Talk Cancer: Speaking the Unspoken

Loss of control, loss of self-efficacy, decreased self-esteem, grief, and isolation are only a couple of the numerous psychological crises caused by cancer. The challenges of a multi-layered and multi-faceted disease such as cancer cannot be met through science alone. Although several attempts have been made to break the `C-word' stereotype, cancer remains a taboo subject in the 21st century. As a society, we are distinctly poor at speaking about cancer. Quite often, be it with relatives, friends, or even strangers, we don't seem to know what to say, so we end up saying nothing at all. We sometimes cancer as a constant `battle'. We've all been guilty of using expressions such as `they won their battle against cancer', `let's fight cancer together', or `stand up to cancer'. But what's the impact of such words on those affected by cancer? What about the ones who are too tired to `fight' and too tired to `be strong'? What about the ones who lost the fight, yet fought with bravery? What about the ones who do not have a choice either? Is it fair to put our dear ones under such pressure? We act as if it's under their control to `beat' this disease. The value of this book is immeasurable and has touched dozens of people with cancer, families, friends, care workers, healthcare professionals and more. Our aim was to promote honest conversations about cancer and to provide a platform for those affected to voice their narratives, monologues, poems and illustrations seen and heard. Through this book, we also hope to inspire students from all over the world to strengthen and bridge the gap between universities and local communities, to give back and create a positive impact locally within their time at medical school.