Confession: Should We Blame Others for Trying to Comfort a Cancer Patient?

Blog author Inga Chikovani, a cancer patient, reflects on how to perceive attempts by others to comfort a patient with phrases like 'cancer is treatable.' She concludes that healthy people should not be blamed for a lack of sensitivity: their intention is to support, not to diminish fear. Fear is an enemy to be overcome, not a reason to demand special treatment from others.

Inga Chikovani, a journalist turned social worker, writes a blog for Vesti about her battle with breast cancer. In the twenty-ninth installment, she reflects on the reactions of healthy people to her diagnosis. The author recalls how an acquaintance told her, 'It's not so bad, breast cancer is treatable now.' At the time, Inga was frightened and did not argue, but looking back, she understands that the acquaintance wanted to reassure her, not to show indifference. Chikovani criticizes the common phrase among cancer patients, 'you are invalidating someone else's fear,' believing that fear is an enemy to be overcome, not nurtured. She urges not to demand special treatment from others, reminding that everyone has their own problems and fears. The article is written as a personal confession, without propaganda or commercial intent.