How come other diseases don't get as much recognition as cancer? (death, state)

[spicymeatball]

I'm not trying to downplay cancer or anything as it's definitely horrible but how come it seems like other terminal diseases like stroke, diabetes, emphysema etc don't inspire as much of a sympathetic reaction from people? In some cases these diseases can cause just as much pain and suffering as cancer. I think the only disease that gets a somewhat comparable amount of sympathy from people is Alzheimer's.

I've also noticed that breast cancer and leukemia seem to inspire more sympathy than say prostate or lung cancer, perhaps because they usually effect women and children.

[1986pacecar]

I didn't know one disease garnered more sympathy than another. Strokes, diabetes, emphyzema aren't terminal. Not all forms of cancer are either but just the word strikes fear in most people. You hear the word cancer and you immediately think it's a death sentence.

[spicymeatball]

Originally Posted by 1986pacecar

I didn't know one disease garnered more sympathy than another. Strokes, diabetes, emphyzema aren't terminal. Not all forms of cancer are either but just the word strikes fear in most people. You hear the word cancer and you immediately think it's a death sentence.

They definitely can be.

[thatguydownsouth]

Probably because it can strike anyone, at any time. Lots of other diseases have such obvious causes or indicators. But cancer is a silent killer. It can strike your newborn, or your perfectly healthy husband, or your grandfather.