Its always hard to know what to say or do when someone you know has cancer. Here are three simple steps to guide you
Table of Contents
Don’t Ignore The Situation
You might be surprised by how many cancer patients say that they lost friends when they were diagnosed with cancer. This is usually because people don’t know how to act or what to say. But ignoring a person when they may need you most is a terrible thing to do. If you don’t know what to do or say the simplest thing you can do is tell them. Saying ‘I don’t know what to say’ could break the ice and its possible that they don’t know what to say either.
Give Them Your Time
Most people who have been diagnosed with cancer are overloaded with appointments and tests and find the day to day living tasks difficult to achieve. A simple offer to help buy groceries or to drive them to an appointment could be a big help.
Use The Right Words
Telling cancer patients to be brave can be counterproductive as can deny people their emotions
“The words..fight it. The word CANCER it’s scary you have no choice. Trying to be brave and not upset or angry and keeping up appearances when your in pain feeling low and on your own.. “Susan Smith
“Don’t say u are so brave… I was frightened but what choice do u have but to get on with the treatment , just listen “ Lesley Jackson
So using the right words to express how you feel and to comfort can be very important.
This image is published by permission of Cancer Care Parcel
Most importantly, just be there for them. Hear what they are saying and please help when and if you can.
Resources
Helping A Friend With Cancer: What You Need to Know