Cancer vocabulary: 'Awareness'

People often talk about "awareness" when referring to a certain cause or organisation. "Raise awareness" they say. What does this really mean?

According to my dictionary, aware is an adjective:

• "having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact"

• "concerned and well-informed about a particular situation or development"

... and the noun awareness in the thesaurus has these synonyms:

• "consciousness, recognition, realization; understanding, grasp, appreciation, knowledge, insight; familiarity; cognizance"

Well, here's what "raising awareness" means to me:

• Awareness about (knowledge of) a particular support organisation and what they can help with. For example, being aware of the Cancer Council Queensland means I am able to contact them if I need to, maybe to ask some questions or get some information.

• Awareness is also about early detection - noticing any unusual changes to your body (if you can; some changes are not easily detectable) and seeking advice and assistance if there is something that doesn't seem right.

What does "raising awareness" mean to you? Is it simply a euphemism for "raising money"? Or is it more than that?

Cancer vocabulary: "New Normal"

One of the new words/phrases in my vocabulary since cancer diagnosis in 2009 is "new normal": a concept I both understand and resent at the same time...


The Cancer Council NSW's page on Life after treatment puts it succinctly:

"Many people are surprised to discover that life after treatment presents its own challenges.

"Some people feel pressure from their family and friends to get back to their ‘normal life’. Everyone will eventually re-establish a daily routine, but it will be at their own pace and may be different to how things were in the past. Some people call this a ‘new normal’.

"Give yourself time to adjust to physical and emotional changes. You may not be fit enough to do your usual activities around the house. If you’re returning to work, ease back into it slowly, rather than rushing back the week after leaving hospital.

"Some people say that after cancer, they have changed priorities and see life with a new clarity. For example, you may decide to spend more time with family, start a new hobby, travel or get involved in advocacy or volunteer work."

... understand because this is exactly what has happened/is happening to me.

... resent because I really want the old normal back!