“A Burst of Light: Living With Cancer” by Audre Lorde was short in length but powerful in information. The way she depicts the sexism and racism within the healthcare system is truthful and insightful. Her battle with Breast Cancer eventually evolved into a battle with a possibly malignant tumor on her liver. Her suspicion to undergo a surgical biopsy was not accepted by the specialists she met with. She felt that it was her body and she should have some say in what happens to her own body. When she asked questions and dared to educate herself on alternative options for dealing with her condition, the doctors made her feel inferior and belittled. One specialist made several sarcastic comments regarding Lorde’s intelligence.
She understood that she was not as educated in the medical field as her doctors. However that should not give them permission to degrade her perspective on her body. As a woman with several serious medical conditions, I understand her desire to as questions and become educated on her condition. I also understand the desire to take control over one’s body in times of emotional, physical, and psychological turmoil.
It was difficult to believe that doctors in the late 1980s were still talking down to patients based on their sex/gender and race. The racism and sexism within the healthcare system needs to cease completely. Professionals in the healthcare system should allow patients to ask questions and be active participants in the treatment of their respective condition.
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Great title! My body, my choice pretty much sums it up. When I was reading that same article "A Burst of Light: Living with Cancer" I could not believe how the doctors treated Lorde. It was obvious that she was going through something foreign and frightening to her, and all the doctor could provide was discomfort. Obviously Lorde came to him because of his expertise in the field, however, the problem with doctors then and still today is that they try to force their opinions on their patients. I don't pay for your opinions and sarcastic remarks, I pay for you to help me understand what is going on with my body and work WITH ME to make the best decision for ME. I think thats why today a lot of people don't like to go to the doctor. Yes they might be afriad of what the doctor has to say, but doctors today have their own agendas, and more and more it's seeming like they are influencing their patients in ways that will benefit them (the doctors) more so then the people they are supposed to be trying to help.
Modern medicine...Help or Hazzard?
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