Notes:
There are those who preach against the traditional sign for cancer that looks
like Pacman gobbling up dots along the non-dominant palm. They claim that to not
trigger individuals who have cancer you should fingerspell "cancer" or they push
some sign other than the traditional sign.
Here's the thing though, what wannabe guru's put forth in their attempts to up
their viewership is often not representative of Deaf language use in real life.
At least it isn't so far at the time of this writing [2025].
I brought up the topic of what is the sign for "cancer" with my (Deaf) friend
the late Dr. Mel Chua as they (Mel preferred the pronoun "they") lay in a
hospital bed in the in-patient oncology unit of the Stanford Cancer Center in
Palo Alto, California.
Mel used the traditional sign.
Of course, "one example" doesn't make a case.
It wasn't just Mel though. It was Mel's partner, the interpreters, and
every Deaf visitor who dropped by and happened to sign the concept of cancer did
so by using the traditional sign.
With numerous tubes and wires attached to their body, Mel pointed out that they
belonged to an unofficial "club" of several Deal dealing with cancer and they
all used that (the traditional) sign for cancer. This conversation took place in
2024 a few weeks before Mel passed away from metastatic bladder cancer.
Language changes.
Will the majority of skilled Deaf ASL signers keep using the traditional sign
for cancer as time goes on? Who knows!?! My advice? If you sign the
tradition version of cancer and someone indicates that they personally find it
triggering -- feel free to fingerspell it instead.
If someone objects to your choice of the cancer sign by claiming that some
unknown potential person might be triggered by the sign -- you might consider
replying that you are triggered by "virtue signaling" and then assure the person
that if you meet a person who actually has cancer and is also triggered by the
traditional sign for cancer you will certainly switch to fingerspelling so as to not bother them when referring to the killer disease that might cause them intense pain, disfigurement, and death.
* Virtue signaling is the public expression of opinions or sentiments intended
to demonstrate one's good character or social conscience or the moral
correctness of one's position on a particular issue. [Source: Oxford
Dictionary]).
** If this discussion has triggered someone -- I would encourage that person to
put the energy to use by seeking out ways to support cancer research.
