imagesFrom Medical Daily. 

Good post by Chris Weller

Anything that threatens our very livelihoods deserves retaliation — or so we tend to think. But what if that thing isn’t something we can interact with, like a mugger or a foaming dog? What if it’s nothing more than a rapidly multiplying set of cells growing within our own organs? Do we fight back?

If the data are any indication, a new study from the University of Michigan encourages people to fight, just not in so specific terms. When patients use the language of war metaphors — battling cancer in the hopes of beating it — people tend to stray from many of the restrictions that come with cancer treatment, such as curbing the consumption of alcohol and red meat. Even though they should be surrendering certain behaviors, an aggressive mentality puts them on the offensive, increasing their risks.

“Fight and battle are actually among the top 10 verbs used to describe cancer,” David Hauser, study co-author and a UM doctoral student in psychology, said in a statement. “Constant exposure to even minor metaphorical utterances may be enough to make enemy metaphors for cancer a powerful influence on public health — with unfortunate side effects.” SEE MORE HERE.