Post by Matt Morley on Mar 20, 2016 0:50:12 GMT
Orgad, S. (2005). The Transformative Potential of Online Communication: the case of breast cancer patients' internet spaces
Feminist Media Studies 5(2), 141-161.
For my contribution to the additional readings this week, I have chose to examine Orgad's article on breast cancer patients utilizing forums as platforms for support. This reading is particularly interesting because it explores health, femininity and online spaces very similar to the one that Laura and I have created for our presentation. Let's take a look:
Despite the growing publicity surrounding breast cancer in the form of awareness days, months, races, etc., Orgad argues that the narrative surrounding breast cancer is still mostly personal and disconnected from society as a whole. With this in mind, Orgad wanted to look into the ways in which computer mediated discourse could provide more publicity for the struggles that breast cancer patients deal with that are still largely private and invisible to society. This study was achieved by conducting 41 interviews over four years with various breast cancer patients who utilize the internet to talk about their illness.
This study ties in with our other readings on cyberfeminisms because it demonstrates the ways in which women utilize the internet to create their own spaces and narratives while challenging hegemonic norms. One of the ways that forums and message boards are able to do this is by changing the usual flow of information about treatment that is provided by the doctor and passed down to the patient. As one of Orgad's interviews phrased it, being able to speak to other patients who have been through the procedures already makes the information more personal:
It is interesting to note that in this particular breast cancer patient's experience, her doctor was a man. Today, oncology is still a male dominated field, with roughly 65% of all oncologists in America being male (ASCO, 2015). By forming networks online, women are able to create discourse about the personal struggles of their illness with other women that they may not have the opportunity to speak about with their doctors. Orgad also found that the women posting on these forums were sometimes outspoken and critical of their treatment options and the power structure of the current medical system. By creating their own spaces online that are publicly visible, breast cancer patients are able to challenge authorities that potentially silenced their voices in the past.
The findings of this study were not all positive however, and Orgad argues that discourse on forums and message boards alone do not have the power to truly transform public discourse. One of the researcher's concerns was with the increasing commodification of online spaces. Orgad found that many forums had various ads and links that directed viewers to articles concentrating on beauty, self-improvement and reconstructive surgeries relating to breast cancer. The issue of objectifying women suffering from breast cancer coupled with the public's obsession with women's breasts has long been an issue for those struggling with breast cancer, so advertising suggesting that women get cosmetic surgery to make themselves "whole" again is definitely problematic and counter-productive to altering social discourse on breast cancer. Like many scholars studying new media communication platforms, Orgad ultimately argues that discourse online can have positive impacts on public discourse but lacks true transformative power on its own.
"Save the Ta-Tas" bumper stickers: Commercial sexualization of breast cancer?
"Save the Boobs!" breast cancer PSA by Rethink Breast Cancer. Hint: don't read the comment section on YouTube
Feminist Media Studies 5(2), 141-161.
For my contribution to the additional readings this week, I have chose to examine Orgad's article on breast cancer patients utilizing forums as platforms for support. This reading is particularly interesting because it explores health, femininity and online spaces very similar to the one that Laura and I have created for our presentation. Let's take a look:
Despite the growing publicity surrounding breast cancer in the form of awareness days, months, races, etc., Orgad argues that the narrative surrounding breast cancer is still mostly personal and disconnected from society as a whole. With this in mind, Orgad wanted to look into the ways in which computer mediated discourse could provide more publicity for the struggles that breast cancer patients deal with that are still largely private and invisible to society. This study was achieved by conducting 41 interviews over four years with various breast cancer patients who utilize the internet to talk about their illness.
This study ties in with our other readings on cyberfeminisms because it demonstrates the ways in which women utilize the internet to create their own spaces and narratives while challenging hegemonic norms. One of the ways that forums and message boards are able to do this is by changing the usual flow of information about treatment that is provided by the doctor and passed down to the patient. As one of Orgad's interviews phrased it, being able to speak to other patients who have been through the procedures already makes the information more personal:
Tons of information you get from other women who have deal with BC (breast cancer) is different from what the doctor tells you. He tells you what the treatment should do, lists the possible side effects, recommends medications to combat the side effects, etc. The ladies have BEEN THERE, DONE THAT -- they give you an honest accounting of how it happens, what it feels like, what side effects are and how they handle them.
It is interesting to note that in this particular breast cancer patient's experience, her doctor was a man. Today, oncology is still a male dominated field, with roughly 65% of all oncologists in America being male (ASCO, 2015). By forming networks online, women are able to create discourse about the personal struggles of their illness with other women that they may not have the opportunity to speak about with their doctors. Orgad also found that the women posting on these forums were sometimes outspoken and critical of their treatment options and the power structure of the current medical system. By creating their own spaces online that are publicly visible, breast cancer patients are able to challenge authorities that potentially silenced their voices in the past.
The findings of this study were not all positive however, and Orgad argues that discourse on forums and message boards alone do not have the power to truly transform public discourse. One of the researcher's concerns was with the increasing commodification of online spaces. Orgad found that many forums had various ads and links that directed viewers to articles concentrating on beauty, self-improvement and reconstructive surgeries relating to breast cancer. The issue of objectifying women suffering from breast cancer coupled with the public's obsession with women's breasts has long been an issue for those struggling with breast cancer, so advertising suggesting that women get cosmetic surgery to make themselves "whole" again is definitely problematic and counter-productive to altering social discourse on breast cancer. Like many scholars studying new media communication platforms, Orgad ultimately argues that discourse online can have positive impacts on public discourse but lacks true transformative power on its own.
"Save the Ta-Tas" bumper stickers: Commercial sexualization of breast cancer?
"Save the Boobs!" breast cancer PSA by Rethink Breast Cancer. Hint: don't read the comment section on YouTube
