer and the medics, they're the ones using weapons. We, as Tim implied, are just the battleground. >> It's a matter of semantics I suppose - but if those belligerent terms >> weren't used by journalists and others would you have thought about them [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > past, and my late husband having been a martial arts teacher & firearms > enthusiast, I'm pretty cozy with martial rhetoric. That probably does affect the way you, Ann, feel. But most people don't, I opine. And I doubt that journalists have any such basis for using the words. Except, as I said, their normal hyperbole. > Certainly, I say things like "I'm fighting a cold", for example. This > usage is supported by the dictionary definitions (at least in the > dictionary I checked!) I didn't write that dictionary! And I don't get colds but if I did I wouldn't fight it, I couldn't. It will go away when it's run its course. That's the nature of colds. >>>I can't think of myself as "enduring" treatment. I *chose* treatment. >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > CD player, I do research (i.e., listen to experts like doctors, or read > reviews of cars or CD players), then make a choice. Then endured your treatment. It wasn't a picnic. > Ken (late husband) chose not to have chemo, though the medical oncologist > waltzed in, and told him "this is what we're going to do". But I'm sure you don't blame him for not 'fighting'? > At heart, I guess I just don't feel like someone to whom things are done. > I feel like someone who does things. Me too. But not fight. >>>The umbrella program that my rowing team is part of is called WeCanRow >>>(Women Enduring Cancer Row). The "enduring" part has always rather [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > said "chose not to have children" just to be devilish, but that wasn't the > true word for me in this case.) I didn't choose to have children. I didn't want children. But lust is a powerful urge ... > I agree, one wouldn't fight labor/labour. (Unless we're talking politics > rather than childbirth <g>?) <aside> Have you heard that we're going to have an election? It's just been announced. The Pope's death gave us two days of respite ... > Though one might struggle to give birth (I gather it's work, eh?) Yes it is, it's well named. But it's not a fight. >>>Desertion happens in battle. Perhaps, so does suicide. One can always >>>choose to give up, somehow or other. In war, "honor" points toward [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > and avoid both the treatment & the disease. Not much of a choice, in my > world. So when someone 'loses the fight/battle/struggle' they've given up? That sounds as though it's voluntary. > But those at the margin (in whom chemo, say, is less effective), or who > fear chemo, surgery, or radiation; or who are in denial . . . may not > accept treatment. Others want every treatment, heedless of the marginal > returns and the potential side effects. Treatment yes. I rest my case :-) > There's -something- going on here that has to do with one's posture of > opposition to the disease, I think. I don't know, I don't know that I had that posture of opposition. I was diagnosed, I accepted the treatment and the results. Yes, that just about sums it up. >>>Mary, are we disagreeing <smile>? It's been a while since that heppened, >>>eh? [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Eek! I fear I've unintentionally made you feel badly! NONONONO!!!!!!!!!! > I hadn't the slightest sense that you were being rude, and had no > inclination whatsoever to take offense. Believe me, if I wanted to give offence you'd know :-) > I find it very interesting to see how our choice of words interplays with > our personalities, outlook, etc. Yes, although I think we have a lot in common. The will to think about this matter and discuss it is one such. > Words are just words, finally. But I'm a heckuva stubborn, pugnacious, > overbearing, contrarian so-and-so, No! I'm glad I'm not like that. TIM! I shan't tell you again!!! >> Your bosom pal <eeek but couldn't resist!> > > Dunno . . . izzit even possible? After all, I've got none <VBG>! Oh, if I knew that I'd forgotten. I went to the GP this morning to review the arthritis analgesic drugs I take. I took the opportunity of telling him that I had a hearing problem. He asked if I'd be prepared to wear a hearing aid. Of course I would! I don't like missing things :-) But then he said that the digital ones were neat and very effective, I was a little disappointed, I fancied one like an old (now dead) eccentric friend had. Her microphone was in a box on her chest and she told everyone to . "Speak to the bosom!". I want to do that. They don't make them any more, apparently :-( But if they did and you needed one how would you manage ??? I also went to the optician, she said that my eyesight hadn't changed in two years, except for the quality of light which I needed. That's not how she said it but I knew what she meant. I mentioned that my eyes often itched or scratched, apparently that's associated with my arthritis! As are my hammer toes which I also mentioned to the GP. Ah, Old age is a terrible thing, Shakespeare was right, "Sans eyes, sans teeth, sans ears, sans everything." O.K., he didn't say it quite like that but he might as well have done. But what's the alternative? We must keep battling on, mustn't we? OOPS! <G> Mary >>Certainly, I say things like "I'm fighting a cold", for example. This >>usage is supported by the dictionary definitions (at least in the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > wouldn't fight it, I couldn't. It will go away when it's run its course. > That's the nature of colds. It is, but it seems many don't appreciate it and do indeed fight it, to the great joy and profit of the drug companies. When I was a child my mother used to give me things for colds, and I wondered why she bothered because I could never see that they made any difference. At the time I just put the knowledge along with religion and many other things in a box marked "incomprehensible things that grown-ups do". In terms of "fighting" it, I am reminded of the scene in the film "Predator" where Arnie's platoon gets spooked and empty their weapons into the jungle, resulting in nothing more than a lot of ripped leaves. You could call that fighting I suppose, but I'd call it panicking. In my book to be fighting one has to engage the enemy.  SignatureTim Jackson -Who needs to pay Microsoft? Free Open Source Software- www.mozilla.org FIREFOX Web Browser, THUNDERBIRD Email/News www.openoffice.org Office Suite > I'm on a five year plan to lose weight so that I can get into a slinky gold > number for our 50th anniversary. And if you're reading, Tim, you can wipe > that smirk off your face NOW! LOL SignatureTim >> I'm on a five year plan to lose weight so that I can get into a slinky >> gold number for our 50th anniversary. And if you're reading, Tim, you can >> wipe that smirk off your face NOW! >> > LOL I'm warning you ............... Hrumph. XMX >>I never thought twice about this before, but it's begun to annoy me that >>the [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > Such phrases show a paucity of language. Pity the users! When my wife was suffering from cancer I reckoned that she was more the battleground than the warrior. SignatureTim Jackson -Who needs to pay Microsoft? Free Open Source Software- www.mozilla.org FIREFOX Web Browser, THUNDERBIRD Email/News www.openoffice.org Office Suite Hi Eva, I write from Canary Islands, Spain. I Invite you tu read about a wonderful product that increase your inmune response so you can fight with more strenght against cancer. Have a look to: http://www.transferfactorinstitute.com/ and if you are interested in getting Transfer Factor Plus, let me know. Hope this give you hope. You can fight!! >I never thought twice about this before, but it's begun to annoy me that >the [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Eva > Hi Eva, > I write from Canary Islands, Spain. I Invite you tu read about a wonderful [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > and if you are interested in getting Transfer Factor Plus, let me know. > Hope this give you hope. You can fight!! I think it is generally accepted that cancer does not raise much of an immune response on its own, so improving the health of your immune system will not of itself attack cancer. The effectiveness of a drug like Herceptin which works by triggering an immune response against some cancers is pretty strong evidence of this. Keeping your immune system healthy -is- important to help tolerate chemotherapy, which depresses it. But some things which are good for the immune system also interact with the chemotherapy drugs, so one should always be very careful about taking other medications along with chemotherapy. One should of course at any time be vary wary of any unregulated treatment, especially if it claims a miracle cure, and especially on the internet. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. SignatureTim Jackson -Who needs to pay Microsoft? Free Open Source Software- www.mozilla.org FIREFOX Web Browser, THUNDERBIRD Email/News www.openoffice.org Office Suite |
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