Talking About Cancer

Why People Talk About Cancer More Openly These Days

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

People used to be a lot more secretive about their medical conditions, but now it seems like every time someone gets cancer, we hear about it. Do you have any ideas about why people are so much more open when talking about cancer?

Sincerely,

It's No Secret

A:

Dear It's No Secret,

Certain people are private and certain people are exhibitionists and those who are private will not be open about their cancer and its treatment. Those people who crave the public eye, and are normally in the public eye, are much more comfortable talking about their cancer and its treatment publicly.

Other reasons why people who do talk about their cancer openly are more apt to:

*The technology boom has made public confession, anonymously, easy. The internet has made those black rectangles that television shows put over anonymous guests' eyes, unnecessary. On the internet, it's easy to confess using a fake name, no name, or just an "anonymous" tag. Anyone and everyone can post on message boards about their health experiences. This has taken the shame and the mystery out of cancer, and has made those people who do go public, less of a freak when they do. It's harder to hear or see something you've never heard or seen before with the internet.

*Television has become the public confessional. There are so many channels now and so many outlets for shows that producers are eager to put on shows about cancer and every facet of cancer, making cancer a little more ho hum and less eerie and mysterious. This makes it easier for others to talk about their cancer.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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