J L Austin, a philosopher of language, passed away from lung cancer at age 48 in 1960, without directly acknowledging his illness. During that period, cancer was often unnamed due to stigma, leading to avoidance of the term even among friends and doctors. Susan Sontag, in her work, discussed how metaphors surrounding cancer shape perceptions and reinforce stigma, calling for a liberation from such narratives. By the time of her own death in 2004, cancer had evolved into a public health movement, marking a significant cultural shift in perception and involvement surrounding the illness.
Like many at the time, Austin's doctors, family and friends avoided naming his disease. 'Cancer' was a whispered word, a taboo too terrible to speak.
Susan Sontag exposed how metaphors surrounding illness, especially cancer, do more than describe; they shape perception, reinforce stigma, and impose narratives that can harm.
Sontag called for a 'liberation' from these metaphors, arguing that we must stop treating cancer as 'an evil, invincible predator'.
By her death, however, cancer had moved from private affliction to public crusade.
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