{"id":23947,"date":"2026-05-07T18:30:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T15:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kapa3.gr\/?p=23947"},"modified":"2026-05-07T18:44:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T15:44:25","slug":"language-in-cancer-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kapa3.gr\/en\/language-in-cancer-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Language in cancer care: why words are never neutral"},"content":{"rendered":"

Language used in cancer care is never neutral.<\/strong> The words chosen to describe a diagnosis can significantly shape how a person experiences illness, especially during a highly vulnerable period of life. Depending on how they are used, words may either reinforce fear and stigma or support dignity, psychological safety, and empowerment.<\/p>\n

This perspective is highlighted in a recent interview with Evangeli Bista, co-founder of the Cancer Guidance Center (Kapa3)<\/strong>, published on iatronet.gr<\/strong>, where she discusses the findings of a study exploring how patients themselves perceive the language used around cancer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The study<\/strong>, conducted by Kapa3<\/strong>, examined how people living with cancer experience terms such as \u201ccancer patient,\u201d \u201concology patient,\u201d or simply \u201cpatient,\u201d and how these labels influence their emotional response and sense of identity.<\/p>\n

Findings<\/strong> suggest that many patients feel that labels directly linking them to their disease can increase emotional burden and reinforce the idea that cancer defines their entire identity. In contrast, more neutral or person-first expressions (\u201cperson with cancer\u201d) appear to offer greater psychological comfort, allowing individuals to maintain a sense of self beyond the diagnosis.<\/p>\n

The qualitative analysis<\/strong> also highlights the crucial role of healthcare professionals. Clear, honest, and compassionate communication\u2014without exaggeration or dramatic framing\u2014is consistently described by patients as a key element of trust and emotional support. Communication, in this sense, is not simply a soft skill but an essential part of clinical care.<\/p>\n

The study further reinforces the importance of a person-first approach<\/strong>, where the individual comes before the illness. At the same time, participants expressed resistance both to stigma and to excessive heroisation, calling instead for balanced, respectful, and realistic communication.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, language in oncology is not just descriptive\u2014it actively shapes the patient experience and becomes part of the care process itself.<\/p>\n

Read the full interview with Evangeli Bista on iatronet.gr:
https:\/\/www.iatronet.gr\/article\/139695\/karkinopathhs-ogkologikos-asthenhs-h-apla-asthenhs-o-antiktypos-ton-lexeon-ston-karkino<\/a><\/p>\n

Read the related scientific publication by the Cancer Guidance Center (Kapa3):
https:\/\/www.kapa3.gr\/nea-epistimoniki-dimosieysi-gia-to-kapa3\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Text\/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Language used in cancer care is never neutral. The words chosen to describe a diagnosis can significantly shape how a person experiences illness, especially during a highly vulnerable period of … Continue reading Language in cancer care: why words are never neutral<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23948,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[606,1987,704,1984,1983,1986,1989,1988,1982,1985,1990,190],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nLanguage in cancer care: why words matter<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Language in cancer care shapes patient experience. 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