Barbara Ehrenreich Welcome To Cancerland Analysis

Barbara Ehrenreich gives us a somewhat warm welcome to cancerland in her article. Her writing gives her readers a different mindset on cancer. She raises different points about how cancer is objectified, considered beautiful, infantilized, as well as how it robs patients of their autonomy. People think cancer and they think chemo or death. Ehrenreich focused much of her writing on reminding us of the ways that, breast cancer specifically, is objectified by society. In her article “Welcome to Cancerland” she seems to be trying to portray the concept that people have become less empathetic to the disease through the objectifications, but I think that they are trying to create a hopeful atmosphere. Breast cancer was not always as popular as
When feminists first began to bring it to the surface is when it needed awareness. Nowadays, mostly everyone is aware of the reality of breast cancer. Ehrenreich illustrates different ways that breast cancer is objectified such as: teddy bears, bracelets, shopping for a cure, marathons, candle holders, and many other products that one can purchase. The proceeds are sent to cancer funds. These products are a thoughtful way to donate to the cause, but they also make the cancer itself seem like an object. The patients became accessories to the disease, a merchandise. When the disease is normalized, people without the illness forget about how difficult it is to treat. The objectification of cancer blocks out the horror of the disease: the treatment. Chemo and radiation cause nausea, hair loss, depression, stress, and many other side effects. However, people overlook these truths when they consider cancer as beautiful. I think a better way to describe it is war. “War” is not an adjective, but it does describe cancer. There are two outcomes of the disease: you win or you lose. However, I think this is the more pessimistic way to look at the disease. If one were to take a more catholic approach it would be a “win win” situation. The patient would win if they survive, because they can continue to live their life with their loved ones. The patient also wins if they pass away, because they can be reunited with their amazing creator,