CANCER METAPHOR REVISITED: CONCEPTUALIZATION OF CANCER AND CANCER RELATED EMOTIONS IN PERSONAL CANCER PATIENT STORIES
CANCER METAPHOR REVISITED: CONCEPTUALIZATION OF CANCER AND CANCER RELATED EMOTIONS IN PERSONAL CANCER PATIENT STORIES

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine metaphors used by cancer patients that either represent their views of the cancer itself or the emotions evoked by this experience. Metaphors are an integral part of our everyday life as well as the way we interpret both ourselves and the world that surrounds us. The way we understand an illness, whether as an assailant or an obstacle, can set the treatment. A collection of personal stories of cancer English speaking patients will be surveyed. We shall examine whether metaphors used in this discourse are of formative or informative nature in regards to their social and personal function. In discourse metaphors are used to portray certain aspects of reality. Thus, the choice of the metaphor will influence our understanding of the concept. Since cancer is a very serious illness that can lead to a tragic end, it is inevitable that the patients will become confused and stressed. What can help during this process is clarification of their state and a way to express themselves. Metaphors not only come in handy, but are also unavoidable in these situations. If we are able to understand how we perceive cancer and what emotions it stirs in us we might be able to better understand it and offer a fuller and more humane path of recovery.

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