If we called them projects instead of problems, would that make them easier to handle?

Probably not with cancer but I do agree. : )

I think that can go both ways. Around here there has been this homeless project and that, and they seem to not view the problem as a problem because they are ”projects” like some mission to work to, and not something that needs to be addressed.

The Hard Problem of Consciousness will become a “Project” when, and only when, Hard Marxist Dialectic Materialists entertain metaphysics. Until then, we’re just grinding meat.

I thought we were supposed to call them challenges ,or did I get that wrong and I have a problem?

Probably not, things are pretty shitty in the projects….

No. More likely, “project” would assume the same negative connotation.

Am I using “assume” as it should be used?

No. A project is how you deal with a problem. Two different concepts. It is cognitively harmful to mix and match concepts.