14 Comments so far

1. notalone on October 28, 2009 9:18 pm

   I have terminal cancer.. I find humor works when its in its place. There are times to get darned right serious with this cancer, but there are times when I just need to laugh and try to make light of my situation. I have been on that site before and I enjoy it. I don’t want to live in the doom and gloom that the cancer tries desperately to over shadow me, laughing at it at times gives me the upper hand. ie: “I’ll cure my lung cancer, or die trying”

2. lo_mcg on October 28, 2009 10:08 pm

   I have had cancer; currently in remission.
   I think there’s a place for a kind of dark humour about cancer; however I think this is largely limited to those who have had cancer and their trusted friends and family – people those who have cancer ‘allow’ to joke about it.
   In my support network, we call it ‘tumour humour’.
   I wouldn’t necessarily be offended by a joke which included reference to cancer, or even had cancer as its subject – but I think the teller of the joke should perhaps choose his/her audience carefully.
   I don’t think that there is a place for cancer jokes on this board, where many people come for support when they are terrified by a new diagnosis, or are terminally ill or watching their spouse, parent or child die. And I think the kids who’ve been posting ‘Isn’t cancer funny’ questions on here for the last couple of days deserve a good kicking.[ Edit* should make it clear here I'm talking about a verbal kicking, which they got. Although...]
   I find many of the regular posters on this forum have a certain dry, dark humour regarding their situation, and I appreciate that.
   Edit** I had a look at the link; found the jokes neither offensive nor amusing

3. hazel200 on October 28, 2009 10:35 pm

   I think you are right about keeping a good sense of humor. I was diagnosed and treated for colon cancer about 8 months ago. I had some funny experiences during that time and yes I laughed-I think it helped me. Right now I think I am clear of cancer-it was a stage one and although I had part of my bowel removed I’m doing OK. There is a 90% 5 year survival rate for stage I colon cancer. I’m still laughing about the bill for the colonoscopy-12 Thousand (yes thousand) dollars-When I saw that I asked “What did they do, leave the camera in me???” That’s the kind of joking I mean. I guess some jokes about cancer may be in poor taste and offensive depending on the joke.

4. midnight on October 28, 2009 10:58 pm

   Yes, some jokes are comical, while others are in bad taste. I mean, For 3.5 years, cancer has been my whole life, or the center of it atleast. If there was never anything funny to go along with it, I would have died of depression long ago.
   And while I agree the jokes really shouldnt be on this bored, some people need to lighten up. Most of the people coming here posting jokes or insensitive things either really dont get it, have never seen it never had it, or are trying to stir up the pot. And when people get hateful towards them, they either dont understand why, or have gotten what they wanted which was attention.

5. Jelle {is SINGLE! <3} on October 28, 2009 11:23 pm

   If someone has cancer, and cancer jokes do not offend them, then I say there’s no problem. But if you don’t know your entire audience then you shouldn’t be telling them. Personally, I don’t find cancer jokes funny, like you said, they’re kind of lame, so I don’t tell them, but if someone said them, then whatever, no need to chop their head off.

6. ann w on October 29, 2009 12:17 am

   no i don’t Think any Cancer jokes are in The least bit humorous, no i haven’t had cancer but my father has, he died of this September The13th1998 no one would ever find any jokes about cancer the least bit funny if they had seen anyone whom they loved suffering so much and in so much pain, cancer does not take away humor at all but there are a lot more thing in life that you can laugh and joke about, i am a very happy humorous person by the way and am not out to spoil any ones joy in life.

7. Rita B Good on October 29, 2009 12:59 am

   They may be in poor taste, but yes they can be humorous.
   I do not have/had cancer but my little sister died of cancer at the age of 7 and quite a number of friends/relatives have also died of this malady.
   I guess after such tragedies — humor helps.
   It can also help the patient — ie.. what hair color or style would you like?

8. Ladyofat on October 29, 2009 1:35 am

   personally no i don’t think that cancer jokes are funny , nor do i want to hear any, or be around anyone telling them. I have lost too many loved ones to cancer, and it was not a fun thing to watch, or for them to go through…….and right now some one that is close to me has cancer, and there is nothing i can do but be supportive of him, and pray that it does not take his life………and that my daughter does not see her father die from cancer as i saw mine father die from cancer……

9. rob_n_tx on October 29, 2009 2:28 am

   I have cancer and Ive never heard a cancer joke.. but I dont think it would make me laugh… however, this is a free country and if some sicko or nit wit.. gets his kicks from it.. its not a problem for me.. I think entire thing of well is “political correctness ” what they call it is over done.. It doesnt bother me if some one wants to tell a sexist or racist joke..I think they should be able too.. we have free speech here dont we.!??

10. S155 on October 29, 2009 3:12 am

    I’m on the fence with this one…..There’s a big difference in trying to find a little humor while facing cancer diagnosis/treatments and the many who post insensitive jokes on this board with the clear intention of upsetting people.

11. bill r on October 29, 2009 3:58 am

    i have cancer and don’t find anything funny about it. could you explain how YOU could possibly see anything funny about it?

12. Spindrif on October 29, 2009 4:01 am

    None. I was diagnosed with Stage III uterine cancer in 1998 and see nothing humorous in cancer jokes…

13. Ariel36 on October 29, 2009 4:55 am

    No. I have not had cancer but I have relatives that have. I don’t really know what would be funny about cancer.

14. Macman on October 29, 2009 5:09 am

    A cancer survivor thinks it is nothing to laugh about.