Follow My Lead
Cancer is one of the most difficult things to talk about. People often feel nervous and uncomfortable when speaking to someone living with cancer. This can lead to people unintentionally saying the ‘wrong’ thing, something inappropriate or, worse still, not saying anything at all.This November, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation are urging people to Follow their lead, by asking we listen carefully to what people with lung cancer say and take cues from them to avoid making crass or hurtful comments. People across the UK with lung cancer informed us of how the felt about the language used around them. They most disliked those terms that conveyed pity, such as ‘I feel so sorry for you’, closely followed by ‘you’re so brave’, ‘a victim’ and ‘lost their fight’. Many also resented having their life-partner described as their ‘carer’. However what enthuses some is loathed by others.
Drawing on the feedback, H2HU collaborated with them to develop the Follow my lead poem. The poem aims to be ironically humorous and thought-provoking, to open up and improve conversations around lung cancer. Have a look and let us know what you think