From stigma to support: Changing the cancer conversation

From stigma to support: Changing the cancer conversation 
Oncology Nursing Society (ONS); by Anne Snively, MBA, CAE; 4/29/25 
Certain treatments (palliative care, opioids) and diagnoses (lung cancer) are more prone to association with cancer-related stigma. Nurses can play a vital role in reframing these thoughts and promoting empathy. ... Caner-related stigma has wide-reaching effects across the care continuum, including poorer patient outcomes. ...

• Stigma of Cancer: ... When people feel judged, shamed, or excluded, they may avoid screening, delay seeking care, or disengage from treatment. ...
• Stigma of Palliative Care: ... People who pursue palliative care may be perceived as “giving up.” The misconception that palliative care equals end-of-life or hospice care contributes to this misunderstanding. 
• The Importance of Language: ... Military metaphors like “fighting cancer” or “losing the battle” can imply that patients who choose comfort-focused care are failing and may create guilt, shame, or a sense of inadequacy. ...